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Location

Message

Date Posted

Colorado

Its going to be a hard decision. Which would you choose?

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=334641

9/2/2022 12:42:59 AM

Grittyville, WA

Yes, difficult. I cant tell. Id just leave both unless one is clearly on track for a record and the other isnt. If they are both on track for a record... then you have the second one as insurance against vermin or stem splits. A plant that big should be able to grow 15 lbs of tomato simultaneously.

9/2/2022 12:46:48 PM

Central NY

Nah, that’s an easy decision…leave the one that’ll grow bigger.

9/2/2022 5:27:29 PM

Norfolk, UK

If I had this as a decision in the U.K., in July. I would count sepals, and compare. More sepals = plus points.

Other factors, I prefer arrangements of tomato in an equally spaced triple, quad than straight line - straight liners for me will rip off the stem to a degree, and the areas that come off won’t reach full potential. So if sepal count was equal i’d go option 2x.

But… it’s Sept, and there just isn’t much time on the clock. Option 1 may just be the best bet to get over the line, as option 2 won’t be ready till Dec. Cool weather will extend days to maturity. Option 2 now, in the U.K. wouldn’t have enough season to fulfill potential, so I’d go one.

9/2/2022 5:36:14 PM

Colorado

Thanks Porkchop! Which one was it again?

9/2/2022 5:37:09 PM

Colorado

So far the 4 tomatoes I've gotten have gone 39-45 days. The upper tomato will be ready oct 1-6ish. The lower tomato will be ready a couple weeks before that.

9/2/2022 5:42:12 PM

Central NY

Lol.. I’m with salad Doug

9/2/2022 5:54:04 PM

Grittyville, WA

They can still grow when its cold at night I grew a five pounder late in the year when nights were getting into the 30s, but youll likely need to prevent frost to get that top one to the finish line. And in my experience once we get to fall it will never blush red unless you artificially boosted the temps to 80's but really the color doesnt matter. Big and green is good.

9/2/2022 6:34:45 PM

Norwich, NY

The 7.31 I had last year showed up the end of August. Didn’t harvest until middle of October and missed any chance of having it on the standings. Early tomato entry closes end of September, so you’d have to take it to a weighoff. I’d keep that in mind while you contemplate your decision. Just my two cents Scott.

9/2/2022 8:29:16 PM

Colorado

definitely in the forefront of my mind is making sure I have a way to weigh. :)
I am lucky enough to have weighoffs every weekend from the 24 september to 15th october. I definitely started counting the days when the megablooms showed up. At this point anything that gets pollinated form this point will miss the weighoffs. In fact this weekend I am going to do some major tomato upkeep, abort a bunch of baby tomatoes, top the plants (take 2) and get the slings ready for the ones that will eventually get big enough to need them.

9/2/2022 11:06:52 PM

Colorado

I really appreciate all the advice and e-mails you all are fantastic. This has been a crazy learning experience.

9/2/2022 11:10:57 PM

Central NY

Now is the time.. make your decisions and go for gold. I just realized I chant every morning at the good growing fruit. gROW GROW GROW GROW…try that..I’m sure it helps. And remember..if you don’t quite get the record this season, you’ll only be letting all of us down..no pressure. Good luck!

9/3/2022 8:38:13 AM

Colorado

My poor neighbors... "He is out there talking to his plants again" "At least he is not using the vibrator on them."

I'll try not to let the entire tomato growing community down and make sure to break the state record. Some of you cull tomatoes that are bigger than the one I'm trying to grow :))

9/3/2022 3:16:32 PM