Question:

I have very limited experience in growing tomatoes. I promised myself this year to have tomato success! Can you please explain the difference between “hybrid” and “heirloom” tomatoes and between “determinate” and “indeterminate” tomatoes?

 

Answer:

An heirloom tomato is one that has been cultivated for at least 50 years. Heirloom tomatoes are pollinated by wind, rain, or insects. You can propagate the seeds from your heirloom tomatoes, and you will have the same tomatoes next year. Heirloom tomatoes are popular for their consistent great taste right off the vine, however they may not have the disease resistance of hybrids.

A hybrid tomato is a cross between two different varieties that have been selected for disease resistance, taste, shortened time to harvest, and/or improved fruit production. Seeds grown from hybrid tomatoes do not produce plants that are true to type. Only some of the beneficial characteristics of a hybrid plant are transferred to its offspring through the seeds it produces. Unlike standard tomato varieties, you can only reproduce hybrid tomato cultivars from vegetative cuttings or hybrid seeds produced from two standard varieties.

A determinate tomato, also known as a bush tomato, will produce fruit in a shorter period. A determinate tomato plant will produce fruit for 1 crop cycle and then die. These plants grow to a maximum height of 3-5 feet, are easy to grow, and require minimum pruning. Determinate tomato plants are great for smaller areas and patio gardens. You will know when your plant is done fruiting when the flowers set on the very top branch of the plant. Determinate tomatoes are generally used by commercial growers for sauces, soups, tomato paste and canned tomatoes. A determinate tomato can be an heirloom or a hybrid tomato. Some examples are Patio Tomato, Better Bush, Roma, San Marzano, Celebrity, and Rutgers.

Indeterminate tomatoes can be an heirloom or hybrid type and will produce fruit for an entire growing season or until killed by frost. They are generally grown by home gardeners for use on salads, burgers, and other dishes that require a delicious raw homegrown tomato.

Indeterminate tomato plants grow up to 12’ in height and require staking. They require maintenance (pruning) to maximize production. If they are not pruned, they will produce more stems and less fruit. Some examples of indeterminate tomatoes are Black Cherry, Juliet, Brandywine, Cherokee Purple, Sungold, Mountain Magic, Pink Berkley Tie Dye, Black Prince, Big Beef, Early Girl, and Amish Paste.