[shokkyy]

When deciding what veg varieties to try, I often look at the RHS award list to see which ones they recommend, but sometimes I think it would be nice to know which varieties they tried but didn't make the list. For example, when shopping for calabrese seed the varieties you most often see recommended tend to be Ironman and Marathon, yet neither of these are included on the RHS list for 2010 or 2011 and I'd really like to know why. Is there anything I haven't found that tells you which varieties were tested but didn't make the list?

[gobs]

The RHS does produce a summary of the trials for each vegetable. Google around.

[shokkyy]

I have googled, as well as searching the RHS trials site, but I can't find it.

[mumofstig]

They make the lists after trialling plants, and list the ones they think are best.
They wouldn't be allowed to tell you which ones they were worst would they? Might put seed hybridisers/companies out of business, and I believe they only test varieties put forward  by the seed companies.

In this instance, Ironman seems to have been bred for the Proffesional Gowers market
http://us.seminis.com/products/broccoli/ironman.asp

[gobs]

"Award of Garden Merit (AGM) H3 2006
‘Achievement-Merit’ ‘Lady Di’ ‘White Achievement’ ‘Aintree’
‘Red Flame’ ‘White Emergo-Snowy’ ‘Celebration’ ‘Red Rum’
‘White Lady’ ‘Enorma-Elite’ ‘Royal Standard’ ‘Wisley Magic’
‘Flare’ ‘Saint George’
‘Emergo Stringless’ (Subject to availbility) TZ 5134 (Subject to naming and availability)
Previous awards not reconfirmed by this trial
‘Liberty’ AGM (H3) 1993 ‘Desiree’ AGM (H3) 1999 ‘White Apollo’ AGM (H3) 1999
H3 = plants hardy outside in some regions or in particular situations or which, whilst usually grown outside in
summer, need frost-free protection in winter."

http://www.rhs.org.uk/getattachment/e0b1cc20-b2e5-4d1a-9698-8e84946289c8/Runner-Beans.aspx

[shokkyy]

Thanks, gobs, for the link to the runner bean trial. I did find the RHS award reports for calabrese in 2010 and 2011 with no problem, and I also found a couple of calabrese trial reports that listed varieties tested but not selected for awards, but most of the reports I found didn't have that info. I was puzzled in particular to find no mention anywhere of Ironman.  Given that it's such a popular variety you'd think it must have been tested, so I assumed it must have been tested but not awarded.

Maybe you're right, Mum, and it's just that Ironman was intended primarily for commercial growing so none of the seed suppliers submitted it for trial. DT Brown give it a glowing description though, so maybe I'll give it a try.

[gobs]

I know, you are very peeved it does not mention Ironman.

Get over it!