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By DR. DIANE RELF * Extculo* Environmental Horticulturist
From talks with Charlie O’Dell, Virginia Cooperative Extension vegetable crop specialist at Virginia Tech, il i$ quite clear that a lot of people are confused about what to expect when they buy a tomato plant. Though labeling has gotten better in recent years, and many plant labels will tell you the anticipated height or fruit size or both. Matters are further confused because there is no relationship between tomatf>-plant height and the size of the fruit. However, Charlie and I have worked up some definitions for the commonly used terms to help clear up some of the confusion. '"■■■* Plant Size Varies ► . Indeterminate tomato plants continue to grow until frost or disease kills them. These are the standard, allsummer 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 cot. In a greenhouse, they can get to 12 fo 18 feet before they are removed. ‘ Compact or determinate tomato plants grow to a certain size, set fruit, 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, 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 (1 inch or less in diameter), but some will produce larger fruit.
Miniature dwarf or basket tomatoes are so small that they are usually classed by themselves. Excellent for baskets or small pots, these plants rarely get over 8 inches tall, but are covered with delicious cherry-size fruit. Most varieties will do well in lightly shaded areas and make interesting houseplants.
Fruit Diameter Varies
Standard-sized tomatoes have fruit in the 8 to 10 ounce size, ideal for slicing or salads.
Beefsteak-type tomatoes are larger fruited, producing a tomato slice that easily covers a sandwich. The whole fruit can weigh more than 2 pounds. These usually ripen late, so plant some standard-sized or early tomatoes for earlier harvest.
Cherry or salad tomatoes have small (about 1-inch diameter) fruit. Plants of cherry tomatoes range from dwarf (‘Tiny Tim’) to 7-footers (‘Sweet 100’). One standard cherry tomato plant is usually sufficient for a family since they generally produce abundantly.
Paste or Roma tomatoes have small, pear-shaped fruit 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. Since they are so meaty, they cook down to paste quickly. • - Currant tomatoes are actually a different species (Lycopersicum pimpinellifolium) known primarily to breeders who have used them in the development of varieties, such as ‘Sweet 100.’ Fruit is about half an inch in "diameter. These are not commonly available.
- Dr. Diane Relfis an environmental horticulturist with Virginia 'Cooperative Extension and is a member of the faculty of Virginia Tech.
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