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Growing Tomatoes

World Record Tomato Photo

13 years ago

Might anyone have a link to a photo of the world record 7 pound 12 ounce tomato grown by Gordon Graham in 1986 in Oklahoma? Or the 65 foot tomato plant grown in England in 2000? Thanks Fred in Maine

Comments (27)

naturalstuff
13 years ago
Hey..I'm going to blow you're mind. Ready? You know how to find this site and you know how to post so I'll assume you'll know how to do this.

Go to www.google.com. Type in what you're searching for. I typed in "World Record Tomato". Click "Google Search" you'll see lots of news stories on it BUT WAIT..... click "images" at the top left.

Whalah. GL
bruce59
13 years ago
The correct spelling is Voila, not Whalah. Spell check is almost as easy to use as Search is.
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The hair trend in Italy in the late ‘60s was the pixie cut; I also sported this look, at the tender age of five! America had Twiggy and Italy had Rita Pavone, an actress and singer who at 17 performed a clever song called "La Pappa col Pomodoro," about tomato soup. It was a northern recipe from Siena, a poor dish of the peasants. The lyrics spoke about rebellion and bringing food to the masses. Today, my three-year-old daughter still sings it and knows it word for word. In Italy, both of my parents were artists in their own right. My mom was a fashionista of her time — a well-known seamstress in her town, Reggio Calabria. My father was a self-proclaimed artist/engineer; he never made it past the third grade, but he was a genius when it came to modern design. Every time I am back in Italy, walking in my Mom’s home town, someone opens a door and insists I come in to see her wedding album, which shows the amazing dresses my mom made for her and her bridal party. Even in my father’s home town, which is much larger, there always is someone who wants to show me a sculpture Dad made of their dog or the beautiful outdoor wall of glass mosaics he created for their beach house. I am so fortunate to have such creative genes! In the ‘60s, Italy was dominated by the young and the modern. Colors were bright reds, yellows and greens. Large floral patterns could be found in our drapes and in mom’s fabrics as she put together dress patterns. Our furniture resembled the styles of Gio Ponti and Paolo Buffa. Coffee tables were simple and covered in tile mosaic patterns. Our basement was covered in small penny-round tiles, even the support columns. Today we call this style "Mid-Century Modern." In the 1950’s and 60’s, there was a lot happening and many changes taking place in the world. There was over- consumption everywhere, and on TV advertising slogans became very colorful, bringing Pop Art to the media, like the Campbell’s Soup cans painted by Andy Warhol. Comic strips were all the rage and fashion was bold and new. This style was not for the wealthy, it was for the population — which is where POP came from. There is so much of this look that has influenced our lives today! In the late 60’s, the famous Italian architects Gio Ponti (called the Father of Modern Italian Design) and Alberto Rosselli designed a Moorish-shaped modern tile in ceramic for a Modena-based tile manufacturer. It was to be made in many bright colors, but because of production difficulties it never was manufactured. Five decades later, with modern technology and water-jet cutting, we now are seeing a lot of these designs in tile and stone — the Moorish shapes and hex-agons made famous by these architects. The large-format tiles, in many bright colors, were all part of their designs. Though Mid-Century style was resurrected briefly in the 1980s, in 2015 it has become much more popular then ever before, as the DVRs in a lot of homes are set to record episodes of "Mad Men" on AMC. Every furniture catalog you pick up today is reminiscent of the "futuristic" past, from wallpaper to furniture to drapes. Mid-Century Modern is, and always will be, part of our design culture. The look is everywhere in tile decor, with many mosaic styles that feature geometric shapes in stone, glass and porcelain. The color palettes today include shades we have not seen in a very long time — oranges, greens, yellows, bright reds and even Pepto-Bismol pink! New designs made with water jet resemble the large floral paintings of the Modernist era and show the Moorish shapes as well as hexagons, spiral patterns, dog bones and basketweaves. Patterns that harken back to this era use color blocking; popular in fashion, also, these two- or three-toned designs are popular and fun. The mixing of colors also can be seen in subway tile designs that combine more than one shade to give a modern twist to a backplash or a bathroom. Go to a tile store and look at some of the outstanding designs now available in both ceramic and porcelain. In addition, notice the specialty stone designs being factory-made today with water jet. If you want to create your own, it can be customized for you, such as a mosaic in your bathroom to match your bedding. This was never possible before, but I have done it and it’s a lot of fun. Thanks to modern technology, everything is possible. What’s old is new again, and we are headed back to the future!
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Back to the Future…. The dawn of Mid Century Modern is back again.. Hip to be square? The hair trend of Italy in the late sixties and early seventies was the pixie cut…I also sported this hair trend at the tender age of 5! We didn't have words like nifty or swanky or groovy… America had Twiggy and Italy had Rita Pavone an actress and a singer who at the young age of 17 performed a clever song that everyone in my age and older sang called "la Pappa col Pomodoro" . She even sang it on the Ed sullivan show in 1970. . The song was about the tomato soap. It was a typical northern recipe from Siena, a poor dish of the peasants. The word Pappa means baby food.. The song was relevant to the times and social nuances happening in that period. The lyrics spoke about rebellion and bringing food to the masses, which went hand in hand with the Pop Art styles of the times. Today in my home.. my daughter sings it and knows it word for word.. at the tender age of 3. We like to follow tradition in my home! As you probably know I grew up in Italy. Both my parents where artists in their own right..My mom was a very popular fashionista of her time.. she was a well known seamstress in her town, which was Reggio Calabria. My father was a self proclaimed Artist/ Engineer.. he never made it past the third grade though. Nevertheless he was a genius when it came to modern design. It was the sixties and Italy was dominated by the young and the modern. Colors where bright red, very much like Rita Pavone's tomato song. Bright yellows and greens and large floral patterns can be found in our drapes and in mom's fabrics as she put together a dress pattern. It always bewilders me that every time I am back in Italy.. if I am walking in my Mom's home town.. it never fails that someone sees me walking by.. opens their door and insists I come in for a coffee and to see their wedding album that shows the amazing dress designs that my mom made for her and her bridal party.. I am amazed at that every time.. Even in Dad's home town which is much larger.. but never the less there is someone who wants to show me a sculpture dad made of their dog, or the beautiful outdoor wall made of glass mosaics on the exterior of their beach house.. I am so fortunate to have such creative genes in me! My first bathroom when I was a young girl was an elongated subway tile in an avocado green. Dad tiled the floors, all the walls and then tiled the ceiling of the bath too! Our foyer was black and white with red accents. Colors where everywhere.. our furniture in our home resembled styles of Gio Ponti and Paolo Buffa. Coffee tables where simple and covered in tile mosaic patterns. Our basement was covered in small penny rounds..and so where the round support columns in our basement. The style was modern.. as Cara Greenburg coined the phrase in her book "Midcentury Modern". The style is from the 50's and 60's. It is an expression of what took place in society a the time. There was a lot happening many changes taking place in the world . There was over consumption everywhere, on Tv, advertising slogans became very colorful in bright colors.. bringing Pop Art into surface. for example, Campbells Soup cans where designed by Andy Warhol in bright red color.. Comic strips where all the rage, and fashion was bold and new. This style was not for the wealthy, it was for the population.. which is where POP came from. This movement was the most profound movement in the modern era. It all started by a young rebellious group that disliked the old world paintings which they considered to be old fashioned and pretentious. In the late 60's famous Italian architects Gio Ponti also called the “Father of Modern Italian Design” and Alberto Rosselli designed a Moorish shape modern tile in ceramic for a Modena based tile manufacturer… which was to be made in bright colors.. of all different shads However because of production difficulties it was never manufactured. Five decades later, with the help modern technology and water-jet cutting we are seeing a lot of these designs in tile and stone today. The moorish shapes and hexagons where designs made famous by these architects. The large format tiles, with the many bright shades of colors where all part of their designs. In the early to mid-eighties, the 60's styles where resurrected again but only for a short while. In 2015 Now once again, it has become much more popular then it ever was before. The look is everywhere.. we see it in so many varied mosaic styles from geometric mosaics to circles, ovals, they are made of stone, glass and porcelains. The color pallets seen today are certainly not colors we have seen in a very long time.. Orange, green,s yellows, and bright reds and yes even the peptobismal pink is back again! There are tile styles that start at the post modern times of the 20's and range into the 60's pop era… with new very modern designs made with water jet. These designs resemble the large floral paintings of the modern era.. they show the moorish shapes in large and small.. as well as the hexagons, spiral patterns, dog bones, and of course the basket weaves.. Most patterns of this era where color blocking.. which is popular in fashion also.. these two or three toned patterns are popular and fun. The mixing of colors can also be seen in subway tiles. Mixing more than one shade together give you a new modern twist to the backplash or a bathroom. The old shapes designed by Ponti are all very present in our designs today.. almost every tile manufacturer has something in their line that links the style back to their famous designs. Every furniture catalog you pick up today is reminiscent of the futuristic past.. from wall paper to furniture to drapes and even the DVRs in a lot of our homes are set to record another episode of Mad Men on AMC. There is so much of this look has influenced our times today.. and Pop art as well as mid century modern is and always will be part of our design culture. Go out and take a look at some outstanding tile designs out there in both ceramic, and porcelain. In addition notice the specialty stone designs factory made with water jet today. There are so many designs available today. If you don't like what you see and you want to create your own, it can be customized for you.. a mosaic in your bathroom to match your bedding.. was never seen before.. but I have done it.. and its a lot of fun to do! 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figfarmer
13 years ago
In France it's voila. In the USA it's Whalah!!!!. Go USA!!!!
korney19
13 years ago
This pic is supposed to be a replica, though many people feel that it may have looked nothing like this...

{{gwi:1369429}}
doof
13 years ago
Is this the pic?

{{gwi:1294129}}
naturalstuff
13 years ago
LOL
carolyn137
13 years ago
This pic is supposed to be a replica, though many people feel that it may have looked nothing like this

*****

And who feels that way Mark?

It was your large pumpkin growing friend. I forget his name now, who contacted Gordon's wife to see if he could buy that replica. Sigh.

I was aghast at that I really was.

Seems to me that Miracle Grow had that replica made, b'c, well, b'c the shelf life of the tomato didn't lend itself to Gordon hauling around a perishable tomato. LOL

Besides, in order to get entered in the Guiness ( sp) book of records as to largest tomato grown to date the real deal had to be authenticated and documented.

Carolyn, whose SSE friend Fax Stinnett knew Gordon very well, and thought of him as one of the kindest, nicest, persons he'd ever met. And I knew Fax well, and I guess what I'm saying is that it really does bother me when folks start questioning so much about this tomato which even Gordon didn't know he had grown b'c it was hidden in the weeds.
korney19
13 years ago
Actually, Chickenman posted a black & white pic scanned from a book or newspaper article, of the original tomato and believe it was nothing similar in looks to the replica above.
lubadub
13 years ago
"It was your large pumpkin growing friend. I forget his name now, who contacted Gordon's wife to see if he could buy that replica. Sigh."

"I was aghast at that I really was."

Above part of Carolyn post.

Carolyn, why were you so aghast? (Sigh.) Things such as the tomato replica that have some history are bought and sold every day. Also, Gordon's wife never had the replica. So, I guess I didn't really offer to buy it from her. (Hope you are less aghast now and maybe a bit more informed.)

The replica was in the posession of Miracle Gro. They took it back from Gordon when he stopped working for them. Miracle Gro sent it to me at no cost at all. I never offered to buy it. It was in a box in the back of a closet at their office. They weren't sure what it was. I have it here on my shelf now and will probably gift it to Gordon's wife or make it into part of a rotating trophy for the GPC Giant Tomato Contest. I need to talk to Gordon's wife before I decide. She may want it.

The picture with Gordon and the tomato posted here is not the real tomato but rather the replica. There is only one picture of the true tomato and Gordon's wife has it. Chickenman posted it earlier from a newspaper article. He researched it at the Library of Congress.

A good friend of Gordon's who lives in England had some original seed from that big tomato. Gordon had sent him some wrapped in tin foil. He gave the seed to me and I asked Minnie, remember Minnie, Minnie of Big Zac, to try to germinate these old seeds. She was successful and sent me a plant through the mail. I grew it for seed production and this year several of my giant tomato growing friends are growing it. We will see how they do.

If any of the giant tomato growers here on the Web would like to try some of these seeds they should contact me and I will be glad to send some to the first 20 people who request them, Carolyn included. Send me a SASE please.

If you need instructions on how to go for the big one you might check out my new book about growing giant tomatoes. It should be available in about a month.

Lubadub

AKA

Marvin H. Meisner, MD
P.O. Box 411
Hollidaysburg, PA 16648
korney19
13 years ago
Here's the ORIGINAL photo, only photo-optimized to make the filesize smaller to fit within GW photo size guidelines:

{{gwi:1369430}}

Hope this helps.

Mark
carolyn137
13 years ago
Marvin, if Gordon sent seeds of Delicious to a friend in England and you got seeds of Delicious back from that person and you sent those Delicious seeds to Minnie and she was able to germinate some of those Delicious seeds, then it seems to me we still are dealiong with the variety Delicious. ( smile)

Remember that Gordon didn't do anything special to that plant and the large record winning fruit was in the weeds. So it wasn't a matter of trying to genetically upsize something.

And thanks for the seed offer but you know me well enough to know that I grow tomatoes primarily for taste, not large competition size fruits.

And Starting in Dec of 2004 when I fell and severed all four quad muscles and have been in a walker since then except now I'm in a wheelchair b'c my femur fractured when the new right hip was put in May 9th, I've been limited to not the hundreds of plants I grew each season, but 12-14 which are custom grown for me by a friend in VA and shipped up here for someone to plant, care for and harvest for me.

My big love is finding new heirlooms that no one outside of a family has really grown or made available and this year I have four such varieties. Another friend in western NYS does seed production for me so I can list them in the SSE Yearbook and send seeds for trial to a few seed sources I trust if any of the varieties are good enough.

I know you wouldn't be here unless Mark had let you know I referred to you b'c I haven't seen you posting at all. And yes, I finally did remember your user name after I made that post. ( smile)

Carolyn
kubotabx2200
13 years ago
I would much rather have seven 1 lb. tomatoes than one 7 lb. tomato.
hamiltongardener
13 years ago
Still, 7 lb tomatoes would be really cool to grow.

Lubadub, I'd love to get some seed from you, but another year if you're still around. I can grow tomato plants, but still have problems getting seeds to germinate well. I guess I need a bit more practice first. :)
cozy
13 years ago
It would be cool even if just for the lineage. I'd like in Mate ;)
winemaker1942
13 years ago
Lubadub, I posted a email earlier but for some reason it didn't go through...Anyway if you still have seed available ,I'd like some...Email me useing regular means if you still have some...I'll send SASE to the address you gave... My email address is on "my page"
Thanks Winemaker1942
anthony_toronto
13 years ago
I also sent an email through GW, but I have no idea if it was successfully transmitted. I will send a SASE, if no seeds left, no big deal I suppose. I am currently trying to grow a world record cherry tomato...have one that is 1 inch wide so far! Joking aside, actually did have some pretty big cherries last year...
retiree
13 years ago
Hi Marvin
This sounds like fun , so I am sending a SASE. Please let me know if I'm too late.
Thanks for the opportunity.
Neil
retiree
13 years ago
Hi Marvin -I received the seeds. Thank you very very much.
Appreciate your generosity.
Neil G.
winemaker1942
13 years ago
Marvin, thanks for seeds, I'll plant this spring..Thanks for sharing....
Winemaker
dangould
13 years ago
MARVIN

HOLD SOME SEED FOR ME. I WILL SEND YOU A SASE TODAY'S MAIL. YOU CAN EMAIL ME AS MY EMAIL IS POSTED.

I WANNA GROW A BIG ONE.

Dan
dangould
13 years ago
Marvin, I am obviously late on the offer. I just saw it and now realize it was almost 2 months ago. If you have any seeds please email me.

Dan
tomatogreenthumb
13 years ago
I have grown Delicious tomato several different years now, including this summer.
I am throwing in the towel........mine were never over a pound and were never what I would call delicious tasting.
How this tomato ever grew to world record size is beyond my comprehension........and how it got the name Delicious is even more difficult to understand.
sunsi
13 years ago
lol, I'm in agreement with Carolyn taste is paramount that said I do have some very large tomatoes in various degrees of ripness which is a pleasant surprise. They just better taste good or they won't be grown in this garden again. :)
brazosvalleygardener
13 years ago
I grew Delicious a few years ago...it was not a good experiance but I would reserve judgement until I grew it out again. Plus, my source for this variety was questionable and therefore, it may not have even been Delicious.

Jay
pennyrile
13 years ago
If that man in the picture posted near the beginning of this thread by korney19 on July 4th is Gordon Graham, he sure looks like a friendly and nice person to me. I think it's great that someone that cheerful and friendly looking was the person who ended up with the world record for a giant tomato.

I seriously doubt that anyone will match or beat the 7 pound, 12 ounce world record. That's really a freakishly huge tomato. If it can be done though, it makes sense that it will be done most likely with a tomato plant with the same genes. So it's really nice that Dr. Meisner is offering to help people who get a kick out of growing gigantic tomatoes by offering them seeds descended from Gordon Graham's monster tomato.
dangould
13 years ago
I agree with pennyrile that it is nice that we can get genetics from the world record. I have not heard from the Dr but I am sure we all will by next spring.
springlift34
9 years ago
The first photograph. At least he looks satisfied. Kind of a interesting look. Wouldn't it be great if you could just take a picture of a huge tomato,and stand in the frame behind it, appearing that you have it all figured out.

Firstly, in a way you do, but then again......

Take care,
Travis .....room for thought

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