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Location

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Date Posted

Gone With The Win

What would be your top 8 suggestions on how to grow a big tomato. Minus soil amendments. Cause all soil is diferent.

7/18/2020 10:18:51 PM

Grittyville, WA

I can only speak to getting to 5 lb. Things that have helped me:
1) Trying different varieties/ different seed sources to see which did for well for me.
2) Dont let them get potbound if you are going to try for a first truss mega.
3) But on the other hand you can really abuse the crap out of them early and still get a good result later in the year... just not on the first truss.
4) Keep the tomato dry.
5) & Shaded.
6 & 7) Be very careful with watering and fertilizer especially at around DAP 10 to avoid BER. Probably best to go light on fertilizer. Ammonium and potassium seem to antagonize calcium. Water that is too cold (below 55?) and soil that has gotten too dry can be a setup for BER.
8) No advice yet... I will let you know when I grow a 6+ pounder.

7/19/2020 2:13:05 AM

Grittyville, WA

I did have success against BER with one high potassium fertilizer that was balanced with adequate manganese and calcium too I think. But not supposed to go there.

7/19/2020 2:21:18 AM

Central NY

Seed choice. Try the kind that grows ten pounders.
Pruning. Only grow what

7/19/2020 6:37:26 AM

Central NY

Only grow the vines you intend to grow(we prune very similar to garden rebel.)
Other then that, the soil needs yummy.

7/19/2020 6:39:19 AM

Coventry Rhode Island USA

I’m a 4 lbs and under guy. #1 seed - variety , # 2 Ph is very important # 3 sun at least 8 hours #4 watering amounts, my problem not enough ! # 5 pruning methods # 6 support have to support that big guy # 7 disease prevention #8 weeding #9 luck ! I’m sure there are many more !

7/20/2020 10:58:46 AM

Norfolk, UK

1. Ask questions
2. Amendments not withstanding - have a read of something like The Intelligent Gardner and get a soil test.
3. Get seeds with a pedigree - (regardless of variety) a store bought BZ is not going to compete with a competition line.
4. Transplant early.
5. Make an active choice on your bloom - size, shape, stem
6. Shade
7. Support
8. Mulch

7/20/2020 11:45:10 AM