Big Boy Tomato: How Many Tomatoes to Leave on Each Cluster

Competition

• When growing tomatoes for competition, size and shape may be your main concern. In this case, removing all but the largest tomato in the cluster improves your chances of producing a record breaker. Prune away all the tomatoes except for the one that grows the closest to the main stalk of the plant and be ready to provide it with support as it grows. Making a sling from old T-shirt material or the leg of pantyhose and tying it to the tomato stake prevents the weight of the growing tomato from breaking the branch or stalk of the tomato plant.

For Slicing

• When your goal is to produce large slicers for personal use, leave two to four tomatoes per cluster. This allows room for the tomatoes to grow without overcrowding and typically produces tomatoes just right for topping that juicy burger. For best results, thin out the smaller tomatoes that form on the end of the cluster, leaving those closest to the main stem to grow. The remaining tomatoes are likely to ripen at approximately the same time.

Other Options

• "Big Boy" tomatoes do not require thinning. Allowing the entire cluster of tomatoes to grow often results in two or three large tomatoes and several smaller ones in each cluster. They also tend to ripen over time with the largest tomatoes ripening first and the smaller ones ripening slightly later. All retain the characteristic flavor and meaty texture of "Big Boy" and can be used fresh or added to your favorite recipes.

Growing Requirements

• Tomatoes prefer full sun in humus-rich, well-drained soil with a pH between 6.0 and 6.8. These rapid growers also require frequent watering, especially during fruiting as they are heavy feeders and require 1 to 2 inches of rain a week. For best results, tomato plants should be staked or caged to prevent damage from the wind and to support the weight of growing fruit. Indeterminate varieties, such as "Big Boy," continue to grow throughout the year and may reach heights of 6 feet or more under ideal growing conditions.