PlantFiles: Tomato
Lycopersicon lycopersicum 'Ace 55'

My plant produced 4 sweet, yummy tomatoes then perished to verticillium wilt. It's supposed to be resistant to wilts, and I planted this cultivar at the recommendation of a horticulture expert in my area (Sacramento, CA), who grew the starters in his greenhouse. This variety is also recommended by my local nurseries. I planted it in a half barrel, using organic potting mix. Not sure why it happened, but the moral of the story is "resistant" doesn't mean "immune."

My plants were heavy producers, but the fruit was all twisted and gnarled like the old style beef steaks. Most had a raised center resembling a turban. Good flavor but too much juice and too much trimming to be a good home canner.

Found this tomato at the garden center in the Spring. It takes 75 days to maturity, was dubious it would produce in Western Washington state. We have to look for 'Early Girl', or 'Better Boy'. Much to my surprise, it produced the best tomatoes I have ever grown in Washington state. Large wonderful tomatoes that ripened on the vine. But then this year was the warmest and driest on record. Will definately look for it again in the Spring and hope for another great growing season.

I grew 'Ace 55' in Virginia during the sixties and 70's. It has a very vigorous bushy plant which sets lots of tomatoes between 1/2 and 3/4 lb. It is quite late for the type and tends to set heavily over a four week period, ideal for processing. I replaced it with 'Fantastic' which is earlier and bears over a longer period. It is a heavy producer and anthractnose resistant which was a plus.