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Norfolk, UK

Hi all,

It’s nearly time to weigh stuff!! Rookie nerves.

Reading guidelines it reads as if I need to cut the stem at 0.5 inches of the tomato? How do people actually cut the stems without damaging the tomato so it’s not discounted by any other rules covering damage? Stem is starting to be swallowed by the tomato!

Tomato is this one:
http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=296936

Stem is here:
http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=296939

Got another one to weigh first, of which one part is ripening faster than the others. Nervous stuff this deciding when to cut and weigh it!!! Stem tho a little easier to access.

Thanks for any advise in advance folks!

8/28/2018 1:24:13 PM

Lebanon, Oregon

That is a very good question. I have had to do tricky surgery to keep the stem length at 0.5". But I know what you mean. You cannot always avoid damaging the tomato to keep a 1/2" stem length. In the eligibility rules it states, "Stem must be cut within .5" of the specimen."
It doesn't say the stem must be 5" long. I can also interpret this as the stem can be cut .5" above the specimen. It would be within .5" of the specimen. I am not a representative so hopefully one chimes in. I am sure in the future this will be addressed but for now it is not clear as it could be.

8/28/2018 5:26:16 PM

Oak Grove, Mn

This subject was brought up a few threads ago. Unfortunately there has been no clarification from the gpc. My biggest right now could have a stem growing almost to the middle of a very big ball. The tomato is above the stem and growing right around it. Either stem can be left 1/2 inch from the flesh of the tomato...or damage from stem removal does not count as damaged dq'd. The way the tomatoes are getting bigger...a call has to be made.

8/28/2018 6:21:19 PM

Central NY

I cut mine long last year and WaITEd until a gpc rep was present...OnLy because there was an outside chance it could have been some kind of record...had to carefully cut to leave 1/2” stem in the middle of the tomato...and believe me, I was shakin...not to mention Andy wolf wisper shouting “Newman” in my ear as I was going in with the pruning shears...it was intense...fun stuff

8/28/2018 6:48:19 PM

Wixom MI.

I now cut the stem about 1/2" from top of tomato. Most of my tomatoes grow catipilar style and you can't get in that tight space to cut it like a round tomato. So i say cut it long and then cut it as short as you can without doing surgery on it !!! Don't dmg it by cutting to close.

8/28/2018 9:31:11 PM

Wixom MI.

Looks like a 5.5 lbs+

8/28/2018 9:46:56 PM

On top of Brush Mountain, Pa.

Why not make it simple and instead of giving a certain one fits all recipe just say cut the stem as short as possible without damaging the tomato itself.?

8/29/2018 7:09:18 AM