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Muddy Waters

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=222941

Do I let the mater grow into the main branch? Which is 1/3 of the plant? Or cut the branch off??

7/18/2014 7:07:29 PM

Allentown, PA

Bubba,

If you do not cut the main branch the tomato could end up being damaged thus non viable for weight competition.

I, myself prune to a single stem on the overwhelming majority of my plants.

If you also did this, it would be just fine.

You could also prune the main branch just below where the tomato would grow.

I myself would just prune to that one stem and then top that stem at six feet.

7/18/2014 7:12:06 PM

Muddy Waters

I guess its hard to beleive that little plant will feed that mater what it needs to hit 5 lbs.

7/18/2014 9:28:10 PM

Central NY

I'd let it go, let that monster s.o.b swallow that vine, it ll only add extra weight......(be careful picking)....

7/18/2014 9:42:20 PM

Central NY

If you lay the plant back a little more horizotal would the mater droop below the crotch of the vine?... Wacking aThird of the plant seems drastic at that stage of fruit development ...just my thoughts based on the look of that plant in the pics.....good luck mark...btw.... Mine are hangin LOOWWWWW;)... Thanks for the nutes

7/18/2014 9:46:22 PM

Muddy Waters

Yes dont you think thats a small plant Steve? What are the chanches the mater splits wrapping around the stem.If the stem is stuck in the mater would it be disqualified??

7/18/2014 9:55:22 PM

Central NY

I don't think it will split it, but the vine might get stuck in there... Could ya train the vine away.?or pinch and bend it away(without breaking?...).. Assuming we need the extra foliage....short stem right?

7/18/2014 10:09:34 PM

yardman

Mnt.pleasant ,tennessee

What about unstaking it & let the plant lean over&that might let the mater swing into a different position

7/19/2014 5:59:12 AM

Allentown, PA

The largest tomato currently growing in my lineup is Godzilla.

Godzilla is on a plant that is less than 3.5 feet in height.
Yes, that's correct, less than 3.5 feet tall.

It's currently a little over 21 " CC with an estimated weight currently over four pounds at 30 days after pollination.

Most likely I have another 10 days before it begins to ripen.
My point is the smallest plant in my lineup is growing the largest tomato at the moment.
Remember that more plant growth does not equal heavier tomatoes.

The question you must ask yourself is do I want to grow a heavier plant or a heavier tomato.

7/19/2014 6:24:58 AM

Muddy Waters

Well if I can roll the plant up in a ball & paint it red? The answer is plant.lol JK

Thanks Julia for all the great feedback,Its really nice to get good advice.Marvin told me to cut the branch 2 weeks ago,but I was afraid the plant was to small.I dont think the mater will be get super big.I am hoping for a personal best.3.89 is the Michigan state record & my PB.I hope to beat that.The weather is warming up so this would be a good time to cut it off.We just had 2 nights at 49 degrees ouch!!So I may cut it off today.I guess the theory is that part of the plant is doing nothing for the fruit??EH??Bubba is sometimes a little slow on listening to others.So please type slowing when you respond>loloL Thx for all the help.This cutting will be like Octo Dad cutting the anbilical cord.Should I use a chainsaw? saw zalll?? Well anyhow time to head to my passion the The Garden of Feeding.Best I can Figure the mater is aprox Dap 24 0r 25 The size of my fist maybe a little bigger.

7/19/2014 6:51:10 AM

Allentown, PA

Bubba,

Your welcome.

It's a very nice tomato and looks like it has the potential to definitely go past the current MI state record.

That would be really cool to see you hold that record. :O)

7/19/2014 8:41:15 AM

Marv.

On top of Brush Mountain, Pa.

How can I expect Bubba to listen to me when sometimes I don't even listen to me? Pruning is not so easy.

7/19/2014 9:27:54 AM

Central NY

I definitely would have listened to you two weeks ago Marv....

7/19/2014 11:59:59 AM

Muddy Waters

Well I took Your advice 2 weeks later I cut the main branch off,turns out it was like half the plant.lol.I took a measurement this am it was 14.5 inch circum.I will let you know how it plays out.I will measure every 24 hrs from here forward.She has a ton of room now.I just hope the root system pumps Felix UP!!!!lol

7/19/2014 9:56:15 PM

Allentown, PA

I believe Felix will be ding very well. When you prune down to one main stem you are literally removing the majority of the plant, and that's exactly what you want to do.

7/20/2014 8:53:42 AM

Marv.

On top of Brush Mountain, Pa.

There is a delicate balance between leaves and tomato. I read somewhere that only 12 leaves are needed to support one tomato. That may or may not be so and I don't think the grower was necessarily going for big. We may learn this year that more leaves is not better. There will be lots of discussion about this during the winter months I am sure.

7/20/2014 9:28:40 AM

Muddy Waters

Ok heres the poop scoop on Felix.Felix is now 16 inches around about dap 26 or 27? I cut the branch on the 19th,2 days it grew 1 1/2 inches with only 5 branches on 1 main vine.I felt like I made a mistake when I cut it but its doing over a 1/2 inch a day.so maybe not.Time will tell it always does.I will post a pic on dairy.

7/21/2014 6:57:30 PM

Muddy Waters

14.5 on trhe 19th 8 days later 19 inches.so 4.5 inch gainLittle over 1/2 per day.so will she hit 4 lbs??

7/27/2014 6:46:12 PM

Allentown, PA

Bubba,

Last season my 4.46 LB Big Zac at times was gaining just a bit over a quarter inch a day but it continued that pace for a very long time after a rather impressive inch and half a day grow period.

I bet you'll get close if not at or a bit over the four pound mark.

7/27/2014 7:55:07 PM

Central NY

In lesser hands I doubt it would hit four...

7/27/2014 8:47:59 PM

Muddy Waters

Well Bubbas pretty busy playing with his pumpkin.My wife told me if I dont stop playing with my pumpkin I will go blind.lol I told Im only going to do it till I need glasses.lol

Cold snap here I hope maters like 50 degree nights,maybe 48??

7/28/2014 6:19:20 AM

Muddy Waters

19.25 inches grew 1/4 inch last night

7/28/2014 8:08:13 AM

Allentown, PA

I would much rather have temp's in the upper forties to mid fifties at night than very warm temp's during the day.

Hot weather will ripen tomatoes rather quickly whereas cooler temp's just slow their growth down temporarily.

Tonight's low here is 52F so we're getting the same weather effect as you Bubba.

7/28/2014 9:08:27 AM

Muddy Waters

20 inches at dinner time today.It appears to get more growth in the day then at night

7/30/2014 5:52:06 PM

Allentown, PA

Bubba,

Tomatoes grow best when the daytime temperature is between 65 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. tomatoes stop growing above 95 degrees and will slow their growth to almost zero the cooler the temperatures are overnight so what you say makes perfect sense.

7/30/2014 9:02:55 PM

Muddy Waters

Im hoping she gets to 22-23 inches,Shes as green as a bean right now.

7/31/2014 5:17:03 AM

Allentown, PA

Excellent Bubba!! Green is a good sign that she'll get to that size.

7/31/2014 7:07:12 AM