Right then..... Its 2014 and I'm in! :blob7:
I have nothing special to grow out, but hey, you have to be in it to win it. :toothy10:
I do have some beefsteak seeds from last year though. Marmandi? Bah! Can't remember what they are called, but I'll try growing just one tomato to one plant and see what happens.
Who dares challenge me? :tongue3:
I'll have another go, nothing special, costo something and my 'handbags' of course :icon_cheers:
I've split this to make a new sticky thread. If anyone wants to check last years, Link to Jeannine's 2013 Biggest tomato comp http://www.allotments4all.co.uk/smf/index.php/topic,74970.msg764860.html#msg764860
Quote from: Nigel B on January 29, 2014, 15:42:36
Who dares challenge me? :tongue3:
Fighting talk (http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-taunt014.gif) (http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys.php)
I'm in :happy7:
I have another go...(http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-signs003.gif) (http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys.php)
Got the seeds out :toothy10:
i dont mind joining this again this year so count me in i will at my expense send the winner ( excluding myself of course) bernard lavery's book on how to grow giant vegetables if thats ok with the site admins all the best mal
Quote from: slyfox-mal on February 02, 2014, 17:02:44
i dont mind joining this again this year so count me in i will at my expense send the winner ( excluding myself of course) bernard lavery's book on how to grow giant vegetables if thats ok with the site admins all the best mal
:icon_cheers:
..though we could do copy of it each before the growing starts.... :tongue3:
that would sort of spoil the idea of a small prize
lol
Did someone throw down a challenge?? :toothy4:
Bring it on !!!
Debs :icon_flower:
They're up :icon_cheers: :blob7:
Manics sprouts into the lead :icon_cheers:
Transplanted 2 handbags and a big challenge :blob7:
Quote from: slyfox-mal on February 02, 2014, 17:02:44
i dont mind joining this again this year so count me in i will at my expense send the winner ( excluding myself of course) bernard lavery's book on how to grow giant vegetables if thats ok with the site admins all the best mal
Wow, we are all going to have to grow something extra huuuuge to beat Mal!
That's very thoughtful and I'm sure will be much appreciated by the winner. I can't see it being a problem.
I'm just choosing the winning seeds to sow (http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-basic/tongue.gif) (http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys.php)
I'm sure it's going to be this big (http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-basic/arms.gif) (http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys.php)
these are my seeds for this year
(http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g110/slyfox-mal/IMAG0195_zps382591a8.jpg) (http://s54.photobucket.com/user/slyfox-mal/media/IMAG0195_zps382591a8.jpg.html)
be afraid be very afraid lol just kidding only 15 varieties this year
Wow, what a selection :toothy10:
Have you sown your's yet?
I'm in, just for a giggle, if ok to try with bog standard yellow beefsteak I've got propagating. I do have secret weapon of hubby running naked, anticlockwise round washing-line pole at midnight :)
none sown as of yet I find if you sow to early you don't get a good set on first fruits and this is where most fused blooms are on first truss
Quote from: slyfox-mal on March 26, 2014, 15:45:12
none sown as of yet I find if you sow to early you don't get a good set on first fruits and this is where most fused blooms are on first truss
I started my biggies too early last year, and with it being such a cold spring it certainly had an impact. I'm just doing saved seed from last year and I think a Big Zac, nothing special but fun to hope.
Just pricked my seedlings...all are now individual pots and under lights.
:icon_cheers: ..it is all go now...
This :iroc: is what I'll need to transport mine from the plot to the weigh bridge!!
Nothing particularly big planned for this year, but should any grow to more than a couple of pounds I'll report back. Somebody has to come last :icon_cheers:
Quote from: gavinjconway on March 26, 2014, 19:58:10
This :iroc: is what I'll need to transport mine from the plot to the weigh bridge!!
what..?...lego car?... :tongue3:
Quote from: galina on March 31, 2014, 08:26:34
Nothing particularly big planned for this year, but should any grow to more than a couple of pounds I'll report back. Somebody has to come last :icon_cheers:
Don't get too comfy on the 'last spot'...you might need to share it later on..
I almost had same accident with grow lights than last year...saw dog going sniffing around and she pushed herself too far into my seedling 'tent'...just about knock the light down. Luckily I got there in time and all is well...dog gate is on now!!!!
Pets - just as well they are so lovable, otherwise we would not tolerate them. Is it a coincidence that pets and pest are nearly the same word?
Glad your tent and set-up stayed intact. Mine are sitting in the conservatory. And I have spotted greenfly :BangHead:
Glad to share the last spot with you! :tongue3:
Hhhm. Had a few seeds left from last years Big Zak's that jeannine had sent me from Canada ,cheers jeannine ,but not one has sprouted from when I planted them in February.....so don't know what happened there so no biggies from me other than some beefies that only play at being large,but stick me down anyway,you never know,maybe the Dorset dirt might have a surprise or too.
Gazza
Quote from: gazza1960 on March 31, 2014, 13:10:12
Hhhm. Had a few seeds left from last years Big Zak's that jeannine had sent me from Canada ,cheers jeannine ,but not one has sprouted from when I planted them in February
Gazza
That's a shame, I've got more than I need, send me a pm with your address if you'd like a few Big Zac seeds, can't promise they will be huge though!
2 handbags and a big challenge planted in their final pots now :blob7: :toothy10:
6 plants are planted now into their final positions....bedded in with my extra special compost concoction :icon_cheers:
And the 'race' is on.... :icon_thumright:
I have stalled on sowing my giant toms this year I have 15 different ones sitting at the first leaf stage so you all have had a good start on me this year time will tell if it pays off holding back a bit as frosts are forecast this weekend up here
My tomatoes for this comp are looking good..they have 'beefed' up, they are just over 1 ft tall and have first truss of flowers. Yesterday I picked all the smaller flower buds off leaving only the one big main flower on. I've never ever done this, but it was just moment of madness that 'hit me'....of course I had to do it, just to see what happens.. :drunken_smilie: :icon_cheers:
I can feel it in my water that we have good year for tomatoes ahead... :icon_cheers:
Gosh..how time fly..3 months since last message! There is much to update...not a singe BIG tomato is ripe yet, which is VERY good news indeed....."keep hanging on there....and bigger you get..."
In spring I planted 6 varieties that were suitable for this challenge..and out of those only 1 plant has produced something that is looking promising....rest of them have decided to go more 'quantity rather than size'...BUT on that one plant there is 3 fruits..which one is looking already like one big whopper :icon_cheers: :toothy10:
Sooo...anybody else doing anything with their 'giants'?
Well...it is bit quiet on tomato comp section...but here we go..my entry is ripened and I'm VERY pleased for the results.. :icon_cheers:
The tomato itself is utterly and totally tasteless. I had little nibble and after taking the few seeds out, rest made into chickens dinner plate....and it was gobbled up very greedily indeed.. :icon_cheers:
All my tomatoes are still very green. Not even pale green. All grown outside not in greenhouse, is this where I've gone wrong?
Disaster! Went into the greenhouse this morning to find my largest tomato on the floor! And still green......aargh!
Quote from: goodlife on August 09, 2014, 10:50:23
Well...it is bit quiet on tomato comp section...but here we go..my entry is ripened and I'm VERY pleased for the results.. :icon_cheers:
The tomato itself is utterly and totally tasteless. I had little nibble and after taking the few seeds out, rest made into chickens dinner plate....and it was gobbled up very greedily indeed.. :icon_cheers:
Oh my hat! My greenhouse hat too!
Goodlife. I just got in from removing all but the biggest tomato on a plant in the greenhouse so it can get bigger..........
Then I came in here and saw yours.... I could nearly cry. :BangHead:
Blimey lass.............. That;'s going to be a toughy to beat... Mine is all of three-quarters of a pound just now....
Still, ya never know.... I suppose second place is still up for grabs....?
Quote from: Yorkshire Lass on August 09, 2014, 11:06:32
All my tomatoes are still very green. Not even pale green. All grown outside not in greenhouse, is this where I've gone wrong?
Not 'wrong'...but I do suspect you might need to grow these sort of toms in GH..that little bit extra shelter and warmth does help. I doubt that our UK growing conditions are good enough for big beef tomatoes..even we've had quite good summer.
Quote from: Deb P on August 09, 2014, 11:19:41
Disaster! Went into the greenhouse this morning to find my largest tomato on the floor! And still green......aargh!
Upps!.. :BangHead: Green 'scrapings' chutney on menu?
Blimey lass.............. That;'s going to be a toughy to beat... Mine is all of three-quarters of a pound just now....
Still, ya never know.... I suppose second place is still up for grabs....?
We'll see about the second place... :tongue3: I've got another whopper still to ripen...still much smaller than the first one but promising indeed :toothy10:
I decided to weigh my fallen beauty out of interest... It weighed 324g! Not bad eh!
(http://i1123.photobucket.com/albums/l543/peanuts46/IMG_0116_zps9eeffdd9.jpg) (http://s1123.photobucket.com/user/peanuts46/media/IMG_0116_zps9eeffdd9.jpg.html)
Not a real challenge to your wonderful one, Goodlife, but mine will definitely taste better, when it is fully ripened! Délice de Burpée are superb to eat completely solid flesh inside, and each one does two meals. I had to pick them all yesterday, as blight is starting to show, finally. Not surprising given the awful wet summer we have had.
I wonder who is going to get the book I promised early on this season keep em coming folks lets see them big tomatoes
My current best yellow 1lb 12oz..
(http://www.allotments4all.co.uk/smf/gallery/8665-050914080107.jpeg)
Ah, well. Our largest to date is only 14 oz but it tasted brilliant on the pizza :icon_cheers:
Quote from: manicscousers on September 07, 2014, 17:18:58
Ah, well. Our largest to date is only 14 oz but it tasted brilliant on the pizza :icon_cheers:
Not much more here either. And this 'Rosalie's Early Orange' was entirely seedless to boot! But very meaty and yummy :wave:
well almost season end here so here is my only real decent tomato of the year a new pb of 1701g or 3lb12 oz
(http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g110/slyfox-mal/IMAG0385_zpscefb9387.jpg) (http://s54.photobucket.com/user/slyfox-mal/media/IMAG0385_zpscefb9387.jpg.html)
(http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g110/slyfox-mal/IMAG0384_zps2ea72a05.jpg) (http://s54.photobucket.com/user/slyfox-mal/media/IMAG0384_zps2ea72a05.jpg.html)
well done every one who has taken part this year
Oh my, just look at those!...
I simply can't compete with the stock I have. (He said in abject disappointment, and by way of excuse.)
I can see I'm going to have to beg some seeds from someone.....
Next year though. I am going to win! :thumbsup:
Why have I missed this post and the HUGE tomato slyfox-mal have posted!!!???
Brilliant and late congratulations ...red monster :icon_cheers:
What variety is it..do you know?
Nigel....I have save seeds from my tomato, though it didn't have much in it....there should be some spare for next year. Remind me after new year.. :icon_thumleft:
Quote from: goodlife on November 15, 2014, 22:15:17
Nigel....I have save seeds from my tomato, though it didn't have much in it....there should be some spare for next year. Remind me after new year.. :icon_thumleft:
Will do Goodlife. Many thanks. :icon_cheers:
Game on again! :icon_cheers: bring on next years!
Woo Hoo Goodlife- what a monster!!!
Must get my act together for next year
Debs icon_flower:
Well...I trust we have all now done our monster entries for this year :icon_cheers: But if you should have surprise tomato lurking at the 'back of the GH'..it is time to come out now :tongue3: :drunken_smilie:
So our entries for friendly comp were
Slyfox-mal .. Whopping 1.701 kg....that's 3lb 12oz. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :hello2: :occasion18:
Goodlife ..acceptable 1.230 kg...that's 2lb 11oz
Crisscross ...tummy filler...0.907kg ..that's 1lb 16oz
Peanuts...bite short of tummy filler...0.906kg ...that's 1lb 15oz
Galina... plate breaker...0.570kg...that's 1lb 4oz
Manicscousers...'would not like to be hit by it...0.396kg...that's 14oz
DebP...'half' still left on floor...0.324...that's 11oz
Well done everybody :icon_cheers: :toothy10:
I'm definitely going to have a go again growing THE BIG ONE..I'll be back next year..... :tongue3:
And to add.....
28 yrs old world record is beaten this year with 3kg 814.7g tomato...that's lot of sauce!..see here..http://www.startribune.com/local/274414611.html
Shall we challenge him next year... :tongue3: :sunny:
well done goodlife it looks like your the winner of the book please send me a message with your addy so I can forward it on to you well done every one and good luck next season all the best and merry xmas every one regards mal
Too late of course and I don't compete anyway as I have a weather advantage over you all but I did grow one specially to join in and it finished at 4.65 1bs I do have a picture on the scales but I will have to redo my picture thing with Dan.. which I will and let you see. . I will try to do the picture thingy later XX Jeannine
Wow, what a monster :icon_cheers: Well done Jeannine.
No need to renew with Dan, he has opened up picture posting for everyone and you can post directly now.
Hi JayB..well I will have a go right now..fingers crossed XX Jeannine
Ha Ha Ha well I did it bit my memory isn't what I thought...I knew it was 4 something but it isn't as big as I thought..LOL
A beauty and bigger than anything I grew this year. What variety is it?
It looks like Jeannine, Slyfox-mal and Goodlife are the ones to watch for next year :toothy10:
hi goodlife did you get the book yet I can not seem to send any messages on here for some reason cheers mal
:wave: :icon_cheers: 'How to grow giant veggies' book have arrived and it will be put in good use next year :toothy10:
Thank you! I have a feeling that this book might be a good 'trophy' to pass on to next year's winner....how about it?
thanks for letting me know you got the book ok and I hope you enjoy it all the best and merry xmas to all of you regards mal
Hi, someone asked so... the tomato I grew is called MegaMarv. I got the seeds directly from Marvin Meisner. He wrote the book Giant Tomatoes, He named this creation after himself.
XX Jeannine
I'll un-stickied the 2014 comp. thread.