To look lovely on the outside but even when ripe have a greencore in the tomato at the stem end and sometimes extending down the sides. This spoils the tomato as it has to be cut out before using. I think the brand is Big Beef but I have seen it on other tomatoes. Does the soil lack something !
laurie9,
Jan 18, 8:30pm
Could be the variety,or it has been a bad season,I'm not expecting big things from our this year.
scha,
Jan 18, 8:57pm
It has happened other years when we lived in a different area, and in normal seasons
gardie,
Jan 19, 5:20am
Sounds to me like the variety you are growing.
frank398,
Jan 19, 3:13pm
my big beef was terrible this year.Deformed fruit,rotting at the base of fruit,dropping of vine.Have pulled it out,and will never have another one.Grew 7 different varietes,this year.wont be putting in ever again,early girl,antartica,big beef,tom tom.Best to perform was tasty tom.
lindanz,
Jan 19, 7:01pm
I am not going to bother with toms next season they are simply not worth the blimmin hassle and all the feeding, caring, watering, staking, tying up. Then the fruit looks amazeballs, then the leaves go all weird no matter your spraying regime, and the fruit is disappointing.Bugger them lol stick to those veg that are productive, and easy care.
robke,
Jan 19, 7:29pm
I am currently harvesting Big Beef, grown in a small hothouse, they do have a bigger than normal green core but the are a great size, the last one I picked was 400 gms and tasted deliciousimo
malone4,
Jan 19, 7:36pm
if you get your soil right in the beginning there is no need to feed during the season. and sure: you have to stake and train and only water in the mornings but thats small fry considering the rewards you receive in the end. thats what its all about isnt it! the love of it and living off the land!
But if you dont enjoy it then yes i agree. Dont do it.
lindanz,
Jan 19, 7:56pm
The rewards are not great with toms as they are currently so chep and tasty to purchase, I do love all my herbs, lettuce and fruit growing so will go with these in future.
scha,
Jan 19, 8:56pm
Thanks all all your advice. We will try another brand next year. My husband is retired and keen to be busy in the garden so I won't stop him !
malone4,
Jan 20, 5:47am
most seasonal veggies are cheap as chips too. lettuce ,cabbage etc but I enjoy growing for many reasons any way. And if i harvest too many at a time they either get blanched or get made into a yummy pickle or jam. you're right about herbs ,you can never go wrong with them and pretty easy care plus they can be harvested all through the season fresh in the pot or dried in the spice rack.
larat,
Jan 20, 12:45pm
We grew Big Beef last year and had loads of tomatoes, previous years we've grown beef steak and had plenty.This season we put in Beef Steak and we are lucky to get a tomato for our lunch.It's been a poor season but I don't think I'm the only one strugglimg with their tomato crop.There's nothing like the taste of a fresh home grown tomato so I wont be giving up growing them next season
veejay13,
Jan 20, 6:03pm
I think what you're describing there is due to a lack of Potash.
family007,
Feb 1, 8:36pm
I'm having the same problems with my tomatoes as well.Large core and green section in the flesh. I have a large amount compared to other years, but this year took the time to sterilise the soil in the glasshouse and add tomato fertiliser. The plants leaves are scrunched but I'm thinking its because the sunlight seems more intense this year. I've painted with white glasshouse paint to shield a bit better. I will try other varieties next season, but will stay with Potentatefor a while. PS I'm in Christchurch.
helianthus,
Feb 2, 4:08am
I've never had the problem you describe but would agree with veejay13 that it is probably caused by a potassium deficiency. Yes, tomatoes do take a bit of work but so do most other vegetables if you are to have worthwhile results. We harvest a huge crop of tomatoes every year and admit to a bit of surprise at how many posters here have difficulties. Ensure you have well balanced nutrients in you soil, have a regular watering routine and burn any diseased plants immediately and you should be fine. And if you find tying up and nipping out a bore, grow a bush variety. We have grown 'Best Boy Bush' for several years - they produce lots of very tasty large tomatoes with almost no attention.
cantabman1,
Feb 2, 5:45am
Its all part of the joy of gardening. Some plants in some years dont produce well because of weather/watering/nutrients/ or variety. You just move on ,learn and do it better the next season. If you are a true gardener, then you will always grow something, and never give up, but take the high's with the low's. The price at vegie shops, is sometimes cheaper, but you can never get fresher produce than from your own garden.
korbo,
Feb 2, 2:27pm
Havent had much luck with quite a few varietys. But still, getting enough for the odd sandwich. Yes toms are very cheap at present. $2.98kg here, but as a poster said, nothing like a fresh tom that you picked in the garden.
wotz_it_2_ya,
Feb 20, 1:18pm
I decided that last year. This year I started with a couple of Mondeo in the hothouse and been eating them for a while. Outside I have stuck with money maker and have a great crop. Started picking them last week.
Since the public registrations are closed, you must have an invite from a current member to be able to register and post in this thread.
Have an account? Login here.