Tomato Mega Blooms

[Stvrob]

what I hate is when some of the sepals are curled back into the petals, then when the fruit forms it becomes horribly misshapen. Last year there was an ugliest tomato contest here, maybe we should do that again?

[b54red]

Thanks Carolyn. I just wanted to make sure I was doing it right.

Bill

[NarnianGarden]

Yes. those misshapen fruits with curled petals/sepals can look quite scary. Still, I enjoy eating them - the bigger the better, lol.
Plus, I love looking at those blooms - they sure are pretty, even if the outcome isn't.

[swardson]

Tim,

We tend to get megablooms/fused blossoms on the lower trusses. So this might suggest that temperature is influencing their appearance. And research in fact suggests that cold temperature is associated with in floral abnormalities. These genes may also be correlated with the higher flower count that is seen in cold treated tomatoes, as well.

So, for your goals, along with a using a large beefsteak you would have to plant it out early in a hoop house and make sure it gets low night time temperatures without freezing.

[Uncle Dunkel]

Swardson, Thank you for the research it was interesting. I also think cold and or stressed plants produce more mega blooms. The best blooms are always on the first truss as you say.
Tim