Tomatoes in FL

[Altrexy]

Has anyone been able to grow big slicers like brandywine successfully? I’ve tried and failed a bunch of times but I’m thinking with the right amount of shade I could get them to work. Also recommendations for varieties that do well here and general discussion would be great!

[achetadomestica]

I grow cherry tomatoes and I am a little behind this year.
I usually start them Aug 1st. If I get them going then I have tomatoes
by Thanksgiving. I grow 4-6 different kinds and only have 2 types up
this year. I restarted seeds of a couple others yesterday. They grow all
Winter for me unless they get hit with heavy frost. I start more around
November to have a second wave in case of frost. I grow them in 20 gallon
pots and also some in raised beds. I usually hit them with miracle grow once
a week. Around April they crash every year. I usually grow 6-10 plants and
can pick 2-3 baggies a day of assorted cherry tomatoes. It's nice to be able
to have a snack anytime. I give allot away to people.

[Flgarden]

I grow all types of tomatoes twice a year. Timing is everything. In my zone they have to be planted  by March and September 1st. I would think Miami area should be a month ahead of us. I grow in full sun and in pots. They all do good and produce a lot before they decline because of summer or winter.

[Galatians522]

Variety selection is very important here in Florida. Growing something like a Brandywine is going to be difficult because it is not very disese resistant. It could be done if you sprayed fungicide every week, but few people want to do that. Most little tomatoes like Grape, Cherry, and Campari work well as long as you spray with BT (for caterpillars) every once in a while. I like the multi color grape and cherry types especially. The larger slicing tomatoes are a little harder. However, I had good success with Homestead last year. The only knock I have against it is that it is determinate (I prefer indeterminate tomatoes that keep producing over time). Also, keep in mind that big tomatoes require lots of calcium to keep them from getting blossom end rot.

[johnb51]

Last year I planted both Better Boy and Beefmaster.  Better Boy was a dud (in SoCal it was wildly successful), but Beefmaster worked out well.  I think most cherry-type tomatoes do well here.

[vall]

Better Boy was my reliable slicer in California. It did fine in FL for me last season, producing tomatoes till June, but I'm further north. It is somewhat susceptible to fruit flies, so there are probably better varieties out there.

[drymifolia]

Depending on which kind of disease pressure is causing problems, you could also graft seedlings of the disease-prone variety to disease-resistant rootstock. They sell those little plastic clips that work great for tomato grafting. But that's only helpful if the problem is soil-borne.

[Julie]

Mortgage Lifter
Pineapple Tomato
Cherokee Purple
Cherry: Sungold, Supersweet 100

You could start them now, but may be easier to start 10/1.  The key is to have backups since TYLCV is a big problem.