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Kirchen (Sieg)

Can someone explain me the process of growing a Giant tomato plant?

Is it right to start getting the plant as big as possible, wait for a megabloom and after setting up a fruit?

Do i need to cut down the Plant?

What parts of the Plant should i cut or should i just let it grow?

Until now, i cut of the suckers and tried to cut the plant right above my Fruit, but it seems like this isn´t the right way, they won´t get bigger than any normal tomatoe.

Hope someone can help me with that :)

8/12/2019 6:51:02 PM

Gone With The Win

Bluetex first i have seen this name on here i guess your new to growing giant tomatoes. Im guessing you want to grow a giant tomato vs a giant plant. Im still learning myself. What i have learned is look for the first truss megabloom. It will be bigger than the rest of the blooms and trim off the other smaller blooms. I think it helps get the megablossom bigger. Also I would not trim the first sucker/branch off. Some branches can throw a nice MB. I wouldnt top the plant right above the fruit i would let some leaves grow above it. The trouble i have is getting the first MB to pollinate. Some growers in here like the low flowers and some like them higher up on the plant, guess you got to see what works best for you. But it takes a MB to get you to over 6lbs. Not sure what your goal is but i seen some nice singles growing close to 5 lbs. I hope i helped a little. Others will give you more and better info as im still learning myself

8/12/2019 7:09:10 PM

Oak Grove, Mn

Pumpkin growers used to say, it is seed,soil and luck. For tomato growing I think it is seed, soil, technique and luck.

I am not a top grower, but have been doing ok. This year will be an exception, not looking good,much work needed for soil. Take my advise with the knowledge that there is better advise out there...if the growers share it.

It appears that there are three approaches to plant management...the MacCoy method, the Porkchop method and now the Spaziani method. We don't really know what method Dan S uses. One post is too short to discuss the various approaches.

TomatoTim....you need to study the winter tomato set techniques. My mega set ratio this year on first truss, was nearly 95%. This is setting in high temps. Rain messed me up some. Save the smaller blossoms until you get the mega set..they are a source of genetically equivalent pollen. Learn to be the bee...your set ratio's will go way up.

Welcome to the giant tomato world. You started out with the million dollar question...what is the best way to prune.

8/12/2019 7:38:55 PM

Central NY

I get my own method?...awesome

8/12/2019 7:53:25 PM

Oak Grove, Mn

MacCoy used the 1st truss mega, short plants, heavy pruning. Porkchop you promoted the nipple high advantage. I am sure you have a few more pruning ideas that you havent released yet of your method. Rebel is promoting the value of the suckers. I see potential there...I just set a nice fused five off from a late low sucker.

We learn from each other.

8/12/2019 8:02:44 PM

Eastern Shore of VA

What’s the Porkchop method ?
Nipple high ?

I try to keep the plant to a single stem until first truss.
I let suckers grow only after the first truss is past and I am approaching the second.
After that I try to keep it to 3 stems.
Once I decide on a keeper,I “Missouri prune”all tops.
That way I keep some leaves and branches,but I’m still topping the growth.

Again,I am hardly an expert.

8/12/2019 8:14:01 PM

Central NY

Ah yes...the NHA...takes great patience....lol...what’s yer soil
Ph bluetex?....got any pics of the plants?...

8/12/2019 8:22:28 PM

Eastern Shore of VA

Here’s an example of Missouri pruning.
I actually pinch off one whole part of the “Y” leaving just one straight stem.

https://www.groworganic.com/organic-gardening/articles/pruning-tomatoes-when-why-and-how

8/12/2019 8:24:20 PM

Grittyville, WA

The roots is what grows the tomato. Anyone can grow a plant. Not everyone gets the roots and soil just right.

8/12/2019 9:05:11 PM

Gone With The Win

Yes I CAN see the advantage of letting
Branches GROW

8/12/2019 10:34:26 PM

On top of Brush Mountain, Pa.

This season is not even over and there appears to be a lot of talk about what comes next. I am thinking about next year's garden as I feel I was killed again by the weather. But, this year is not over yet.

8/13/2019 8:16:56 AM

50 Acres

We are trying to grow monsters, in an environment that is constantly changing. In my opinion it will be hard to stabilize any growth patterns. Green houses have helped. Jim

8/13/2019 10:08:58 AM

Honesdale, Pennsylvania

All correct answers and good advice. Sounds like Marv has some sandbags.

8/13/2019 11:55:47 AM

Kirchen (Sieg)

I know the Basics like snipping of the Suckers, i just wondered if i need to cut the Plant after setting my Megabloom.

Is it good for the Plant to be big with only 1 Fruit or do i need to cut it down?

I heard from People that are removing all Leaves,some cut the plant down to the Megabloom and others are just letting them grow.

8/13/2019 5:24:51 PM

Oak Grove, Mn

Plant management is continuously improving as the growers discover new things. The basic of snipping all the suckers...might be wrong. This was discovered by Rick S...who is somewhat distracted right now with the biggest tomato he has ever had. Who knows..maybe WR. His observation...the first truss of blossoms from a sucker..often will have a mega in it. So cutting all the suckers before blossom formation...reduces the amount a megas, you have to choose from. Later this winter...I hope we will have the chance to discuss the method and possibly refine it.

There are many growers here that have shared what has worked for them..and what hasn't. I wonder if the reason I can't grow Domingoes, and Wixom has trouble with Big Zacs is because of plant management, soil conditions or something else.

Bluetex...porkchop asked you about your soil conditions. Do you know the ph, have you done any testing for nutrients, are you in sand or clay etc. Getting larger than normal tomatoes is not difficult with the giant seeds.

Getting 7,8,9 pounds is difficult.

8/13/2019 8:00:41 PM