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Honesdale, Pennsylvania

It seems if one doesn't make any changes to growing practices, you will get the same results, except for a little luck and better weather. What are you doing differently this year to try and increase your PB and grow a Slammer? I am trying to pay more attention to the vine that the mater will be set on, giving them a little more space,(that seems to be failing), feed what Jack said on his you tube video and ordered a Tote of Walla Walla Water to be shipped to my place. 3,4 and 5 pound tomatoes seem huge to me and certainly gets a bit demoralizing to see those Monster 10 plus pounders getting weighed. Something must be up.

7/18/2023 9:50:46 AM

Grittyville, WA

Playing around with the micronutrients... the grape growers have figured out that getting zinc and boron into the plant prior to pollination will make a difference in fruit size. But clearly being downstream from Hanford Nuclear Facility has its benefits... I'd be jealous but I had so many nice blossoms this year and I consider 3, 4 5 lbs to be good, even though its not exceptional.

7/18/2023 1:32:06 PM

Grittyville, WA

So I'm just happy with where I am at, have some of the biggest and best plants I have ever had from the Young seeds, they're at least on par with the best plants I've ever had. If I want to catch up with Dan, I'd probably start by trying to quadruple each plant's root zone. I noticed the 5 gallon one is struggling because its roots are limited, and I suspect my plants in the ground have basically tapped out the resources from their (overlapping) rootzones. So too crowded here, also...

7/18/2023 1:46:00 PM

Walla Walla Wa.

A few of my big ones were 2 feet apart and I believe that is too close but they still grew a decent fruit. I think 3 to 4 feet apart is good.

7/18/2023 1:53:41 PM

Walla Walla Wa.

For one thing,at 2 feet it's just too difficult to physically manage the plant and this year everything was so densely planted that I had a very bad aphid infestation, mainly because I'd left a cabbage to overwinter in the tunnel which I discovered had aphids but that discovery was to late and so I had a battle to fight but I'm winning with neem oil,soap,and peppermint oil.

7/18/2023 2:00:42 PM

Colorado

Pruning correctly, Better soil, best seeds, more fertilizer. I also went all in this year. Last year I was a it hesitant and as the season progressed I realized I should of jumped in with both feet. It's only my second year so there is still a ton to learn.

7/19/2023 11:53:59 AM

Colorado

Last year I missed the state record by 3/4 of a lb. Hopefully I can find that this year. The 9.65 is headed for 6lbs but a lot can happen in 20days.

7/19/2023 11:56:24 AM

Warwood

My first time planting in high tunnel 20 x 12 15 plants, 4 feet apart. Picked my first today at 2 1/2 lbs. Hope it is my smallest of year. Had a looper enter it about 1/2 inch on far side of fruit. Stopped growth.
I have 12 left and a few looking good. Megas are taking awhile to bulk up. The high tunnel has mainly blocked UV rays and I used shadecloth on 85+ degree days. We have had many humid days in the 90s and rain.
I have thought that it doesn't help a lot competing with different grow zones. I've mainly focused on my PB. It is very difficult in Zone 7a to break the 4 lb. barrier. I have only done it 3 times. Focus on your own growing, own weather conditions, soil etc. You might even win your local competition and grow a real freak by accident..my soil is jacked up enough. Need to add Boron occasionally as it tends to get low. Soil is real important and I always do a soil test. I think I need an air conditioner and a dehumidifier as most days the last two weeks have been 90+ humidity. Not good for growing giant tomatoes. I'll settle with what I can get and keep working on it. Never give up!!

7/19/2023 4:47:12 PM