Tomato Varieties in Thailand

[GinBoy2]

Over the years tomato's in Thailand seem to have improved, flavor wise. But still I have yet to buy one that even comes close to having the flavor of a tomato I would have bought in the US. Are the ones you buy here grown locally or imported, and what variety? I tried asking (in Thai) at Tops and was met with a blank stare. Next question would be has anyone grown their own and with what success?

[meatboy]

tomato's disappoint me too there is no taste what so ever,i did have some very nice ones awhile back that were grown in one of the university's never to be seen again.

[GinBoy2]

tomato's disappoint me too there is no taste what so ever,i did have some very nice ones awhile back that were grown in one of the university's never to be seen again.

I'm heading back to California at Christmas and I'm going bring back some seeds and see how it goes. I figure its hot enough, and with shade there should be no reason I cant grow something decent here.

I make most of my own stuff here, from bread to burgers and just once I'd like to have a burger topped by a succulent tasty tomato, or a salad with tomato's I could actually taste.

[xen]

It appears to me most commercially grown tomatoes in Thailand are picked green so they travel to market better . If a tomato is allowed to ripen on the vine there is much more flavour . Whilst some may disagree i think this is more important than the variety to a large extent .

[wayned]

A couple of years ago I ordered some beefsteak tomato seeds from the US. They germinated and grew fine in small pots with potting soil, but soon after I transplanted them to my garden with the other veggies they died. I tried several times with no luck. I even tried growing them in large pots with only potting soil but they never flowered and always wilted and died. Thai tomatoes grow fine in the garden but is I try to let them ripen on the vine they get eaten by bugs and birds I always skin the Thai tomatoes before I use them.

[kikoman]

I am trying to grow some as we speak, mostly in containers so far so good and the tomatillos some also look very healthy, So many conflicting recommendations of how to grow tomato's on watering, fertilizing and the need for sun. As I have a lot more seedling then I need. I am experimenting with some in the full sun, some in partial shade and in shaded areas. Also some in large containers some in small containers and others planted in the ground, Daily deep watering is recommended for hot sunny days, but also a recommendation not to over water.

They seem to be growing great, have not lost to many after transplanting, the variety I planted are for very large tomato's (which I read do not grow well in Thailand).

Hopefully I will get some great producing tomato plants, hopefully 4 or 5 survive out of the 50 I currently have!

cheers

[GinBoy2]

Thanks for all the replies and advice. Guess I'm going to give it a shot. Maybe I'll bring back several varieties of seeds and see which work. Also looks like I should plan on experimenting on where to plant too.

[Ticketmaster]

A couple of years ago I ordered some beefsteak tomato seeds from the US. They germinated and grew fine in small pots with potting soil, but soon after I transplanted them to my garden with the other veggies they died. I tried several times with no luck. I even tried growing them in large pots with only potting soil but they never flowered and always wilted and died. Thai tomatoes grow fine in the garden but is I try to let them ripen on the vine they get eaten by bugs and birds I always skin the Thai tomatoes before I use them.

I had exactly the same experience. When I finish building my house, I will make some raised beds and try again. If i can get one or two plants to survive, their seeds will probably work for future rops. But getting that one or two is the trick.

[JoePai]

I am trying to grow some as we speak, mostly in containers so far so good and the tomatillos some also look very healthy, So many conflicting recommendations of how to grow tomato's on watering, fertilizing and the need for sun. As I have a lot more seedling then I need. I am experimenting with some in the full sun, some in partial shade and in shaded areas. Also some in large containers some in small containers and others planted in the ground, Daily deep watering is recommended for hot sunny days, but also a recommendation not to over water.

They seem to be growing great, have not lost to many after transplanting, the variety I planted are for very large tomato's (which I read do not grow well in Thailand).

Hopefully I will get some great producing tomato plants, hopefully 4 or 5 survive out of the 50 I currently have!

cheers

The question I have is what medium to grow them in.

In the UK we had something called a 'gro-bag' which is a plastic sack(?) containing a soil/compost mixture but have seen nothing like that here.

[GinBoy2]

The only alternative to regular dirt I know is what the Thai's call 'din'. Comes in bags really cheap. Its close to what I would call potting soil, but not quite. Everything I've successfully grown I've used this, but, added fertilizer to it.

[meatboy]

today the wife will go to kokrut just outside korat,she will see what if any tomato plants they have.

all our fruit trees came from there and the crops have been fantastic,mango,falung,jack fruit,limes,lemons almost ready,pomegranates coming along,waiting on pommelons.i want her to try and get some blueberry plants.

whish they had gooseberry,blackcurrants and rhubarb.

Edited November 24, 2013 by meatboy

[nahkbin]

We have grown tomatoes successfully in the Wang Muang area of Saraburi after many years of failure here in Samkhok. Decent soil and cool nights seem to be the secret. We started the seeds in plastic bags with dirt that my wife bought at a local garden shop. The seedlings were planted in the native soil, mixed with chopped coconut husks in mid October. The plants are doing well right now and have started setting fruit. This is the method that we have used for the past few years.; It has been quite successful. Largest BeefSteak that we harvested was 600gm. See pic of it comes through. Skins a bit tough but flavor and texture were very good.

[nahkbin]

Sorry, forgot to mention the variety of tomatoes. Beefsteak, Burpee's Better boy and several others.

All picked vine ripe for best flavor.

[richsilver]

It is my understanding that most tomato varieties will not do well if the temperature is routinely above 90 F. Since that's a common occurrence here in Thailand, that would go a long way to explaining why many of us have had problems setting the fruit.

There is a variety that was recommended on another thread called Tropic. It is designed for high temps and is available online. I have not had personal experience, however.

[rice555]

Hello All, there's a lot of info on tom growing in LOS in the

Farming Forum, info on tom's that will take HEAT better than

what you use to grow back home and had sooooo many

that the neighbors were saying NO More Please.

Both at the top of the page in the Organic section and the

main section under the Pinned threads. Just use the search

function.

On another note, the Hydro tomatoes from CM sold under the

Take Me Home Brand are not bad for a store bought tom.

rice555