How Can I Improve the Taste of Container Grown Tomatoes? - Page 6

rnewste · March 8, 2009

Ami,

Yes, I am going to need a Degree from TIT University to fully comprehend what you are saying in the above post.

This is what I am hoping the Ozone Generator will take care of during the season:

While algae itself may not be harmful, I am always leery of what you DON"T see that may be nasty.

Ray

geeboss · March 8, 2009

Ray
Is that algae from last years tainer's aeration bench? Or did the warm water cause this year's tainer's to build algae already?

George

FYI had great germation rate on WES, NAR x BW, fair on PH F3. Luckily these weren't pinched the other day.

rnewste · March 8, 2009

Hey George,

The photo was taken today of one of my Fall crop EarthTainers that I disassembled to upgrade to the EarthTainer II WaterMizer design (yes, we are going to be under water rationing this Summer). I had the same condition (only more intense) in my Summer 'Tainers. Hence, the idea that Ozone treatment will control the algae and other stuff going on in the 'Tainer.

Glad to hear that you have many great varieties that didn't get stolen from you. Must be some really sick person out there to grab your plants like that.

Ray

amideutch · March 9, 2009

Ray, from what I read the ozone will make the mycorrhiza ineffective and maybe the other good guy's as well, ie Actinovate. Before you go full bore on this idea it might be prudent to do an A-B side by side test with both tainers set up with Actinovate or Actinovate and Myco's and see what happens. Most studies have mentioned that whats goe's on in the subsoil when ozone is introduced is still a gray area as far as the microfloura is concerned and not much is known hence the reports. Ami

rnewste · March 9, 2009

Hi Ami,

I am going to contact Boomer at Actinovate to get their take on the impact of elevated levels of Ozone and its impact on their product. I guess when I look at fish swimming blissfully in their tank, that is the eco-system that I want to replicate in the EarthTainer's water reservoir (minus the Lion-Fish).

Ray

Tex · March 9, 2009

I raise a few chickens and have always had a problem with algae build-up in the 5 gallon waterer that I use. I placed a couple of old silver half dollars in the container and haven't had a problem since.

dice · March 9, 2009

I might have to retract my assertion that this will not affect
the root system of the plants in the Earthtainers. The tests
in the documents that Ami cited above used elevated levels
of ozone in the atmosphere around the plants over a whole
season rather than ozone occasionally in a bottom-watering
reservoir, but the affects on the soil environment seemed
drastic considering how little ozone was introduced (like 50
parts per billion of air in one test). If there is any way for the
ozone to move by capillary action up past the weed block
above the wicking chamber, it is going to do damage to the
soil microfauna, lock up nitrogen, etc. Even having it escape
out the overflow holes as a gas in close proximity to the plants
is likely to be a negative for root chemistry in the soil (reduces
exudates from the plant's roots that mycorrhizae and beneficial
bacteria depend on).

So use in moderation, and I would do an A/B test for sure.
The silver technique is worth a test, too, if it potentially
makes the ozone generator unnecessary.

newatthiskat · March 9, 2009

You can actually buy silver in liquid forms at health food and vitamin shops. It is safe for consumption in small quantities. Remember the term blue blood?
Kat

amideutch · March 10, 2009

I have been brewing, doing the Colloidal Silver thing for the last 10 years. I doubt 2 silver 50 cent pieces (which are not pure silver) would add enough silver to the water to do anything. Too many unknowns here. Yes you could add a 10-20ppm colloidal silver solution, maybe a couple liters to each Tainer every two weeks to keep the green stuff away but don't know the effect it would have on the mycorrhiza and beneficial bacteria. I do spray my Jiffy 7's intermittently with colloidal silver when sprouting my seeds to avoid damping off and it works well. Ami

newatthiskat · March 10, 2009

Ami there have been times in the past I have used Colloidal Silver I actually also put it in my bath water for a while to help with the chlorine. Read something about soaking the chlorine in through my pores while bathing and got all concerned

Cool to see someone else has actually heard of it and uses it.
Kat

eddie46 · March 6, 2012

Hi Ray,

What mix did you decide on? Do your tomatoes taste more earthy than blan?

Ed

Riceloft · March 7, 2012

I like how all of Ray's old threads get bumped. These are great conversations to read for those of us planning on using EarthTainers this season.

Ray, is there a place where you'd documented everything you add as a standard practice, including how much, how often, and....how (ie soil drench, through the fill tube, etc)?

rnewste · March 7, 2012

I am working on a new Revision of the EarthTainer Guide which will add information on pre-season Mix preparation, additive recommendations, etc. At the moment, use the latest Rev 3.5 Guide.

http://earthtainer.tomatofest.com/pd...tion-Guide.pdf

New trials this year on Bat Guano, Xtreme Gardening Axos Nitrogen Fixing Microbe, their CalCarb Foliar Spray, and Grower's Secret Pro. Should be an interesting new Season.

Raybo

Riceloft · March 7, 2012

Thanks!

Have you improved the flavor of your 'Tainer grown tomatoes as this thread as initially about?

rnewste · March 7, 2012

Riceloft,

There has been an improvement in taste, yield, etc. since I migrated in Season 1 from an all Potting Mix grow media, to now today with the 3:2:1 Combo Mix. The key indicator for me is that now when we have a string of a few hot days, the tips of the tomato plants start to wilt.

I am actually happy to see that, as it indicates the moisture delivery to the root system is just barely enough. Kind of what the grape growers in Napa do to stress the vines - getting the most potent flavor in the grapes.

In my earlier Seasons, the plants were never stressed, which indicated they had access to too much moisture. Hence, they had a "hydroponic" type taste to them. Now with the 3:2:1 combo Mix I believe I have simulated nearly an in-ground flavor profile. To be sure, nothing will ever replicate the taste from actual in-ground tomatoes - but for those relegated to growing on concrete decks, etc. I believe the taste is 90% of the way there.

I am hoping that some of the supplements I am trialing this Season (mentioned above) will foster even more robust growth and longevity. BTW, it is March 7 today and I am still picking ripe tomatoes from one remaining outdoor plant put in last August.

Raybo

March 9, 2009	#79
amideutch Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Germany 49°26"N 07°36"E Posts: 5,041	Ray, from what I read the ozone will make the mycorrhiza ineffective and maybe the other good guy's as well, ie Actinovate. Before you go full bore on this idea it might be prudent to do an A-B side by side test with both tainers set up with Actinovate or Actinovate and Myco's and see what happens. Most studies have mentioned that whats goe's on in the subsoil when ozone is introduced is still a gray area as far as the microfloura is concerned and not much is known hence the reports. Ami __________________ 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!'

March 9, 2009	#82
dice Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: PNW Posts: 4,743	I might have to retract my assertion that this will not affect the root system of the plants in the Earthtainers. The tests in the documents that Ami cited above used elevated levels of ozone in the atmosphere around the plants over a whole season rather than ozone occasionally in a bottom-watering reservoir, but the affects on the soil environment seemed drastic considering how little ozone was introduced (like 50 parts per billion of air in one test). If there is any way for the ozone to move by capillary action up past the weed block above the wicking chamber, it is going to do damage to the soil microfauna, lock up nitrogen, etc. Even having it escape out the overflow holes as a gas in close proximity to the plants is likely to be a negative for root chemistry in the soil (reduces exudates from the plant's roots that mycorrhizae and beneficial bacteria depend on). So use in moderation, and I would do an A/B test for sure. The silver technique is worth a test, too, if it potentially makes the ozone generator unnecessary. __________________ -- alias Last edited by dice; March 9, 2009 at 06:48 AM. Reason: clarity

March 9, 2009	#83
newatthiskat Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: texas Posts: 1,451	reply You can actually buy silver in liquid forms at health food and vitamin shops. It is safe for consumption in small quantities. Remember the term blue blood? Kat

March 10, 2009	#84
amideutch Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Germany 49°26"N 07°36"E Posts: 5,041	I have been brewing, doing the Colloidal Silver thing for the last 10 years. I doubt 2 silver 50 cent pieces (which are not pure silver) would add enough silver to the water to do anything. Too many unknowns here. Yes you could add a 10-20ppm colloidal silver solution, maybe a couple liters to each Tainer every two weeks to keep the green stuff away but don't know the effect it would have on the mycorrhiza and beneficial bacteria. I do spray my Jiffy 7's intermittently with colloidal silver when sprouting my seeds to avoid damping off and it works well. Ami __________________ 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!'

March 10, 2009	#85
newatthiskat Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: texas Posts: 1,451	reply Ami there have been times in the past I have used Colloidal Silver I actually also put it in my bath water for a while to help with the chlorine. Read something about soaking the chlorine in through my pores while bathing and got all concerned Cool to see someone else has actually heard of it and uses it. Kat

March 8, 2009	#76
rnewste Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Campbell, CA Posts: 4,064	Ami, Yes, I am going to need a Degree from TIT University to fully comprehend what you are saying in the above post. This is what I am hoping the Ozone Generator will take care of during the season: While algae itself may not be harmful, I am always leery of what you DON"T see that may be nasty. Ray

March 8, 2009	#77
geeboss Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Fairfax, VA Z7 Posts: 524	Ray Is that algae from last years tainer's aeration bench? Or did the warm water cause this year's tainer's to build algae already? George FYI had great germation rate on WES, NAR x BW, fair on PH F3. Luckily these weren't pinched the other day.

March 9, 2009	#81
Tex Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: East Texas Posts: 14	I raise a few chickens and have always had a problem with algae build-up in the 5 gallon waterer that I use. I placed a couple of old silver half dollars in the container and haven't had a problem since.

March 6, 2012	#86
eddie46 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: SW PA Posts: 160	Hi Ray, What mix did you decide on? Do your tomatoes taste more earthy than blan? Ed

March 7, 2012	#87
Riceloft Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Parma, Ohio (6a) Posts: 299	I like how all of Ray's old threads get bumped. These are great conversations to read for those of us planning on using EarthTainers this season. Ray, is there a place where you'd documented everything you add as a standard practice, including how much, how often, and....how (ie soil drench, through the fill tube, etc)?