Hi ray4805 I tried cuttings for the 1st time about 2 months ago. I took 2 suckers from 2 of my brandywines (I also tried cutting a basil), & IMMEDIATELY got each of their stems wet, used rooting compound, stuck 1 tom in 1/2 manure compost and peat moss, moistened, and the other tom in paper cup w/water to experiment. Put them in sandwich bags, twist tieing them shut. They were kept in a window in hm w/indirect lighting w/home temps (90 sounds extreme for cuttings). I opened the bags 1 - 2 times per day and breathed some fresh air into them. They rooted in both the soil and the water cup. They then came out of the bags and were ready for planting. I did the same w/the basil and it made roots along the stem like the toms. I am in zone 5, but see no difference in what zones we are, as long as the plants are brought inside. Good luck!

I think Jean is absolutely right about firming the soil around the cutting. I do a little pinching of the soil around the cutting to make sure there is some real contact with the soil and the cutting. That is how I learned from a very professional gardener. I don't know first hand, but I've also read what Jean is saying about roots that grow in water not being the same kind of roots that grow in soil. I don't know if it's really true, but it seems reasonable to me and so I act like it's true. Part of my reason for believing that it should be true is that one of the easiest ways to kill a plant is to overwater it so much that the roots are constantly wet. And at the same time I can put a cutting into a glass of water and it will grow roots and survive for a long time. I've had much better luck taking cuttings much earlier in the season than you. Like in June, not August. That could be a factor. And I'm wondering if your cuttings might be too long. One or two nodes under the soil and maybe one above. I've taken cuttings in the late Fall, just before a freeze and put them away under bags of dry leaves with the rest of my overwintered Hydrangeas. They didn't put on any root growth by the next Spring, but still, over the next summer they developed a very strong root system. If I were you, I'd get some rooting powder, put the cuttings in a pot and place it outside and cover it up with some leavesfor the winter. Then put them in a bright spot next Summer. But not directly exposed to the sun. Then be patient. Hay

ditnc - yes, I have always overplanted maters because I never really get good crops. But it was kinda getting outta hand. This year may be my 'turn around' year. Yes, a single hole in the PCs. I would stack up 5-6 cups and use a 3/8" drill bit through the middle of the bottoms. I used to use little 4" plastic flower pots but I'm convinced that the deeper 16oz party cups allowed for much better root development. This year I used the PCs not only for the maters, but all my vegetable and flower seedlings too. The more substantial root mass has reduced transplant shock to zero this season. Kris

LOL-LOL Lo-la ;-) ... Don't read too much into my zone. If I had a good clear 180 degree horizon facing south I could grow all I wanted inside since I have a minimum of 10 1/4 hours of light (on the Winter Solstice). The reason for growing inside is because plants need to be protected from the pests and diseases outside, both above and below the ground, which thrive in my Zone 9 and the seedlings/rootings wouldn't stand a chance. Let me suggest a possible plan to do what you want: Root a few cuttings as you normally successfully would. Put it in a bright light environment *as soon as* it has some roots (a full days' rest is good if transferring from water to soil), and then allow it to grow as normal. When it reaches an unmanageable size for indoors, take the main growing meristem (a.k.a. “main stem growing tip”) and any "axillary side shoots" (a.k. *ugh* a. "suckers") if your cutting grew to support making any larger ones. Do not prune it until then. At that point repeat the whole thing. That way, you are on your second generation, it is no big deal and actually fun to watch and you will have vigorous plants with sufficient light. A 17-20W CF bulb in a 12” round (diameter) reflector is perfect for me to do this experiment successfully. If you have seeds, just starting them indoors a month earlier would seem to be less fuss, and more manageable. There are benefits either way. Seeds provide mostly disease free plants. Well made cutting plants can be ready to flower and if they have been given sufficient light, be very well developed and hit the season running, and feed the urge like green Mistletoe in winter snow. The quality of light depends on how much you spend. I can’t justify the expense for high power substantial setups nor their continued power consumption. For growing, I use “daylight” fluorescent bulbs and don't bother with longer wavelength bulbs / lower Kelvin rated temperature bulbs at all. Any commercial 5000 K to 6500 K bulb is fine by me and the best deal is a dual bulb shop light from Walmart with 4 foot long bulbs if you have a lot or bright compact fluorescent bulbs in reflectors if just a few for fun. The markup when buying anything else fluorescent is usually horrendous, except for packs of CF bulbs. Depending on your set up, you could have more success with germinating seedlings with a combination daylight and low temp bulb, but I would not do that for cuttings, no, no. For seedlings, yes. For cuttings you want the bulb one inch above the leaves. Careful, tomato plants are really stupid. If the leaf is long enough, it will raise itself right up to the bulb and press its nose and lips against it and dry out and dies after less than an hour of that. Unlike human children, tomatoes don't learn not to touch the hot stove after the first time. Hope this helps. If it is any encouragement, I have actually done it, and I am very happy I did, though damping off frustrated me a little. But I will be using seeds for next season, since I already took the ride and need a break … and have other tomatoes growing if all goes nicely, till past Christmas, since my first freeze is Christmas Eve on average. Hope that helps and let us know how it goes. Good Luck! PC