Cherry tomatoes swollen and huge?

This is the first year I've ever had a garden, and I'm doing containers on my west-facing balcony.

I water my cherry tomato plants every day because it's been 95 degrees here (Oregon) and they're pretty dry by the time I get home and the new growth is drooping over.

I'm growing grape tomatoes, but my tomatoes are already twice the size they should be and still green. I'm afraid maybe I'm close to the "cracking" stage I keep reading about here. Am I watering them too much? When I water my plants there is *no* runoff out of the drainage holes.

Is there some happy medium? Do I need to cover the soil and water less?

I water until I see water come out of the drainage holes. Mine are doing great that way and it is really hot here in South Alabama. I had one that looks like it is dying. Someone said it may be time for it to die. I have just planted some new tomatoes for later. Hope they will make before frost but if they do not I will move them into the greenhouse. Good Luck with your plants........gn

sybaritefury, do you remember the variety of grape tomato you're growing? Some (like Juliet) are bigger than others. Containers usually need to be watered daily in hot weather, and if the pots have good drainage should be fine. The cracking you speak of, are you worried about them splitting their skins? That is usually caused by a lot of water after a dry spell. The tomatoes take up too much water too quickly, and the skins just can't hold it all in. If you keep the watering steady you should be just fine :)

They are indeed grape juliets. How much bigger is "bigger than others"? I'm talking.... maybe four of the ones I usually see in the stores would fit inside this one tomato :) They certainly don't look like the photos on the site.

Maybe I got a mislabel from the nursery. I was worried about them splitting their skins, but I guess I'll just sit back, water them daily, and see what heppens :)

Thanks for the help.

Juliet is an almost plum sized tomato. Very vigorous heavy producer. It has longish shape which makes folks classify it as grape tomato. It has a medium thick skin so it is not very prone to cracking. An in-between grape-plum that you either love or hate. http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/40127/

So, are grape tomatoes longish in shape(like romas) and cherry tomatoes round? I've always wonder the difference between grape and cherry tomatoes. Other than plum, are there any others?

Kristie

I am interested in fruit bearing vine plants for south florida? Especially any that grow well up a wooden fence. Also, when to plant at this time of year? Any suggestions?