Member discussion regarding the methods, varieties and merits of growing tomatoes.
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June 28, 2019 | #1 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: Augusta area, Georgia, 8a/7b
Posts: 1,685
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Boxcar Willie Question
Boxcar Willie is new to me this year so I don't know what it's supposed to look like. But from descriptions I've read I think it's supposed to get bigger than mine are getting.
The ones at the bottom are starting to ripen at this small size. Is it possible that it's because they were setting during that awful heat wave we had? Maybe stunted? If so, does anyone think the ones farther up the plant will get to normal size now that the wave is over? Or is it possible that what I have isn't Boxcar Willie? Sure would appreciate any input! |
June 28, 2019 | #2 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 1,460
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Either the wrong variety or, more likely it seems to me, stunted from weather or some other cause. i have never grown it in a pot, but I did try a few really large plants and also found that several, but not all had smaller fruit than I got in the garden. Not sure why. Others would have normally large fruit but less of them. Often with BER or cracking because I was not set up to keep them evenly watered, which is tough to do without drip irrigation in 90+ degree heat. Others have found ways around it and get very good results. But that would be my best guess.
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June 28, 2019 | #3 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: connecticut,usa
Posts: 1,150
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I have them but no green tomatoes yet.
I hope they are bigger than that. I started from seed so I know the labels didn't get swapped. |
June 29, 2019 | #4 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: El Lago, Texas
Posts: 1,100
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Mine have always been larger plants and larger fruits.
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Donna, Zone 9, Texas Gulf Coast |
June 29, 2019 | #5 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: MA
Posts: 4,958
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They generally run from 4 to 12 ounces, from what I've read. The size can vary considerably, from plant to plant, and season to season. But, it looks like your's are all under, or at about 4 ounces.
On a side note, I have Box Car Willie "Select" in my garden this year. Supposedly, it's a larger strain of BCW. |
June 29, 2019 | #6 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: 6a - NE Tennessee
Posts: 4,538
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I grew it back in 2010 and my database shows the size ranged from 5 to 10 oz. Production was excellent and the taste was very good. My seed came from Mike up in Pennsylvania in a trade. I did grow it in the main garden, where I've experienced larger fruits for the most part across the board. And, I've noticed that the same year with the same batch of seeds, will be smaller in size when grown in containers. This has been true even if the container is in the main garden and the two plants are side by side.
However, all in all, I wasn't overly impressed with BCW and when I thinned out my collection, all the seeds I had went to the recipient of some 225 varieties.
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Ted ________________________ Owner & Sole Operator Of The Muddy Bucket Farm and Tomato Ranch |
June 29, 2019 | #7 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: Augusta area, Georgia, 8a/7b
Posts: 1,685
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Thanks to all! I appreciate all the input.
Now we have another few days of 100's coming so I'm going to rig up some kind of shade on these tomatoes again tomorrow. Bill, you could have kept all that on your side of the AL/GA border but I don't blame you for wanting to pass it elsewhere just to get rid of it! |
June 29, 2019 | #8 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Charlottetown, PEI, Canada
Posts: 302
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I grew BCW several years ago and found the fruit were the size of my fist (big hands). I am pretty sure I was growing it in a 5 gallon self-watering container I had made. Great taste and round as I recall. But no notes or database to check that on so kudos to Ted for being the kind of organized I'd love to be, lol!
Pete
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Thanks; Iron Pete "We can agree to disagree." |
June 29, 2019 | #9 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: connecticut,usa
Posts: 1,150
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All my BCW are in containers but with open bottoms so they can spread their legs.
I am hoping for the 10oz size. |
June 29, 2019 | #10 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: Augusta area, Georgia, 8a/7b
Posts: 1,685
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Hmmm, the plants are now too tall to rig up shade, I think. More assessment on that tomorrow.
All of the tomatoes are in 15 gallon containers. The nine up at the house (all are different varieties) are sizing up nicely. Poor Willie needs to get with the program. |
June 29, 2019 | #11 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: connecticut,usa
Posts: 1,150
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put cheesecloth drapes on the willies.
lightweight and they block out the sun just enough. |
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