Chapter 12
The Power of the Megabloom
As a giant tomato grower, the megabloom (MB) is something you should always be looking for. This is the blossom that will afford you the opportunity to grow an exceptionally large tomato. The megabloom, when closely examined, contains more than one anther. It is actually made up of two or more ordinary blossoms fused into one. Different growers have referred to this kind of blossom, common on beefsteak tomatoes, as a large blossom, a fused blossom, a conjoined blossom, or a double or triple blossom. To reduce confusion, I will simply refer to it as a megabloom. The definition of a megabloom is a blossom made up of two or more blossoms that have fused into one. Recognizing an MB is the key to success in growing giant tomatoes. Without understanding the importance of such a blossom, it is doubtful that you will ever reach your potential as a giant tomato grower other than by a stroke of good fortune. All tomatoes, five pounds or more, were the result of fused blossoms.
Click above to see larger image.
In some flower clusters, you will see one particularly large blossom along with four or five smaller ones. Upon closer inspection, you may find that the large blossom is actually two or more blossoms fused into one, a megabloom. This blossom is likely to have a larger than usual stem as well, since the stems are also fused. If you see such a blossom, opportunity is knocking. Give it special attention as it affords you the chance to grow a really big one.
MB's tend to occur early in the growing season, but can occur throughout the season. As noted, they are fairly common to all beefsteak tomato varieties. Since the MB is made up of multiple blossoms, it is less likely to be fully pollinated than a regular blossom, and often will abort. In the hope of preventing this, you will need to give the MB additional pollen as discussed in Chapter 15, Tomato Pollination.
Allow all blossoms to form on your plants until you see a megabloom. Some of the larger blossoms may not be fused blossoms. These single large blossoms may produce a 3, or even, 4 pound tomato; but not the tomato you, as a giant tomato grower, seek. You will need an MB, a fused blossom, not just a large one, to exceed the 5 pound level. If you wait and watch long enough, there is an excellent chance an MB will appear. If it doesn't, then that plant will be one on which you will grow tomatoes to eat. If you are growing Big Zac, the tomatoes will still be quite tasty.
A single large blossom can produce a big tomato, but it takes a megabloom to produce a giant. You may be able to grow a nice round 3 or 4 pound tomato from a large blossom, but if you want to "go for the gold," you need to find that special blossom, the megabloom. This blossom will be the one with more than one anther and more than one ovary, a fused blossom, a blossom that will produce a very large irregularly shaped tomato.
The likelihood of a tomato variety growing a giant tomato over 5 pounds is a function of the size of the tomato that can be attained by using special pruning techniques, and the frequency with which the variety produces fused blossoms. This is what has made Big Zac so special. Big Zac ordinarily grows big tomatoes, and regularly produces fused blossoms.
Formula for a Contest Winning Tomato
- Any large-fruited variety
- + a megabloom
- + some special attention
- = a championship tomato.
Grower Comments on Blossoms
"I look for large blossoms in general. They always produce something good – at least 2 pounds and up. These blossoms always show up sooner or later on a plant if it's well taken care of. If a big blossom doesn't show up, then let the plant grow normally and plan on eating the tomatoes." Minnie Z. so ugly?" Marv M.
