Re: Brandywine-specific question

countrynaturals 10/27/2019, 5:18 pm

Roseinarosecity wrote:
countrynaturals wrote:I have a theory about Brandywines being less productive. My blossoms are all in a cluster. That works for cherry tomatoes, but there's no way 4 1-pounders could survive in one little bunch on the same stem. That means at least half of them won't survive. If they only produce on the main stem -- which is what it's looking like so far -- that would explain the low output. If all I'm gonna get is 2 tomatoes, I don't care how good they are, it won't be worth the effort.

Excellent observation. Maybe you could remove two flowers before they open, leaving two flowers to produce a tomato.

Are you trimming your potted Brandywine? I see a broken leaf in your picture.
R

No broken leaf -- just the camera angle I guess -- unless you mean a dead leaf in the dirt. I pulled off a couple of low leaves and a sucker or 2. Also, a few weeks ago, I left it out too long and burned some leaves, which I removed. No actual "trimming."

countrynaturals 10/27/2019, 5:21 pm

OhioGardener wrote:
countrynaturals wrote:I have a theory about Brandywines being less productive. My blossoms are all in a cluster. That works for cherry tomatoes, but there's no way 4 1-pounders could survive in one little bunch on the same stem. That means at least half of them won't survive. If they only produce on the main stem -- which is what it's looking like so far -- that would explain the low output. If all I'm gonna get is 2 tomatoes, I don't care how good they are, it won't be worth the effort.

That theory didn't seem to hold for my Brandywine tomatoes. They grew in big clusters, all ripened, and were absolutely delicious. I did hand pollinate them, though, to ensure all were pollinated.

WOW! Maybe all 4 of them can survive. That would be awesome! I love you

Yardslave 10/30/2019, 2:06 pm

Seems to me the clusters' branching became sturdier when I trim the leaves back to give the plants more strength to support more fruit. I just leave the top most leaves on so the plant will direct it's energy into the fruit.

countrynaturals 10/30/2019, 3:07 pm

Yardslave wrote:Seems to me the clusters' branching became sturdier when I trim the leaves back to give the plants more strength to support more fruit. I just leave the top most leaves on so the plant will direct it's energy into the fruit.

So, everything below the branch with the blossoms should go? There's a regular branch and 3 new, little ones.

Brandywine-specific question - Page 6 Brandy15

countrynaturals 10/31/2019, 10:34 pm

Okay, okay, I didn't want to, but I trimmed off everything that really wasn't necessary. affraid

I guess I have to do it every week. AARRGGHH! This is my baby I'm chopping up. I hate it! very sad

countrynaturals 11/4/2019, 6:42 pm

My brandywine now has buds on 5 branches. cheers

No toms yet, however. bounce

I give credit for all these buds to either pruning or the liquid bone meal I'm using on it.

countrynaturals 11/21/2019, 1:01 pm

4 months ago today, I planted this brandywine seed. The plant is now over 5' tall, healthy, and loaded with blossoms, but still not a single fruit. Yes, it's getting plenty of love, water, food, sun, air, exercise, and pruning. I'm starting to wonder if it's worth it. Rolling Eyes

**Scorpio Rising** 11/21/2019, 7:27 pm

It’s worth it. Stay calm!

countrynaturals 11/21/2019, 8:08 pm

Scorpio Rising wrote:It’s worth it. Stay calm!

I'm always calm. bounce

yolos 11/21/2019, 8:35 pm

Is this on your deck and protected by the walls. Have you helped with pollination.

OhioGardener 11/21/2019, 8:42 pm

countrynaturals 11/21/2019, 10:47 pm

yolos wrote:Is this on your deck and protected by the walls. Have you helped with pollination.

It's inside the slider to the bedroom balcony. I shake the plant every day and leave the slider open every afternoon to get circulation and help with pollination. Is that not enough? Do I need to get out a little paintbrush?

countrynaturals 11/23/2019, 12:12 pm

countrynaturals wrote:4 months ago today, I planted this brandywine seed. The plant is now over 5' tall, healthy, and loaded with blossoms, but still not a single fruit. Yes, it's getting plenty of love, water, food, sun, air, exercise, and pruning. I'm starting to wonder if it's worth it.

Hubby loves the look and smell of this brandywine. For him, it's a "houseplant with benefits," so now it's worth it no matter how it turns out. I love you

countrynaturals 11/27/2019, 2:02 pm

YEE-HAH! 1ST BRANDYWINE TOMATO! It's smaller than a pea right now, but after a 3-year wait, I am a Happy Camper! happy turtle

Brandywine-specific question - Page 6 Brandy16

If I did the math right, it took 128 days to get here.

countrynaturals 12/26/2019, 10:23 pm

Update: The plant has been slowly dying for almost a month. I have no idea why. The leaves just go limp, as if it wasn't getting any water. This plant has had nothing but TLC -- the best of everything. This is breaking my heart. The fruit is about the size of a flattened golf ball, now. It will be a race to see if the fruit ripens before the plant croaks altogether. Right now, it still has a few small, healthy leaves. very sad

countrynaturals 12/30/2019, 2:06 pm

countrynaturals wrote:Update: The plant has been slowly dying for almost a month. I have no idea why. The leaves just go limp, as if it wasn't getting any water. This plant has had nothing but TLC -- the best of everything. This is breaking my heart. The fruit is about the size of a flattened golf ball, now. It will be a race to see if the fruit ripens before the plant croaks altogether. Right now, it still has a few small, healthy leaves.

I think the problem was not enough light. My LEDs were insufficient for a plant that big. Once "the dark ages" passed and I could put this baby out in the sun, its death spiral slowed and then stopped altogether. The new growth at the top is holding its own, now. happy turtle

Brandywine-specific question - Page 6 Brandy17

This isn't very pretty by normal standards, but it's beautiful to me, after investing 5 months in this plant, only to watch it slowly decline for so long.

Tonight's low is 47, so I'm going to leave it out, but then the lows are going to drop a little. How low can they go before I have to bring this baby back in?

YIKES! Never mind! I just learned about . . .

Wikipedia wrote:Cat-facing, or catfacing, refers to a type of physiological damage affecting tomatoes and represented by scarring and cavities near the blossom end. This condition is usually caused by unfavorable growing conditions like drops in temperature and poor soil.

I will bring this baby back in every night. Rolling Eyes

**sanderson** 1/4/2020, 7:53 pm

countrynaturals 1/7/2020, 1:48 pm

My first and only Brandywine tomato is starting to ripen. It's a yellow variety, so I guess it won't be too much longer.

Brandywine-specific question - Page 6 Brandy19

I'm gonna leave it on just as long as I possibly can. I love you

**Scorpio Rising** 1/7/2020, 6:13 pm

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