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Ailsa Craig tomatoes

• Message 1. 

  Posted by shalsi (U8068357) on Friday, 11th February 2011

  Has anyone grown Ailsa Craig tomatoes? I thought that as they are an old variety they might taste like the ones I remember as a child , but they probably have some faults as well. What do the tomato experts think?

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• Message 2

  , in reply to message 1.

  Posted by David K (U14115317) on Saturday, 12th February 2011

  Ailsa Craig is a very old variety that has survived because of its extremely good flavour.
  The only problem (in common with many other old varieties) it is rather prone to a condition called greenback. [a condition where the stalk end of the fruit fails to ripen]
  
  There is now a Heritage variety called ‘Craigella’. It has been bred from Ailsa Craig & retains its flavour characteristics, without the greenback problem.
  
  It can be grown outdoors or under glass, though it will need staking outdoors.
  
  Btw, it WILL taste like those of your childhood days.
  
  

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• Message 3

  , in reply to message 1.

  Posted by Lazymike (U3710800) on Saturday, 12th February 2011

  hi shalsi
  
  grew them last year from plug plants bought from Aldi.
  
  they were my best performers, good size, good taste, long growing season (although that may also be due to my Kent location)
  
  6 for a couple of quid- no complaints here!
  
  Lazymike

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• Message 4

  , in reply to message 1.

  Posted by Tee Gee (U10012255) on Saturday, 12th February 2011

  One of the first I ever grew over thirty years ago, similar to moneymaker.
  
  My kind of tomato; good cropper with good taste.

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• Message 5

  , in reply to message 4.

  Posted by David K (U14115317) on Saturday, 12th February 2011

  Tee Gee - at the risk of sounding patronising, almost always agree with everything you say on these message boards.
  However, on this occasion I have to disagree and say that Moneymaker isn't in the same league as Ailsa Craig in terms of taste; I do agree that it is a good cropper though.
  

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• Message 6

  , in reply to message 5.

  Posted by Tee Gee (U10012255) on Saturday, 12th February 2011

  However, on this occasion I have to disagree and say that Moneymaker isn't in the same league as Ailsa Craig in terms of taste; I do agree that it is a good cropper though. 
  
  Fair do's David, I don't think it is normal for all of us to agree all of the time! but strangely enough I like Moneymaker,
  
  I prefer sharp tasting tomatoes to the sweet varieties, this is one reason I don't grow too many cherry varieties.
  
  If it wasn't for the grand kids I wouldn't grow cherry varieties.
  
  Same with sweet corn, I won't grow mini corn because I think it is a bit tasteless and takes up the same space as the large cobbed varieties.
  
  Strangely enough I prefer the 'sweet' varieties so I guess its all down to personal taste!
  
  But thats the beauty of growing your own you can cater for your own likes and dislikes.
  
  So you see; I like something sour and somethings sweet but I do not like chinese 'sweet & sour'
  
  So I suppose its a classic case of;
  
  Beauty (or taste) is in the eyes of the beholder, or there is 'nout stranger than folk'
  
  

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• Message 7

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  Posted by shalsi (U8068357) on Saturday, 12th February 2011

  Thank you all.
  I will try some, I am ordering the seeds now.

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• Message 8

  , in reply to message 6.

  Posted by ageing_hippie (U6742113) on Sunday, 13th February 2011

  I'm so happy to hear someone speak up for Moneymaker. I always grow a few Moneymaker, along with the modern varieties. My grandfather used to grow them and they remind me of childhood. Most people talk of them so dismissively that it's a guilty pleasure I keep quiet about.

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• Message 9

  , in reply to message 8.

  Posted by David K (U14115317) on Sunday, 13th February 2011

  Hi, ageing-hippie
  
  Now I'm feeling rotten for saying that Moneymaker didn't compare with Ailsa Craig for taste....sorry about that!
  Please remember that our taste is a subjective thing, so the way we perceive them may vary.
  

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• Message 10

  , in reply to message 8.

  Posted by elderman4 (U10843761) on Monday, 14th February 2011

  I have always grown Moneymaker, along with the cherry type in my greenhouse, and the reason is you will always get a crop of good toms from Moneymaker.
  
  I've heard people say 'I didn't have a good year for toms this year', but I say, 'well I did' - that's because I grew Moneymaker. I don't think they are the best tasting toms - but you will always get a good crop from them.
  
  They are not called moneymaker for nothing!!!!!! Those old boys knew something about toms!!!!

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