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Colorado

I've been inputting so much tomato knowledge lately my head is starting to hurt. I've been growing tomato's for years but never done much research on it unless something was going wrong (blight, bugs and whatnot). There is a saying in the electrician business "A 4 year apprentice knows everything and a 1 year journeyman knows nothing!". I think I just passed my journeyman test....lol.

Ok ready for some questions?

So what are the differences (subtle or not) between the varieties. Domingo, megazac, megadom, Big Marley etc.?

Are these varieties stable or are we still in the F1-3 stages?
Did the F1 of these grow better than the later stages?

Has anybody grown at a low altitude and a high one and know the differences? (I've only grown at altitude 4000+).

I can go on but I'll try not to overwhelm the post.

You can also contact me at the_scott_luers (at) Yahoo (dot) com. Put the "@" and "." Where they belong.

Thanks in advance

Scott

1/4/2022 1:38:53 AM

Colorado

Reading reading reading... So the Big Marley is F2 for anything grown in 2019. 6.66 Spaziani etc. Since all seeds came from 4.28 Spaziani (7.10 Foss Big Zac x 8.22 Marley Domingo).

1/4/2022 4:58:18 PM

Grittyville, WA

For me the domingoes may be a bit more virus resistent?

The foliage seems more upright and less cramped so pruning and tying them up is a breeze. And I get better megas, frankly. On the others like megazacs I think I have struggled to get anything really promising. I'm sure they can perform great too just seems I have really good odds with the good domingo strains.

1/4/2022 5:38:10 PM

Oak Grove, Mn

I barely remember much about growing tomatoes. Just little bits and pieces. I did not have success with domingo, unlike most of the growers. I do not know why. Growth characteristics of the Domingo and Big Zacs seemed very similar. The mega crosses were monsters. It was easy to know which plants were the megazacs just by the size of the plant. Aggressive foliage growth. I have only grown the F1 Big Marley. That year it was my biggest of the year. I am curious, who has the highest F number of the crosses now?

It is somewhat interesting to think of what changes growing at altitude would cause. Having never lived up there...i am not sure what variables would be different. Is there a difference in sun intensity and spectrum?

You ask the questions and you might find yourself giving more answers

1/4/2022 7:21:13 PM

Walla Walla Wa.

The Domingos are a much more open plant,big zac very dense plant, totally different in my growing conditions.

1/4/2022 9:39:23 PM

Colorado

It will be very interesting to see which ones grow best here. 97pounder said he had best luck with big zak and delicious. The sun is a bit more uv intense since it has a mile less air to go through. I have had best luck with plants that are shaded in the late afternoon here. I know what regular tomatoes grow best here, these giants will be like starting over.
I have no idea how lower air pressure affects tomatoes. Thanks for all your insights every bit of info helps me and I find it very interesting.

1/5/2022 7:32:25 PM

Colorado

Do all of you use a shotgun approach and grow 10+ plants?

1/5/2022 8:26:05 PM

Oak Grove, Mn

In one winter grow...i added uv-c light to combat a problem with edema on the tomato leaves. I think you should have less issue with that growing at altitude. The pressure difference is causing my brain to shortwire. I search my brain and i keep recalling the words turgor pressure..but that is not what is happening between the atmosphere and the cell walls. Getting old and losing your memory is difficult. I know there is another term that should be applicable.

As far as number of plants...in a private email after knowing i am getting back in the game..Dan S suggested I grow a 4 ft by 50 ft row, with wires to support the plant, and 3 rows of drip irrigation. That would be about 12 plants. Sorry Dan for sharing that...forgive me. But, since I never follow good advice...I am thinking about digging a 20 x 25 foot pit. That would give me room for 20 plants spaced at 5 foot. Too many plants and trying to keep up with the pruning becomes impossible.

I think you should grow how ever many you feel comfortable with.One is enough for many growers....

1/5/2022 9:29:02 PM

Colorado

One is never enough.... :)

1/6/2022 12:34:30 AM

Colorado

Actually I only have enough room for 4 plants I'll probably grow 4 different varieties and crosses see which one does best for my area. Bnot if Dan is handing out growing tips I would probably follow them. He can 10lb the red globes :).

1/6/2022 3:35:01 PM