16,949 Garden Web Discussions | Growing Tomatoes

Agree that you don't want them on the window, don't want them in direct sun. When we say ripen on the counter that doesn't mean in the window or the direct sun.

Can't say why your Grandmother thought the window sun was needed.

Dave

Because everyone thought the window sill ripened them due to sunlight ,theY did not know any better ,kinda like they thought small pepples in the bottom of your planters increased drainage

I planted 6 seeds this year and got 5 RL seedlings and 1 PL. I planted the PL and 1 RL. The RL produced 3 big, beautiful, tasty toms that look exactly like the photos on Taniana's website. The PL toms aren't ready yet. It looks like they need another 2 weeks at least. Admittedly, I got the seed in an exchange.
John A

I've been getting both PL and RL seedlings from Stump of the World since 2003. Saved PL seed and saved RL seed each produce PL and RL seedlings. Tomatoes from PL and RL plants tasted the same. My source for seed was Chuck Wyatt.

If one runs across a tomato called Perpetual Change, it's this PL and RL version of Stump of the World.

Gary

Where do you find the seeds and not have to pay $20.00 for 10?

Try variety Cherry Falls from Livingston Seed Co. Cascading cherry tomato type, best to place on some kind of plant stand. I put three plants in one 15 gallon pot. Incredibly heavy production, got more tomatoes than I could use. Ended up pulling the loaded plants when garden plants started producing. Decent flavor, thin skin. Not a fan of cherry tomatoes in general but I want early tomatoes, and container cherries are my best chance of achieving this goal.

Have been growing Red Robins for many years. Cherry Falls beats Red Robin hands down.

I think it would be impossible to ID this tomato, it could be cross pollination as well as mixed up labels. I am glad you resurfaced this thread as I am eyeing this variety as one of the options for next year Glad to hear it has rave reviews!

Hi Linda,
The seeds came from Baker's Creek which is a very reputable source. I think it was a labeling error by the student grower rather than a breeding error. My own labels fall out and get mixed up sometimes so I sympathize. I looked through the orange tomato varieties in the catalog and this is the one that sounded like the best match. I have attached the photo from the catalog. They don't show one in profile so it is hard to say. I guess the thing to do is order some from the catalog next year and see if they come out the same. I also intend to save seeds from this beautiful tomato. Blight or septoria set in mid season this year. I still got lots of tomatoes though the plants are mostly dead now. Some of the tomato varieties get blemishes on the fruit but this one came though spotlessly.

Cut back on watering , and yes some varieties are more prone to cracking

Also, if they are cracking after color break, why not pick them soon after color break and let them ripen inside. This way there will be no spoilage and maybe tastier (less water).

Container growing has been good to me this season...but it is certainly different than in-ground. Grow bags seem to work for many....but sure dry out quickly. This means lots of work. Larger is generally better. Fast-draining mixes is important. Feed regularly.

The bags you are using are too shallow,... the large bag opening allows to for rapid evaporation ....., and you have two to many plants in each bag........check around the web for different bag/container ideas .....

I obviously screwed up on that post, I'll try and figure out what went wrong and re- post.
Chic
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you can "Edit" your post.

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Edited:
I just edited my post. When you click on "Edit Post", your original post will open. Then do any addition, deletion and then update it.

This post was edited by seysonn on Fri, Aug 30, 13 at 23:08

Further to my earlier posting on Marvel Tomato Here is a few photos of different stages.
Chic

Ready to eat

ready to pick

not quite ready to pick

They (the hornworms) were actually something of a treat to have... for my puppy that is. After taking off the tomatoe plant Belle would play with and then eventually eat them. I told my honey that belle got 4-6 servings of greens today.

But boy can they defoliate a branch overnight.

tom

Squash Vine Borers are worse, IMO. At least the hornworms can be picked off when damage is seen. SVB's do damage and are often impossible to remove and have plant recover.

Hate them with a rather violent passion...

At least the chickens can eat the hornworms.

Billyoscar: I've seen this kind of health in my garden in the woods in northern Minnesota (my home). Wonder where I could find half rotten logs or pieces of the forest floor here in Colorado. We have a trailer so we could go dig up chunks of forest floor if I just knew where to be able to go dig. I was so lucky to be living on forested land years ago.

Westy

1. Set the mouse traps early
2. You can grow productive tomatoes in containers as small as 1 gallon as long as they are drip irrigated.
3. Don't pick a fight with nature - you will lose.

I always use my Back to Basics Processor and make tomato juice. I use whatever's on the counter at the time. I reduce it down and add a little bit of canning salt (the recommended amount for canning) and sometimes a touch of sugar. When I've reduced it by ~40 %, I put it in quart jars and can it. Later in the winter, I can use that extra thick juice to make all kinds of things from picante and salsa to soups, stews, ketchup, or whatever trips my trigger.

Years of trying to do whole or chunked tomatoes just didn't work out. If all else fails, I also love tomato juice that has that taste of fresh from the garden.

Ted

In average, tomatoes are 90% water. Part of the remaining 10% consist of SEEDs , SKIN and bad pulp.
So in effect, a can of tomato paste is reduce by more than 80%.
Spaghetti sauce is reduced my more than 60%.

Reducing above percentages by boiling is both TIME and ENERGY consuming. There is a much simple method:

1- wash them
2- smash them and blend with stick/hand blender(in the same pot). Until fine pree.
3- Strain through a Jap/chinese rice strainer. You will get the skin, seeds, hard pulp out.
4- pour the strained must/puree into a a bag(made of fine woven fabric, cotton or nylon) and tighten its mouth.
5- Like making cheese, put some weight on it. You should see almost clear water with a little color coming out.
6- when it is reduced to the thickness that you wanted,, empty it to a pot, cook a little bit and can it.
7- use the juice as drink, make soups, ..etc.

I meant to mention that they are in the ground. I will cut down on watering. Thanks!

Not the right thread, but do you know if you can do the same for pumpkins? I have them in with my tomatoes in the same plot.

Another point is that, tomatoes can stay in green/growth stage for a LONG time(40 day ?). with large fruits it can even take longer. So, if there have bee new sets(late comers) , it will take them a while to grow and ripen.

And yet another point: In zone 5, CO, if the wether has been cooling off, it will slow down both growth and ripening.

The other point, already mentioned, is that if you fertilized with nitrogen rich stuff, the plant will concentrate on foiliage growth.
JMO.

i don't grow in a greenhouse,i live in northern alberta and my tomatoes are red and the plants are over 7 feet.no fertilizer,just rain