16,949 Garden Web Discussions | Growing Tomatoes
John, I think for most established gardens 10-10-10,, 13-13-13-, 16-16-16 .. are just enough. and the cost is reasonable. Then you have to be able to read your plants lips. Do they flower/ set fruits,? Wow does the foliage look like ? how is the growth rate ? Plants mirror the condition of the soil.
Sey
I agree with Dave. One stake per plant is hardly enough. I use like 3 stakes for 2 plants and do some weaving in addition to tying.
One steak per plant is ok when you prune to a single stem. NOT enough. I let at least 2 - 3 stems per plant. That takes more stakes and weaving to support.. With just one stem production will be way too low.
Sey
It has been a while.
My Azoychka plant is doing great. It is one of the strongest . It has few bud clusters and flowers are opening. I guesstimate to have some ripes around mid July or so. My other yellow/gold Kelloggs Breakfast plants are NOT doing as well so far. So I am betting on Azoychka...
C'mone girl ! hehe
Sey
no need for bulb food now, I found the dry Alaska fish fertilizer containing fish bone ,meal and kelp. I used it years ago with good success then I no longer saw it again. found it at home depot so I bought two bags. i'm experimenting on trying just organics this year. just to see if it works out. I've always prepared the soil with manure and humus, but always had success with small side dressings of either 10-10 - 10 or 5-10 -5. if it doesn't work out I go back to my old system. trying to stay away from the blue water also. I can see the denefit of bone meal on my fall planted garlic. I added a lot of bone meal compost and a little milorganite when I prepared the ground last year. nice thick stems meaning large heads this july
I assume you want a source in Australia? If so Australianseed.com
sell Big Boy that is VF and likely a couple of others too. Problem is they don't list the disease resistance in their descriptions so you have to look up the variety on another website (like tomatogrowers.com) to find out its resistance.
I don't know what the shipping costs would be for seeds but you can order all of them from US vendors IF they have the ag permits to ship into AU given the seed import restrictions your country has.
Dave
Thanks, will look into it. Also considering grafting onto some cherry tomatos that grow like weeds here. They've been growing every year for 20+ years and randomly popup all around the house and don't seem to get smashed by wilt at all. I am hoping they will make good root stock?
I appreciate everyone's suggestions. We'll see how it goes. The stakes on the outside of the tank is a good idea. This is all an experiment, so we'll see how the 6 of them do. I grow that variety because they are so easy to freeze (easy to clean/skin) and I use them in soups and stews. I do grow 3 San Marzanos too....but they are in the ground. I also grow Rutgers in the ground. I'll let you all know how it turns out. I have other stock tanks that are mostly for onions/kale/broccoli/lettuces/beans. Last year, I had a couple volunteer tomatoes grow out of one of the stocktanks for beans and kale, and they did great. So we'll see.
Almost looks like a zinc deficiency, but the stems are also showing symptoms which doesn't quite fit.
I can't find good pictures of pythium-infected plants (other than seedlings) but the plant looked pretty healthy when it went into the ground.
I think I'll play it safe and trash it, I have 7 others and even 1 more of this same variety, so I will live. Thanks everyone for the input
Marc -- I can second Sey's advice. I have one of those lawn blower/vac things which chips up leaves and twigs into small shreds as it vacuums them up. In years past I had two friends who would place an "order" with me two big bags of chopped oak leaves every October (they lived downtown; ain't no trees). When I asked why - for the veggie beds, they said. So I think chopping and shredding is the way to go.
Ooh another question, I have another plant (I can't remember what it is, as again I've forgotten what I actually planted.) I'll remember to actually make a note of what plant is what next year.
Anyway, I think it's a cucumber or courgette.
It seems healthy ish but the new growth in between stems has got brown/black tips and has stopped growing. Current leaves are getting bigger, but nothing else.
I know it must be so anoting having a newbie asking so many stupid questions.
Sorry guys x
But if your native soil pH is already leaning toward the alkaline side then adding wood ash can really screw things up.
In other words you need to know your pH to begin with and you should also know if you soil actually needs additional potassium. Most soils don't. Only way to have that info is by getting a pro soil test done from your local county ag extension office.
Excess potassium blocks the uptake of magnesium, manganese, zinc and iron all of which are equally important to the plant..
Dave
Thanks for all the comments...