Portugese Monster

[Mantis]

This one took ages. All the other plants in its half of the greenhouse have been pulled and given to the chooks.
Good news on the new ones.
Aunt Ginny was a winner for me. Cant wait to see what she can do in some good soil
Stump in the same soil and next to it did not do much. Prudens in the same soil kept trying and producing small fruit but eh, they are very good taste wise. One tomato I could just pick up and munch into, sweet, and full flavoured
Oh yeah, Pink ping Pong is a winner as well.
I think I am leaning towards sweeter types eh.
Berkeley Tie Dye has been a slow starter but has continued to pump out big juicey sweet fruit. It is still growing bigguns. I hope the neigbours keep the water up to it.
Gary O'Sena has been a big winner. Good one Keith..,,,
Enjoy

[michael johnson]

I think you will find that as the season goes on- you will find the realy big ones right at the top of the plant,

with me- I always find that the first tomatoes on the plant are only average- a few big ones maybe!, but in the main, the first tomatoes do not usualy have much seed in them either , then as the season progresses at about the third or fourth truss up the plant as the plant takes in more water and nourishment and begins to really feed -the larger tomatoes suddenly start to appear , usualy with a lot more seed inside them and juice .

Most varieties of tomato plants are just really getting into their stride and pumping out tomatoes like mad, when the season usualy ends and draws to a halt because of frost or bad weather or light conditions etc,

I always feel that I am missing out on the best of tomatoes because the season ends before they have finished giving of their best.

[Grub]

MJ,

Have you had time to grow your PM yet?

[michael johnson]

Grub, no not yet- sow seeds on the 11th of march or earlier.- maybe mid february

[Grub]

Give it plenty of space and use a very robust 2.5m stake then.

Nice healthy, productive, vigorous plant. Very similar to Oleyar's German in my patch, which is also growing big 'uns as well. Early days thou', and probably have a half dozen set.

Did you ever eat a fruit? Do you recall if the taste was good? And is the official name P. Monster or P. Giant?

And I will have you know that, if this is a keeper, you will forced to travel to some other exotic destination in search of your next discovery. I think the Azores next :wink:

[michael johnson]

I originaly called it (Portuguese Monster)

Regarding the taste- not exactly outstanding -but a good average tomatoey taste from the tomatoes I originaly took the seeds from.

I think this tomato will require about two or three seasons in the hands of all us tomato enthusiasts to work on it, to bring out the best of it, once we all get to know it a little better it will become easier to culture-I hope.

[Grub]

Okay, I grow for size.

Thanks.

[Mantis]

We got to taste the one pictured above while away on holidays and it has a very respectable taste. Not earth shattering but good.

[Grub]

Picked my first one and ate it. Fruit was under 1lb, slightly heart to bomb shaped, pink and very juicy. A few small gaps in some seed cells, but I've seen much worse. Flavour was sweet foremost, none too complex, nice and not dissapointing. The size isn't where I thought it would be, however. Maybe it was me, but Tom's Yellow Wonder alongside had 1lb-plus yellows. Good fun trying... maybe one that responds to pruning which I never do. Thanks Michael. BTW: Have you got a pic of the parents?

[michael johnson]

Hi-Grub, yes I did have some pics, but poor quality as they were taken with one of those throw away cameras whilst in portugal, the pics came out dark and very grainy.

I will try to post them on this site eventualy, there is one five and a half pounder and together with two more toms at four and a bit pounders-sat on top of a table together.

[Grub]

Okay, now it's up to a champion grower to try and get a whopper... thanks again for giving me the chance.

[michael johnson]

I am very puzzled-if not a little disappointed , as to how tomatoes of the original size of the parent tomatoes-could throw much smaller tomatoes on their next sowing, I shall be very-very dissappointed if when I sow mine in two weeks time they produce the same results.

When I first discovered the original tomatoes- there was nothing smaller than 2lb in weight amongst the whole heap of them- I still remain puzzled by it- but we shall see-as the season rolls on. as different methods of culture produce differing results, - I might end up having to re-name it Michael's Folly

[Grub]

Not much water here this year... could well be a culture thing. Tom's Yellow Wonder was alongside. 1lb+. But have faith, I'm sure you will do it Michael. Also, they ripened all at once, kind of like a commercial type. Thanks again. Rest easy

[Rena]

Here is my update. Very beautiful stocky plants, 2 fruits set so far (pm2) one is heart shaped the other is maybe a fused blossom as it is looking semi fluted. I will update on the PM1 when I record some stuff in the garden today.
My main grow out is hearts so I will be happy if that is what it is. Maybe the monsters came from fused blossoms? Stay tuned!

[michael johnson]

Just sown mine a couple of weeks ago, they are both up and growing with their first true leaves just coming out nicely.

The one thing I have noticed though-is that there seems to be a slight difference between # 1 and #2 seeds although they are supposed to be the same tomato, # 2 seems to be slightly more vigorous and germinated with a higher percentage, -hope I didnt accidentally mix them up in reverse order , but |I am growing both just to be certain.