The very large tomato thread

[biscuitridge]

Oops, I meant late for dinner. Lol

[KarenO]

Originally Posted by biscuitridge

Yes, I have several that are growing well, unfortunately I'm not able to show them because they are in support slings which pretty well covers them up.I've got a nice one from the seeds you gave me.also I'm trying for the first time to grow giant cukes, peppers,and onions,my onion is a little over 24 inches in circumference, and a cuke is growing almost 3 inches in length a day.sure is enjoyable watching the progress of all the giants,the cukes are for weight and not length, same for onions and peppers and of course tomatoes. We're having 104 degree days right now ,so we'll see how they pull through.

That makes me very happy please show us your photos sometime in future once they are being weighed.
I wish you the best of luck in your quest to best your own world record and I am rooting for you from across the straight.
So pleased you tried those seeds and I am going to try yours next season. I have no aspirations of any really big tomatoes but my own biggest was only less than 2.5 pounds so I am curious to see if I can do better than that
just for fun.
Best wishes for a really big one
KarenO

[biscuitridge]

Thanks Karen, I'm sure you will be able to grow a personal best next year,prep your soil this fall and you should be in good shape for next season, if I can help you in some way just let me know, I'd like to see you succeed!

[Spartanburg123]

I totally understand what you are saying about megablooms, Dan. I know that BZ tends to throw them more than others. I usually have one or two plants that have them every year (especially Cherokee Purple or Pink Brandywine (Sudduth)). But this year, I have not seen ANY and that is unusual. Perhaps Aker's WV would throw them under the right conditions (pollination when cool). Below is a good sized Aker's that I just pulled today- diameter is 6 inches. I estimate it's around 2 lbs or so. It sure is a pretty tomato!

[biscuitridge]

That sure is a beauty,way to grow! Keep up the good work! My BZ and others seem to throw megas 95% of the time,so it's just a matter of trying to figure out which one is going to produce the biggest tomato.

[PureHarvest]

Here's my new personal best. Orange Jazz at 2 lbs 10 ounces.

7-17-2018 2lb 10 oz.JPG

I don't go thru what the competitors do, just observe.
Maybe next year I'll try some faciating varieties.

I did not notice it till after it was full size when green. If I caught it earlier, I could have removed all the other fruit and flowers. Still a neat surprise

[biscuitridge]

Awesome looking tomato, congratulations. Maybe next year you can try your hand at a giant, I'd love to see what you can do.

[PureHarvest]

Thanks man.
I tried regular BZ and Chapman 2 years ago and isolated a couple single stem plants with megablooms. One was a 5 lobe. It just never sized up before changing color.
The weather got so hot that year that it sped the ripening too fast I think.
Also, the EC of my nutrients was way off (too high).

Anyway, I am going to grow an early season crop next year when it is cooler, and should probably give it another go. I understand the general concepts, but I'm sure there are some tricks/timing I need to learn. That and seeds/varieties.

[Spartanburg123]

Now that is a whopper! Bet it tasted great too!

[PureHarvest]

I haven't cut into yet lol. Just picked this morning.
Maybe tomorrow.

[AKmark]

This one came in about 4.5lbs, it is from Terhune 5.42. I grew it with no extra care except pruning in a five gallon container.

The BZ I have growing is getting watered two extra times per day when it is nice out. I will also take it out of the GH before it ripens, maybe at day 25 or so, the cooler nighttime temps should ward off ripening for longer. That is the next experiment we are doing. Next will be amended media with the same ferts I use. All for fun, wish I had more space. LOL

[Spartanburg123]

Nice Mark! I am so upset that the one seedling I grew of this one ended up being a mule! I'm definitely trying again next year!!

[efisakov]

Congrats, Mark! Such a beautiful fruit. 4.5 lbs, great size.

[AKmark]

Originally Posted by PureHarvest

Thanks man.
I tried regular BZ and Chapman 2 years ago and isolated a couple single stem plants with megablooms. One was a 5 lobe. It just never sized up before changing color.
The weather got so hot that year that it sped the ripening too fast I think.
Also, the EC of my nutrients was way off (too high).

Anyway, I am going to grow an early season crop next year when it is cooler, and should probably give it another go. I understand the general concepts, but I'm sure there are some tricks/timing I need to learn. That and seeds/varieties.

Hey, that's a nice tomato. Pruned those may deliver a huge tomato.

I have wondered how big Chapman would get, it is a decent size tomato. I grow it for markets and do get a few that throw some serious megablooms.

[AKmark]

Originally Posted by efisakov

Congrats, Mark! Such a beautiful fruit. 4.5 lbs, great size.

Thanks, I get a laugh when I pick them. LOL

Dan will show us some real super size tomatoes.