Grow Your Own Magazine

I`m growing these for the first time. They are doing really well & I`ve got a couple of trusses, but I`ve also got a big flower - looks a bit like a small chrysanthemum growing from the top. What`s is this?

Hi Pmc,

It is normal to have one or two of those big flowers but they will also produce irregular (sometimes veryy interesting) shape fruit which is usually bigger then the other normal flower.

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I grow, I pick, I eat ...

hmmm, interesting - I'm growing these for the first time as well - I'll look out for that.

I grew them about 10 years ago. Interesting was the word, but I found them disappointingly bland. I like a bit of acidity to balance the sweetness in a tom.

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Earth laughs in flowers. Ralph Waldo Emerson

www.vegheaven.blogspot.com

Updated November 17th - The Big Dig

Hi Queeny,

Which black toms are you growing this year ?

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I grow, I pick, I eat ...

I`ll let it be & see what I get. Thought they might be interesting in a salad but if they`re boring I won`t bother next year.

Which black toms are you growing, Pmc ?
They are pretty famous and said to be tasty, too bad I can't confirm that. My last year black toms were all blighted. I am growing them again his year. Mine are Black Cherry and Japanese Black Trifele. The last one has also produce 2 unique looking fruit (from big flowers), very pretty and cute.

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I grow, I pick, I eat ...

I have to say pmc that its all down to personal taste, however I've never tasted a 'bland' black tomato and I've tried a few varieties.

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Manda.

"Wouldn't it be nice
For maybe an hour
To not have a care."

Momol, I`m only growing 2 Black Russian - my first time for black ones. Seems like the verdicts out on the taste. Have to wait & see

Pmc,

I haven't grow Black Russian ,hope they taste good .

Most black toms don't like overheated, if you grow them in pots, move them some where cool during summer, when it is too hot they just stop fruiting.
Will love to hear your Black Russian taste test !

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I grow, I pick, I eat ...

Oops, didn`t know they like it cooler. I`ve got them in the greenhouse in a grow bag.

I'm growing black russian also, no idea of taste as yet as they are only just starting to flower, however the plants are very healthy looking.

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Some of us live in the past, always talking about back then. Some of us live in the future, always planning what we are going to do. And, then there are those, who neither look behind or ahead, but just enjoy the moment of right now.

Which one are you and is it how you want to be?

Black Russian are a nice tomato and usually the first ones sold in the stores here each year. Treat them the same as any other tomato and pick on the firm side of ripe and they'll do fine.

If you want a better black tomato, try 'Black From Tula'.

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http://junctionvillage.blogspot.com/

Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter.
- Mark Twain

Black cherry is tasty - tough skins but I've got good teeth! I'm growing black cherry and Black Krim this year. Obviously some people like Black Russian, but then many people like Gardner's Delight and I find that sweet but bland. You can't really recommend a flavour to someone else unless you know exactly what they like!

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Earth laughs in flowers. Ralph Waldo Emerson

www.vegheaven.blogspot.com

Updated November 17th - The Big Dig

All I know is that a kind grape sent me some seeds marked 'black cherry' and one came up.

Should they not be in the greenhouse then? What about in a back garden?

I've got a Black Cherry in my greenhouse and it seems to wilt a bit in the heat.... Think I'll move it outside and see what happens.

I am growing black cherry, first time for a black one. Still only at flower stage, the plants aren't as strong looking as the rest of the toms. Am growing in a tomato house.

Ian

Growing Kumato here this year. grew it last year and it had a lovely flavour,. The foliage looked wilted the whole summer but it continued to fruit just the same. Looking forward to seeing how it does this year.

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And when you're back stops aching,
And you're hands begin to harden.
You will find yourself a partner,
In the glory of the garden.

Rudyard Kipling.

My black cherry (only growing one - like a variety!) is in the greenhouse and seems to be doing well there. It's certainly not wilting or struggling. In fact I was surprised how robust the plant and flowers are considereing it's a small tom. Most others toms I have are some in the greenhouse and some outside.

__________________
Earth laughs in flowers. Ralph Waldo Emerson

www.vegheaven.blogspot.com

Updated November 17th - The Big Dig

Black Krim in greenhouse doing well. Ukraine tomatoes ditto.

Never tried them before so will post when I eat first one...