From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Princeton Kentucky

Do any of you have an educated guess of how many fused blooms are in this here mater? It has one huge stem so I can't really tell myself. This is on a Super Beefsteak I grew last year from a est 2.5 lber I harvested the seeds out of. Thanks, Joseph
http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=222605

7/16/2014 7:30:28 AM

Allentown, PA

That's a toughy!!

I saw this in your diary the other day and was thinking about it. My best guess is that it's from a four fused bloom.

If you look at the top lobes you can see four distinct lobes.

The result of the bottom is the result of fusing of the bloom that the tomato grew from.

Also if you look closely at the bottom upper sides you can see what would have been each separate tomato rounding to connect to the next one.

7/16/2014 9:58:31 AM

Princeton Kentucky

Yes, I was going for 4-5, with 4 probably hence the lobes like you refered too. Thanks 4 yer input PA_J. ;^)

7/16/2014 11:59:24 AM

Allentown, PA

Your welcome!! :O)

7/16/2014 5:43:42 PM

On top of Brush Mountain, Pa.

Some of what you are seeing might be catfacing? What does the top of the tomato look like?

7/16/2014 10:46:21 PM

Princeton Kentucky

Here is a pic of the top of that mater Marvin Sir.
http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=222604

7/17/2014 3:46:43 PM

Hamilton Nj

i see 2 big ones fused togethor with alot of catfaceing maybe three,lol hope it turns out big !!! pizza

7/17/2014 6:01:59 PM

On top of Brush Mountain, Pa.

Not sure. Could be 4 or even 5. Take care of it and try to get the maximum weight out of it. You will know it is over when it starts to turn red.

7/17/2014 8:13:06 PM

East Carbon, Utah

Not all tomato ovaries are created equal, especially when we're talking about some of these bizarre megablooms - who knows what's going on while they develop! Late in the season I've dissected several megablooms and often found several tiny, thin stigmas. If pollinated, the ovaries at the base of these don't add much to the mass of the developing fruit. I would say you've got 4 significant lobes from four standard fused ovaries. Plus minor contributions from 5 or so other mini-ovaries, as indicated by the stitching.

For a much younger and smaller tomato resulting from 8+ fused ovaries - my best of the season so far, see:

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryView.asp?season=2014&grower=55723&action=L

7/21/2014 12:36:23 AM