The Beefsteak tomato is a popular variety recognized for its substantial size and superior flavor. These large, meaty fruits are often the size of a human palm, making them ideal for slicing onto sandwiches and salads. The term “Beefsteak” refers to a type of tomato characterized by its size, density, and often irregular shape, rather than a single specific cultivar. Successful cultivation requires understanding the biological distinction related to how the plant grows and produces its harvest.
Understanding Tomato Growth Habits
Tomato plants are classified into two main categories based on their growth pattern, which dictates their size and fruiting schedule. This distinction is rooted in the plant’s genetics. The first type is the determinate variety, often referred to as a bush type, which grows to a predetermined height, typically reaching three to four feet tall.
Determinate plants stop vegetative growth once flower clusters form on the terminal bud, meaning the plant tops itself off. This causes the fruit to set and ripen within a concentrated period, often over two to three weeks. This synchronized ripening makes determinate varieties suitable for gardeners seeking a large harvest all at once for canning or making sauces.
The second type is the indeterminate variety, characterized by a vining growth habit that continues throughout the entire growing season. These plants do not terminate their growth at a fixed height; they keep producing new stems, leaves, and flowers until frost kills the plant. Indeterminate varieties can reach heights of six to twelve feet or more.
Indeterminate varieties produce fruit continuously, offering a steady supply of tomatoes from mid-summer until fall. This continuous growth dictates the necessary support systems and maintenance techniques required for a successful harvest.
The Classification of Beefsteak Varieties
The majority of traditional Beefsteak tomatoes are indeterminate varieties. Heirloom Beefsteaks, such as ‘Brandywine’ and ‘Mortgage Lifter’ cultivars, exhibit the continuous, vining growth characteristic of the indeterminate habit. These plants develop strong, sprawling vines that require substantial vertical support to manage their height and the heavy weight of their large fruits.
The indeterminate nature is linked to the historical breeding of these large-fruited varieties, which were selected for an extended harvest period. However, modern plant breeding has introduced nuances to this classification. Some hybrid Beefsteak types have been developed to be determinate or semi-determinate, offering a more compact plant suitable for container gardening or smaller spaces.
Because of these variations, always check the specific variety’s tag or seed packet for the growth habit labeled as “IND” (indeterminate) or “DET” (determinate). Assuming all Beefsteaks are indeterminate can lead to inadequate support, a common error in the garden.
Practical Differences in Care and Cultivation
The growth habit of a tomato plant directly impacts the care it needs, particularly structural support and pruning. Indeterminate Beefsteaks require robust support systems—tall stakes, strong cages, or a trellis—to manage their continuous vertical growth and the sheer mass of their fruit. These vines can grow over six feet, necessitating a structure that is both tall and capable of handling a significant load.
Determinate varieties are more compact and typically only require a small cage or stake to prevent branches from breaking under the fruit’s weight. The most significant difference in maintenance is pruning. Indeterminate plants benefit from the removal of “suckers,” which are small shoots that emerge in the axil, or junction, between the leaf stem and the main stalk.
Pruning these suckers redirects the plant’s energy away from excessive foliage growth and toward the development of larger, higher-quality fruit. Since determinate plants set all their fruit at once, pruning suckers is discouraged because it reduces the number of potential fruiting points, lowering the total yield. The harvest timing also differs; indeterminate Beefsteaks offer a manageable, extended harvest ideal for fresh eating, while determinate types provide a large, concentrated harvest window, perfect for bulk processing.