I don't grow them in DWC exactly, but I have in a homemade version of the water farm (general hydroponics). They are super heavy feeders, but I thought they were very much like the cherokee purple. I currently grow them in a drip system. Unfortunately, they are hard for me to keep up with. They grow very fast in hydro. Also, they always split on me and if you don't get the fruit immediately thereafter, they start to rot quickly. Nothing as sad as a giant tomato you missed and can't use. Anyway, you can definitely grow them well in hydro.

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.

There's other tomatoes to grow that won't make you walk the floor wringing your hands (been there) and they rival Brandywine in taste but are have a much more reliable production. There have been threads here where the pro's have listed their favorite tomatoes (Carolyn, digdirt, hoosiercherokee, Darrel Jones, to name a few) and interestingly I don't remember one of them having Brandywine listed. I use to swear by Belgium Giant but the last couple years after growing some from "the list" I've been finding some great ones that are costing Giant Belgium a place in my garden--there's only so much room. I'll always keep Mortgage Lifter though 'cause I really like the taste I can see why Radiator Charlie sold so many and for that outrageous price back in those days.

Wow those are great looking tomatoes. I am growing Brandywine for the first time this year. I have about 15 plants and they all have tomatoes of various sizes. Mine are still green and it likely will be another month at least before they are ripe for picking. It seems that Brandywine don't produce a whole lot per plant though. Glad to hear they live up to the hype. Where the heck are you that yours are already ripe ? I'm in BC. btw my birthday is also 4/15