Jim's Growing Tips for Tomatoes

Disease Resistance Codes

Throughout our tomato seed page, we will list the disease resistance of various tomatoes, these resistance codes will be listed after the name:
V = Verticillium Wilt
N = Nematodes
F = Fusarium Wilt
FF =Fusarium Races 1 and 2
T = Tobacco Mosaic Virus
A = Alternaria Stem Canker
St = Stemphylium Gray Leaf Spot
Example: The Abraham Lincoln Hybrid Improved listed has the codes VFNASt following the name, this implies it is resistant to Verticillium Wilt, Fusarium Wilt, Nematodes, Alternaria Stem Canker and Stemphylium Gray Leaf Spot.


What is the difference between determinate and indeterminate tomatoes?

We try to list each tomato variety we offer as determinate or indeterminate, sometimes this is abbreviated as det. or indet. What does this mean?

Determinate varieties of tomatoes, also called "bush" tomatoes, are varieties that are bred to grow to a compact height, usually about 4 feet tall or even smaller.

They stop growing when fruit sets on the terminal or top bud, ripen all their crop at or near the same time (usually over a 2 week period), and then die.

They may require a limited amount of caging and/or staking for support, should not be pruned or "suckered" as it severely reduces the crop, and will perform relatively well in a container (minimum size of 5-6 gallon container).

Indeterminate varieties of tomatoes are also called "vining" tomatoes. They will grow and produce fruit until killed by frost and can reach heights of up to 10 feet although 6 feet is considered the norm. They will bloom, set new fruit and ripen fruit all at the same time throughout the growing season.

They require substantial caging and/or staking for support and pruning and the removal of suckers is practiced by many but is not mandatory. The need for it and advisability of doing it varies from region to region. Experiment and see which works best for you. Because of the need for substantial support and the size of the plants, indeterminate varieties are not usually recommended as container plants but can sometimes be raised in large tubs.



Links to Tomato Growing Information

Growing Tomatoes - Features tomato growing tips and techniques used by experienced growers to vastly improve harvests. Find the right tomato variety for you, and learn to build a simple planter for growing tomatoes upside down!


Growing Tomatoes Forum


Video on Pruning Tomatoes.


How to make your own tomato juice.




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