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Old August 7, 2017   #5
bower
Tomatovillian™
 
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Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Newfoundland, Canada
Posts: 6,793
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You only need one F1 plant to get all the F2 seed you need. All the F1 will have identical genetics if the parents are stable OP's, so every F1 plant gives you the same variety of F2 seeds.. A second plant for backup is more than enough, so don't have to risk many seeds at all.

I have grown a number of OP tomato varieties indoors in winter, including a micro, and those that are not micro are not as easy to manage. They can get very leggy and some varieties were not inclined to set at all. If they lean against the window the condensation gives them foliage disease as well for their trouble. So unless it's micros (which are perfect indoors anytime) you're better off with one plant or two at most, and give them all the artificial light you can. Good point from Oakley about cropping or topping to get fruit set. Heavy pruning may be your best strategy. Also the indoor pests. Mosquito dunks a must, fungus gnats are deadly.
Every house and place is different. KarenO had fabulous sturdy plants that set fine in the conditions she provided. Our winters here are some of the darkest, so chances are you'll do better than me. You should indeed, give it a go.
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