Very likely a "tired" plant which has been in that pot far too long and needs to be retired. Even though indeterminate tomatoes are perennials which will sometimes survive for more than one season in your area, they're never as vigorous as they were in the first season. I suspect you're emotionally attached to the thing but, even so, I suggest you cut your losses by starting over with a fresh plant. If you want to try to help this plant to at least some degree: - It needs much more light. - Fertilizer -- when did you last apply it? - what product did you use? (Looks like it could use some.) Jean who gardened in Long Beach, CA, for 30-some years.

thanks, everyone! I, too, wonder about soil and if it makes a difference. I would assume it does. in zone 9 in California I had very acidic soil and it was also very sandy soil. I had tons of trouble getting anything from Cherokee Purple, Big Rainbow and Black Krim there. The plants shot up fast and had tons of foliage, but didn't give me any fruit and then suddenly all were stricken with a disease and died very fast. I did have luck with Red Brandywine in California. Now, in Kentucky, everything did well last year except for cracking on many of my tomatoes and blossom end rot on many. We were in a drought, so it was tough to maintain a regular level of moisture. Luckily, I planted 30 tomato plants last year so I was still able to harvest enough for my family and friends and freeze 10 quarts of basic tomato sauce and about 20 quarts of blanched whole tomatoes. I think I will try canning this year for the first time. My mom is experienced at canning so I'll have her teach me. I wonder where I can find Kellogg's Breakfast in the Louisville/Frankfort area since it's too late to start with seeds. That one does interest me.

You will be VERY happy with the Brandywine's flavor. They can get big too. Slices so large, that you can't see any part of a normal slice of bread under it, when making a BLT. You are right about the size dropping after the 1st few really big ones. The flavor sure doesn't drop though. Looking forward to seeing your pictures and updates.

My Brandywines always have some cracks and surface scars, but it is possible you just have a really good growing condition for them this year. If they taste great and have the complexity of flavor that a Brandywine should, relax and enjoy it. And maybe you should save the seeds from a few... :) Or maybe you have a very good cross, in which case you should REALLY save the seeds! And share them. I volunteer to be a test garden next year... ;) Seriously, every well-regarded heirloom came from some cross or adaptation. Maybe you have a new one that will be famous some day.