Member discussion regarding the methods, varieties and merits of growing tomatoes.
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November 5, 2017 | #151 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Newfoundland, Canada
Posts: 6,793
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I read this whole thread last night, it's a great one!! Thanks to everyone who shared their techniques and especially, the pics of seed densities and discussion of seed density was really helpful. My problem last year was I sowed too thin and also missed the darkness for germination and tamping the soil tricks. Will try again once I get my lights set up.
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November 6, 2017 | #152 | |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: NewYork 5a
Posts: 2,303
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Quote:
bottom for run-off. I just use enough water with the sink wand on a fine spray to lightly moisten them. I know most commercial growers use solid bottoms. Cafeteria style low sided trays. So start with moist soil, mist or lightly wet the seeds. Once they take hold, just like our garden starts, the will drink up a lot more water. The 10.10 trays fit in the indoor sink for easy cleaning and stacking. My method is always changing depending on what crops I have planned. Especially Winter growing. I don't have the room for anything larger and a rotation of 4-6 trays is plenty for a steady supply. Sure, store shelf seed will sprout though usually a low germination rate. Lots of splits and the non-spouters invite mold. One variety I grew had very tough stems right out of the gate. Like trying to eat sticks. I'll stick with known varieties that are tender when young. Like saying, "what's all the fuss,...just pick up some 20cent tomato seed from the DollarStore, its just a tomato", lol. I do the same for the garden when selecting varieties so why not my indoor garden. This is my 5th year, second growing year round. Still learning. Lots of variables. Newfoundland, 2 big South facing windows with shelves and a wood cook stove that keeps the room warm and dry. Here, only one South glass wall, no shelves, no room,and now has a MeyerLemon tree and 3 hot pepper plants. I use a simple 4ft light bank, nothing 'fancy', where I start seeds downstairs. |
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November 6, 2017 | #153 | |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: NewYork 5a
Posts: 2,303
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Quote:
the root to go down and the very strong shoot to seek light and up. Also helps tenderize the stems. If you have the 5x5inch inserts for the 10.10 or 10.20 trays you could do smaller plantings and try some testing. I'll post this next batch pics when they are up and growing... (I probably mentioned this a hundred times but this all started 5-6yrs ago being out on the peninsula in Newfoundland without any greens. Very few choices. So I start a stack of trays here and they are sprouting during the drive...the I have mesclun, shoots, pea and sunflower, etc, in a few days after arrival. Basil, cilantro, celery, etc. a few days after that) |
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November 7, 2017 | #154 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Indialantic, Florida
Posts: 1,999
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Progress / Update: This AM, I took the test case (in 6 pack cells) that was planted in the promix/coir combo and took the lid off and put it outside under shade cloth. I can see that the 'leaves' greening up already, but still tall and tiny. Not sure that the 6 pack cells are a good idea, but they definitely 'beat' the same seeds in the cloth.
Sowed a few more test cases. Do all you experts use the tray for the top / dark? I have black weed barrier cloth that I think should work also and then free up some of the 10*10 trays. I can definitely see why it is so addictive. |
November 7, 2017 | #155 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: NewYork 5a
Posts: 2,303
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No expert. But depends on the seed. It is the big peas, sunflower
that does best in dark or low light with another tray stacked on top and a weight helps. Smaller seed like salads, herbs, veg, I just treat like I do any starts like toms. Covered with saran, clear dome, etc. what works usually for you. Then give light when they sprout. More misting than early Spring planting as you have a very dense planting and can dry out faster competing for the water. I dance a bit this time of year keeping things balanced. So I use the trays with drainage and bottom water to avoid too much moisture...but very soon it will be very dry here...our first deep frost is tonight, maybe a dusting of snow. Changes everything. (they do like perfect temps like garden plants...) Lifespan 10-18 days, so 'woo-hoo!', just start over. Try something new. I have now 12 5x5inch trays of herbs and veg...4 10.10 trays of pea, salad, and sunflower. Two just came up last night to harvest...I'll start two more by the weekend. *I do have everything measured per flat, even the soil in portioned bags, so it is dump, give shower in sink, plant, stack,...next. *goal is to nail Thanksgiving and have an unusual variety. |
November 7, 2017 | #156 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: NewYork 5a
Posts: 2,303
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Last nights harvest in a cod/corn/seafood chowder...
Pea, sunflower, broccoli and kale micros. We get some greens no mater the meal. No time for a side salad, dressing etc. No time! Nice to cut fresh and not pull from a soggy cello bag. |
November 7, 2017 | #157 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Indialantic, Florida
Posts: 1,999
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That looks yummy! You must be a great cook.
It's all foreign to me since I don't cover any seeds; sometimes I do the baggie/paper towel for sowing tomato seeds but other than spinach, weather is generally great for germination. BTW - I sowed a couple of the Tomato seeds you gave me. 100% germ and I will still have unused earthboxes for when they get transplanted. Did I read that you grew them in 1 gallon container? I grew lots of the dwarfs in 5 gallon root pouches, but now won't go lower than 7 gallon. Otherwise, they will grow in an EB. |
November 7, 2017 | #158 | |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: NewYork 5a
Posts: 2,303
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Quote:
two this Winter indoors. I had 100% as well. Yes, one and two gallon grow bags on my deck. No, not recommended. This was a 150+ starts, cull, cull again, dwarf-hunt. Many DwarfProject plants but I was searching for quality over quantity. By middle of August I had 'culled' to 22dwarfs. I wanted 'prime' fruit over bulk and quantity. Only 7 out of the final 22 will move on in my garden next 2018 season. The best will get larger grow bags next year and no longer the cull and hunt. |
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November 12, 2017 | #159 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Indialantic, Florida
Posts: 1,999
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I've had DH take pictures of the Microgreen progress but I am working with a Chromebook and it is torture going back to a laptop. I couldn't figure out how to post the pictures from the Chromebook so today I spent the time doing it.
The first picture is when they were taken outside and seeing light for the first time. The ones in the Cell were brought outside the day before and that is what they looked like in < 24 hours outside. The seeds for both the cell and the mat were all Mild Mix and sowed the same time. (mat actually was first). The seeds in the green container were sowed on evening of 11-6 so just over 5 days old. They are already larger than the ones sowed on the mat. I like this the best; I wish I had more of these. The container came with holes on the bottom, and I drilled more for another project. Roots are all through the bottom already. Mix is a combo of ProMix and Coir. --- Last picture is Kohlrabbi - I finally planted something different. --- I'm not really disappointed that the mat doesn't work as well as the ProMix/Coir combo. I imagine it would get expensive having to constantly buy mats. |
November 12, 2017 | #160 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Anchorage, AK zone 3/4
Posts: 1,410
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It all looks good Barb. I really like the purple stems on the kohlrabi. I have to wait until after Thanksgiving to try so I'll be rereading this thread as a guide.
Sue Last edited by akgardengirl; November 12, 2017 at 10:23 AM. |
November 15, 2017 | #161 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Indialantic, Florida
Posts: 1,999
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Today was day 10 and we ate the first batch of MG. DH really liked them - said it was better than what you could get from the store. (geez...). He ate the entire 10*10 tray (with the felt pad). I think he really wants baby lettuce; which is taking forever. I normally grow Parris Island Romaine (does really well in Florida - can grow until June), but started all kinds of leaf type lettuce.
Want to get new trays with holes but waiting to see if there is a Black Friday sale before I order. |
November 16, 2017 | #162 |
Guest
Posts: n/a
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Your pics are great, Barb, and that kohlrabi is precious! It's making me want to start something
And it's great that DH likes the greens but next time, tell him to at least leave you the tray and pad so you can re-use them. JK |
November 18, 2017 | #163 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Chicago IL
Posts: 857
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Oh my! Don't know how I missed this thread. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge.
Am going to try |
November 21, 2017 | #164 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: NewYork 5a
Posts: 2,303
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Looks good Barb!
I think I may have hit my target nicely for Thanksgiving. Started these trays Nov 5th. 2 square trays not pictured of mesclun. Tricky as most are herbs and veg, slow growers. Buckwheat was peak last night but I gave it some seaweed food to help it hang in there a couple days. Room is a bit chilly and that slows things down. |
November 21, 2017 | #165 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Vancouver, BC, Canada
Posts: 564
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That looks great Oakley. What do you do with buckwheat sprouts? Very foreign to me.
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