They have a compact vine, multiple disease resistance, uniform ripening and a meaty, firm fruit. The vine is more compact due to the fact that the plants are semi-determinate. Old varieties set new flowers and fruits by growing longer vines. New varieties produce flowers throughout the season but in a more compact manner. Older varieties could easily grow to heights or lengths of six to eight feet or more.
New types reach four to six feet.
That means the plants have a genetic resistance to disease problems. This code stands for resistance to verticillium wilt, nematodes, fusarium wilt and tobacco mosaic. Newer varieties all have a very meaty texture. They are developed to ripen more evenly. Older varieties ripened more in some areas then others.