I've read that Mortgage Lifter and Caspian Pink can get to 8+ feet.

In Tennessee, my Caspian Pink plants are already pushing 6 feet and I expect well over 10 foot plants by the end of the year. Only ones taller are Black Cherry which have broken 6 feet already. Growing 2 inches/day right now :o

Well I'm not sure why your plants aren't the biggest - let's see someone like Dave or Carolyn come in with expert advice far beyond my own. ;)

I want to do a soil test, but to be honest, I'm not sure that anything is wrong

That is the most likely solution to your problem. ;)

Several nutrient possibilities come to mind - low nitrogen since that is the primary factor in stem growth and development, skewed soil pH (either too acidic or too alkaline) that is rendering the existing nitrogen and soil micro-nutrients unavailable to the plants, depleted levels of soil boron, copper, or similar elements is also a possibility as is excessive amounts of phosphorus (tho unlikely).

Disease too - specifically CMV - is possible but you'd see the signs of that.

Then there is the "planted too early in way too cold soil" possibility - it can stunt plants. Too much water (rain) has the same effect. Early exposure to frost can stunt. And of course too little sun.

Many of the plants you list are normally quite tall as you know. But in this case I think it is very possible that they are compensating for a soil problem with stunted but excess branching.

Time for a professional soil test. ;)

Dave

Ok, good to know. I had suspected something might be amiss, although since the plants are otherwise healthy looking and producing fruit, I didn't rush out and get the soil test. Other than the plants not being very tall, they have very good color, lots of flowers (some with fruit set already), and nice sturdy stems - so I tended to not think it was a nutrient deficiency.

I know that growing conditions can vary widley, and I figured that since they appeared to be doing well otherwise that possibly there was nothing wrong and these are just how my plants will grow for me, given the sun, wind, temps and location they are in.

In one respect, since they were still productive, I almost thought of it as kind of neat that they stayed smaller - since I could grow the larger varieties and get a wide variety of tomatoes from a smaller garden. When I was told that the plants I was growing could or would reach certain heights - I wasn't sure what a normal deviation could or should be.

All that being said, the one thing I know for sure we've been seeing this year is colder temps and more rain. But I'm not sure that by itself could be the issue. In any event, for the sake of closure, I'll post the soil test results when I get them just to see where this nets out.

Thanks for the replies.

-Mike

Ok, so I did a soil test and I got the results in and the the nitrogen is in fact very low. All of the other levels appear to be good however. It seems strange to me that the level would be so low since the plants had a nice green color to the leaves and the stems were very sturdy.

If the plants were spindly or the leaves were yellowing, I would have immediately suspected low nitrogen, but I didn't have any of those signs. The plants are also loading up on fruit and have barely dropped any flowers so I thought them to be in general good health.

In any event, since the other levels of P and K appear fine, does anyone know of a good way to boost the nitrogen levels without boosting the others? By the way, I've been trying to go the organic route so I'd prefer to stay organic if I can, but I'm not against throwing in a shot of Miracle Grow to get the levels back up if that will help.

Thanks,
Mike

You could give blood meal a try. It has pretty rapid nitrogen release. I'd take it slowly though or maybe even wait until the fall to work it into the soil.

"As an Organic Fertilizer:

A harmless source of organic nitrogen; makes more energetic plants with more colorful green color and bigger, more beautiful flowers." (from the site below)

Cindy

Here is a link that might be useful: Blood Meal