16,949 Garden Web Discussions | Growing Tomatoes
Well, a brief search with the phrase "grow tomatoes in dallas texas" turned up the following from the local newspaper. Sounds like a challenge but it is possible.
Here is a link that might be useful: tomato tips for Dallas
More info, this time from Aggie Horticulture
http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/newsletters/hortupdate/2013/mar/protecting-tomatoes.html
With all the info I found online, sounds like most folks in your area had serious challenges with their tomatoes this year. So, in case it's any comfort, you have plenty of company.
Around here, the weather isn't near so extreme as it in Dallas. But now and then, we still have a Green Tomato Summer!
Here is a link that might be useful: Aggie Hort info
I don't think it is the same difference, because the whole idea with the red mulch is specifically about reflection:
"Developed by the USDA & Clemson Univ., this 1.0 mil thick, durable red plastic film reflects far-red wavelengths into the plant's canopy, triggering photosynthesis and stimulating rapid growth and development." That particular statement is from Johnny's Selected Seeds page where they sell the red plastic mulch.
Betsy
I have come to agree with Dave, fully.
Ripening can take place within a fruit, separated from vine, tree etc.
It happens all the time that certain fruits even OVER ripen after harvest. Unless they are refrigerated to slow down that process. I always buy peaches pears .. that are hard and not quite ripe. After a few days they become nice and juicy.
It is the same concept with tomato. Plus, picking them early offer added advantages.. for example you take the first bite before the squirrel does. lol
Thanks for your responses. I know it was a question that probably had been answered before, but I don't regularly follow this forum.
For what it's worth we've had lousy weather here in Western PA. for tomato growing this year, but I have a pretty good harvest from the 4 Big Boys and 4 Better Boys I put in. The started ripening around the 10th of this month.
In your picture, notice the lower right one where I see lesions in circles.
Knowing that I'm going to give you two suggestions, but since you said nothing about any other symptoms such as leaf lesions, lesions on stems, these are just suggestions, and maybe you can share with us if there are any other symptoms we should know about.
First is Buckeye Rot, linked to at the very bottom and if you read some of the links you'll also see pictures other than those shown with this Google link.
The second suggestion is Late Blight ( P. infestans), and I don't if it's present in KS.
http://www.longislandhort.cornell.edu/vegpath/photos/lateblight_tomato.htm
The link above is one of the best I know for Late Blight. But the fungal disease Grey Mold can also mimic LB, so you might was to take a look at that as well since Grey Mold is present almost everywhere if the weather conditions are right.
And it really would help if there are other symptoms we should know about.
Carolyn
Here is a link that might be useful: Buckeye Rot
To preserve a variety, you want more than one fruit from more than one plant. Ideally some fruit picked early in the season, some picked in the middle of the season and some picked late. (unless you are talking determinate tomatoes).
Even professional seed companies can sometimes end up with degenerated variety. Seeds of Change had noticed the Burbank Slicer had been getting smaller and less and less popular, and decided to discontinue it. The membership of my local seed library (Seed Library of Los Angeles) has taken up the task of restoring the variety to it's original size. Full story linked below.
The larger the breeding pool, the more stable and resilient your seeds will be. But for the average gardener, it may not be practical to grow and save seed from more than a couple varieties in any volume. That may be fine for individual purposes, but keep in mind you may unintentionally end up with something that differs from the original variety.
Here is a link that might be useful: http://slola.blogspot.com/search/label/Burbanks%20Red%20Slicing%20Tomato
I think Dave pretty much nailed it, but you may never know the actual reason(s) because there's just too many possibilities, including your local climate, which may not favor that variety of tomato.
There is a decent chance that the next round of tomatoes will taste better.
Often the first few tomatoes you get off a plant are not as flavorful as the later ones, so you might wait to see if your later tomatoes taste better.
Just fyi, I did a google search on "factors that affect tomato sweetness" and there are some interesting discussions out there. Tried to post one but apparently GW doesn't like that web site and wouldn't let me.
Well, I am expecting things to grow for a while and have plenty of greenies going. Difference with late tomatoes that they are just started going so I get whatever first crop they started. Thus I never rely on them as main staple in my garden. I have several Nature Riddle, fantastic, all over 1 lbs toms in full glory, Brandywine Sudduth, Nikolaevna, Cuor Di Bue, Marianne Peace, Missouri Pink Love Apple doing really well. OTOH my Pink Honey gave me first crop in July and has some new greens now so I know I will get more. Amazon Chocolate the same, producing second crop as weather cooled. So I build my garden a lot around midseason varieties.
Hungarian heart seems keep going no matter what weather and so is Paul Robeson.
Planting variety of tomatoes is a must for me, depending on the weather I will always have something going.
So I confess that I decided to give one last weak fertilization as I watered. It's going to be really hot over the next few days and I'll be watering plenty, but this is it, and its amazing to see from day to day. But black Krim is really slow to ripen. Nothing yet has even started to blush from it.
Looks very appetizing. How do they taste ?
About Skin: To me tomato skin is tough and indigestible , no matter how thin or thick they are, anyway. I can throw it in boiling water for just 10 seconds(or less) then take it out and pour cold running tap water on it and peel it. Let its sit to cool off more, then slice it. I always do this when I want to use them in cooking; That is the Italian way.
What I am saying is that, to me skin thickness is not the criteria to judge a tomato.
He said they tasted Great but he owns and operates a bakery so his opinion comes with that disclaimer - haha! I agree with you about the skin - there must be some thick skinned tomatoes out there but I have never planted or tasted any. We don't take off the skins for BLTs - salads - fresh eating etc. but they come off for any cooking/canning/salsa etc.
I know what Ted was trying to say when he disputed what I said about a thorough soaking. If a plant is not well-rooted it can fall apart perhaps a bit easier when wet. I have transplanted hundreds of plants, stone fruits, avocados, etc. The number one enemy is having the roots dry out. As stated above...the roots are key! It sure sounds to me that your small 6 inch pots are going to be root-bound. Not a huge problem. It will overcome.
No, they aren't commonly grown and you don't have to go to the UK to get seeds per your link. Did you?(smile)
Best to search for them using hypertress tomatoes, and I've given a link below to a Googl esearch and here's another one from Tania;
http://t.tatianastomatobase.com:88/wiki/Red_Centiflor#tab=General_Info
Note that there are several places in the US where you can get seeds for them and the UK place I think cites Alan Kapuler as well.
Hope that helps,
Carolyn
Here is a link that might be useful: Centiflors
The top picture looks like what I have on my plants, but they NEVER get past that point. I've never had that issue before. It's like they just give up in our heat (I'm in Texas). Lucky you! Wish mine would get past the 'ovary stage'-- grrr!
Enjoy!
The first four pictures are of a "heart" tomato which "Coeur de Boeuf certainly is. So everything is absolutely normal. That is how they should look at this early stage in their growth. They're also quite healthy looking.
Congratulations, that's some nice gardening and good photography.