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Location

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Date Posted

nOVA sCOTIA

anyone know where about on the plant his WR tomato was located??

6/8/2013 10:44:36 AM

Hamilton Nj

i thought someone said it was low on plant thats why he missed it!! pizza

6/8/2013 1:01:47 PM

Omaha, Ne.

I'm confused

6/8/2013 8:10:23 PM

Omaha, Ne.

Oh now i c

6/8/2013 8:14:18 PM

nOVA sCOTIA

thanks Pete

6/9/2013 9:18:35 AM

East Carbon, Utah

I assume you're referring to Gordon Graham's WR tomato plant? There is a lot of misinformation around the Internet about this. The plant which produced the 7 lb. 12 oz. tomato did NOT grow to 53 feet! At least not according to his own published pamphlet, "How to Grow Giant Tomatoes".

What Gordon actually wrote:
"I grew my 52' and my 53-1/2' tomato plants in much the same manner, except these plants were 'Sweet 100' variety which still set fruit even when I over-watered and over-fertilized."

Seems people have conflated his two remarkable world records and assumed that both involved the same plant, but I really don't see how a 53' cherry tomato plant could produce a 7.75 lb. tomato!

IMO, perhaps the most overlooked technique Gordon Graham used was the development of a massive root system. Some of this was intentional, most of it fortuitous. His 15' (approximately) tall plant blew over and he left it to grow. Conjecture on my part, but I'm guessing the vines sprouted roots everywhere they touched moist soil. Tomato vines have a tendency to do that naturally, but we usually prevent this by forcing them to grow vertically instead of allowing them to sprawl.

This year, I'm burying the tomato vines, much like one would do with pumpkins. Unfortunately, I only had space for 6 plants but I crammed in 20. They are super crowded and I'll have to grow them vertically for the rest of the season.

Guess I should update my grower diary with pics...

6/29/2013 12:33:59 PM