Now that 2021 is done and planning seeds for 2022, I thought I would describe my 2021 paste tomato experience. What I wanted was a determinate, preferably heirloom tomato that ripened more or less at the same time, stayed fairly small, didn’t need tying up, was disease free if possible and minimal or no blossom end rot. I thought it would be nice to have some I can save seeds for, as well. My climate is cool summer, cool nights, not much summer rain. However we did have a hot spell for a few days at what, 115F? I think that was it. I also sprayed with calcium foliar spray, a few times. I mulched with brown paper grocery bags and rarely watered my sauce tomatoes. When I did, it was by hand. These are what I grew:
Best -
La Roma III hybrid multidisease resistant hybrid. It was determinate, stayed within bound, very productive. The first handful had blossom end rot but only three or four. No leaf disease and when they were done, they were done. I thought they cooked down into a nice sauce, and also made a very good roasted tomato sauce.
Not best -
Amish Paste. I didn’t realize this would be indeterminate until I already started the seeds. It wasn’t all that productive. The tomatoes were too big and more watery than other paste tomatoes, but not a good flavor or texture for a regular slicer. No disease to speak of.
Roma VF open pollinated - not as productive as La Roma III but it did OK. They were later. I let the, sprawl on the brown paper. I like being able to save seeds. It didnt have blossom end rot or leaf disease.
Tiren - a multi disease resistant hybrid, San Marzano type. Gigantic fruits like banana peppers, minimal juice inside. They were OK but I liked the La Roma III better. Tiren ripened over a longer season, not all at once like the determinates. It grew very tall and needed tying up.
For 2022, I will mostly grow La Roma III hybrid, with a few Roma VF as a back up. I found some old seeds of Ranger which I will plant, they were good a few years ago but (a) I didn’t see them where I bought them before and (b) they were way too expensive even back then. I’ve grown Big Mama but it wasn’t as productive in my garden, as far as pounds per plant, as Ranger or La Roma III. I have a new raised bed setup for them and will use a horizontal trellis to keep them off the ground, and put down a paper mulch and have drip irrigation.