The Junction's 2023 Giant Tomato Contest

[Cornelius_Gotchberg]

Yessir, bunnies prefer Old German above all else!

I'm loathe to report that our Gad Fersakin' wabbits are far less discriminating.

The Gotch

[Mark_Thompson]

It’s a marathon, not a sprint…

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[MissS]

Due to an extended wet stretch and an explosion of septoria at the stables, yesterday's entry will probably be my last for 2023. I was banking on a later planting of Old Germans for the win when I entered this race, but they have succumbed to the same fate as the earlier planting of Pink Stacy's.

Pink Stacy will reliably put out a delicious 2 pound fruit or two but 10-20 oz. is its normal size range. On the other hand, the Old German's are always reliable for a few 3 pounders. I had numerous prospects in the row of Old German, but those fruit won't be able to finish to their potential without foliage.

That’s too bad about the septoria. I’ve enjoyed looking at your tomatoes. I grew Old German when I first started growing heirlooms and knew even less than I do now. The tomatoes were big, not three pounds big, but maybe getting my soil dialed in I could get them over two pounds. I might have to grow Old German again.

I never thought I was even in this contest of big tomatoes as I received my Domingo seeds direct from the MMMM swap in January of 2023. To be in the contest, didn’t the seeds have to come from @MissS ?

Whatever the rules are, this has been a pretty good thread.

You sir are in the contest! The seeds can come from anywhere. I just have just purchased some seeds of some big big maters and have offered them to anyone that would like to get started in this monster mater derby. Hmm, I rather like that name.

Anywho, all that you need is a pic of it on a scale, and a variety name if there is one. It does sound like you might need some spurs, a whip and some reins too.

[Frosti]

Pink Brandywine (unknown strain): 683g

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This plant produces fruits that have twice the weight of the Sudduth strain ... maybe just environmental conditions?

[Uncle_Feist]

Sheww...
There for a minute I thought I was going have to forfeit the second place prize money.

[MissS]

Ya-who

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I was dangling my carrot in front of it's nose

[Cornelius_Gotchberg]

I was dangling my carrot in front of it's nose

Hold On Thar....were you's sandbagging...?

The Gotch

[Mark_Thompson]

Without a doubt sandbagging! Quietly giving everyone praise and encouragement, all the while secretly nurturing a monster that she knew would break many hearts!

[MissS]

Secret, ha. I posted one huge mega bloom that still has to come around the turn and I have 3 other giant plants trying to make a show. My plants are all sick and dying of some sort of wilt so seeds won't be saved to offer to anyone. I'm not pulling the plants yet because I want to see what they will grow. This might be my last pony party if I can't figure out how to decontaminate my soil. This is only year two of these beds and now they are shot.

[MissS]

Here is a fun video the Sutherland 17lb world record tomato grown this year.

[MissS]

My Domingo's are coming in. Unfortunately my plants have verticillium wilt so I will not be able to share seeds of these. My beds are only 2 years old and now they have to be retired from tomato growing. I do have seeds of Domingo to share in my seed offering in January. I ordered more for next year from the same source that these came from.

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I wonder how big they would have gotten if the plants were healthy?

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I have seeds to share so start doing your homework for next year!

[AKgardener]

Still amazing!!

[Old chef]

Hello

Mega Marve @ 2.24
30 0z Domingo
I have a 3 fruit cluster that is very pretty on the Domingo

Thank you
Hasta La Pizza

[wodehouse]

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Sakharnyi Zheltyi - Grown in a 5 gallon pot from seed from HL2601's Ukrainian seed distribution. No special care...grown in a 50/50 mix of barnyard compost and ordinary field soil, fertilized once with Miracle Gro.

[Yak54]

My Domingo's are coming in. Unfortunately my plants have verticillium wilt so I will not be able to share seeds of these. My beds are only 2 years old and now they have to be retired from tomato growing. I do have seeds of Domingo to share in my seed offering in January. I ordered more for next year from the same source that these came from.20230823_120833.jpg 20230823_120853.jpg 20230823_120907.jpg20230823_120936.jpg I wonder how big they would have gotten if the plants were healthy?
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I have seeds to share so start doing your homework for next year!

Nice job Patti ! !

[Cornelius_Gotchberg]

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The Gotch returns from 12 days in the North Woods, finds the above Big Zac Whopper, then discovers it's (GROAN!) only good enough for 2nd place?


The Gotch

[Uncle_Feist]

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The Gotch returns from 12 days in the North Woods, finds the above Big Zac Whopper, then discovers it's (GROAN!) only good enough for 2nd place?


The Gotch

I'ma gonnna leave the root ball and dirt attached when I pick next years weigh ins..

[MissS]

Remember that you all can save seed of your biggest tomatoes and send some to me to share for next year. If we keep using seeds from our biggest tomatoes our weights should keep going up. It also helps so that I don't have to spend money on ordering seeds that grow 2 lb tomatoes when we can be increasing their size amongst us.

[Cornelius_Gotchberg]

I'ma gonnna leave the root ball and dirt attached when I pick next years weigh ins..

You's grow Tomatoes underground.....?

The Gotch

[MissS]

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I'm so excited and impressed. These are off of a plant that was growing in my pathway. It didn't get any care. It wasn't staked, watered or fertilized. The best part is that it is healthy! No verticillium wilt so I can share seeds of this one! I don't know what it is unless I find a marker for it once the plant is pulled. I don't remember planting it but with tomatoes like this I doubt that it would be a volunteer.