|
| I have chosen this tomato (among others) to grow for the first time this year. How does it behave for you? I am well aware that each and every person will have different experiences but I can compile what I need to know from any responses that you post.
Is it potato leaf? Good yield? Stuff like that. Any and all opinions are welcome. I already searched the tomato data here on GW and did not find much recent info on this particular tomato. Thanks,
|
Follow-Up Postings:
|
- Posted by bakersville (My Page) on Fri, Feb 15, 08 at 15:33
| the behavior of tomato variety is usually consistent so info on a variety from several years ago is still valid. As for the unique characteristics of a variety it should easy to find with little searching. |
|
- Posted by dancinglemons 7+ (My Page) on Sat, Feb 16, 08 at 1:42
| bakersville, Thanks for your response. I am looking for personal home gardener experience however and have not found much. I have done quite a bit of research but have not gotten enough information to begin my project. The information in seed catalogs and online websites is geared toward selling seeds and is mostly generalizations. I am keenly aware that a gardener in central Texas will probably have somewhat different results than a gardener in Maryland. A strictly organic gardener might have different results than a gardener who sprays. Someone with rich soil may have different plant properties than someone with sandy soil. However, this is the information I want for my project. What better place than GW to come and get opinions from gardeners everywhere?? Does anyone here have personal experience with Costoluto Genovese and if so would you be so kind as to post it here. Any and all information is welcome. Thanks, |
|
| Hey DL, I grew Costoluto Genovese 3 years ago. It was the first year that I had really tried heirloom varieties, and I grew a few because of their "novelty" value, including Costoluto because of the deep ribbed "look". The plant grew just fine, and produced an average amount of fruit in the 6 ounce range. However, the taste was outstandingly BAD. It reminded me of tomatoes bought at my local supermarket in the middle of January... or maybe WORSE!! This was confirmed by a close friend who also grew that variety during the same season. He and I easily agreed that neither of us would grow it again (with an implied exclamation mark!!!!) So I hate to be the bringer of bad news D, but I hope u have a backup plan for your garden plot. While these maters are as "pretty as can be" on your window sill, they are simply not worth eating. They are without question the worse tasting variety that I have grown... ever. No amount of production value or disease resistance could make up for that. Really sorry... Unless you want to have some "showcase" maters that taste horrible, consider using your garden space for a more tasty variety (which would be ANY variety) (grin) Troy |
|
- Posted by heirloomtomato 5-PA (My Page) on Sat, Feb 16, 08 at 23:33
| I have to agree that I really did not like the taste of the Costoluto Genevese either, but then again, everyone's taste's are different and what I might not like, you may love. Best to grow and try it for yourself. Karen |
|
- Posted by dancinglemons 7+ (My Page) on Sun, Feb 17, 08 at 2:08
| Thanks thear and heirloomtomato your experiences are exactly what I am looking for. I am doing an experiment and your information will assist me quite a bit. Cheers, |
|
- Posted by carolyn137 z4/5 NY (My Page) on Sun, Feb 17, 08 at 9:05
| I too have grown Costoluto Genovese and didn't care for the taste. I've also grown Costoluto Fiorentino and there are other Costolutos as well. Costoluto in Italian just means ribbed and so red ribbed ones grown in different places in Italy are named for the region where they came from. All are RL, none PL, and all are indeterminate. Carolyn |
|
- Posted by naturegirl_2007 5b SW Michigan (My Page) on Sun, Feb 17, 08 at 19:16
| This season will be my first time growing Costoluto Genovese. From what I've read I figure it will make tasty sauce and not so great fresh eating tomatoes. How do others like this variety for cooking? |
|
| Naturegirl, I wouldn't bother if you haven't already planted it. Besides the fact that they don't taste good, they are also pretty small and don't process very easily either. The flatness and deep ribbing makes it tough to peel by the blanching method, so that you have to cut out much of the fruit along with the core, and thats a pain with such a small tomato, especially if you want to make alot of sauce. I hate to be such a downer about this variety... but I just don't see much use for them except to maybe take a photo of, right before tossing into the trash... Good luck though, ya never know........ Troy |
|
| So what kind of experiment are u doing there DL, if u don't mind me asking? |
|
- Posted by dancinglemons 7+ (My Page) on Mon, Feb 18, 08 at 3:18
| The experiment: I read seed catalogs and web descriptions of many different types of tomatoes. I also read the postings on GW about different tomatoes folks like and dislike. I then pick the ones that sound good - to me. I will then decide which varieties to grow. I know that taste is totally individual. I also know that soil, fertilizer, weather and other factors can determine how a particular tomato will taste. Tomatoes can also taste different from year to year. But I still want to know how individual people rate certain tomatoes. I have found seed catalog descriptions to mostly be geared toward sales. When I get information from home gardeners I get much better results – for me. My experiment is not scientific it is personal. You see - I can not stand the taste of most tomatoes. I am what is known as a 'supertaster'. My taste buds are totally out of control. In 2007 I discovered that the tomato seeds were the cause of my problem - with most tomatoes. The fact that most of you posted a distinct dislike for the CG tomato means that I will probably be able to eat it with no problem. Weird?? You bettcha!! I really appreciate each and every person who posted a response. Thanks!! DL |
|
| I am in mid south texas and have been growing Costoluto Genovese for 5yrs now. my soil is sandy loam and they do well in friends clay soils as well. I do not now why every one on this forum is down on the flavor of this tom. it is one of the best tasting tom. I have grown.I have been growing toms.for 25 yrs.They have become so popular I now grow over 1000 plants a season. I have more request from friends to grow more everyear! It mite be they just need hot and humid growing conditions. As for yield just avg. |
|
- Posted by dancinglemons 7+ (My Page) on Tue, Feb 19, 08 at 4:24
| cactus184, Thanks for your response as to yield. I will be growing this tomato and will report back in July as to taste and yield here in Central Virginia Zone 7. DL |
|
- Posted by phytomaniac z7 NC (My Page) on Tue, Feb 19, 08 at 17:08
| I've grown it for the last 3-4 years. I think the flavor is fine. I dont recall it being particularly good or bad compared to others. I like the shape. I have canned it and dont recommend it for this purpose. It can be peeled ok but it is a watery tomato when cooked that doesnt hold together well. I grow about 10 varieties a year in concrete reinforcing wire cages. My all time favorite is Celebrity, Better Boy a close second. Celebrity is a good canner and always produces a crop. Good fresh variety too. Most of the others I grow are just for variety. Always try to grow a yellow, green, orange etc. |
|
| Last year, my costoluto genovese plants were extremely prolific. The deeply ribbed fruits were gorgeous, the plants healthy. Too bad the taste was so utterly bland. Just devoid of flavor. I put them out in a box in my yard every evening with a big sign, "free tomatoes" and they, along with the juliets and black cherries that I also didn't care for, got snapped up, so someone must have liked them! |
|
- Posted by Puttle 4(drschweinle@hotmail.com) onSat, Aug 16, 08 at 12:16
| I am growing them for the first time this year. I always grow heirlooms because they just taste better. My Genovese are huge! I picked one that was 2 pounds 12 oz yesterday. Because they are more acidic, I can see why many people would not prefer them, but that is exactly what I love (and makes them safer for canning). My plants are starting to die off, though, and it is only a couple weeks into the tomato season. There are lots of green tomatoes on the vine. My other tomatoes are doing just fine. Weird. |
Here is a link that might be useful: Giant tomato
|
| I know this thread is dead, but thought I'd throw in my $0.02 as well. I ran across it looking for seeds of CG as I was going to plant it, but found out that I didn't save the seeds for some reason. I was looking for a small plant to put into an upside planter that only stands about 4 ft tall. I grew this year before last. The best thing about this tomato is that it grew well and set well in heat. I'm south of Austin TX, and it gets hot. This tomato was still producing after most of the other plants simply died from the heat. The only problem I had with this plant was that it defoliated (as do all my plants around August), causing sunburn on most of the tomatoes. As for the taste people complain about, it could be region. Everyone I've known to grow it in Texas has had no complaints. I've read that it is a heat loving plant. It may only produce tasty fruit in the heat. YMMV. |
|
- Posted by spokanerose 6 (My Page) on Thu, Aug 8, 13 at 14:33
| These are the first tomatoes in my garden every year. I transplant out 5-6 week old plants on June 1st. This year the first ones were ripe on August 8, which is great in Spokane, WA. We irrigate by drip irrigation, as summer rain is rare in Spokane. These tomatoes are OK fresh, but ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC WHEN DRIED Like sweet tomato taffy with an acidic bite. Cut the tomatoes in 1/2" slices, and shake out most of the seeds. Just pack the dried tomatoes in a tightly sealed canning jar and store them in a cool place. Try pairing them with lightly toasted pecan or walnut halves and red wine for an super simple appetizer. |
|
| I've been reading about these tomatoes on another list where somebody who is crazy about making sauce claims that they make the BEST sauce! I was thinking about growing a plant next year. |
|
| I like the shape, color and look, a departure from the genetically breath PERFECTLY ROUND grocery store type tomatoes. I would think that taste can be subjective. And then for cooking, sauce ... the taste is a different matter when you get other things like garlic, peppers, parsley.. into the picture. |
|
| This is my second year growing them. Last year they were my most prolific plant, by far. They are not ripe yet this year, but the plant is healthy and has 60-70 fruit in the works. I used the majority of them in sauce, (which was excellent) many were almost hollow, but meaty. I didnt have a problem with the taste raw, but but I usually used others for salads/sandwiches. |
Please Note: Only registered members are able to post messages to this forum. If you are a member, please log in. If you aren't yet a member, join now!
Return to the Growing Tomatoes Forum
Information about Posting
- You must be logged in to post a message. Once you are logged in, a posting window will appear at the bottom of the messages. If you are not a member, please register for an account.
- Posting is a two-step process. Once you have composed your message, you will be taken to the preview page. You will then have a chance to review your post, make changes and upload photos.
- After posting your message, you may need to refresh the forum page in order to see it.
- Before posting copyrighted material, please read about Copyright and Fair Use.
- We have a strict no-advertising policy!
- If you would like to practice posting or uploading photos, please visit our Test forum.
- If you need assistance, please Contact Us and we will be happy to help.
Learn more about in-text links on this page here
