A Big Monster is in My Garden - Page 2

ContainerTed · July 7, 2015

Here it is this morning. It's coming along pretty well. I still want to do a couple more days.

MarinaRussian · July 8, 2015

Wow! That thingy is a whopper... We should rename it Belmonstre.

I have grown Belmonte a couple of years ago. They were huge.. and very sweet

ContainerTed · July 8, 2015

Okay, it's a done deal. This tomato is now officially named "THE BELMONSTER". And here's this morning's picture to keep the ripening process recorded in daily pictures.

Starlight · July 8, 2015

It's coming along good. I'd be a bit worried too. You've brought along this far it would would be a shame to lose it now. I know your checking during the day, but I think I would be temped to try and cover it or the whole plant at nioght with some netting or cheese cloth or something to protect it.

Even as early as most of us get up and start scouting and checking to beat the heat, the critters are already up and about and that sure is a tempting prize for some critter somewhere that you might not even realize that you have.

I don't blame you for trying to let it get as much color as you can, but I don't know if we all would have enough tissues for you if you lost it.

I think I would sit in a chair all night to be on patrol.

Now that it is blushing, that will be its final weight and size won't it or will it grow a bit more?

Worth1 · July 8, 2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by Starlight

It's coming along good. I'd be a bit worried too. You've brought along this far it would would be a shame to lose it now. I know your checking during the day, but I think I would be temped to try and cover it or the whole plant at nioght with some netting or cheese cloth or something to protect it.

Even as early as most of us get up and start scouting and checking to beat the heat, the critters are already up and about and that sure is a tempting prize for some critter somewhere that you might not even realize that you have.

I don't blame you for trying to let it get as much color as you can, but I don't know if we all would have enough tissues for you if you lost it.

I think I would sit in a chair all night to be on patrol.

Now that it is blushing, that will be its final weight and size won't it or will it grow a bit more?

I'm sitting on pins and needles.

I can count how many times I have said j((just one more day)) only to come out and see the tomato ruined.

As soon as the birds pick up on the color it will be gone.

Worth

pauldavid · July 8, 2015

Good luck with your monster Ted, glad to see it ripening.

KarenO · July 8, 2015

once it starts to blush it is finished growing and it won't get any larger or heavier. IHave to say if it was mine I'd pick it and let it finish ripening inside in a cool area so it doesn't split if it rains.
Karen

ContainerTed · July 8, 2015

I think KarenO said the right words. I just went down to the garden and the blush has become larger and is now on both ends. When I felt of the ripening areas, they were showing signs of getting soft. So I decided that with the threat of lots of rain tonight, I better get it up to the house. So, here it is.

The Belmonster

1.45 Kilograms

3 pounds and 3 ounces

It is the largest single tomato that I have ever grown. The stem came off easily and was much smaller than I had imagined. It will take at least a week to wipe this smile off my face.

KarenO · July 8, 2015

awesome tomato! I've never grown anything bigger than 1 lb 11 oz.
cool that it grew that way just on it's own without pruning off all the other fruits etc.
take another photo ripe

enjoy!
KarenO

Nattybo! · July 8, 2015

Wow! That is a monster! Absolutely amazing

Starlight · July 8, 2015

It was a Belmonster alright. Just about needed a wheelbarrow to haul it to the house huh.

I know I for one can now breath and sleep a bit easier knowing you have it safe indoors. I agree, once it gets fully ripe you'll need to take more pics and also let us know how it tastes.

Any bets on how many tomato sandwiches he can make from it?

This is kind of a dumb question, but since it got so huge, will the seed you save from it get that big too?

hank · July 8, 2015

Have you sold the movie rights? Hank, who grew one Delicious tomato of 3 pounds in 1973.

ContainerTed · July 8, 2015

Starlight, I am sure the answer to your question is "no". Many plants will have the occasional megabloom or fused blooms. But I know of no case where this giantism is in the DNA. I'll try to satisfy some of the other math questions you proposed. Right now, other than a bit of "Catfacing", it is a normal "beefsteak" type fruit. I'm just guessing, but it might put a "cover the bread" slice on about a dozen sandwiches.

Hank, congrats on your 3 pounder. Delicious has been known to throw some very large fruit. I didn't prune or trim anything on this plant. It was as natural as you can get. And the movie rights will be a short story of a proud tomato from humble beginnings and its descent into the depths of my stomach.

TightenUp · July 8, 2015

That's a beauty Ted! Congrats!!

RobinB · July 8, 2015

Congratulations, Ted! I've never grown anything even close to that size. Amazing!
Let us know how it tastes!

July 8, 2015	#28
ContainerTed Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: 6a - NE Tennessee Posts: 4,538	Starlight, I am sure the answer to your question is "no". Many plants will have the occasional megabloom or fused blooms. But I know of no case where this giantism is in the DNA. I'll try to satisfy some of the other math questions you proposed. Right now, other than a bit of "Catfacing", it is a normal "beefsteak" type fruit. I'm just guessing, but it might put a "cover the bread" slice on about a dozen sandwiches. Hank, congrats on your 3 pounder. Delicious has been known to throw some very large fruit. I didn't prune or trim anything on this plant. It was as natural as you can get. And the movie rights will be a short story of a proud tomato from humble beginnings and its descent into the depths of my stomach. __________________ Ted ________________________ Owner & Sole Operator Of The Muddy Bucket Farm and Tomato Ranch Last edited by ContainerTed; July 8, 2015 at 08:05 PM.

July 8, 2015	#29
TightenUp Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Jersey Posts: 1,183	That's a beauty Ted! Congrats!! __________________

July 8, 2015	#17
MarinaRussian Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Russia Posts: 176	Wow! That thingy is a whopper... We should rename it Belmonstre. I have grown Belmonte a couple of years ago. They were huge.. and very sweet

July 8, 2015	#19
Starlight Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: AL Posts: 1,993	It's coming along good. I'd be a bit worried too. You've brought along this far it would would be a shame to lose it now. I know your checking during the day, but I think I would be temped to try and cover it or the whole plant at nioght with some netting or cheese cloth or something to protect it. Even as early as most of us get up and start scouting and checking to beat the heat, the critters are already up and about and that sure is a tempting prize for some critter somewhere that you might not even realize that you have. I don't blame you for trying to let it get as much color as you can, but I don't know if we all would have enough tissues for you if you lost it. I think I would sit in a chair all night to be on patrol. Now that it is blushing, that will be its final weight and size won't it or will it grow a bit more?

July 8, 2015	#21
pauldavid Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: NE Louisiana, Zone 8A Posts: 1,179	Good luck with your monster Ted, glad to see it ripening.

July 8, 2015	#22
KarenO Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Vancouver Island Posts: 5,931	once it starts to blush it is finished growing and it won't get any larger or heavier. IHave to say if it was mine I'd pick it and let it finish ripening inside in a cool area so it doesn't split if it rains. Karen

July 8, 2015	#25
Nattybo! Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Maryland Posts: 272	Wow! That is a monster! Absolutely amazing

July 8, 2015	#27
hank Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: winchester va usa Posts: 106	Have you sold the movie rights? Hank, who grew one Delicious tomato of 3 pounds in 1973.

July 8, 2015	#30
RobinB Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Near Reno, NV Posts: 1,621	Congratulations, Ted! I've never grown anything even close to that size. Amazing! Let us know how it tastes!