THE TOMATO GROWING THREAD 2018

Discussion in 'Edible Gardening' started by ARMANDII, Jan 1, 2018.

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  1. Ezzie

    Ezzie Gardener

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    I am not sure whether I should be embarrassed to admit this or be proud to undertake a scientific experiment on everybody’s behalf! Having read the comments up-thread I thought I would find something in the bottom of my seed tin! :snorky:. Gardener’s Delight, packaged year ending 30.6.03, sow by 6/2005! It would appear that I last used them in 2016 and successfully. Regrettably, 2017 was a blank year for seed growing whilst I received medical treatment for cancer. I bought my Gardener’s Delight in lieu and if I had to rely on them again, I would definitely be looking for something different! Have sown some today along with 5 other varieties. Just couldn’t resist the challenge. :snorky:
     
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      Ezzie, Mar 28, 2018
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    • strongylodon

      strongylodon Old Member

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      Does anyone have a Gardeners Delight alternative that they can recommend?
       
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        strongylodon, Mar 28, 2018
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      • Scrungee

        Scrungee Well known for it

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        I've checked through my tomato seeds and found an unopened [1] foil packet of Wilko Gardeners Delight packaged year 2005 (bought half price for 25p).

        So when does anybody think they started deteriorating? I also have a 2007 pack.


        [1] Should have better chance of germinating than an opened packet.


        P.S. Also found I have a further 41 varieties that I haven't sown this year, so I've been rather restrained.
         
        Scrungee, Mar 29, 2018
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      • JWK

        JWK Gardener Staff Member

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        For red cherry varieties last year I grew Suncherry and Sweet Aperitif - both were very tasty and slightly smaller in size than Gardener's Delight. Suncherry was a heavy cropper too, so for that reason I'm growing it again this year.
         
        JWK, Mar 29, 2018
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      • JWK

        JWK Gardener Staff Member

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        It very much depends on how they have been stored, in a fridge they should still be OK. On a sunny windowsill then will not. I guess you have them in a sealed container somewhere cool like the majority of us on here, in that case they still might be Ok for 10 years before germination rates start to drop off.
         
        JWK, Mar 29, 2018
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      • JWK

        JWK Gardener Staff Member

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        Yeah! Go for it Ezzie.

        Can you recall what they tasted like @Ezzie ?
         
        JWK, Mar 29, 2018
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      • Scrungee

        Scrungee Well known for it

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        I meant the flavour.
         
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          Scrungee, Mar 29, 2018
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        • JWK

          JWK Gardener Staff Member

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          Just been looking through the old Tomato Taste Tests and I think the cut off year is around 2012, any seed before that should be better tasting according to my recollections:

          Here are my notes from the past regarding Gardener's Delight ( the best variety got 10/10 each year):
          2016 4/10 F1 French 'Improved' strain £7 for 15 seeds! - Taste: 2nd last
          2015 3/10 - "bland and watery"
          2014 4/10 - "A bit bland"
          2013 6/10 - "Sweet and juicy, variable ripening"
          2012 8/10 - 3rd best - "Sweet and juicy has been prolific and early"
          2011 "badly attacked by grey mould, affected the taste"
          2010 8/10 - 2nd best "Sweet firm and tangy"
          2008 10/10 First place for taste "Sweet firm and tangy"

          I didn't keep notes before 2008 but recall GD was always my favourite for earliness, taste and yield.
           
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            JWK, Mar 29, 2018
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          • Scrungee

            Scrungee Well known for it

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            I've also got 2 packets of unopened Suttons Gardeners Delight packed in 201 (10p car boot sale), would they be on the cusp?

            @JWK Do you want any 2005 and 2007 seeds?


            P.S. Somewhere online are details of how to revive very old tomato seeds by soaking in a dilute Miracle Grow solution.
             
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              Scrungee, Mar 29, 2018
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            • JWK

              JWK Gardener Staff Member

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              It's difficult to be definite about the date Scrungee, it might be worth trying one of those unopened Suttons packets too.

              I would like to try some of those 2005/7 seeds, I will PM you.

              It would be good to know what has happened to the GD strain, whether the seed producers are just not interested in keeping it going.
               
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                JWK, Mar 29, 2018
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              • Redwing

                Redwing Wild Gardener

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                In the bottom of my seed box, which is stored in a dark cupboard, I found a pack of opened Suttons GD dated packed 2002 and sow by 2004! Well I sowed them yesterday and will update with results. Fingers crossed.
                 
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                  Redwing, Mar 29, 2018
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                • Ezzie

                  Ezzie Gardener

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                  @JWK . I am a Gardener’s Delight fan and can eat them straight off the vine - many don’t even make it to the kitchen after picking! Last year’s purchased plants were a huge disappointment compared to what I am used to so my old seed is now being cherished! Assuming that I have some success, I will be collecting seed via a plastic bag/tickling brush.

                  @Scrungee . A quick Google search on reviving old seed has tempted my scientific nature. I feel an experiment with Miracle-Gro and old tea will be on the cards next week. :snorky:.
                   
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                    Ezzie, Mar 29, 2018
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                  • JWK

                    JWK Gardener Staff Member

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                    I like the sounds of reviving the old strain of Gardener's Delight. I was a die hard fan growing it since the mid 1970s and reluctantly giving up last year. I recall an old gardener many years ago saying he was giving up other varieties and all he was ever growing for the rest of his natural was Gardener's Delight.

                    Make sure it is very very diluted Miracle-Gro - good luck all :dbgrtmb:
                     
                    JWK, Mar 29, 2018
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                  • Scrungee

                    Scrungee Well known for it

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                    Did you find the thread on a tomato forum titled 'Germinating very old seeds' ? If so, for further reading the 'Seed Exchange' mentioned is probably Southern Exposure Seed Exchange, Saving the Past for the Future
                     
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                      Scrungee, Mar 29, 2018
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                    • JWK

                      JWK Gardener Staff Member

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                      Maybe we should have a separate thread for those of us trying to preserve this old line of Gardener's Delight ?
                       
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                        JWK, Mar 29, 2018
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