Beefsteak tomato
Solanum lycopersicum
Also known asSlicing tomato · Beef tomato (UK)
Environment
The bounded range this crop tolerates. Strict on light; outside the DLI band, yields drop sharply.
Climate and zones
- USDA zones
- 10–13 (winter low around -1°C)
- Frost
- frost sensitive (dies at first frost)
- Season
- warm (summer, frost-sensitive)
Growing systems
Root mass: very heavy. Thin-channel systems can't hold this crop.
Growing media
| Medium | pH effect | Retention | Bacterial surface |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expanded clay pebbles (LECA) | neutral / inert | low | high |
| Coco coir (Coconut coir) | slightly acidic | high | moderate |
| Perlite (Expanded volcanic glass) | neutral / inert | very low | low |
| Rockwool (Mineral wool) | alkaline until pre-soaked | very high | low |
| Soil-based mix (Potting soil) | varies | high | high |
Nutrient demand by stage
NPK ratios are relative weights. EC targets shift through the plant's life.
| Stage | N | P | K | EC (mS/cm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| seedling | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| vegetative | 3 | 1 | 2 | 2.2 |
| flowering | 2 | 2 | 3 | 2.6 |
| fruiting | 1 | 2 | 4 | 3 |
Companion-growing notes
- Heavy uptake of potassium, calcium, phosphorus. Co-grown crops with the same demand will end up deficient even at "correct" EC.
- Releases root compounds that can inhibit other crops in a shared reservoir.
- Very high transpiration. Reservoir drops fast; expect daily top-ups and EC creep.
Aquaponics suitability
Compatible
Fish waste provides enough nitrogen for healthy growth. Supplemental potassium, calcium, and iron may still be needed depending on fish stocking density.
Care notes
A high-value hydroponic crop that rewards careful management. Dutch bucket, drip-to-waste, or large DWC systems work best for indeterminate beefsteak varieties (which grow as continuous vines rather than compact bushes). EC 2.5-4.0 mS/cm (higher than smaller tomato types; beefsteaks need strong nutrient concentrations for the large fruit). pH 5.5-6.5. Temperature: 20–28°C daytime, 15–18°C night (the day-night differential improves fruit quality). Very high light demand (DLI 22-35 mol/m2/day; beefsteaks need more light than any other common hydroponic vegetable). Train indeterminate vines up strings or stakes, removing suckers (side shoots) to maintain a single or double leader. Support heavy fruits with clips or slings. Calcium is critical: blossom end rot (BER) is the most common problem on beefsteaks because the large fruits demand more calcium transport than smaller types. Maintain calcium at 150-200 ppm in the feed solution and ensure steady, consistent watering (calcium uptake depends on transpiration, which depends on water delivery). Pruning bottom leaves up to the first ripening truss improves airflow and reduces disease. Harvest when fruits are fully colored and slightly soft to pressure. Each plant produces 5-15 large fruits over a season, totaling 3–8 kg per plant.
Notable varieties
| Cultivar | Type | Origin | Days | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brandywine | heirloom | 90 | 450 g | Pre-1885 Amish heirloom. Pink-red, deeply lobed fruit with intense complex flavor most growers rate as the gold standard. Low yield (a few large fruits per truss), prone to cracking, long season. Indeterminate, reaches 2.5m. | |
| Cherokee Purple | heirloom | 80 | 380 g | Tennessee Cherokee heirloom released to the seed trade in 1990. Dusky purple-brown shoulders, brick-red flesh, rich savory flavor distinct from any red beefsteak. More productive than Brandywine; somewhat disease-prone in humid summers. | |
| Big Boy | hybrid | Burpee | 78 | 450 g | Burpee's 1949 release; one of the first F1 hybrid tomatoes sold to home gardeners. Indeterminate, disease-resistant (VFN). Reliable productivity in a wide climate range. Flavor is solid mid-tier; chosen for yield and consistency rather than peak taste. |
| Mortgage Lifter | heirloom | 85 | 500 g | West Virginia 1930s heirloom, named because the breeder reportedly paid off his mortgage selling seedlings. Pink-red fruit often topping 500g. Mild sweet flavor, low acid. Productive; one of the easier large heirlooms for less-than-ideal climates. | |
| Black Krim | heirloom | 80 | 280 g | Crimean heirloom. Smaller than most beefsteaks (around 280g) but with deep mahogany-purple shoulders and savory salty flavor. Tolerates heat better than Brandywine; cracks easily after rain. | |
| Beefmaster | hybrid | Burpee | 80 | 700 g | F1 selected for fruit size (often 700g+ per fruit, occasionally over 1kg). Disease resistance package (VFN). Less complex flavor than the heirlooms but the size makes it the choice for stuffed tomato dishes and burger slicing. |