From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Omaha, Ne.

Genetics or conditions

3/7/2014 6:08:59 PM

Allentown, PA

Darren,

Megablooms are the result of a genetic anomaly.

Most beefsteak varieties will create mega blooms with a few creating multiple mega blooms of considerable size like those created from 4,5,6 or more blooms fused together.

An example of a tomato line that consistently creates mega blooms in number is Big Zac.

3/7/2014 8:16:29 PM

Bloomington, IN USA

Other tomato varieties produce megablooms also, just not as famously as BZ.

Varieties such as Delicious, Peter Glazebrook, Brutus Magnum or Mega Marv among others.

But do all these varieties have the same gene(s) that cause the formation of megablooms.

If there is more than 1 megabloom gene & we combine them, could we get a tomato megabloom that looks like a carnation?

3/10/2014 10:09:30 PM

Allentown, PA

Materdoc,

That seems to be the evolution of where we are heading concerning a cross that creates frequent and massive mega blooms

3/11/2014 7:52:37 AM

Bloomington, IN USA

If we come up with a line that produces such massive megablooms, should we also come up with a new term for it?
If it came from Mehdi Daho's garden, we could call it a Mehdibloom... :>}

3/11/2014 10:20:35 PM

Allentown, PA

Ladies and gentleman Materdoc will be here all week, try the veal.

3/12/2014 7:16:11 PM

SW Ohio

Many heirloom or open pollinated tomatoes will produce megablooms when they are under stressful conditions, such as a cold wet spring.
So I'd say the best answer to your question Darren is both ;)

3/13/2014 2:17:49 PM

Goodwood, Ontario, Canada

I started a 5.2 Hunt in my greenhouse and son overwatered beyond belief. The leaves rolled as the plant went into shock. I used some Relief Ethylene Blocker on it and the plant is now looking great. It's got the largest megabloom I have ever seen on any tomato plant I have grown. Wondering if there is something to the thought that stressing the plant when it is about a month old creates large megablooms?

3/16/2014 7:46:25 AM

50 Acres

pburton.... I think this may be possible, as Mother Nature wants to continue the growth cycle.

3/16/2014 9:26:02 AM