Here's half of my tomatoes, the other half are still little babies, (started them a couple weeks ago).
So far I'm pleased. Though, I would like to see the stems a bit thicker. If I could get that room cooled down a little, I think it would solve the problem but I just can't. I have 2 fans blowing and the window open at all times but it seems to get so warm in there! It'd help if I left the door open but last year when I did that..my rabbit got in there...and let's just say he found "Bunny Utopia"!



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I think they look fine and from the picture the stems look good also, what kind of tomato are they? Some of my other kinds have stems like that also and are sturdy even with the thinner stems, some varieties just have thinner stems. I also had the same problem with the temperatures for mine this year, I even had the window open with a fan pulling in cooler air and for a couple of days The thermometer still read over 80 degrees, It took almost a week to get the temp down to 70 which is still a little too warm once you have plants that big in my opinion.

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There's two kinds there.
There's a "Giant T & T Monster"..the tomatoes are suppose to get up to 2lbs in size. And the others are San Marzano Gigante...a huge paste tomatoe.
Have you taken any recent pic Comfrey? I'd love to see your progress.

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quote:

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Originally posted by ChristinaC:
8 different kinds? Cool! How many plants are you planning to grow Weezie?

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I planted Rutgers, Yellow Pear, a Cherry (*the one's the size of ping~pong balls), Delicious (*can get up to 7lb tomatoes), Beefsteak VFN, and Marglobe...

and two other kinds, are comin' from the church
*my mom bought a flat of some stuff from their fund raiser*

I planted at least 12 of each kind, but not sure if all seeds will take, you know how that goes..
But I will usually only use about 6 or 8 plants of each.. then I will send some over to 3 of the neighbors *2 right next door and one down the street* the extra's I can't use....
Works out pretty good...

As it is, those tomatoes would/could take up my entire raised garden space...

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Weezie

Don't forget to be kind to strangers. For some who have
done this have entertained angels without realizing it.
- Bible - Hebrews 13:2





http://photobucket.com/albums/y250/weezie13/

Christina
How about getting that wire support for them once you plant them outside or in bigger pots. That way they won't fall over either when they bloom and grow tomatoes.
I even use those wire supports for my flower bushes, like rose, peonies and others. With the wind in our area I had to do something to support the plants.
Just an idea for you.

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For this "New Year" help me to be kinder and more loving to all around me, I pray.

Here are a couple of pictures of mine..These are Brandywine that have been beat to death by the heavy rain we have had and also strong winds. Notice the the torn leaves...With a little sun they will be fine in few days, I am not too worried about them.







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John, when starting tomatoes indoors, young tomatoes grow best around 65F. It's a lot warmer in there than 65.

Comfrey, your tomatoes look great...I know they'll be fine with you taking care of them. How many plants are you growing all together?

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Christina is right about the temperature's.

Here is a quote from the seed starters handbook:

quote:

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Once the plants are growing above ground, they need less warmth then required for germination. The majority of vegetable plants that germinate most rapidly at 70-80 degrees do well when grown at 60-70 degrees, with night temperatures about 10 degrees lower. Exceptions are lettuce and onion which flourish when temperature drop to 50 degrees.....Plants grown indoors in warm rooms put on weak, spindly, sappy growth that is difficult to manage under lights and to prepare for the transition to colder outdoor temperatures. Start seeds warm and grow seedlings cool.

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Here is tomato specific quote:

quote:

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To grow your own seedlings, plant seed indoors in flats six to eight weeks before your frost-free date. Keep them as close as possible to 80 degrees F.(27 degrees C)for prompt germination. Transplant at least once, into larger flats with two inches between plants, setting the seedling deeper than it grew before, especially if it has gotten leggy. Tomato seedlings growing indoors should be kept near 60 degrees F (16 degrees C) to prevent overly rapid, difficult-to-harden growth.

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quote:

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Originally posted by johnCT:
Is that the book by Nancy Bubel? I've read that 65-70 is the optimal growing temp for seedlings. I guess it depends on who you want to listen to.

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Yes that is the author of the book John....I am sure 70 degrees is not too hot, but each person has thier own growing methods, it just happens I agree with Chrsitina and this book backs up how we each like to grow our tomato plants...Many other sources I am sure will say something else, So I just offered one view point and a reference to that view point is all.

How are your tomato plants coming along John??? Any pictures? We all learn from trial and error alot of times, and each type of tomato may recquire different temps for best results, so I don't think there is any set rule.

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I agree with you comfrey. You make very good points.

quote:

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Originally posted by comfrey:

How are your tomato plants coming along John??? Any pictures?

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They are doing great! Thanks for asking. I've had zero germination on a couple varieties unfortunately, including Sudduth's BW.. , so that's kinda dissappointing. Otherwise, the others are really getting crowded in their flat. I was planning on potting them up this weekend and may put a few out in the garden too. No recent pics, but will try to snap some tonight if I think about it.

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John - Zone 6

I just found where I posted when I started my seeds. It was March 28..so yeah, they're about 5 weeks old. Here's a pic of my tomatoes and peppers taken April 26, (4 weeks old).





I think yours look just fine...post another pic in another week...you'll see...they grow so fast once they get going.

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Christina,
Are those containers just regular ole styrofoam cups for like coffee????

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Weezie

Don't forget to be kind to strangers. For some who have
done this have entertained angels without realizing it.
- Bible - Hebrews 13:2





http://photobucket.com/albums/y250/weezie13/

Yup, those look great. I don't worry if my pepper plants are small...they don't ever really take off until planted in the garden, and then only when soil temps get very warm. Then they go great guns.
As to germination, and temps afterward...We have all the windows open a lot in the spring, and my seedlings get everything from 60 to 80 degrees. As I begin to harden them off, they may get even warmer some days...this year we've had 90's already. I push them much harder than recommended when hardening off, they're outside and in full sun in a week. They never get leggy or have problems, indoors or out, I just keep the lights right down on them, and no additional heat, while they're indoors. I do use additional heat for germination, and I have found that temps over 75 or 80, up to 85, insure much better germination for peppers. Tomatoes germinate a few days earlier at 75 or 80 than at 70. That's my experience.

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Dave
Even my growlights are getting restless!

I remembered...not much to look at though. Most are doing great. Have 0 germination on a couple though, incl BW Sudduth. Check out the foliage on Silvery Fir Tree in the third pic. So cool. No other tomato like it.





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John - Zone 6

Yeah weezie. A few seeds of each in each cell. Is that what you mean?

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John - Zone 6

I've thinned many out and will be potting up many this weekend. I'm also going to put a few in the garden this weekend. Long term forecast looks fairly promising.

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John - Zone 6

I just killed three slugs near my hostas yesterday and something else is eating my lettuce.

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John - Zone 6

quote:

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Originally posted by comfrey:
Since you have such a large variety...Are you planning to try and save seed from each one? If so how are you going to do it...Bag them???

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Absolutely! I'll be bagging blossoms on most, yes. Should have plenty to share in the fall.

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John - Zone 6

quote:

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Originally posted by johnCT:
Absolutely! I'll be bagging blossoms on most, yes. Should have plenty to share in the fall.

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Should I send my wish list now or later... Just kidding, but in the fall I my want to check with you on seeds.

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