[Paul R.]

Opo fruits have to be used before mature, or, yes, the large core is “seedy” almost like an apple core, the skin is tough, and what remains between the two may get pithy. Young, it’s all “tender and mild”, like a very oversize young cucumber.

[Paul R.]

Has anyone here successfully recovered tomato plants eaten down to just a couple leaves by hornworms? My most stricken plant is my last "Heatwave II", which has survived 2 winters in my upstairs. The fruits are bland, but, the plants ARE very good about doing ok and even producing in heat like we have now.*

*Our Monday forecast is " Sunny and hot, with a high near 98. Heat index values as high as 110. Calm wind. "

Fun.

It never occurred to me, but I suppose a well watered "temperate" plant in the heat does better when conditions include a bit of a breeze: Evapo-transpiration should keep the plant cooler. Of course, if it dries up, that's another story...

I do note that keeping my plants' soil (or pots) shaded or very well mulched (if just in the ground) definitely seems to help them out in these conditions. (I don't really have a practical way to shade the upper portion of my tomato plants' foliage when some are over 6 ft. tall / high. But, shading the soil they are rooted in is pretty easy. :-)