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Greenhouses & Garden Structures

First GH Blooms

14 years ago

I have five tomato plants in hydro that were transplanted about Sept. 24 that now have pre-blossoms on them. Three of them are Mira, the other two are Legends. The Mira is a GH tom, the Legend is parthenocarpic. But I added an oscillating fan yesterday, that I run a few hours a day, both to make the stems stronger and hopefully aid in pollination.

Wonder what the odds are of them setting fruit and ripening by St. Nicholas Day!

Mike

Comments (5)

kudzu9
14 years ago
How warm are you keeping your greenhouse?
wordwiz
Original Author
14 years ago
No lower than about 55. The past few days, it has been about 58 or higher.

Mike
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kudzu9
14 years ago
Thanks. I'd really appreciate it if you give an update in a few weeks/months to report on your success. I have had trouble growing tomatoes in my greenhouse unless the temperatures are pretty high...and in my Zone I figured that would cost about $25 a pound!
tominnh
14 years ago
WordWiz, Are those varieties special for greenhouse grown in cooler temps? I am trying the same thing but just got some seeds planted and am going to go hydro. Any pics of your setup available? Thanks Tom !
wordwiz
Original Author
14 years ago
tominnh,

The Mira is a GH tom. I got it, along with Sacramento and ITC 06 313 from ne seeds. All are suppose to grow in a GH. The Legend, and another one I'm growing, Siletz, are bred for cool, partly-sunny climates, specifically the Pacific Northwest. They are suppose to set fruit even at 55 degree temps. Ed Hume Seeds sells them. I also have Cabernet, a GH tom and Florida 91 (not necessarily GH but with very strong disease resistance) from Tomato Growers Supply Company.

One other type I want to try, just because they were so productive in the field, is Delicious, a heirloom available from Baker Creek, Victory Seeds and several other companies.

Heat is not a concern, at least so far. We've had nights in the upper 20s and low 30s and with just a 1200 watt heater, I can keep the temps about 25 degrees warmer. Sunlight may be a concern.

There is a belief that most veggies require at least 20 moles per day of light. A mole is measured as foot-candles times .00071 times number of hours of light. (If you have a lux meter, divide the lux by 10.76 to get the number of foot candles.) Good production is suppose to require 22 moles.

On a sunny day, I get about 24 moles inside the GH. On an overcast, about 14. Partly sunny yields 19-20, the minimum (based on ten hours of sunlight per day).

I'll try to get some pics in a day or two, after I transplant some more. I'm growing in both water and dirt, mainly to see which does the best.

Mike

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