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Dallas, OR

Hey guys,
Just wanted to get some tips on how to grow giant Tomatoes. I have tried for the last few years, and each year I get about a 3 lb Tomato, which I like, but I would really like to step up the game, and find out what it takes to grow the 4,5,6 lb tomato. Any information would be great! I think a lot of it has to do with pruning technique that I just don't know about. I feel like my plants always look really healthy! Anyways, any info is good, and appreciated! My email address is Ahendersen@oldmillfeed.com or you can reply on here!
Thanks,
Andy

2/19/2015 12:47:05 PM

Allentown, PA

Andy, first off welcome to the giant tomato community.

There is so much information that is out there including here for you to ingest that it is almost impossible to list it in one place.

I will be sending you an e-mail concerning some things but in the interim may I turn your attention to the many diaries here on this site including my own that outline and document growing giant tomatoes. Go to my 2013 and 2014 diaries under my login name PA_J. I have attempted to lay out in the simplest terms what I was doing and why I was doing it at the time.

I have received compliments on how detailed I got with things.

The very first thing you need to do is purchase Marv Meisners book ""Growing Giant Tomatoes. Marv is a member here as well as a mentor and great friend to all of us.
His book will give you a complete and solid foundation on growing giant tomatoes.
You can order it from Amazon here; http://www.amazon.com/Giant-Tomatoes-Marvin-H-Meisner/dp/0975515314

I receive no compensation for promoting this book. Marv's wisdom enabled me to grow a 4.46 lb tomato my first season of growing giants.

It will assist you in doing the same. Live it, love it, learn it.

On this message board there is a wealth of information concerning growing giants so go back to the beginning and read the posts. I did this and it assisted me greatly.

Like I said I'll e-mail you about some other things.

Again welcome Andy.

2/19/2015 3:23:13 PM

Central NY

Hey Andy.. What Varieys have you grown?...have you tired hard pruning?.. Limtiing the plant to one or two vines?..using mycos?.growing healthy is half the battle so yer good there...

2/19/2015 4:38:36 PM

Mission Viejo, CA

I'm growing my first this year also. In fact, I am growing the 5.75 Porkchop! It germed about a week ago. Reading the book now and will check out your diary Pa J

2/19/2015 7:47:40 PM

Allentown, PA

OK Kevin!

2/19/2015 7:56:12 PM

Central NY

Sweet!

2/20/2015 7:46:05 AM

Dallas, OR

I haven't done much with the pruning, so I'm sure that has something to do with it. I would like to learn more about the pruning, watering schedule, fertilizing.... basically everything. Do most people grow in a greenhouse or outside or both? I like to hear about what everyone else is doing, and I really do appreciate all of the information even if it's just pointing to some good giant tomato reading material.

2/20/2015 11:26:03 AM

Central NY

Pruning is probably where your losing weight...pinch of all suckers before they even get a chance to grow...limit that plant to one or two vines...then cross fingers...as far as watering... not too wet...don't be afraid of too dry if the plants look good...

2/20/2015 11:54:27 AM

Central NY

Also...just as important... The right seeds!!!

2/20/2015 11:55:29 AM

Allentown, PA

I grow outside in ground. As I said in my e-mail to you I prune most of my plants to a single stem. I will be also topping my plants to approx four to five feet after fruit set is successful.

2/20/2015 11:59:23 AM

Ely Mn

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Clubs/
Go there and click on GVGO growers vine at the top.
I'm in there and also Bill Foss.
Not saying this is the right way...but this is what worked for me.

2/20/2015 12:40:09 PM

Buffalo, MN (Billsbigpumpkins@hotmail.com)

Dan, that is interesting, I sent him a message to go the same place a couple of hours ago. I said I would send him a few seeds, and to check out the auction tonight on BP if he wanted a large quantity of the worlds best seeds.

2/20/2015 3:42:44 PM

Ely Mn

Ha ha great Bill!

2/20/2015 4:17:09 PM

Dallas, OR

Thanks everyone for the great advise and directions to good reading material! Hopefully I can turn all these ideas into a huge tomato this year!

2/22/2015 11:22:39 PM