When did you plant them and/or how tall are they?

Also, can you tell us the varieties? (Different varieties have blossom clusters with a differing number of potential blossoms -- though other factors can lessen the number of blossoms in a cluster.)

Yeah growth patterns have nothing to do with being 'heirlooms'. For ALL tomatoes it is dependent on the variety genetics and the growing conditions provided.

Depending on where you are located (zone 8 can mean lots of things), the abnormal weather this spring for much of the country, and when they were planted, I'd be surprised to find very many blossoms on any tomato plant this early in the season.

Perhaps a picture would help us ID any problem.

Dave

I have attached a photo. I planted them about a month ago and most are about 18" tall. Some of the varieties are Persimmon, Boxcar Willie, Brandywine, Marianna Peace and Anna Russian. I am in the Sierra foothills of Central California. I am probably just too anxious for them to start producing!

Yeah, give them time. They look healthy. Just be careful with the nitrogen.

Your plants look great!

The varieties you have listed are all midseason tomatoes except for Persimmon which is a late season variety. 75 - 80 days from transplant is the usual time frame given for midseason varieties, and 85-90 for late tomatoes. Yours have been in the ground for about one third of that time.

If I am not mistaken, all the varieties you have listed are also indeterminate, which means they will produce tomatoes on a continual basis, not with the bulk of them at one time like determinate tomatoes do.

I see blossoms, so I would not be concerned, you will get tomatoes and they will make more blossoms for even more tomatoes.

So, the key here is to be patient. You will get tomatoes. (Providing everything goes according to plan and you don't have weather or disease issues, etc., etc.)

Betsy

Here is a link that might be useful: Timeline of a Tomato Truss

This post was edited by bets on Mon, May 20, 13 at 12:40