Member discussion regarding the methods, varieties and merits of growing tomatoes.
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May 18, 2013 | #1 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Laurinburg, North Carolina, zone 7
Posts: 3,207
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I love the new dwarfs!
I just wanted to thank all those who have been instrumental in developing the dwarf varieties. I'm growing 6 different varieties and they are amazing! Easy to manage, tons of fruit and the fruit is wonderful, although so far I've only tasted Sleeping Lady.
I will be planting mostly dwarfs from now on except a few cherry varieties. If you come up with something similar to Matt's Wild Cherry, black cherry and green doctors, I may only grow dwarfs. In my climate the portability of 5 gallon containers is so helpful. I can bring them in if its too cold or too hot, greatly extending my season. This will be a huge help in the fall. I can plant in pots and wait until its comfortably cool to put them out rather than trying to get seedlings through the 110 degree days in mid-August. I can also move them in if frost threatens early. I was able to put three Sleeping Lady plants in pots and planted them last October. I brought them in when we had a week of hard freezes this January and now I've enjoyed a bunch of fruit earlier than ever before. When I first heard of dwarf varieties they didn't make much sense to me, as I had in my mind the tiny varieties used for little pots. Once I learned more about them, they seemed perfect for our climate, since we basically have two very short seasons unless you can move pots indoors. I still had no idea how productive they would actually be. Last edited by Tracydr; May 18, 2013 at 02:26 PM. |
May 18, 2013 | #2 |
Tomatoville® Moderator
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Posts: 4,386
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I am sure others that were involved in the Project will post here, but glad you like them! The tomatoes in the photo on my avatar are 5 of the varieties.
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Michael |
May 18, 2013 | #3 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Laurinburg, North Carolina, zone 7
Posts: 3,207
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I just got in from tying some of the plants up because I failed to put cages on them earlier. They are so loaded with tomatoes. I swear, one of them has more tomatoes than plant! I've never had any plant produce like this. I think the one that has the most is a Beryl Beauty.
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May 18, 2013 | #4 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Montreal
Posts: 1,140
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I am about to plant Tasmanian chocolate and Iditarod Red, and I can't wait. I bought seeds for next year as I only heard about the dwarf project late but I think I may completely become a total convert!
Sharon |
May 19, 2013 | #5 | |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Germany 49°26"N 07°36"E
Posts: 5,041
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Quote:
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Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting ‘...Holy Crap .....What a ride!' |
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May 19, 2013 | #6 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Anchorage, AK zone 3/4
Posts: 1,410
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The fruit looks to be much bigger than any of my Iditarod Reds. Mine is more of a saladette size. The plant is loaded!
Sue |
May 19, 2013 | #7 | |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Germany 49°26"N 07°36"E
Posts: 5,041
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Quote:
Ami
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Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting ‘...Holy Crap .....What a ride!' |
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May 19, 2013 | #8 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Illinois, zone 6
Posts: 8,407
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I'm the only vendor at my farmer's market who sells dwarf tomato plants. Few people I meet know what they are, so we immediately have something to talk about. Most of my varieties are hybrids. I did have German Extreme Dwarf Bush this year and it looks to be doing well. Yukon Quest is now on my list for next year. Thank you for posting those pics.
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May 19, 2013 | #9 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Laurinburg, North Carolina, zone 7
Posts: 3,207
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One of my Summertime Greens is getting close to picking. I've never had GWR before, can't wait to taste. I'm a little worried that I won't pick them at the right time. It's so packed with fruit that I can hardly find them. The foliage is thick, too which makes it harder to check.
I love that these plants have such thick foliage. It really prevents sunburn, something that's a huge problem in AZ |
May 19, 2013 | #10 | |
Tomatopalooza™ Moderator
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: NC-Zone 7
Posts: 2,188
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Quote:
Sometimes you'll notice a pink blush on the blossom end when fully ripe. You can also tell by gently feeling, as it's softer when ripe. My personal favorite of all the GWR dwarves. Lee
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Intelligence is knowing a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is knowing not to put one in a fruit salad. Cuostralee - The best thing on sliced bread. |
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May 19, 2013 | #11 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 252
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You folks have me very excited about the dwarf tomatoes. Although I grow most of my vegetables in beds I love to have 10-12 pots of tomatoes and peppers on my deck. The dwarfs seem custom made for just this application. I'm growing Rosella Purple, Mr Snow and New big dwarf. Which one would you suggest I add next and why?
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May 19, 2013 | #12 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Parma, Ohio (6a)
Posts: 299
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I grew Yukon Quest and Iditarod Red last year in 5 gallon containers. They were very productive. I'm in love with the growth habit. In a 8' long raised bed I've got 6 in a row (compared to squeezing 4 regular sized tomatoes in, against the advice of many!). This year I'm growing the following dwarves:
Yukon Quest (x2) Iditarod Red Sweet Sue (x2) Rosella Purple (x2) Sarandipity Cherry F7 (x2) Dwarf Golden Heart F8 (x4) Tasmanian Chocolate I somehow misplaced my Arctic Rose seeds otherwise I'd have 1-2 of those as well. |
May 19, 2013 | #13 |
Tomatoville® Moderator
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Hendersonville, NC zone 7
Posts: 10,385
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They are easy to love (until they load down with fruit and are in grow bags in the middle of the driveway)....gorgeous plants, for sure.
Interest in them is growing (no pun intended) - I had all 17 released ones as seedlings this spring at the Farmers Market and sold loads of them - looking forward to people's impressions, but those who grew some last few years came back for many more this year.
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Craig |
May 20, 2013 | #14 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Atlanta, Georgia
Posts: 2,593
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Good threat, but isn't the word "dwarves", as in "I love the new dwarves?"
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May 20, 2013 | #15 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Sacramento, California
Posts: 267
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A couple of hopefully not overly stupid questions. I know that generally that a few people here are involved with this project but I don't really know anything about it.
1) What are the advantages of the dwarf plants? Container growing? 2) Are they typically determinate or indeterminate? 3) Where do people get the seeds? |
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