Tomato 'Vintage Wine'

I started these from seeds. I planted then in three different locations with different soil conditions and support systems. The year has ...Read Morebeen moderate to wet, with average heat and always high humidity.

1 - Planted in raised beds last week of May with no support. Fruit set heavily, but didn't seem to ripen well. The plants got badly sun-burnt as did the fruits. Pulled dead plants out August 30. Coloration on fruit was palest red striped HEAVILY with creamy-yellow. The fruits may have been ripe and I didn't realize it. Size of fruit: softball

2 - Planted in neighbor's yard June 1. Sandy Loam. Conical tomato cage support. Plants toppled over top of support and were sunburned badly. Fruit set has been light and is always scalded on the shoulders. Size of fruit :baseball. Flavor is watered down tomato. Overall plant health is poor

3 - Planted in greenhouse on June 14(plastic cover removed for summer) in a low-sided 10 gallon pot. Bark-mix soil with 1 cup worm castings, once weekly application of organic nutrients & fertilizer, once weekly application of 150ppm conventional 20-20-20. CalMag foliar spray at initiation of fruit set. Twined up a sisal rope that is tied loosely at the base of the plant and runs 8' up to the greenhouse bow.

The plant is full,lush and green, about 5' tall. No signs of sunburn on the plant itself. The fruit is still small and healthy looking.

So far so good with this plant. I am growing two of these at the moment and both are strong and healthy and bearing little tomato's. Cant...Read More wait for them to ripen so I can see the stripes.

Of course where I am from it is the tomato season is now!

Although the plants are loaded with tomatoes and the first one was ripe in July (which is good for around here) I thought the taste was j...Read Moreust OK ... I'll wait for my brandywines (which don't ripen until August) ...

A large pink beefsteak with yellow streaks on the skin.