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Growing Tomatoes

First year growing from seed. What are you starting?

6 years ago

We started Constoluto Fiorentino, Paul Robeson and Arkansas Traveler, and then a few weeks later, started some Black Cherries. The first three are big enough now to take visits outside in the daytime for sunlight, and we will plant them out in mid-April. The healthiest, by far, are the Paul Robesons. Arkansas Traveler is doing good too, but poor Constoluto Fiorentino. Those poor plants seemed unhealthy from the start, with their shriveled up, half-opened leaves. I think we will lose at least 75% of them, which is a shame because I was really looking forward to them.

What are you planting this year? What are your healthiest plants?

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Comments (5)

edweather USDA 9a, HZ 9, Sunset 28
6 years ago
From seed started Stupice, Big Beef, Black Cherry, Indian Stripe PL, and we bought a Rutgers from TSC just to get a jump on our brutal summers here. The Indian Stripe and Rutgers are healthy, and the Black Cherry and Big Beef are struggling a bit. The first Stupice died, and am starting another one. Has been cold and windy here, and rough on plants.
Iloveto Cook thanked edweather USDA 9a, HZ 9, Sunset 28
daninthedirt (USDA 9a, HZ9, CentTX, Sunset z30, Cfa)
6 years ago
I'm a little surprised that you see the seedlings of one variety failing, especially if you're using the same mix for all of them, and treating them all the same. In my experience, either the seeds are alive and sprout, and thrive in accordance with the quality of treatment, or they're not, and never germinate. I start Costoluto often (though did not do so this year), and they always turn out like everyone else.
Iloveto Cook thanked daninthedirt (USDA 9a, HZ9, CentTX, Sunset z30, Cfa)
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edweather USDA 9a, HZ 9, Sunset 28
6 years ago
"'I'm a little surprised that you see the seedlings of one variety failing, especially if you're using the same mix for all of them"

Yea, not sure what happened, might have overfertilized that one. It was struggling early, and must have over compensated or something. Not sure exactly what happened, but it's the first seedling of that size that ever died on me. Getting old, must be losing my touch :-) Got another one started already.
Iloveto Cook thanked edweather USDA 9a, HZ 9, Sunset 28
hazeldazel
6 years ago
All of my tomatoes came up and did fine. I did notice that for two of the varieties I had old seed (6-8 years old) and got new seeds and planted them side by side. The older seeds came up but not as many and took longer to germinate but they're almost caught up now (planted on 2/18/18).
Iloveto Cook thanked hazeldazel
User
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
Sun Gold, Indian Stripe, Cherokee Carbon, Bella Rosa, and Sweet Tangerine.

Started all on 10 February. Moved to the cold frame as soon as they germinated. Need to harvest the remaining lettuce, finish turning the beds, and add compost this week, so I can transplant next weekend.
Iloveto Cook thanked User

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