This year I decided to try Romas and Prudens Purple. I started them from seeds in jiffy pots indoors in March. When they were a couple inches tall I put them outside during the day whenever it was above 50 degrees. Early may I potted them up to 1 gallon pots in the 5:1:1 mix with garden lime and Osmokote Plus mixed in. July 1st I potted some of both types up to 5 gallon pots and some up to 2 gallon pots (I didn't have enough 5 gallon pots for everybody). I fertilize once a day with a 1/2 strength MG general purpose solution and water 2-3 times a day depending on how hot it gets. They get full sun all day on our back patio on the south side of the house.

The Romas both 2 gal. and 5 gal. all have lots of blossoms and green tomatoes on them, but the Prudens aren't setting fruit in either pot size. They look good and have lots of beautiful blossoms but they always shrivel up and drop. I'm thinking about giving up on these for this year.

What can I do better or is this variety just very finicky?

Tim

I grow in very different conditions to you. In a slightly raided bed, only 6 hours of sun and a much shorter growing season. Last year we had a lot of weather in the 90's mid-June thru mid-July, and many of my plants didnt set much fruit. This year it has been much cooler. Of my eight different varieties, all of them have about 15-20 tomatoes set so far, except for the Prudens Purple, I think it has 3-4. However it does have lots of blossoms right now and the temps are right (low 80s-high 60's) so I am still hopeful.

Glad to hear your Pruden's is producing well. It's been said many times, patice has its virtues. LOL!

I think I need to grow Pruden's Purple again, it's been a while. They were delicious when I last grew them.

Betsy

So many tomatoes, so little time!