From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Soldotna,AK

On 6/16/15 under Newbie Here you posted that you had grown a 5.41 and a 5.51 hydroponically in pots. You were received in the forum very well as folks wanted to learn from your experiences. Pictures were asked for. You didn't post anything to substantiate your claims. You filed nothing with the GPC. Fine-that is your business. But last week when the Redoubt Reporter published a story about the tomatoes my grandchildren and I grew this year and entered in the state fair and with the GPC, you posted five comments again claiming you had grown the 5.41 and the 5.51 and insisting you had the record. I am calling BS on you Mark. If you want to compete step up or shut the $&@ up.

10/24/2015 1:49:29 AM

Central NY

Ouch!!... A slammer smackdown !!!...what say you akmark?

10/24/2015 6:59:42 AM

On top of Brush Mountain, Pa.

I really believe that to claim a record it takes more than just a "claim." If there are no pictures of these hydroponically grown tomatoes on a certified scale and no witnesses then a claim is just that and not a record.

10/24/2015 8:06:45 AM

Garden State Pumpkins

Might of been grown but still a UOW

10/24/2015 8:52:00 AM

Alaska

Hey guys, sorry I have not been around. I run a business which totally takes al;l of my time. Most all of you know PA JULIA here, she asked me to join after seeing pictures of my tomatoes. I really never thought it was such a big deal, never really went to great lengths for bragging rights either. Yep, it's true, and probably grew a couple even bigger that we did not have stamped by weights and measures. I had that done only because they have to come out and certify my scales, so while here I had them weigh a tomato or two. If I can figure out how to post some pics I will, since I have been called a liar.

10/27/2015 1:51:12 AM

Alaska

Ok, I took the time to do that, I found a decent pic. I have more, some sitting on the scale too. My main thing is poundage per plant, we are are topping 50 with some varieties, and yes...hydroponically. One thing I hate is getting bagged on, it literally makes me sick, some people simply have no grace, especially when they have no idea what a person may have going on in life. Go look at the pic guys, I hope I am not going to see anymore negative comments.

10/27/2015 2:05:12 AM

Alaska

I saw the photo has to go through moderation, so have a nice fall guys.

10/27/2015 2:13:46 AM

Soldotna,AK

Mark, I look forward to seeing the pics, hopefully the ones with tomatoes on the scale. Guess what? We all have jobs and are busy. When you want to be recognized for growing a state record in Alaska you take it to the fair. When you want to be recognized by the GPC you fill out the paper work. When you post five comments in the Redoubt Reporter starting with " Just a minute now..., and claiming you have grown lots of bigger tomatoes then stating you know all the big tomato guys on Big Pumpkin, topping it off with you are close to the world record; who is blowing smoke? I say it again... If you want to be recognized take it to the fair and/ or fill out the paperwork. I don't think you are a liar Mark- i just wish you would get in the game or be quiet.

10/27/2015 2:26:48 AM

Alaska

How about this, I grow the record and don't take it to the fair. Mine are stamped/ certified, weights and measures is the end all. I f others want to play other games that's fine, we are usually gone at fair time anyway, which we were this year. If I wanted to make a big deal I would have posted a lot more, it was supposed to be fun, that's all. Remember, no-one made you the tomato boss, I don't need or want your advice either, and did not ask for it. NOW, if you want to start over, I am Mark in Wasilla, I grow lots of tomatoes, I enjoy positive fun environments and company.

10/27/2015 2:40:39 AM

Soldotna,AK

Ok Mark I will be over in Wasilla picking up compost Thursday of this week. How about showing me around your operation? As to the idea of changing my handle to " Tomato Boss " I need to check with Master P, Porkchop, Marv and the other members. What do you think guys?

10/27/2015 2:54:43 AM

Alaska

That would be great I am much more comfortable talking in person. I also want you to not let hyour kids know there is a tomato thingy in the air, I should have never said anything, I enjoy seeing the smiles. My kids are older, and would want the same, so anyway.

10/27/2015 2:58:04 AM

Soldotna,AK

Mark email me with your contact info at pwhite@carollo.com

10/27/2015 3:13:12 AM

Central NY

50lbs a plant ?.. Hydroponics?.. And some slammers??.. Now they definitely don't count unless you tell us how you do it...

10/27/2015 7:53:40 AM

Alaska

Porkchop, Thanks for a kind response, I do appreciate that.
I am sorry I had to bail on you guys earlier in the season, we had a serious family crisis, andI had a serious equipment issue here at the greenhouses, which cost me about 1500lbs of tomatoes, it has been a complicated season menataly. I also whitewater kayak with my son, we had some catching up to do, this all coupled with more work distracted me.
I have been growing tomatoes in AK for about 25 years, I grow tomatoes for flavor above all, and send them all over Alaska. It has went from a hobby to a bit more ambitious project
Last year I actually made a halfhearted attempt to grow a big tomato, and grew three plants for that,out of 700 plants. Now that I have been annoyed I am probably going to get a bit more aggressive in my approach next year. We do use cutting edge growing technique, I will post a detailed log after next season.
My greatest interest at the moment is creating new lines for various reasons. I have several lines that we are stabilizing in the f4-f6 range now, mainly for cool weather, and early season production of great tasting fruit. I also am working on a cross just for growing huge tomatoes. I do have a very interesting bride that loved BZ, she is a wide flat girl, where BZ is deeper, but not as wide and flat. Of course, I will keep my mouth shut until something happens of note.
I promise I will share a growing log, let me see how a couple of new ideas work out, this should be epic. BTW, those tomatoes were just cherry tomatoes from "Three Mile Island" :) lol

10/27/2015 11:54:05 AM

Alaska

Porkchop, I posted a pic of what I think is ideal truss set. I prunes my plants as I harvest fruit, and when they hit a certain height I lower the plant and coil the vine around the container. By doing this, I keep a very steady production, and maintenance is easy.

10/27/2015 12:24:22 PM

Central NY

Pretty neat...keep us posted...

10/27/2015 2:50:54 PM

Wixom MI.

That is very impressive akmark i hope that you post a diary next year.love to see how you grow them like that.

10/27/2015 9:09:59 PM