From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Alabama

Just wondering what seed I should be looking for? I have my normal tomatoes in ground, but would rather enjoy a few big mamas as well. What should I look for and where can I find it?

5/17/2014 1:05:14 PM

Corbin, KY

5.07 Bouydo be a good one if you can find them.

5/17/2014 7:49:27 PM

Alabama

Thanks. Any idea where I would find them?

5/17/2014 11:05:29 PM

Allentown, PA

Any Boudyo's are going to be difficult to obtain, especially at this date. Big Zac is arguably the line giant growers use most often in order to attempt a giant including myself.

Last season I grew my personal best of 4.46 LBS from a 2.86 LB example I grew in 2012.

I still have a few seeds from my 4.46 LB Big Zac remaining and if you would like them I'll send them to you.

Send me an e-mail at flight_19@yahoo.com.

5/18/2014 7:03:04 AM

Allentown, PA

I also wanted to explain why Boudyo seeds are difficult to obtain. Boudyo is the last name from a giant tomato grower who lives in France. He is the grower to beat due to the many five pound plus tomatoes and six pound tomatoes he has grown.

Many of his champions are Big Zac tomatoes that he has grown out from season to season.


It's because of his proven abilities that seeds from his heavyweights are scarce to begin with and even more so at this time of the season.

5/18/2014 7:17:39 AM

Ely Mn

The seeds i am sending you are from my 4.57 .(5.07 boudyo x open).
Will it be just as good as the 5.07 boudyo?im hoping.
I had 3 5.07s and none of them germed this year:(
Dan

5/18/2014 1:11:57 PM

Netherlands

No germination here on any Boudyo seeds either, this year.

5/19/2014 2:03:56 AM

Alabama

Once they start fruiting, do I just make some rigging to hold the fruit up or do you have any suggestions on how to tie? Hard to tell in the pics and looking forward to my seed mail, thanks. That 4.57 sure looked nice, Dan!

5/19/2014 9:34:13 AM

Alabama

btw - genetic question...

If plants are pollinated on same plant over and over, is this what causes them to go sterile after a while? I'm sure it might take some time and maybe I'm still stuck on pigeon genetics here, but been thinking about it as far as the pumpkins so. Same could be asked on tomatoes?

5/19/2014 9:36:55 AM

Allentown, PA

Garden Momma,

Take a look at my 2013 diary at what I did to support a heavy tomato.

I take strips of plastic grocery bags and tie the truss in a couple of places to the stake.

I then take a pair of pantyhose and cut the legs out to use as a hammock in order to support the tomato from underneath. I tie the ends of the hose to the stake above the truss.

Lastly it would behoove you to shield a tomato from possible sunscald and to retard maturation by taking a white washcloth or small towel and sash it to the stake above the tomato. You would then lay the towel or wash cloth over the tomato.

When the towel becomes wet from rain simply pull the towel back until it's dry then place back over the tomato.

5/19/2014 12:02:17 PM

Allentown, PA

To answer the genetic question;

Personally the Boudyo seeds I obtained were all viable.

I obtained three seeds from the 6.51 and two seeds from the 6.01 and all germinated. Did I get lucky? Perhaps.

I'm now on F3 or in other words the third season of growing out my Diehl line that produced my 4.46 pound tomato last season.

I have four plants growing from seeds from that tomato and all germinated with no issue. Lets wait and see how the mega bloom development is as well as other blooms. If no blooms then we know.

Commercial growers due to the massive number of plants that they grow do indeed experience sterility in the lines in which they use.

I think it all comes down to a numbers game.

Since we as giant growers mostly grow fifty or so plants or less the possibility of having a sterile plant is low.

5/19/2014 12:22:36 PM

Ely Mn

The only boudyo seeds i had a germination problem was the 5.07.
the 5.03 boudyo's germed fine but they are real slow to develop.
My 6.57 B and 6.83s germed fine as well.

5/19/2014 7:38:43 PM

Ely Mn

Hey Pa where did you get those 6.51 boudyo's?
Are you sure those are not 6.57:)
Dont get your marv's and your boudyo's mixed up!:)

5/19/2014 8:08:21 PM

Alabama

Gotcha! Thanks for the tips and your diary really helped, Pa!

5/19/2014 10:41:17 PM

Allentown, PA

I'm pleased that I was able to help you GardenMama! I sent you an email back with my address.

@ Master P you are indeed correct I meant to type 6.57!!! LOL!!! Whoops! Thanks for correcting that. :O)

5/20/2014 7:33:55 AM

My first attempt with the 4.46 Big Zac's did not sprout, even though I did the same as with my regular beef steak tomatoes. Made a second attempt this afternoon. Hopefully, the 2nd time around is a charm!!

5/21/2014 2:42:03 PM

Allentown, PA

@ jumpnjax49 I'm sorry to hear that my 4.46 did not germinate for you. Myself and everyone that has reported back to me has said that the 4.46 has germinated with no issue.

Let me know how this next round goes for you.

5/21/2014 4:23:57 PM

Alabama

Sorry to hear that too, jumpnjax49. I sure hope things sprout up for you soon!

5/21/2014 9:02:06 PM

thanks guys - nothing yet, but waiting for THAT day!!!

5/23/2014 7:06:40 PM