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On top of Brush Mountain, Pa.

I was talking to Jay Yohe online when it dawned on me that we problably have five chances per plant to get the huge blossom we are looking for. The first chance is the first truss on the main vine. The second opportunity is on the first truss of the second vine (first sucker). The third chance is on the second truss on the main vine and so on. The last chance would be the third truss on the main vine, so, five chances in all. That fifth truss would be the so-called nipple high tomato. Right now I am at the first truss level and have nothing big yet. I am wondering if you all agree or disagree with this and which truss has been the most successful for you.

6/26/2020 10:21:36 AM

On top of Brush Mountain, Pa.

I really meant 5 chances per plant, three on main stem and two on secondary stem.

6/26/2020 11:44:58 AM

On top of Brush Mountain, Pa.

I really meant 5 chances per plant, three on main stem and two on secondary stem.

6/26/2020 11:45:01 AM

On top of Brush Mountain, Pa.

My computer and I both need help.

6/26/2020 11:45:26 AM

Norfolk, UK

Help sent!!

I’d agree that there are a set number of chances, but I think the numbers vary more widely - and as a grower you can can influence with growing practices. I think that different varieties have differing chances of throwing a megabloom. To compensate then, I vary the number of stems grown.

E.g. I’d grow a BigZac - with I think has one of the better chances for a mega at each truss to one ( or two stems). That seems to give my more often than enough sufficient chances.

However, I’d grow Domingo - which I find for me has less chances of a megabloom that I’d go with (for me anyway) - a greater number of stems. This year I’m growing 3 or 4 secondary vines in addition to the main, and again hope that means sufficient chances for a set that I like.

I’m not 100% on how many truss per stem I get before I run out of time, I’ll have count or perhaps check old pics - I *think* it’s more than 3 per stem, but not ever counted. Maybe I should!

6/26/2020 1:31:46 PM

Wixom MI.

I have always had my bigest megablooms on the first truss. For years before i started competition tomatoes i noticed that if i got a large megabloom on my first truss that many of my secondaries would also have a first truss megabloom. But if i didn't get much of a first truss flower my secondaries lacked megablooms also. I rarely get anything more than a double or triple on the 2nd or 3rd truss but the Domingo seems to be a good later season producer or they have a stronger finish than other verieties.

6/26/2020 3:36:01 PM

On top of Brush Mountain, Pa.

Anyone else have any idea about how many chances per tomato plant they have for a huge blossom on say Domingo, Big Zac, Megamarv etc? I still believe that overall the average is 5 trusses per plant with three on the main vine and two on the secondary.

6/27/2020 4:30:27 PM

Coventry Rhode Island USA

I’m on my third truss on the Domingo , plants are going on three feet , few medium size blossoms no megas in sight . My window is going to be closing soon ! Nipple high be approaching lol . I fear I overdid the nitrogen , kicking myself in the but now for not getting a soil test ! Anyway maybe sooner or later I’ll land one on a big plant .

6/27/2020 8:38:08 PM

Coventry Rhode Island USA

I’m on my third truss on the Domingo , plants are going on three feet , few medium size blossoms no megas in sight . My window is going to be closing soon ! Nipple high be approaching lol . I fear I overdid the nitrogen , kicking myself in the but now for not getting a soil test ! Anyway maybe sooner or later I’ll land one on a big plant .

6/27/2020 8:39:13 PM

Coventry Rhode Island USA

Oboy have Marv fever .

6/27/2020 8:46:05 PM

Lebanon, Oregon

Yes, around the fifth or sixth secondary. It may not be as large a megabloom as the first truss main, buy by then the plant is a freight train. The smaller 3-4 fused will grow much faster with the huge root system and many leaves. After cutting back the plant some it’ll grow fast and to a nice size. The 6.66 last year was from a later secondary first truss.

6/28/2020 10:31:34 AM

Bloomington, IN USA

Marv, I think it depends some upon how long your growing season is.
I believe there are many more chances.
On some of my plants I am up to 5 trusses already & my plantout date was May 12.
Some of my plants have only 1 growing stem but the majority have 2.
So that is already up to 9.
I don’t enjoy growing tomatoes over my head but I think I could still get up to 3 more trusses on each stem.
And this doesn’t take account of the megablooms that Garden Rebel discovered related to pruning last year.
Another thing I have noticed is that late in the growing season the plants have a tendency to produce more megablooms.
I think that is due to either cooler temps or maybe shorter day length.
Anyway, it occurs late enough that I have just dismissed it but it seems to me that erecting a small temporary greenhouse could allow us to nurse the plant and fruit along.
That may have been what Dale (Seamsfaster) had going along several years ago.
Sorry about the rambling!

6/29/2020 11:27:13 PM

On top of Brush Mountain, Pa.

Materdoc, I hope everyone read your post. There is some very useful information there that I believe many growers have not considered.

7/16/2020 7:25:40 PM