16,949 Garden Web Discussions | Growing Tomatoes
Rutgers is one of the enduring heirlooms. I have heard it is one of the parents of Burpee's latest hybrid called "Jersey Boy". So this make Rutgers Jersey papa or mama. :-)
I have grown Rutgers before (Store bought plants). But it was long time ago. The same year I also planted Black Krim, Brandywine, Juliet , Golden Jubilee, Better Boy for the first time. That was 6 or 7 years ago. Now Rutgers is coming back this year.
Seysonn
Here is a picture borrowed from internet.
In my personal opinion Marglobe tastes better but both are tasty old time tomatoes and are great workhorses if I don't want many hybrids to round out the choices, it is really nice to have one of these for the production. Mine are semideterminate from saved seed I originally got from the local feed store. They buy them in bulk from one of the commercial seed companies. I don't remember which, since they don't write the source on the seed and could have changed for this season. I always thought the feed store would get the strain best suited for local conditions (hot and humid) but maybe I'm hoping for too much ;-) Homestead is really an improved Rutgers for heat and humidity, and seems to have a similar flavor, but not quite as good.
I have Rutgers in my starting line-up this year. I'm growing it in memory of a childhood friend who got into Rutgers despite having a handicap that made studying difficult and was able to graduate. The handicap took his life and the best idea I could come up with was to grow a Rutgers plant and name it for him.
PC
clob, the only gossip I am referring to is my interpretation of what happened, because you asked. Whatever other people are saying is their own business and I want to clarify that. As for the interesting detail of US, Canada, and Russia, I found that on Alexa. It was strange enough that I posted it ... how can it be the 1,000th most popular website in Russia? LOL Evidentally it is.
PC
some say that the new owners are here to sell.... Then they also criticized the previous owners for being a bill board. The fact is that, whoever is the owner, needs to pay its bills and plus make some profit. Their goal is to bring larger crowd.
Keep in mind that this site has been a "GARDENing " site (Garden Web) and most members are "GARDENERS". So the new owners should try to keep the base by making the "gardeners" happy. They can also become potential customers down the road
Seysonn
If the grubs really do present a problem (probably they will just decrease yield a little), you could try beneficial nematodes. Here's a good brief on how that works and a list of sellers.
Maine blurb on grub-eating beneficial nematodes
Grubs are here too but are not out of control and I've never done anything about it either. The problem they cause (I think, but could be wrong since it's hard to see what's happening) is animals dig up the soil around plant roots and damage them.
PC
suncitylinda and stanislavii- On the vegetable forum in the post "Sincere Question" it was brought to our attention that apparently NBC was just going to drop ivillage/GW altogether. Meaning GW would have been gone. Houzz came in and essentially saved it. Whether this is true, I don't know.
Rodney
Thanks, I did order tomato seed for Sungold already, but I will often purchase one or two plants at the local nursery, too. We love Sungold. Rarely makes it to the table, because everyone snacks on them in the garden. lol I will look for the OP varieties Ambrosia Gold and Big Sungold Select. Thanks. And thanks for the link.
Finally made it! I guess my popup blocker was tripping me up. Unusually cruel punishment PC. Supposed to be close to zero here this weekend. Still about a month away from starting seed. Sure looks good though. Congrats!
Formerly Whosurtomato
Welcome back Hoosier ... The bright tomatoes were just to spruce up GW's new home... These still cost $8/lb to grow with (my) unpaid labor. Get revenge in August when the only thing that grows here is the water bill. The growers in Central and South Florida leave me in the dust, Our climate has been like Hilton Head Island, SC this season, nothing like Orlando and Tampa :(
PC
Flora series Bloom is a very specific blend and designed for flowering plants... So, begonias or marigolds, but not veggies and fruit. While thoase plants flower, they do not need the high concentration to focus on JUST the flower...
I am actually experimenting right now with a full hydro gro using the Miracle grow tomato crystals. Couple of weeks into it and it seems to be going good, I am using it a about half strength (per recommended Ml/Gal) and only adding fresh nutrients every 7 days (weekly). The rest of the week, I keep that container filled by adding plain water...
I would use them for tomatoes:
4:2:1 (Gro:Micro:Bloom), and need hard water. The dilution you use depends on the drainage. Generally I would use it at 15 teaspoons combined in a full five gallon bucket and not water unless I were sure it wouldn't rain and they soil would hold it a while. So, a 5 gallon bucket would have 8:4:2 teaspoons (G:M:B). This is a very expensive fertilizer to use in this way!
Coconutisland, you will harm your plants if you are growing in a true hydroponic culture with an otherwise inert growing medium, such as a DWC and using MG as a substitution for your hydro nutes on a weight basis. If you use it in lower concentrations, the plants will have insufficient fertilizer and not thrive. MG is not a suitable hydroponic fertilizer, what it is, is a relatively economical soluble supplement used as recommended that gives excellent results.
PC
edit: noticed OP said SWCs and raised beds. The expensive comment is for raised beds. The mixture above is for the SWC on alternate waterings.
This post was edited by PupillaCharites on Sun, Feb 8, 15 at 12:49
What's wrong with me that to me the little seed starter is a more beautiful sight than the flowers? Or should I say what's right with me...
Haha - Deborah - yes, pleasant sight for me too - have you planted any tomato seeds - as of yet - for this season? We decided to try the supposedly "fail proof" seed starter trays - not that we have had problems sprouting seeds in the past - it just looked like a great idea. Fill the bottom try with water - then put in the support shelf - then the capillary mat that extends into the water - then the seed cell tray - and finally the humidity dome. Everything is dishwasher safe (except the capillary mat) so the trays can be used over and over again - I am excited to see how it works!