Tomato plant still growing at almost 13 ft. tall

Donald Talley of Cape Girardeau was quite surprised that his tomato "tree," purchased at a local nursery, turned out to be just that.

Talley said in all the years he's put out a garden he's never encountered tomato plants taller than shoulder height. The plant was labeled "tomato tree," and believing the name might be accurate, Talley anchored 10 feet of wire support against his shed to guard the plant against the wind. Later he added another three feet on top. The vines have reached 12 1/2 feet.

Each week he feeds the plant a five gallon bucket of Miracle-Gro and about eight gallons of water, and it's in rich soil. Talley said, "I've been living here since 1956 or 7. I haul manure and give the garden compost to keep it loose. When I set the plant out, I mix half compost and half dirt."

Of the plant's fruit, he said, "They're about the size of a softball. An ideal tomato. No seeds. No core. They taste delicious."

Talley recalls helping his mother set out a garden since he was about 8 years old. "I'm 76 and I'm still at it," he said. Perhaps 68 years of practice yields prize crops.

cpagano@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 133