Bradleys are supposedly semi-determinate, maybe thats why they give you problems in containers? Maybe you could find a determinate variety with a comparable taste and texture? Determinates always do better for me in a container.

Except for support issues, I haven't noticed a difference between growing determinate versus indeterminate tomatoes in containers on the patio.

Blossom end rot problems might be related to lack of consistent moisture in your pots. Getting larger and/or self-watering pots as well as covering the top of the soil with plastic (red plastic can also benefit in other ways) can be very helpful. Adding calcium or fertilizing with a fertilizer that is low in nitrogen, but high in superphosphate, can help. There are also differences in blossom end rot susceptibility between different varieties, but I have yet to find a variety that has both blossom end rot resistance and good skin texture. The resistant varieties I have grown are tough.

What kind of fertilizer (if any) have you been using? The extra foliage growth with lack of as much fruit production might have to do with that.

ok so I am not the brightest bulb in the pack what is the difference between determinate and indeterminate? I thought a tomato was a tomato? I can already tell I am wrong on that one. Educate me, I am always up to learning something new.

Mary

A determinate tomato grows quickly to a certain level and then slows way down (think bush-type tomato plant). An indeterminate tomato just keeps growing until the end of the season (think really tall, staked tomato plant). Most determinates tend to bear more "all at once" while the indeterminates produce fruit over a longer period.

oh yeah ..... Commercial varieties tend to be determinate. Most commercial growers want to be able to harvest all at once. Many home growers prefer indeterminates because they want a continuous supply of tomatoes over a longer period of time.

wow that is interesting, I didn't know that. Its good to learn something like that :o)