We just moved to San Antonio and for a change we now have a nice patio where I can grow things. Well, I was so excited to start some tomatoes for the fall, that I just grabbed the first seeds I saw on the shelf and got started. This is where the craziness begins, I guess. I come from waaaay up north, where tomatoes are possible only in the greenhouses. So I had never even heard of the indeterminate kind until I saw it on the seed package at home and looked it up... oh gee...now I have started four Super Sweet 100s on a patio...whoops!

Anyway, I went ahead and started the seeds on July 20th, they germinated within a day and a half. I (now) know this is not exactly the best time to start them, that's my first concern. One of the seedlings is about to grow its first set of true leaves, I can kind of see them between the cotyledon ones. In general the sprouts look pretty nice, they are a little tall, but don't look weak. I just keep adding a little soil on the top to bury the stems deeper and they seem to be fine.

Oh, also, did I mention I started them outside? Now that they have some leaves, I have been keeping them in the late afternoon/evening sun filtered by a white fabric, but well ventilated. So here's the first question - is this all that extraordinary? Can I expect a decently strong plant that will give me some fruit in the fall, if it was started in these kind of conditions? Or should I not get my hopes up? I was thinking that by the time it tries to flower, it won't be that hot anymore..? When would it flower anyway?

Secondly, I am concerned about the height of these guys. I certainly don't have 15ft ceilings... so here's a question. What happens when I give the plant a not big enough container.? Say, what if the biggest container I gave it was 12 gallons? Would it still try to grow super tall and just give me sad fruit... or would it stop fruiting at all... or just stunt the growth but keep producing fruit?

I hope you guys have some insight, thank you ahead of time!

As for the height, you don't say what kind of support you are going to use, but what ever it is when the plants get to the top, they can just drape back down. That's what many growers do. Some will top the plants, but that can stress them some and cuts down on production. (Although if you have 4 cherry tomatoes that shouldn't be a problem.)

So, I say go for it.

Betsy

I think that my patio can't really house four SS100s though. So I'll keep them all going for now, pick the strongest one or two when the time comes for the big pots, and give the others away. Otherwise my landlord may kick me out. Well, and I started a few other things that will need space.

I didn't post anything about supporting them yet, because frankly I haven't made up my mind yet. I'm thinking about one of those cages, because I will probably need to contain them somehow. I plan on pruning the suckers as much as I need (I have the time and the patience), because it seems like otherwise they can really get out of hand.

I'm excited about your success of the variety in the heat, that's great news. And I will go check out the TX and the Container forums now. Thanks a lot! I'll probably be back with more questions later, though haha!

SL

I hope that helps.

Betsy

I just gave each of them a new room, since there were some space and watering issues. The watering part is probably the most difficult in the heat, I'm so scared to burn them off but don't want to drown them either. I'm being a helicopter gardener (like a helicopter parent) right now and it's getting a little ridiculous :D

So anyway, here is one of them freshly repotted at 3 1/2 weeks.

--Roughly, it take 45 days from planting to first blossom.
--Roughly , it takes 45 days from flower(Like cherry) to ripe fruits.
A SIMPLE MATH problem:
Lexi planted some super 100 cherry tomatoes , on JULY 20th.
When will he be able to have a ripe cherry tomato ?

Answer: Under Normal Growing conditions, Lexi should be able to taste a ripe tomato on (or about) October 20th, provided that weather will be clement up until that time.
Probably , the above is an optimistic forecast.

Oops, sorry, just noticed that's starting from seed July 20. That could be a problem - how cold does it get in San Antonio over the winter? I remember one winter the roads were closed due to snow - but it was probably only a couple of inches, they don't have the equipment to move it down there.

Timeline is roughly 6 weeks start most people give their seedlings before transplanting, then 70 days or so after putting in final pot/ground. So 110-115 days from seed to first fruit, that brings us to November now, you might get a couple weeks of harvest?

ajsmama - yeah, I just started them when I moved, so I won't really be too upset if I don't get too much out of it this year. There was no way for me to start earlier anyway. It's more of an experiment/project at this point. I'd be happy to pick at least a few fruit off given the kind of a start I gave them.

It is also something I wanted to do to at least have some experience before I start seeds in the spring. Thanks for the info!

Betsy

Of course I was not trying to be negative at all. I just tried to show a possible timeline. I hope your season will be long and warm and you will enjoy some tomatoes.
Good luck !