Heatwave Tomatoes

[baymule]

I bought Heatwave tomato plants last August for a fall garden. I built a PVC frame greenhouse and wrapped it in plastic for the winter. Ran an extension cord from the garage with a small electric heater. We had fresh tomatoes all winter. Heatwaves are hybrids, a taste step above store bought. But in winter, they were sure good.

The vines ran their life course and died except one. We have named her Agustus or Gus for short. Gus took off on a growth spurt and has produced 20-30 large man-fist sized tomatoes a week. We are delighted. It will be intresting to see how long Gus will keep producing. Gus has sprawled about 5' wide, 4' deep and 5' tall. She puts on tomatoes on the inside, on the ground and all over the top. Will keep ya'll posted on Gus.

 

[Collector]

That is the most prolific tomato plant I have ever heard of. I dont think a tomato could ever live that long in my neck of the woods its much to cold. Congrats on the bountiful harvest!!

 

[4grandbabies]

I bought Heatwave tomato plants last August for a fall garden. I built a PVC frame greenhouse and wrapped it in plastic for the winter. Ran an extension cord from the garage with a small electric heater. We had fresh tomatoes all winter. Heatwaves are hybrids, a taste step above store bought. But in winter, they were sure good.

The vines ran their life course and died except one. We have named her Agustus or Gus for short. Gus took off on a growth spurt and has produced 20-30 large man-fist sized tomatoes a week. We are delighted. It will be intresting to see how long Gus will keep producing. Gus has sprawled about 5' wide, 4' deep and 5' tall. She puts on tomatoes on the inside, on the ground and all over the top. Will keep ya'll posted on Gus.

How cool is that!! I did not know tomatoes would hold up that well, but have heard that -protected- peppers can live and produce for years. I kept 2 that produced for 2 seasons, but did not bother with trying to bring it in or protect it last winter.

 

[lesa]

Isn't that neat! Ah, to be in Texas!

 

[hoodat]

I'd certainly save plenty of seeds from Gus.

 

[baymule]

I'd certainly save plenty of seeds from Gus.

Hoodat, I have saved seeds and will plant for fall. Gus is a hybrid, so no idea of what her "babies" will be. It is a hoot to look for tomatoes as Gus hides them from us under her "skirts". LOL This evening my DH found some way overripe split open tomatoes under Gus and we gave them to the chickens. TREAT!!!! Then we ate 2 tomatoes apeice with our supper. YUM!

 

[joz]

This is a question I've had for a while, now...

Can you remove some suckers, root those, and grow a new plant? Or is the "clone" the same "age" as the Parent Plant (do tomato plants age? do they have a lifespan independent of seasonal conditions?)

I know you need a growth tip to do so... suckers have this, no?

Then you wouldn't be dealing with hybrid seeds, seed starting, etc.... especially since you've sorted your winter "greenhouse" out.

Frankly, I plan to try this to extend my season, as we likely won't get frost until January.

 

[Reinbeau]

Yes, you can root suckers and grow new plants, that's a great way to do it if you've got the season for it.

 

[skeeter9]

Aren't tomatoes technically perennials? Seems like I read somewhere that in the right conditions they can live for a long time?

 

[Reinbeau]

They are, but not very long lived. I do know a guy who I used to work with who had a tomato plant that was three years old, he grew it in his cube, which was next to a bank of windows. It was a treat if he gave you a nice, ripe fruit in the middle of January!