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Grittyville, WA

https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/fascinating-fasciation/

4/27/2026 3:53:46 AM

Grittyville, WA

It says maybe a recessive gene plus environmental conditions.

"In some plants a single recessive gene controls this condition, although the degree of expression is often very dependent on environmental conditions."

4/27/2026 4:02:51 AM

Warwood

Great article. The last comment is so true. Ketchup I'd like to grow a ten pounder like and congrats on such improvement. Our environments are so different we both need different safeguards for our big tomatoes. I need shading fans, misting etc. to keep things cool this will be the first year i'll be using these. Enough aluminet to finally cover my hoophouse, fan through an improvsed swamp fan and foggers if I think I need them. On the other hand you may need similar but not exactly. It is dry and hot in day, chilly at night. However, my weather is hot and humid in day and warm and humid at night. Watching for and preventing disease is important. All this in our environmental conditions discussed. I still agree with something you said in past re. the plant responds to induced stress. For example a cold snap (not too cold) i rough them around a little just moving my hands on them. One technique for marijuana growers is to gently kinda bend the main stem all the way down (don't try this at home with tomatoes, their stem will break in half). Sometimes a little misting of cold water on plant for awhile. This is all done at the veg plant phase. I usually flick my finger on blossoms to pollinate, any left over pollen I get out with a small brush and apply to new flower. Sorry I got off on tangent but environmental conditions are a key component.

5/1/2026 5:36:23 PM

Grittyville, WA

I'm interested in your comment on bending the stems. Why is this done? Does it affect the hormones/ growth? How so?

I used misting last year. But in hindsight I think I would have used more fans and/or ventilation and shading. As you note disease and damage to the fruit are more likely. I even thought about putting an air conditioning unit out in the tomato hut. You can grow a very big tomato... it sound like you are on the right path.

5/1/2026 7:04:38 PM

Warwood

Benefits of Bending
Even Canopy: Forces lower branches to grow to the same height as the main cola, maximizing light usage.
Increased Yield: Breaks apical dominance, causing the plant to produce more, larger bud sites.
Height Control: Ideal for growers with limited vertical space. https://www.growweedeasy.com/supercropping-magic-technique-to-control-cannabis-plant-height
Thanks for the reply on humidity and temp.

5/2/2026 5:14:14 PM