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Allentown, PA

Hi everyone,

This year is the first year of giant tomatoes for me.
Besides Big Zac I'm growing Phil's Fantastic.

Who here has grown this plant and how did it do for you concerning both the size of the plant itself and the tomato(s) it provided?

Thanks!

4/11/2012 7:20:28 PM

On top of Brush Mountain, Pa.

I have grown Phil's Fantastic in the past and it never did well for me though it has for some other growers. I no longer grow it. Another disappointment was 6 Pound Giant which I doubt ever produced anything over 3 pounds.

4/16/2012 9:19:27 PM

Allentown, PA

Thank You Marv!! It's great to have received a reply from you.I will stick to my Big Zac for this year and just write off the Phil's Fantastic.

Thanks again!

4/17/2012 8:13:36 AM

East Carbon, Utah

In 2011 I grew 70 varieties which someone somewhere claimed can grow to two pounds or more. For most of these, I grew only one plant and did little or no thinning of fruits. I just wanted to see what typical fruit size was, how well the plants grew, and how the fruit tasted.

Phil's Fantastic came in 27th place at 1.410 lb. They are mostly good looking tomatoes with excellent flavor. A few megablooms developed, but these only produced modest sized fruit.

I think Phil's Fantastic is a good choice if you're growing for a balance of:
- Red fruit
- Large sized fruits with sometimes interesting shapes
- Healthy, productive plants
- Excellent flavor

However, in my very limited experience, I would have to concur with Marv: if you're growing for competition size, Phil's Fantastic doesn't seem to have what it takes.

4/21/2012 4:08:29 AM

Allentown, PA

Thank you Seamsfaster for your information!!
I'm sticking to my Big Zac's this year then!

4/21/2012 9:08:37 AM

Madison,Wisconsin

So what was #1 out of the 70 Seamsfaster?

4/23/2012 11:57:59 AM

East Carbon, Utah

Big Zac won out for me in 2011, but just barely over Church. The full list is located at:

http://www.gianttomatoseeds.com/giant_tomato_seeds.html

5/20/2012 8:16:22 AM

Allentown, PA

Hey Seamsfaster thanks!!

I'm on your website alot!

You know me as PA_Julia on Tomatoville. :O)

5/20/2012 8:20:52 AM

Long Island,New York

I grow Phil's Fantastic every year for my large eating tomatoes...typically get 2plus pounders w/o any pruning or selecting, 15-20 on a plant, 3-4 on a truss. I have gotten up to 3 lbs. Never took growing the big ones seriously..really grow for large sandwiches and choose Phil's every year for that. I personally think they can produce big ones but hey- I'm not in Marv's league or nieghborhood. My seed stock came originally from Wade's 2004 stock of Phil's Fantastic...another wonderful selection from Shannon's Seed Box program.

5/20/2012 12:03:36 PM