
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, May 19, 1994                   TAG: 9405190135
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-11   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: Joe Hunnings
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

TOMATOES IN ALL SHAPES, SIZES

Tomatoes come in such a range of heights that home gardeners often do not know what they can expect from certain varieties. To make matters more confusing, there is no relationship between tomato height and the size of the fruit. The following information should help clarify the different plant and fruit size.

Plant Size

Indeterminate (I) tomato plants continue to grow until frost or disease kills them. These are the standard, all-summer tomatoes that most people grow. They require stakes or cages for best results. If not supported, the plant will occupy excessive garden space, and fruit in contact with the soil may rot.

Compact or determinate (D) tomato plants grow to a certain size, set fruit, and then decline. Many of the early ripening tomato varieties are determinate and will not produce tomatoes throughout a Virginia summer. The concentrated fruit set makes them ideal for canning or making juice.

Midget (M), patio, or dwarf tomato varieties have very compact vines suitable for growing in hanging baskets or other containers. The tomatoes produced may be the cherry type (one inch or less in diameter), but some will produce larger fruit. Miniature dwarf (MD) or basket tomatoes are so small that they are usually classed by themselves. Excellent for baskets or small pots, these plants rarely get over eight inches tall but are covered with delicious cherry size fruit. Most varieties will do well in lightly shaded areas and make interesting houseplants.

Fruit Size

Standard-sized (S)tomatoes have fruit in the eight to 10 ounce size, ideal for slicing or salads.

Beefsteak-type (BK) tomatoes are large-fruited, producing a tomato slice that easily covers a sandwich. The whole fruit can weigh more than two pounds. These usually ripen late, so plant some standard-sized or early tomatoes for earlier harvest.

Cherry or salad tomatoes (C) have small (about one-inch diameter) fruits. Plants of cherry tomatoes range from dwarf (Tiny Tim) to seven-footers (Sweet 100). One standard cherry tomato plant is usually sufficient for a family, since they generally produce abundantly.

Paste (P) tomatoes have small, pear-shaped fruits with very meaty, less juicy interiors; few seeds; and no central core. Paste tomatoes are a favorite for canning since they don't have to be cut up, and since they are so meaty, they cook down to paste quickly.

Here's a list of suggested varieties and their plant size/fruit size:

Sweet 100: I/C

Better Boy VFN: I/S

Floramerica VF: I/S

Beef Master VFN: I/BK

Cherry Grande: D/C (large)

Independence: D/S

Celebrity: D/S

Roma VF: D/P

Red Express 238 VFN: M/BK

Red Robin: MD/C

Joe Hunnings is the Virginia Cooperative Extension agent for agriculture in the Montgomery County Extension Office in Christiansburg. If you have questions, call him at 382-5790.|

by CNB