FINAL TALLY OF 2+ POUND TOMATOES harvested from 8-12 through 11-11-2014
≥ 2.0 : 85 ≥ 2.5 : 31 ≥ 3.0 : 12 ≥ 3.5 : 5 ≥ 4.0 : 2 ≥ 4.5 : 2
Specimens presented in chronological order below.
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First 2 lb. tomato of 2014:
Epstein’s Potato Leaf (2.106 DT 2014)
Pic on July 06:
Pic on July 20:
Pic on August 10:
Pic on August 12:
After applying a DAF (Density Adjustment Factor) of 0.95, estimated weight from diameter measurements was 2.001 lb.; without this DAF, estimate was 2.106 lb. – first time that’s happened! Said to be a derivative of Big Zac, but I’ve observed very little in common that variety: clear skin, potato leaved, distinctly different shape of blossoms and fruit. Flavor is quite similar to Big Zac however: bright, juicy, fairly sweet and just delicious – perfect for big sandwiches; 8.5 of 10.
AND – the first 2.5 lb. tomato of the season!
Bezrazmernyi (2.534 DT 2014)(1.698 DT 2012)
This one was not tracked, but I’ve been watching it for weeks.
Pic on August 10:
Pics on August 12:
After applying a DAF (Density Adjustment Factor) of 0.95, estimated weight from diameter measurements was 2.417 lb.; without this DAF, estimate was 2.544 lb. – another close one. Looking forward to tasting it as well.
August 16th – very tasty, moderately sweet, flavor score = 8.0 of a possible 10; all 2.5 lbs. devoured in 10 min….
Here in North America, Bezrazmernyi is not yet on the radar screen for growing giant tomatoes, but it obviously has huge potential. My seeds came from Andrey Baranovski of Belarus. Russian spelling is Безразмерный which translates to “Dimensionless”, a very appropriate name. A couple of others are growing well. One very promising 6X+ was overcome by blossom end rot and had to be removed:
There are at least 3 tomatoes still growing that are likely to surpass 2.5 lbs. as well
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August 14th – Heavy rains this morning so I picked three more big tomatoes, all over two pounds.
Epstein’s Potato Leaf (2.198 DT 2014), tracked from early on, measurements, with DAF put it at 2.101 lb.
First picture from July 6th already showed splitting and scarring:
August 10th:
August 14th:
MegaMarv (2.086 DT 2014)(4.23 Wahl 2012), not tracked, measures to 2.019 lb. with DAF.
August 16 – very good, moderately rich, balanced, classic flavor; score = 8.0; also consumed in short order…
And
MegaMarv (2.346 DT 2014)(4.23 Wahl 2012), not tracked, measures to 2.262 lb. with DAF.
That’s how a tomato ought to fit into a sandwich!
Note that both of these MegaMarv specimens appear to derive from single blossoms! In my experience, MegaMarv rarely produces impressive megablooms, but single blossoms are capable of producing very large tomatoes. This one is a prime candidate for cross-breeding with a reliable producer of megablooms, such as Big Zac (OP) or Michael’s Portuguese Monster – a work in progress!
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August 15th update
Another one, not tracked –
Shuntukski Velikan (2.190 DT 2012)(1.978 DT 2012)
Another variety that occasionally produces huge fruit, though they are typically flattened.
There are at least 9 tomatoes on the vine now that measure to 2+ pounds, three of these to > 2.5 lbs.
So far in 2014, all tracked tomatoes have been harvested mostly ripe between 36-42 days after fruit set. Weather has been much more favorable in 2014 than in the previous four years that I’ve been trying to grow giant tomatoes.
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August 16th update
Another two pounder, not tracked, noticed for the first time just a few days ago at the bottom of the vine, tracking a smaller one higher on the vine.
Cleota Pink (2.088)(2.108 DT 2011)
Probably could have waited a couple of days on this one.
Later – a beautiful tomato when ripe on August 19th:
Note the very hollow seed locules. Flavor was mild, little sweetness, score 5.5, but not a fair assessment as it was not vine ripened.
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August 17th update
Delicious (2.828 DT 2014)(6.51 Meisner 2011)
Not tracked, did not even notice it until it was well over 1 lb. Was hoping to hit 3 lbs. but didn’t quite make it. Estimate from caliper measurements? 2.830 ! Cannot get much closer than that! Harvested early because an 8X fruit has set on this vine and is trying to grow big…
It’s been much warmer the last 3 days or so and lots of tomatoes are ripening quickly, including a few more that will likely top 2 lbs.
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August 18th update
Virginia Sweets (2.024 DT 2014)(2.218 DT 2011)
Not tracked. Caliper estimates put it at 2.058 lbs. This variety won first place in the 2011 Delectation of Tomatoes tasting contest.
Absolutely delicious – sweet, fruity and juicy – contest winner in 2011 tomato tasting event.
And the first 3-pounder of the season! My third largest ever:
Delicious (3.012 DT 2014)(6.51 Meisner 2011)
Not tracked, caliper measurements put it at 3.087 lbs. I’ve grown this line of Delicious for three previous years and could not even manage 2 lbs. This particular seed might just have the “Big DNA” that the others did not.
Counting this one, the 2.828 from yesterday, and the other six thinned out today, that comes to 9.656 lbs. removed from this vine to make room for this little 8X on a sucker that got away from me:
It measures to only 0.173 lbs., yet despite having theses two 3-pounders and another 4 lbs. of multi-lobed tomatoes growing on the vine, this one is still showing real potential.
I’ve also committed radical pruning and thinning on several other tomato vines in anticipation of the local weigh-off 33 days away. Perhaps one of these smaller tomatoes will “blow up” now that all competitors have been removed?
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August 19th update
Big Zac (2.024 DT 2014)(2.962 DT 2012)
Not tracked, thinned to make room for a larger, faster growing tomato higher up on the vine. Measured to 1.908 lbs. Note that DAF is 0.90 for green tomatoes.
And another that looked like it had a shot at 3 lbs.:
Domingo (2.734 DT 2014)(4.55 Wahl 2012)
Unfortunately, it was oozing badly from old wounds and splitting, so I harvested it only partly ripe. It measures to 2.806 lbs. There is another Domingo in the high tunnel that is growing very well, measuring to 2.10 lbs. at just 26 days along. With the weather cooling some, it just might have a chance of going well over 3 lbs.
The streak of at least one 2-pounder harvested every day is showing no signs of abating! Just might have another 3-pounder tomorrow – measures to 3.02 today.
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August 20th update
Only one really big one harvested today:
Donskoi (3.108 DT 2014)(1.866 DT 2012)
Biggest of the year so far! This one was tracked since July 19th. Harvested at 46 days after fruit set, 85% ripe with some oozing. Measurements with calipers put it at 3.065 lb.; with taped circumferences at 3.141 lbs.
Eaten on August 21st. We had guests. The question was asked, “do these big tomatoes really taste very good?” I was almost embarrassed to serve this one because I did not know how it would taste, and to be honest, it didn’t look very appetizing. But it ripened fully on the vine so I served it. We were all very impressed and pleasantly surprised! I scored it 9.0 of 10.
An initial burst of bright, juicy, robust, pleasant flavor, followed shortly by a distinctive sweetness, not overpowering but just right and lingering pleasantly. Like Dester, the flesh itself is sweet. Three pounds wasn’t big enough for what we wanted to eat of this one – a real keeper!!
So here are my four biggest of the year so far, with a combined weight of 11.682 lbs.!
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August 21st update
Four 2+ pounders harvested today, none of them tracked.
Chilo della Garfagnana (2.100 DT 2014)(3.375 Koshykar 2012)
Calipers put it at 2.099 lb., taped CC’s at 2.237:
Russian (2.136 DT 2014)(2.319 DT 2010)
Calipers put it at 2.197 lb., taped CC’s at 2.131:
West Virginia Sweet Meat (2.100 DT 2014)(1.806 DT 2012)
Calipers put it at 2.047 lb., taped CC’s at 2.147:
West Virginia Sweet Meat (2.206 DT 2014)(1.806 DT 2012)
Calipers put it at 2.041 lb., taped CC’s at 2.059:
These last two and other small fruits on the same vine were cleared out to make room for:
Much larger, looking like it could go over 3 lbs.; also not tracked.
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August 22nd update –
Polish Giant Beefsteak (2.452 DT 2014)(2.222 DT 2013)
Tracked since July 10th, harvested at 47 days after pollination – several days longer than most varieties. Measures to 2.521 lbs. with calipers, 2.691 with tape measure. It’s got a significant depression in the bottom.
From a 3X+ blossom, June 29th:
August 22nd:
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August 23rd update –
Delicious (2.314 DT 2014)(4.78 Lorson 2012)
Not tracked. Measurements from calipers puts it at 2.217; from taped CC’s, 2.384:
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August 24th update –
Church (2.372 DT 2.014)(3.208 DT 2012)
Not tracked, calipers put it at 2.295 lbs., taped CC’s at 2.343:
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August 25th Update –
Only one 2+ pounder harvested today:
Michael’s Portuguese Monster (3.754 DT 2014)(2.610 DT 2012)
Much more about this one at:
How Big Will That Tomato Get?
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August 26th Update –
Three over 2 lbs.
Rhode Island Giant (2.006 DT 2014)(1.934 DT 2013)
Calipers put it at 1.853, taped CC’s at 2.125. This variety is distinctive in that it produces only 1 or 2 blossoms per truss.
Domingo (2.288 DT 2014)(4.55 Wahl 2012)
Calipers put it at 2.227, taped CC’s at 2.341.
Domingo (2.530 DT 2014)(4.55 Wahl 2012)
Calipers put it at 2.497, taped CC’s at 2.652. This makes 3 Domingo specimens that were growing on the same vine simultaneously that reached weights of well over 2 lbs. – these two plus 2.734 harvested 1 week ago. Not counting several smaller ones.
I will be gone for a few days so this streak of harvesting at least one 2-pound tomato every day will come to an end at 25 specimens in 14 days. Far better than I’ve every managed before. Blame it on the weather, I say.
Between June 01 – August 25, 2013 there were 2,647 growing degree days (GDD)
Between June 01 – August 25, 2014 there were 2,181 GDD
Though this is a strong contrast, the number of days reaching 95+ degrees is even more meaningful from a tomato growing perspective:
2013: 75 days over 86° including 50 days over 95° F
2014: 53 days over 86° including 19 days over 95° F
With tomato plants, and presumably the fruits themselves, growth begins to slow markedly at 86° F and essentially shuts down above 95°.
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August 30th update –
16.302 lbs. for 6 tomatoes!
Brutus Magnum (2.386 DT 2014)(2.006 DT 2012)
Not tracked. Calipers put it at 2.293 lb., taped CC’s at 2.594.
Two very large tomatoes harvested from the same Big Zac vine, 3.75 Catapano. This seed line is noteworthy since it is a sibling of 3.9 Catapano 2007, from which virtually all documented 4+ lb. Big Zac specimens of the past 5 years trace their ancestry.
Big Zac (2.394 DT 2014)(3.75 Catapano 2007)
Not tracked. Calipers put it at 2.211 lb., taped CC’s at 2.391.
Big Zac (2.628 DT 2014)(3.75 Catapano 2007)
Not tracked. Calipers put it at 2.677 lb., taped CC’s at 2.637 (both estimates within 2%).
Oxheart Giantissimo (2.624 DT 2014)(2.294 DT 2011)
Tracked since July 20th, harvested fully ripe about 48 days since fruit set. Impressive growth for the first 3 weeks then growth slowed noticeably. Calipers put it at 2.821 lb., taped CC’s at 3.154. Some hollow seed locules and lobing, but still well below projection. Very good, soothing, balanced flavor; 7.5 of 10.
Now for one I was REALLY hoping would go over 3 lbs., as it is a SIBLING OF THE NEW WORLD RECORD.
Big Zac (2.958 DT 2014)(4.57 MacCoy 2013)
Tracked since July 10th, a clear 3X with deep lobing, harvested fully ripe 52 days from fruit set (wish they would all last this long on the vine). Calipers put it at 2.952 lb., taped CC’s at 3.107. Seeds should be ready by September 20th or so.
On 9-3, huge, beautiful slices made several over-stuffed, very juicy, very delicious tomato sandwiches. Note that epidermis is clear on this line of Big Zac (OP)
And last but certainly not least, the third largest tomato I’ve ever grown:
West Virginia Sweetmeat (3.312 DT 2014)(1.806 DT 2012)
Not tracked, as I never really expected this one to get so large! Previously harvested several good sized tomatoes off this vine. So I think with proper care, this very delicious variety has a real chance of going 4 lbs. plus. Calipers put it at 3.023 lb., taped CC’s at 3.354. Shape is more cuboidal then ovoid, which may explain why caliper measurements projected so far under actual weight. A beautiful specimen which I’ve had my eye on for weeks! Very good flavor, but not as sweet as I recall some previous specimens.
Not through with 2 pounders – or 3 pounders yet! Another Big Zac, 48 days along, with no hint of ripening yet, measures to just over 4 lbs. It is deeply lobed so estimated weight will likely not be very close to reality.
Then there is this solid, minimally lobed specimen that measures to 3.49 lbs. at 37 days along and still very green and growing fast!
Domingo (4.55 Wahl 2012) HT A-002:
On August 11th these two promising tomatoes removed to divert resources to the one shown above:
Domingo has been a very impressive variety this year and this one may be my best chance at cracking that 4 lb. barrier.
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August 31st update –
Brutus Magnum (2.152 DT 2014)(2.006 DT 2012)
Not tracked (actually not even noticed until a week or so ago) and harvested fully ripe from the same vine as the 2.386 specimen profiled above. Calipers put it at 2.211 lb., taped CC’s at 2.153 – both remarkably close considering the heavy ruffling.
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September 1st update –
Sumo (2.674)(1.782 DT 2012)
This one was very impressive from the beginning! Measurements and pictures taken since July 20th. Harvested at about 50 days after fruit set. Measures to 3.243 lbs. with calipers, 2.960 with taped CC’s. Diameter measurements in particular are not working real well when a tomato has lots of knobs and deep crevices.
Recorded as emerging from an 8X megabloom. Picture on 7-19-2014:
And today:
Here’s what the parent looked like, Sumo (1.782 DT 2012):
An apt name for a hefty, ruffled variety! Developed by Fred Bruns of Carmel, Indiana from a cross between Enormous Plum and Florida Pink.
Now for one that was growing very fast and on target to exceed 3 lbs.:
Polish Giant Beefsteak (2.222 DT 2013) TB A-01
This plant was very slow to get going but is growing very well. Only one tomato from over 1,600 vines in 2013 produced a fruit over 2 lbs., and this is the offspring of that tomato.
Here it was on August 15th:
And on August 30th, gaining an average of 0.13 lbs. per day, getting hopes very high:
Observed again late on August 31st, then early on September 1st:
That’s what I get for growing tomatoes next to a busy sidewalk. I can almost understand stealing a big, red ripe tomato if a kid were really hungry. But a big, green, gnarly thing? I have buckets of green tomatoes I’ll be glad to give away if they are really THAT hungry…
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September 2nd update –
Big Zac (2.090 DT 2014)(__ Johnson 2013)(5.12 Daho 2012)
Variety name also listed as “Daho Giant” after Mehdi Daho of L’etoile-Spay, France who has grown several tomatoes to over 5 lbs. and previously held the record for largest tomato in both France and Europe.
Not tracked; harvested 45% ripe. Calipers put it at 2.091 lb., taped CC’s at 2.109.
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September 3rd update –
Michael’s Portuguese Monster (2.222 DT 2014)(2.610 DT 2012)
Picked several days early because this plant is right next to the sidewalk. If the neighbors will steal a big lumpy green tomato, they would certainly be tempted by a nice, big, well formed one such as this if it were fully ripe. This is also the plant that is growing fully formed suckers out of its leaf veins over all the older leaves on the vine!
Not tracked; harvested 30% ripe. Calipers put it at 2.200 lb., taped CC’s at 2.467.
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September 4th update –
Big Zac (2.370 DT 2014)(2.962 DT 2012)
Not tracked; harvested 60% ripe. Calipers put it at 2.195 lb., taped CC’s at 2.472.
Lineage is from my largest or nearly so each year but 2013 (which was not my year for giant tomatoes):
2.370 DT 2014 < 2.962 DT 2012 < 2.660 DT 2011 < 2.762 DT 2010 (state record) < 4.83 Perry 2009 (state record) < 5.58 Timm 2008 < 3.9 Catapano 2007 < 4.59 Lyons 2006 < Commercial Big Zac (F1)
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September 5th update –
A beautiful one that unfortunately just missed the 2.0 cutoff, Virginia Sweets (1.920 DT 2014)(2.218 DT 2011):
And an attractive, cardiod shaped fruit did make the cut-off, despite growing together with one of almost equal size –
Rebecca Sebastian’s Bull Bag (2.614 DT 2014)(1.428 DT 2012)
Not tracked; harvested 80% ripe. Calipers put it at 2.749 lb., taped CC’s at 2.814.
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September 6th update –
Another 3-pounder!
Church (3.138)(1.662 DT 2010)(4.48 Perry 2008)
Tracked for just the past couple of weeks, harvested 50% ripe. Calipers put it at 3.249 lb., taped CC’s at 3.181.
Duane Perry set an Ohio state record in 2008 with the grandparent of this one. Church has received some bad publicity. Sometimes the BIG ugly fruits which result from megablooms tend to split and have a large white core. But the “normal” fruits are big, beautiful (often speckled), and produce huge, perfect slices with a very good, traditional tomato flavor. But ya gotta let ’em ripen fully on the vine! Even the extra sweet tiny “cherry” tomatoes are bland when under ripe. Church vines can get huge and are very healthy and extremely productive; a skilled grower under good conditions could produce at least 40 tomatoes, most of them in the 1.5-2 lb. range.
Growth of largest Domingo is slowing, will probably show blush tomorrow, but tape measurements put it at 4.778 lbs.! Caliper measurements at “only” 4.182, however. Main reason, I think, for such a large discrepancy is the shape of this tomato: a rectangular cuboid. My weight prediction formulae are based on ellipsoids, which roughly fit most tomatoes. A rectangular cuboid has those 8 corners which extend beyond the measurements of calipers used to measure diameters, but which are encompassed with a tape used to measure circumferences. Reality is likely somewhere between these two methods of measurement.
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September 7th update –
Not quite 3 lbs.
Delicious (2.868 DT 2014)(5th gen. 7.75 Graham 1986)
Only tracked since August 18th when it was already about 28 days along and was obviously growing very fast. Calipers put it at 2.885 lb., taped CC’s at 3.117, with GAF (Geometry Adjustment Factor) of 0.9 (due to deep lobing and being very elongated) – 2.805. Often taped CC’s overestimate weight especially for deeply lobed specimens.
Here’s 2.868 DT 2014 < 1.224 DT 2013 < ~3 Glen Knox 2009 < __ Marvin Meisner 2008 < 7.75 Gordon Graham 1986
Before his passing in 1997, Gordon Graham sent some seeds from his world record, 7 lb. 12 oz. tomato to a friend of his in England. In 2007-2008, Marv Meisner worked with Minnie Zaccaria (of Big Zac fame) to get some of those very old seeds germinated and the offspring seeds disseminated to other giant tomato growers.
From what I’ve seen of this lineage in 2014, I’m becoming a believer that – in the right hands and under the right conditions – it does indeed have what it takes to grow some really HUGE tomatoes.
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September 8th update –
Testing a third, theoretically more accurate way to estimate weights of tomatoes before harvest: indirect weight through water displacement.
The other Rebecca Sebastian’s Bull Bag is ready to be picked. It’s an ideal candidate for testing the Water Displacement method: long pedicle, hanging down, no significant obstructions.
What’s needed:
• Appropriate sized container for water + water source
• Scales
• A flat surface that is as level as possible
Method is pretty straightforward:
1. Arrange empty bowl under tomato so that the entire tomato is below the surface of the rim of the bowl.
2. Keeping bowl as level as possible, fill it to the brim with water, just until it begins to spill over the rim.
3. Gently lower the bowl and place it on the scales; record weight.
4. Making sure the bowl remains level, carefully fill it to the brim again; record weight. In the case shown here, this is 2,153 g.
5. The difference between these two numbers is volume of water displaced by the tomato. In this case, 3,203 g.
6. Take the difference in weight of the water displaced: 3,203-2,153 = 1,050 g. At temperature and pressure (elevation) we would be dealing with, density of water is 1.00 grams/ml.
7. Apply relative density factor. After testing more than 800 tomatoes over the past few years. For green tomatoes (<25% ripe), the average density is roughly 0.90. For ripe tomatoes, 0.95 seems to work fairly well. So in this case, with a tomato about 85% ripe:
Weight estimate = 1,050g X 0.95 = 997.5g X (lb./453.59g) = 2.199 lbs.
Will this estimate from Water Displacement be more accurate? We’ll see in a few minutes.
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Later –
It looks and feels like it might barely be 2 lbs. Calipers put it at 2.252 lbs., taped CC’s at 2.145.
All three estimates are very close to each other but are they close to reality? Time to weigh it.
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Later –
Rebecca Sebastian’s Bull Bag (2.026 DT 2014)(1.428 DT 2012)
All three estimates were off by more than 5%. Obvious conclusion: DAF (Density Adjustment Factor) is off for this specimen. Suspicion: Hollow seed locules. Confirmation – see picture below. Moderate to severe, enough to make this one even less dense than a green tomato. Even using a DAF of 0.90 (standard for green tomatoes) yields 2.134 lb. (calipers) or 2.037 (CC’s) – much closer but still overestimates.
Lesson: even a geometrically “well behaved” specimen like this one can present challenges for weight estimation and prediction. Many large fruited tomato varieties have a tendency to produce tomatoes with hollow seed locules. But what causes this phenomenon and is there any way to predict or prevent it? I’ll just say that using a DAF of 0.95 is optimistic, but reasonable most of the time for estimating within 5% or so.
What’s on deck? A Big Zac (2.602 DT 2012)(5.35 Lyons 2010). Playing “by the rules” (Widest possible diameters in all 3 perpendicular dimensions), this one measures to 5.321 lbs. But imagine a hollow ovoid fitting snuggly around this one. There would be a LOT of gaps and depressions due to heavy lobing. Even using a Geometry Adjustment Factor of 0.80, rather than the standard 0.95, the projected weight of 4.351 still seems like a significant overestimate for this one. But it still has a very good chance of breaking the Utah state record of 3.754 lbs. Unless it’s heavier than that, I won’t bother getting a certified, witnessed weight.
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September 9th update –
BARELY a new state record:
Big Zac (3.756 DT 2014)(2.602 DT 2012)(5.35 Lyons 2010)
See more at:
https://delectationoftomatoes.wordpress.com/2014/09/08/new-utah-state-record-largest-tomato/
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September 10th update –
Bezrazmernyi (3.364 DT 2014)(1.698 DT 2012)
Not tracked; was planning on removing this one weeks ago in deference to two larger, more promising looking vinemates. But both of them succumbed to blossom end rot and had to be removed. This variety has definitely moved firmly onto my “Top 10” list for growing giant tomatoes.
Calipers put it at 3.366 lbs., taped CC’s at 3.368
On the vine, 9-2-2014:
.
Today:
So this Bezrazmernyi (“Dimensionsless”) moves into third place for 2014.
The BIG Domingo tomato measures to 4.90 lbs. today using standard method (calipers, ellipsoid formula, DAF of 0.95). Most generous projection, based on CC’s, puts it at 5.27. Most conservative, based on averaging measurements of the most variable dimension (height, which varies from 77.1 to 122.6 mm) and applying a DAF of 0.895 (as needed to fit others of this variety), rather than standard 0.95, yields 3.758. Might get 4 more days of slow growth out of it. Would be real disappointed if it doesn’t at least crack 4 lbs.
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September 11th update –
Michael’s Portuguese Monster (1.480 DT 2014)(2.610 DT 2012)
Tracked since August 11th, list as a 5X, harvested about 48 days after fruit set. Grown on the MPM plant in the giant tomato bed. This is the bizarre plant which put out many suckers from leaf veins! This plant has also put out an impressive number of super-megablooms. Unfortunately, it has also been hit hard with blossom end rot, with several very promising tomatoes lost to the disorder. Just can’t seem to keep the watering consistent.
Calipers put it at 2.591 lbs., taped CC’s at 2.611
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September 12th update –
Wes (2.178 DT 2014)(1.718 DT 2012)
A wonderful variety for market especially. Here’s what’s on my seed packet:
“Stunning, gorgeous tomatoes are deep red, blemish free, shiny, large and more or less heart-shaped – with flavor to match: exciting, distinctive, balanced and compelling. A real garden treasure! Regular leaf, indeterminate, reasonable production, 90+ days”
Not tracked. Calipers put it at 2.132 lbs., taped CC’s at 2.282. Both very close, as expected for a geometrically “well behaved” specimen. My guess before taking any measurements was 2.110 lbs.
Yesterday I developed a polynomial formula for predicting tomato weights based only on the largest circumference. This is the only measurement that most tomato growers take so it should be useful. It is based on measurements from 135 tomatoes ranging from 1.01 to 8.41 lbs. and includes data from about 30 giant tomatoes grown by others.
W = 2.9221 – 0.3876*CC + 0.0193*CC^2
Where W = Weight, output in pounds and decimal pounds
CC = Circumference, input in inches and decimal inches
For this Wes specimen, this “1CC Formula” yields 1.820, which is a 16.4% underestimate.
The R^2 for this formula is 0.9420, so there is a fair amount of slop (how can there not be with such bizarre shaped tomatoes??). Basically if you have a very flat tomato, this formula will likely overestimate substantially. Deeply lobed tomatoes or those with big gaps will also be overestimated. If you have a very “tall” tomato (such as this Wes specimen), it will underestimate. But at least this should get you in the ballpark.
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September 13th update –
Rebecca Sebastian’s Bull Bag (2.740 DT 2014)(2.200 DT 2010)
Not tracked. Calipers put it at 2.703 lbs., taped CC’s at 2.870, 1 CC at 2.136 – again demonstrating that using just 1 dimension to estimate weight is problematic for heart-shaped/elongated tomatoes.
Here’s a tomato from a super megabloom that was growing VERY fast but then suddenly got hit with BER – a disorder that hit more than half the tomatoes on this plant.
Michael’s Portuguese Monster (0.516 DT 2014)(2.610 DT 2012)
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September 14th update –
Polish Giant Beefsteak (2.312 DT 2014)(2.222 DT 2013)
Tracked only for the past couple of weeks, after the 2.452 lb. specimen was harvested from this plant. Calipers put it at 2.138 lbs., taped CC’s at 2.210, 1 CC at 2.233. It was hang on the vine at an angle that started to pull on the stem end once it started getting big – it nearly harvested itself!
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September 15th update –
Church (2.580)(1.662 DT 2010)(4.48 Perry 2010)
Not tracked. Calipers put it at 2.386 lbs., taped CC’s at 2.618, 1 CC at 2.184.
Picked partially ripe, along with 6 other smaller tomatoes on the same vine, to make room for this fast growing 4X+ specimen:
Temperatures have been in the high 80’s with low 90’s for the next couple of days. Big tomatoes are ripening quickly, so will need to harvest at a faster rate.
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September 16th update –
Mazarini (2.450 DT 2014)(2.246 DT 2012)
Not tracked. Calipers put it at 2.497 lbs., taped CC’s at 2.540 and 1 CC formula at 2.067. Again, for “tall” tomatoes, the 1 CC formula usually underestimates significantly.
Mazarini is a beautiful, clear-skinned variety, typically heart shaped with a very good, though mild flavor. This specimen is apparently from three fused blossoms, just as was its parent.
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September 17th update –
Chilo della Garfagnana (3.554 DT 2014)(3.375 Koshykar 2012)*
*OFFICAL AND CERTIFIED WEIGHT at D&G Scale, Salt Lake City, Utah
Not quite another Utah State record! This one only tracked since September 1st. Calipers put it at 3.982 lbs., taped CC’s at 4.048 and 1 CC formula at 3.813. Geometry adjustments score -5% each for being elongate, flattened and lobed, so a GAF of 0.85 yields a projected weight of 3.441.
Before Harvest:
Before official weigh-in:
Official, certified weight and certificate:
Notes about this variety from my database:
“Aka Kilo della Garfagnana, but “Chilo” is the correct spelling in Italian – see http://amicidellortodue.blogspot.com/2011/08/pomodoro-chilo-della-garfagnana.html. Clear-skinned, red-fleshed fruits are indeed large, most weighing in at over a pound, with a documented weight to 3 lb. 6 oz. with no pruning or thinning. Pronounced fluting around the entire fruit is common, particulary with the earlier fruits. Prone to cracking, so special attention to watering is needed. Fruits are meaty with little juice and very few seeds. Flavor is mild but pleasant – initially very good and moderately sweet, fading to an average aftertaste. These would be great sliced for filling out a sandwich, but are so big, their best use would probably be for making some wonderful, authentic italian tomato sauce. Indeterminate, regular leafed plants are exceptionally productive. It’s a sight to behold in the tomato patch – often 10 or more 1+ lb. tomatoes hanging on the vine simultaneously. Staking is a must. This is an old heirloom variety from the Tuscany region of Italy. My seed stock came from Emanuele Mangani of Cortona, Italy, in 2011.”
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ALSO picked today, a major jump up in the Utah state giant tomato record:
Domingo (4.647 DT 2014)(4.55 Wahl 2012)
See more at:
DT Blog Utah State Record
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September 18th update –
Four tomatoes over 2 lbs. harvested today:
Big Zac (2.264 DT 2014)(4.57 MacCoy 2013)
Listed as a 5X, but only 3 lobes grew well. Tracked since August 11th. On that date, I removed all other tomatoes from the vine – 5.9 lbs. worth – and pruned heavily to try to divert all the plant’s resources to this one fruit which appeared to have the most potential. There was never any evidence that this strategy worked in this case. Average daily weight gain was 0.081 lbs. per day between day 16-36, which is typically when tomatoes seem to grow most quickly for me.
Harvested fully ripe at 54 days along. Calipers put it at 2.585 lbs., taped CC’s at 2.462, 1CC at 2.384. A GAF of 0.9 (-5% for moderate lobing and -5% for flattened shape) yields an estimate of 2.216 lbs.
Belmonte (2.062 DT 2014)(1.556 DT 2011)
Tracked since 8-21-2014. On that day, thinned off 10 other tomatoes weighing 6.8+ lbs. total in the hope that this one would grow faster. Again on 8-30, removed another 20 small tomatoes. This one never did grow very fast, averaging about 0.050 lb. weight gain per day during rapid growth phase. Rather disappointing, considering it’s 3 generations from a 4.14 lb. specimen.
Harvested a little overripe at about 48 days along. Calipers put it at 1.921 lbs., taped CC’s at 2.154, 1CC at 1.820. Belmonte has a pleasant and good, though mild flavor. Probably better suited for cooking unless you enjoy mild. Vines are very tall, healthy and productive.
Church (2.322 DT 2.014)(3.208 DT 2012)
Not tracked. Harvested fully ripe. Speckling is common with this variety, as is splitting if watering is inconsistent.
Calipers put it at 2.271 lbs., taped CC’s at 2.370, 1CC at 2.033.
Domingo (2.096 DT 2014)(4.55 Wahl 2012)
Not tracked. Harvested fully ripe.
Calipers put it at 1.807 lbs., taped CC’s at 2.401, 1CC at 1.913. Minor hollowness in seed locules, not enough to account for the 3 CC’s formula overestimating so much. Applying a DAF of 0.85, which seems to be about right for this variety for some unknown (yet) reason, we get much closer: 2.042.
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September 19th update –
Catapano (2.436 DT 2014)(2.2 Catapano 2005)
Not tracked, picked 90% ripe. Calipers put it at 2.654 lbs., taped CC’s at 2.561, 1CC at 2.558; GAF of 0.95 for moderate lobing yields 2.433. This is the third tomato on this vine which exhibited a prominent “nose”
Following are notes from Russ Landry who spoke with Frank Catapano about this variety:
“(Frank’s) own seed line that he received from some friends in Toronto area … dating back to 1998 as he grew the offspring year after in his backyard just north of Toronto in a community called Woodbridge. The origin is unknown. They were called a heart shaped tomato. He has described them as meaty and tasty. He grew them mostly for eating. He started to weigh them after he had one plant that produced 200 pounds in 2005. My experience … is the plants will produce multiple fused blossoms on several trusses that grow large flat multi segmented fruit.”
Source: http://www.bigpumpkins.com/MsgBoard/ViewBoard.asp?b=33
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September 20th update –
Hoy (2.606 DT 2014)(~3 Kott 2011)
Tracked since 8-21, when all other tomatoes were removed to attempt to release this one. It seemed to work quite well in this case, as average weight gain for the next 9 days was 0.125 lbs. per day. Showed first blush one week ago, picked fully soft ripe at about 60 days after fruit set.
Calipers put it at 2.305 lbs., taped CC’s at 2.633, 1CC at 2.384. This specimen has an almost perfect ovoid shape, so 3 taped circumferences ought to predict closely!
Hoy is a family heirloom developed by Hoy Taylor of Roane County, West Virginia. Clear skin, hefty fruits on large, productive, indeterminate vines.
Very good, old-fashioned, balanced flavor, 8.0/10. Very much worth growing just for an eating tomato – excellent for sandwiches.
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September 21st update –
Domingo (2.404 DT 2014)(4.55 Wahl 2012)
Not tracked. Harvested fully ripe; contains minimal air pockets. Calipers put it at 2.345 lbs., taped CC’s at 2.546, 1CC at 2.257. Applying a DAF of 0.85 – which has worked relatively well for most specimens of this variety – yields 2.180. The standard formulas worked fine this time around. This variety is still a puzzle when it comes to predicting weight.
Flavor is very good – robust but not intense, balanced and moderately sweet; 7.5/10.
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September 21st update –
Two over two today.
Big Zac (2.044 DT 2014)(5.50 Johnston/Butler 2012)
Tracked since 8-2-2014, harvest a bit overripe 60 days from fruit set. This plant produced suckers prolifically but grew slowly. Kept on top of pruning and thinning for weeks but it seemed to have little, if any effect on growth of this tomato. Recorded as emerging from a 5X megabloom. Recorded only calipers, which estimated 2.621 lbs. Deeply lobed and odd shaped, it was difficult to ever get consistent measurements.
On 8-02:
On 8-22:
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September 22nd update –
Sibirskiy Velikan Rozovy (2.066 DT 2014)
Not tracked. This might be the only tomato out of 900 plants not raised at the house that will get over 2 lbs. this year. Obviously giving tomatoes daily attention can make a big difference in more ways than one. Grown on a cluster with two other tomatoes weighing 1.026 lbs. combined. This one appears to have grown from at least 5 fused ovaries and has potential to produce giants if properly cultivated.
Calipers put it at 2.363 lbs., taped CC’s at 2.094, 1CC at 2.010.
Clear skin, juicy flesh, lots of smaller seeds; flavor is bright, moderately sweet, delicious and pleasant; 8.0 of 10. Definitely worth growing and eating!
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September 23rd update –
Porterhouse (F2→F3)(2.472 DT 2014)(2.062 DT 2011)
Not tracked. Calipers put it at 2.479 lbs., taped CC’s at 2.622, 1CC at 2.322.
(It would take 364 of these itty bitty cherry tomatoes to equal the weight, nutrition, and filling capacity of this one big tomato … but the miniature ones do make a good snack while working in the garden)
Six big slices from one tomato – enough for sandwiches for the whole family. Flavor of this variety is a bit mild; balanced and good but not outstanding, 6.5 of 10.
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September 24th update –
Oxheart Giantissimo (2.060 DT 2014)(2.294 DT 2011)
Not tracked. Calipers put it at 2.003 lbs., taped CC’s at 2.123, and 1 CC at 1.751. Shape is close to a sphere – a “tall” tomato compared to most big ones – so it’s to be expected that the 1CC formula underestimates.
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September 25th update –
Porterhouse (F2→F3)(2.432 DT 2014)(2.062 DT 2011)
Not tracked. Calipers put it at 2.330 lbs., taped CC’s at 2.419, 1 CC at 2.294. Grown at the same time on the same plant as the 2.472 profiled two days ago, just the next truss up.
In advance of the annual weigh off event at Thanksgiving Point on Saturday morning, there will be more than one two pounder harvested tomorrow!
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September 26th update –
Eight tomatoes over 2 lbs. picked today, including two over 3 lbs. These were all weighed on certified scales, but the scales only have precision to 0.005, while my “cheap” kitchen scales are precise to 0.002. Readings from both are very similar.
1. Homer’s German Oxheart (2.060 DT 2014)(1.916 DT 2012) – certified scales
Tracked since 8-21, harvested 95% ripe at about 53 days since fruit set. Calipers put it at 1.944 lbs., taped CC’s at 2.106, 1 CC at 1.881.
2. Shuntukski Velikan (2.405 DT 2012)(1.978 DT 2012) – certified scales
Grew on a sucker but got larger than the two that grew on the main stem. Not tracked, harvested 95% ripe. Calipers put it at 2.323 lbs., taped CC’s at 2.460, 1 CC at 2.599.
3. Russian (2.455 DT 2014)(2.319 DT 2010) – certified scales
Grew on the fastest growing and tallest plant of the season, currently at about 13′ tall. Tracked since 8-21, harvested 85% ripe at about 54 days since fruit set. Calipers put it at 3.108 lbs., taped CC’s at 2.603, 1 CC at 2.125. Almost 1 lb. difference between two methods! One CC would expect to way overestimate since this is a “tall” tomato – typically heart shaped, but this ones 3+ fused hearts. Calipers overestimate because of steep tapering and lobing. An additional 5% GAF puts this one at 2.472 lbs.
4. Church (2.535 DT 2.014)(3.208 DT 2012) – certified scales
Not tracked, picked 65% ripe. Calipers put it at 2.395 lbs., taped CC’s at 2.595, 1 CC at 2.067. Close to spherical, taped CC’s out to estimate very well.
5. Chilo della Garfagnana (2.695 DT 2014)(3.375 Koshykar 2012) – certified scales
Tracked since 8-25. Grown on the next truss up from the 3.554 profiled on 9-17. Harvested 95% ripe at about 55 days after fruit set. Very elongated with moderate lobing. Calipers put it at 2.806 lbs., taped CC’s at 3.105, 1 CC at 3.013.
6. Big Zac (2.745 DT 2014)(3.75 Catapano 2007) – certified scales
Not tracked, picked 85% ripe. Another tall tomato with slight lobing. Calipers put it at 2.663 lbs., taped CC’s at 3.039, 1 CC at 2.530.
7. Delicious (3.205 DT 2014)(6.51 Meisner 2011)
From the beginning this one looked like it had HUGE potential. But it was grown on a late sucker that sprang from low on the plant. Much lobing, twisting and weird shapes and has been difficult to measure consistently since first measurements were taken on 8-11. Harvested 55 days after fruit set (DAS), 45% ripe and felt very light. Whole where stem attaches is almost 2″ diameter and penetrates clear through. Calipers put it at 4.402 lbs., taped CC’s at 3.763, 1 CC at 3.650.
8. Big Zac (3.260 DT 2014)(4.57 MacCoy 2013)
Tracked since 8-21. On that day, all but one other tomato were removed. Then on 8-30, the other was removed because it was lower on the vine and not growing quite as fast after 9 days of careful measurements. This specimen DID appear to respond to total thinning. But since it’s a sibling of the 8.41 MacCoy, it should have what it takes to get really huge.
Harvested 35% ripe at 55 DAs and felt solid. Calipers put it at 3.418 lbs., taped CC’s at 3.809, 1 CC at 3.388.
So I’ll have three tomatoes over 3 lbs. for tomorrow’s weigh off, including the 3.554 Chilo della Garfagnana harvested 9-17.
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October 5th update –
Donskoi (2.332 DT 2014)(1.866 DT 2012)
Tracked since 8-30-2014, harvested 60% ripe at 44 days since fruit set.
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October 6th update –
Epstein’s Potato Leaf (2.854 DT 2014)(_Johnson 2012)
Grew on a sucker that emerged late from near the bottom of the plant. Plant is in the giant tomato bed and has been covered with aphids for weeks. This specimen came from a 5X+ megabloom. Tracked from earliest stages, measured since 8-18-2014, harvested 55% ripe, 53 days since fruit set. Calipers put it at 3.076 lbs., 3 CC’s at 2.921, 1 CC at 2.358.
Here’s what it looked like on 8-15:
And today:
I just started measuring a large tomato on the Big Zac (3.75 Catapano 2007) plant, measuring at 3.727 lbs. and looks like it could go another 10 days or so! Growing in the high tunnel, which I keep closed up now as highs are in the low 70’s.
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October 18th update –
Following an 11-day trip to southern Utah I returned to two ripe tomatoes over 2 lbs.
MegaMarv (2.052 DT 2014)(2.678 DT 2012)
Tracked since 9-3-2014, grew at 2m up on vine, harvested at about 55 days since fruit set at 90% ripe. Calipers put it at 2.312 lbs., 3 CC’s at 2.180, 1 CC at 2.055.
Brutus Magnum (2.976 DT 2014)(2.006 DT 2012)
Not tracked, but I’ve had my eye on this one for several weeks, hoping it would break 3 lbs. Calipers put it at 3.258 lbs., 3 CC’s at 3.398, 1 CC at 2.845. Very good, moderately sweet flavor.
The Big Zac (3.75 Catapano 2007) now measures to 4.117 lbs., still hard green, but getting some fungal growth.
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October 19th update –
Wes (2.052 DT 2014)(1.718 DT 2012)
Not tracked. Calipers put it at 1.958 lbs., 3 CC’s at 2.218, 1 CC at 2.022.
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October 20th update –
Delicious (2.414 DT 2014)(6.51 Meisner 2011)
I’ve had my eye on this one since it was an impressive bud just starting to develop on a sucker back in mid-August! Grown on the same vine that produced 2.828, 3.012, and 3.205 lb. specimens. Tracked since 8-25-2014, listed as a 5X+ megabloom which started out as a line of fused tomatoes, then began to curve, eventually becoming a classic horseshoe shape, very much like the 7.33 Hunt which was it’s grandparent.
Growth rate was very good initially, averaging about 0.1 lbs. per day from day 18-28, then slowed down and grew only about 0.4 lbs. from day 35 to day 59 when it was picked about 80% ripe with one lobe starting to rot. By mid-September, aphid populations were pretty well out of control, especially in the giant tomato bed. These major pests not only sucks the life out of tomato vines, they also spread all kinds of diseases. Most vines are pretty sorry looking now.
Calipers put this specimenat 3.023 lbs., 3 CC’s at 2.355 (around the Z axis, put the tape way down in the gap to get the tightest measurement possible), and 1 CC at 2.423.
At least for the first few weeks, this is one of the best photographically documented specimens I have, so here goes:
8-25-2014
8-30-2014
9-1-2014
9-2-2014
9-5-2014
9-6-2014
9-8-2014
9-9-2014
9-11-2014
9-13-2014
9-22-2014
10-20-2014, harvested
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October 21st update –
Domingo (2.150 DT 2014)(4.55 Wahl 2012)
Not tracked, and the 7th tomato over two lbs. on one plant, none of which were tracked because I never saw the potential when they were tiny! This plant received only moderate pruning and thinning. Vincenzo Domingo, whose family has grown this variety for generations in Sicily, grew 4 tomatoes on a single truss with a combined weight of >20 lbs.! As shown in the pick below, this variety seems to have the distinctive trait of producing tightly fused super megablooms; that is, 10+ ovaries fuse early during development to produce huge fruits that are fluted and slightly lobed, but without the deep lobing typical of Big Zac.
Calipers put this one at 2.122 lbs., 3 CC’s at 2.330, 1 CC at 2.113.
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October 26th update –
Two tomatoes harvested today, both a bit under 2.5 lbs.
1. Hoy (3 Kott 2011) X Delicious (6.51 Meisner 2011)(F1)(2.414 DT 2014)
This appears to be the most successful cross-pollination attempt of more than 70 this year. By successful I mean: there was fruit set; fruit grew to normal size; many seeds developed and matured.
Not tracked; calipers put it at 2.402 lbs., 3 CC’s at 2.634, 1 CC at 2.108.
2. Church (2.494 DT 2014)(1.662 DT 2010)(4.48 Perry 2008)
Not tracked; calipers put it at 2.319 lbs., 3 CC’s at 2.507, 1 CC at 2.022. This variety continues to put out fruit in the 1.5-2.5 lb. range, though there is one ripening that looks like it’s close to 3! Church is unbeatable as a sandwich tomato. Excellent flavor and texture with just the right amount of juice.
One more noteworthy specimen, since it’s a new variety in this tally.
Serdtse Ameriki (1.924 DT 2014)
Not quite 2 lbs., but considering the conditions under which it was grown (a lot of neglect), this one deserves attention next year!
Since it is composed of at least three oddly placed lobes, the giant Big Zac (3.75 Catapano 2007) specimen is difficult to get consistent measurements on. But calipers put it at 4.842 lbs. and taped CC’s put it at 4.437. It could very well challenge the Utah state record set by Domingo a few weeks ago! With the weather cooling, should get at least another 4 days out of it, though likely not much growth since it’s about 50% ripe.
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October 28th update –
Two tomatoes harvested today, neither tracked.
1. Church (2.280 DT 2014)(1.662 DT 2010)(4.48 Perry 2008)
Calipers put it at 2.145 lbs., 3 CC’s at 2.284, 1 CC at 1.923 – again, “tall” tomatoes are underestimated with a single measurement of circumference.
This one grew right at the top of the high tunnel, at 7′ tall. This Church plant outgrew the high tunnel a couple of months ago, so I cut a hole and there is another 5′ or so of growth – including several more tomatoes – on top of the plastic. There was a light frost last night, however, so not much will come of those.
2. Wes (2.076 DT 2014)(1.718 DT 2012)
Again a very beautiful and tasty variety! Calipers put this one at 1.956 lbs., 3 CC’s at 2.101, 1 CC at 1.830. Additional ripening tomatoes shown on the same vine. Splitting is rare in this variety, but I accidently left the soaker hose on overnight four days ago.
Here’s a picture of a more typical Wes specimen – what they are more likely to look like without thinning or selecting for the big ones:
The GIANT Big Zac (3.75 Catapano 2007) is ripening up nicely. Unfortunately it’s getting a soft spot so I’ll need to harvest it within a day or two. It measures to 4.864 lbs. with calipers, potentially challenging the Utah state record! But the lobing is deep enough that I think it will be closer to 4.2 lbs.
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November 3rd anticipation –
With cooler weather, the Big Zac (3.75 Catapano 2007) is really not doing much except growing fungus. I plan to harvest it in the morning and take it in for a certified weight.
Unfortunately, the GPC rules prohibit consideration of any tomatoes harvested this time of year. The “Early Tomatoes” entry is only good for specimens harvested before October 1st; after that, tomatoes must be submitted at an official weigh-off site. Please tell me where there is an official weigh-off within 5,000 miles of Utah within the next two weeks??!! As if one can force a tomato to grow to maximum size 5 weeks early…
Around here, October is usually the best tomato growing weather, though 2014 has been an exception because of much cooler than normal summer temperatures.
Anyhow (obsession with predicting weights really showing here…), here are 5 projections:
1. 5.657 lbs., based on maximum diameter measurements recorded with calipers in all 3 dimensions over the past two weeks.
2. 4.242, based on minimum diameter measurements recorded with calipers in all 3 dimensions over the past two weeks.
3. 4.695, from latest taped circumferences, with average of measurements of 2 lobes along Z-axis
4. 4.318, based on formula developed for 1 taped circumference – currently at 23.2″ for this specimen.
5. 4.343, same as #3 but with a GAF (Geometry Adjustment Factor) of 0.925 to account for moderate lobing.
Among these, I’m going with #5 as my prediction:
4.343 lbs.
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November 3rd update –
NEW UTAH STATE RECORD!
Big Zac (4.670 DT 2014)(3.75 Catapano 2007)
It turns out that my taped circumference measurement along the Z axis was off by quite a bit when I tried to measure while this tomato was still on the vine.
Standard Caliper measurements (though it’s difficult with such a large tomato – caliper arms are not long enough!) put this one at 4.746 lbs., 3 CC’s at 5.136, GAF-adjusted 3 CC’s at 4.751, 1 CC (=23.27″) put it at 4.352 lbs.
I didn’t even start tracking this one until October 4th and I estimate harvest at 71 days after fruit set. It grew on truss #5, with several tomatoes already harvested. Truss #1 still has an impressive megabloom dud that never grew.
More pics to follow at:
DT Blog New State Record
Around here, October is usually the best tomato growing weather, especially inside a high tunnel or greenhouse! 2014 was an exceptionally cool year, so I managed to grow a few big ones in August and September as well. The entire interior surface of the plastic film over the high tunnel was iced over this morning. Some damage to tomato vines. Winter is definitely on it’s way, but there are at least two more 2+ pounders on the way, both on Big Zac (4.57 MacCoy 2013) vines!
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Update November 5th –
No two pounders harvested today, but here’s one with quite impressive growth of late, even though I’ve not been measuring it:
Big Zac (4.57 MacCoy 2013) HT A-04
Note it’s position right at the top of the high tunnel, truss #6 I believe. Note also the impressive megabloom growing below it on a “ribbon vine” sucker – at least a 6X!
Harvested about 3.5 lbs. of West Virginia Sweetmeat from one truss:
And two trusses of Homer’s German Oxheart, 12 tomatoes total, that won’t get a chance to ripen:
Looking forward to the day when a real greenhouse or walipini is part of the equation…
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Update November 11th –
Backyard high tunnel pretty well froze out last night. Picked about 80 lbs. of tomatoes, most green, more than half with frost damage, only two over 2 lbs., both siblings of the new world record but on different vines.
1. Big Zac (2.016)(4.57 MacCoy 2013)
Tracked since 9-3-2014, harvested 85% ripe about 75 days since fruit set. Made some effort to coax this one into growing fast but it never did cooperate. Fasted 5-day average growth rate was 0.063 lbs. per day from 26-31 DAS. Calipers put it at 2.034 lbs., taped CC’s at 2.155, 1 CC at 2.244.
Despite the external mold, flavor was very good: juicy, sweet and pleasant – typical of a vine-ripened Big Zac despite being harvested at the end of the season.
2. Big Zac (2.418 DT 2014)(4.57 MacCoy 2013)
Just noticed a week ago up at the top of the backyard high tunnel. Was growing at a decent pace but harvested green and immature due to frost. Without supplemental heat & light, and control of aphids & humidity, I don’t think this one had any chance of reaching it’s full potential.
Calipers put it at 2.230 lbs., 3 CC’s at 2.404 and 1 CC at 2.490.
Here are three tomatoes that did not quite make the 2 lb. cutoff, one Homer’s German Oxheart and two Big Zac.
And an impressive cluster of five Shuntukski Velikan fruits all on one cluster, total weight 4.938 lbs., largest 1.330 lb.
I don’t even know where I’ll be growing next year, but it’s unlikely I’ll ever again grow 85 tomatoes over 2 lbs. in a 3-month growing period!
Delectation of Tomatoes, etc. 