Message Board - BigPumpkins.com

Beverly

I have been growing for giant tomatoes for a few years, but can't seem to pass 2 lbs. Even with good seed(tried multiple varieties)

Could be because I only grow only about ten -twelve plants every year.

So I'm wondering what is the best pruning method to get the most Megablooms?

Kyle F. as/Lc

9/15/2019 5:15:45 PM

Central NY

Something is probably out of whack w your soil...have you tested it?...what products are you using?...are you using the same techniques as the pumpkin growers?...azos mykos ?...megas will show up and grow if the soil is right...competition pumpkin soil is a good starting point...they have numbers to go by and help you adjust your soil ...hopes this helps

9/15/2019 6:11:57 PM

Beverly

Thanks Porkchop, I will try mykos(never used it) this year coming, and improve my soil a little (more compost).

9/19/2019 9:34:17 AM

Central NY

Check out my journal in early June...got good pics of what we do and what we use to get the planting area prepped...best of luck next year!!...check back late winter and join the 2020 tomato team competition..you get teamed up with a lot of the folks that showed us how to grow these monsters...

9/19/2019 9:44:04 AM

SaladDoug_UK

Norfolk, UK

Marv's giant tomato book is a good "go too" book.

More plants I think gives you more options, but - dare I say it - I grow less plants, just 7 this year & perhaps 5 or 6 last? I'd like more, but it has to undercover here, and space super limited.

Again, take a look a this or last year's diary. I think I'm going for single stem big zac, and multiple for others (megablooms a little less freq) next year.

I think cool nights can also play a part in formation of blooms, and certainly I think bloom selection is a key to big weights. The megabloom defines it's potential - and skills growing / soil care and weather after that define if it gets to fulfil its full potential.

9/19/2019 5:40:32 PM

Oak Grove, Mn

I have grown anywhere from 10 to 200 plants. Tomatoes dont get really big if you don't have time to daily take care of them. My best result was with 200 plants, but only 10 of them had care. I agree with soil. Thru the years, i feel that soil has been most important factor. Tomatoes respond to pumpkin soil. It is probably not their ideal but, I think if you have soil that is capable of 1500 pound pumpkin, you have a great chance at a 6+ pound tomato. You just need a lot less of it. Depending on where you are starting out, soil building can take years. We haven't really figured out what the difference between ideal pumpkin soil and ideal tomato soil is yet. I hope Porkchop has a soil test that he will share. Starting with pure sand in May...i am over 4 pounds. It should get better from here. I am not sure what state Beverly is in. Most important for you..soil improvement. Any pruning method with good soil will break 3 pounds.

9/19/2019 6:18:26 PM

wile coyote

On a cliff in the desert

Last year I tried to keep my plants smaller and we know the results. This year I am pruning off all other tomatoes other than the big one that has been set and put in a sling and letting the plant grow big. We'll know the results in a few weeks(Gale Woods weigh off) but things are looking good.

9/19/2019 7:50:40 PM

Beverly

I'm in Jersey Bnot, Ill Definitely try improving the Soil, what is the best watering plan?

9/21/2019 8:28:14 PM

Oak Grove, Mn

Lets not jump around here. Your watering plan will depend on your soil...what type is it...is it heavy clay...pure sand. Fall is the important time to prepare for the next year. Have you ever sent in a soil sample to get tested? That is the first step.

9/21/2019 8:34:50 PM

Central NY

After yer soil is close and your tilth is good Once a week feeding, around 2 gallons a plant....once every two weeks foliar....water if needed but def let dry out in between...assuming u get an inch of rainfall per week average...that’s my sweet zone in my competition soil...yers could feed less or more depending on how the roots do..next year starts now

9/21/2019 8:36:26 PM

Oak Grove, Mn

porkchop...2 gallons per plant with 1 inch of rain...will give radical different results depending on if the grower is on heavy clay or sand. I know there is CEC numbers on soil, they really dont give a number on water retention. My last garden, at a point 3 years ago...during the hot of the summer, 2 gallons would be 6 inches dry 24 hours after application, after 6 days, I dont know how deep dry would go. I once left town and accidently watered it 72 hours straight..I know i flushed all the mobile nutrients away...but 2 days later with an 18 inch soil probe...it needed water again. I think watering is not a one size fits all.

9/21/2019 8:51:08 PM

Central NY

Sounds like you have crappy tilth bob....

9/21/2019 8:58:09 PM

Central NY

(And I’m really holding back on a probe joke)

9/21/2019 8:59:21 PM

Oak Grove, Mn

we all start in different places....two years ago, my tilth was better than 3 years ago. This year, I am went to even lower than my first start. I started this year 10 years backwards if not worse. Great soil cant be built in a year. Looking for growers PB's. Watering...the most common mistake...overwatering. Early plant growth...make the plant put energy into the root formation to find moisture. With the roots established ..when you set a tomato..the plant has a bigger area to draw from to pull the nutrients to grow something big. The line between plant permanent distress and maximum root formation could be close. Depending on what your soil is...how much water to drop on the plant to reach that line could be really different, one garden to another. You are the WR holder porkchop....is what I am saying incorrect.

9/21/2019 9:16:42 PM

Central NY

Nope, spot on...I was pointing out my “sweet spot” bob ...whuddya want?..I said after yer soil is right..like as a reference...like a starting point..jersey weather and soil not all that different from ny....either way...if you have to water two days after leaving the hose running for three days yer tilth sucks or yer a dope...

9/21/2019 9:29:48 PM

Central NY

And actually no...as I reread your nonsense ,you got some wrong intel in there bnot ..I wouldn’t listen to this guy....signed porkchop, current world record holder....lol...omg...lambchop is sick of me already...

9/21/2019 9:37:26 PM

Oak Grove, Mn

I was a dope for leaving town...and forgetting to turn off the drip irrigation system. Porkchop, I am thinking you have never tried to start a grow in pure sand. The distance between your patch and and beverly is 279 miles. Are you going to tell me that the soil in that distance is all the same? I know that the difference between Anoka County Minnesota sand and Ostwego Mn soil is very big. That is only 17.9 miles. I am not trying to start a fight. We are all in different situations to begin with. My point was 2 gallons per plant, with 1" of rainfall per week...works for you...but probably will not work for many others that are in different soil.

9/21/2019 9:50:51 PM

Oak Grove, Mn

Porkchop, :) I wouldnt listen to me either...you got that right

9/21/2019 9:52:32 PM

Beverly

Thx guys, appreciate the help and Congrats on the WR.

9/21/2019 9:53:01 PM

Central NY

Thanks frink-stick around...this can get fun...

9/21/2019 9:56:09 PM

Beverly

I see and yea I'll be watching until spring.

9/21/2019 10:00:44 PM

Central NY

Right on...

9/21/2019 10:02:28 PM

Oak Grove, Mn

kfrink...thanks for posting, get a soil test and send it to either porkchop or myself, or send it to both of us. You have to start from the soil. I use western labs...there are county testing that could be cheaper but the usual that I have seen of county or school tests...leave out many micronutrients. Porkchop...lets agree to disagree friendly. Many growers can benefit. I am about 3 years from being in position from challenging you by weight. You know why.

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=307480

It is all for fun

9/21/2019 10:50:20 PM