German Striped heritage Tomatoes

[Green Mantis]

Can anyone tell me about them? I have to buy my plants, we live in Alberta. Weather is too weird. Sunny yesterday, big black cloud came over and it started to snow When the cloud went over, it was sunny all day???

But I really would like to buy a German Striped Heritage Tomato plant from a nursery down the street. But do they taste good? Sweet, Tart? Much taste at all? I love Tomato sandwiches

How do I toughen the plant up when I buy it? It's tall, but very tender, or Spindely. Really needs toughening up. How do I go about doing that with a plant at least a foot tall.?

Any help would be appreciated. Thank You.

[applestar]

Are you thinking of "Striped German" which are heirloom tomatoes? I could only find reference to "German Yellow Striped" tomato. If so, I haven't grown them but they appear to be a late maturing tomato like many very large beefsteak bi-colors. But your longer day length may compensate for this.

They are said to have excellent flavor, but I have often heard that this type of varieties do better where they tend have warmer nights -- will you be growing in a greenhouse?

To "toughen up" provide a stake -- a slender bamboo or straight branch from tree or shrub pruning will work and support by tying on about 3" from the base and every other leaf node, then harden off as usual by slowly exposing and acclimating to the elements -- sun, wind, rain.

Then when it's time to plant -- in the ground or a large container at least 10-15 gallons per plant, plant deeper (I would bury as much stem as the depth of the football. In your case, shallow trench or diagonal trench to keep the roots closer to the warmer soil surface might be better, unless there is chance of severe drought. Laying the container on its side a day or two before planting will force the plant to grow sideways for easier handling and planting (release the upper stem from the stake so it can change direction).

[Green Mantis]

That probably is the name. Thank you for the information. I will have to keep it sheltered "if" I buy one. I have been told they aren't very sweet, does anyone know how they taste? I want some Yummy sandwiches.