What is your largest tomato?

Originally Posted by Deborah

Dumb? question: Do the huge ones taste good or are they dry or what?

In my garden, the 2lb Chapman tomatoes were some of my favorites for flavor (good flavor and texture for sandwiches). The tomatoes were consistently about the same size, for the most part, too. Cuostralee didn't have the consistent size; it had a good flavor for sauce in my opinion, and I think each tomato tasted pretty much the same regardless of size.

It should be noted that high potassium can help fruits get larger (and supposedly increase heat tolerance). High potassium can make tomatoes less acidic. I think if there's too much potassium and too much water that it can lead to mealy tomatoes, for most 1lb varieties, but that's just my hypothesis. Potassium does seem to help plants to absorb more water.

So, I don't think genetics for size really have a lot to do with how good they taste, per se (although in my garden, I tend to notice more flavor in small tomatoes than medium, large or extra large ones, but the difference between medium tomatoes and extra large doesn't seem significant), but growing conditions that contribute to size may impact the flavor and/or texture where genetics won't.

[IronPete]

Originally Posted by zipcode

The biggest one that I have a picture of (1.7 lb). Seems small compared to all yours...
I had one near 2 a long time ago, but it was the only one on the plant. This one came from a plant loaded with big tomatoes.

What kind of tomato is that, Zip?

[MadScientist]

Originally Posted by Spartanburg123

2.5 lb Big Zac for me, two years ago.

Are you wearing a lab coat? What science have you used to grow such a large tomato? Is it safe to eat?

[MadScientist]

Originally Posted by Spartanburg123

2.5 lb Big Zac for me, two years ago.

Are you wearing a lab coat? What science have you used to grow such a large tomato? Is it safe to eat?

[Spartanburg123]

Originally Posted by MadScientist

Are you wearing a lab coat? What science have you used to grow such a large tomato? Is it safe to eat?

Yes I am a scientist, that is my technician holding it. The only science I used to grow it was good old fashioned Mother Nature. And a little Miracle-Gro.

[AKmark]

Originally Posted by nyrfan

Wow! You given all of us tomato-envy.

What variety was it? Did you save seeds from them?

Those are Terhune and Big Zac. Here are some others in the 5lb range. Ted's Belmonster, can't remember what the others are.

[Deborah]

Nice to know that even the giants can taste good too. It must be such fun to slice into one of those!