Purple Calabash Tomato plant..have you grown one?

Question

I purchased a Purple Calabash tomato plant (heirloom variety that Thomas Jefferson grew 200 years ago) and it has grown very well. It became a huge plant. However, it didn't have very many flowers and therefore very little fruit. The tomatos that did come out didn't get very big and then they fell off long before ripening. Has anyone grown one and had success? Have you grown them and failed and have some input too? I was told perhaps they weren't pollinated enough. My other tomatos did wonderfully. This one I was really looking forward to enjoying and sharing with others.

Answer 1

Heirloom Tomato's are really tricky to grow the first several times you do so. It takes a lot of patience. Remember, Heirloom seeds may or may not grow in your area. I am currently working with seeds from zone 1 trying to find out if they can produce in zone 9. Just like orange trees can not grow outside in the the North, Rubarb cannot grow in the south. So, depends upon the heritage of the seeds. If you want to visit a terrific web site on Heirloom Tomatoes go to : www.laughingdogfarm.com It is located in Western Mass. and the Botkin family raises all heirloom products. There you can also send a private email to Daniel Botkin about your problem.

Answer 2

You have a tomato plant that will benefit from having other tomato plants of the same type nearby to get pollinated by the same type. It sounds like your plant was cross-pollinated by other types, which caused the poor development of the yield.

Answer 3

hamina hamina hamina... You suggested domicile grown tomato...and sammich...on honey wheat bread.... i'm able to ought to bypass the mayo... yet you're talking my language which includes your question and think ofyou've got were given quite ft on your avatar--the position have you ever been all my life??