imm@harpo.UUCP (01/17/84)
#N::33600002:000:797 !imm Jan 17 08:38:00 1984 For several years I have grown the Burpee Long Keeper Tomato. This year I had two plants that I started at about the same time as my regular plants. I am just finishing up on my last three tomatoes. They are definitely better than store tomatoes. However be sure to read the instructions. The outer skin color is only orange and not red. However on the inside they are red. Store in a cool dark place but not the refrigerator. If the tomatoes ae picked too green they will not ripen. I still had some green tomatoes last year around March and tryed to ripen them by putting them in the sun. Instead the seeds inside the tomato started to sprout. I recommend two plantings, one slightly after your norma; first plant, and a second about a month later. Irv McNair ATT Bell Labs Whippany
mmr@ritcv.UUCP (01/23/84)
I am glad to hear that someone else had good experiences with the long keeper. I tried them for the first time last season, and they didn't keep any better than my other tomatoes - in fact they were worse. I picked them when they were about ripe (was that my problem?) and stored them in a moderately cool dark place, one layer deep. Almost every one of them rotted. On the other hand, the Supersonic and Moreton Hybrids that I picked green, and store in one big bushel basket, upstairs in the hallway (I was lazy and never bothered to take care of them) lasted just fine and with very few spoiling. I had those until the day before Christmas. Would any one care to tell me where I went wrong. I am planning on skipping the long keeper this year since it wasn't very successful, unless I hear otherwise. Margaret Reek ...seismo!rochester!ritcv!mmr
mdash@mh3bc1.UUCP (01/30/84)
I offer a second to your experience with Burpee Long Rotters. My wife and I tried growing them in Vermont and had results similar to yours. Is it possible that northern (e.g., Rochester and Vermont) climates are not suitable for growing these?