Tomato Megablooms

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Megablooms happen on my, and lots of other tomato growers, plants almost every year. This year one has shown up on my Brandywine Pink, which is a first for me since I've never had one show on that variety before.



Megablooms aren't anything to panic over. Though the resulting fruit will be deformed and look rather ugly, it could end up weighing over 5 pounds and have a terrific flavor.

There is some argument about whether it strains the plant to produce such a mutant and that it might be better for the plant to just snip off the bloom and divert more of the plants energy to making more of the normal fruit, but ultimately, the choice is yours. No one knows exactly why these blooms form (some say from cold weather, but I don't buy that theory as my weather is usually 80's to 90's F by day and 60's to 70's F at night when they form) but they won't really hurt the plant.

Fortunately, I grow enough plants that I can afford to let a few mutants grow to maturity just out of curiosity. usually, it's my Rutgers or Ace55's that give me the megablooms, so I'm quite curious to find out what will eventually come of the Brandywine.

Happy (mutant) Growing!
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Grow Project, post 5

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First Sunday of the month, so here is the next Grow Project post.

The ones WS'd in April bloomed at the beginning of June, but they aren't looking so great this month. Of course, it has been rain every other day and only in the 40's to 60's F. I'm hoping they'll get a second wind.


The one's started inside in May are pretty much at a stand still. It's starting to warm up a bit, so they should take off soon.


There was only a 50 percent germination rate on the one's sown directly in the ground and they also haven't done much. Very disappointing :( But, as you can see, they're about the same size as the ones above that are a month older.


The one's started in containers are so-so. Some look nice, but some just aren't looking good at all.




So far, they haven't really done all that well for me no matter what the planting method. I've got my fingers crossed that they'll all pick up soon and surprise me!

"I'm growing Nasturtium "Spitfire" for the GROW project. Thanks, to Renee's Garden for the seeds."
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