2014 Tomato Growing

Update on the first of my Rosella cherry tomatoes.

On first tasting, I'd say the flavour was quite mild and not as sweet as most other cherry toms, but pleasant enough.

I'd say King's claim that they taste of 'a blend of raspberries, blackberries and other summer fruits' is probably pushing it a bit based on these first two, however most tomatoes seem to improve in flavour as the season progresses, so I'll reserve judgement for now.

I did find they had a good firm texture when compared to my usual cherry tom of choice (Gardener's Delight) though, which can sometimes be a bit too juicy for my liking.

Got a few more beginning to ripen now, so I'll get Mrs Trunky, who is something of a tomato connoisseur and a lady of more refined tastes, to give her verdict on the next ones.

 

My Manx Marvels are in a large wooden trough so I don't think this applies Ziggy.

 

I wouldn't like to call it just yet...this last week of good weather has brought mine up to speed,it just depends how long it continues for...

 

Jenny, I don't think I'm going to get a harvest. Why are tomatoes so hit and miss every year? For the last three years mine have cropped heavily, looks like they are going to do the opposite this year.

 

I don't think the night time temperatures are doing them any favours either...here the day time temperatures have been in the low to mid 20's yet the night time temperatures have rarely got above 12 degrees,I think the highest has been a night of 16 degrees so far

 

If they're anything like 'Rosada', roast them in the oven with some salt and olive oil, the flavour will be transformed

 

What a difference 20 days make
10 June 2014

and today, 30 June 2014 - there are fruits forming on the Maskotkas on the r/h side

Jenny

 

They're coming on well Jenny! It's going to be a bad year for toms in my greenhouse, they are now 4ft plus with only a couple of trusses on each. It's the first time I've experienced almost a complete failure in production.

 

Worth layering them? Lower them down, on the strings, and take them up a string 2 or 3 "further down the row". Commercial growers arrange the plants in double rows, so the ones at the end of the row are lowered "around the end and back up again on the other row" if that makes sense?

 

I still reckon that down here, we have been short of sunlight and thus have had cooler days and night time temperatures are still too low. And, we are still short of pollinators,
Jenny

 

I have noticed the lack of pollinators too this year in my garden. There has been hardly any. I have lost hope of getting any tomatos