Tomato Growing 2024

If the current pair of magpies, that are trying to build a nest in my garden, are anything to go by, I think my toms will be safe.
The rate they're going at - it'll be Christmas by the time they finish it!
They're very entertaing though.

 

Haven't yet sown seeds from a supermarket tomato, so I'm giving it a go. The variety is a cherry tomato called Piccobella, bought from Tesco. Hubby says he thinks the flavour is really nice.

How do I know if Piccobella is an F1? I've discovered it's an intermediate, but that's about all. I'm not too bothered if it turns out to be F1, it'll be interesting whatever.

 

Tim Dowling, writing in the Guardian, has an ongoing battle with a squirrel which takes his tomatoes. It doesn't even seem to like them, as it takes one bite and leaves them discarded on the path.

 

I think I started them a bit early and they did go a bit lanky but when I potted them on the first time I did plant them deep and they recovered in the bright sun we had. I potted on again yesterday and planted deeper again and they look like nice healthy plants. I'll try and add a picture later if I remember.

 

I tend to assume all standard supermarket toms are likely hybrids bred specifically for commercial high yield. I’ve grown a number of tomatoes from saved supermarket tom seeds and very few have come true to type. But it’s not all disappointment - most have still grown very nice tomatoes!

OB

 

Yes, that's what I thought. A few weeks ago I planted a few seeds from a Tesco's red pepper, I was amazed how quickly they germinated. I suppose commercial growers can't hang about. The seedlings are looking really good which has prompted me to think about growing seeds from piccobella.

 

I find most supermarket fruit grown seeds germinate quickly, if you buy seed it gets dried out and forced into dormancy, which straight from the fruit doesn't, seed is still moist and is just raring to go.

 

Perhaps the magpie was after the slugs and snails.

 

Does anyone just put slices of tomato in the soil?
I watched a video about it last night. Seems like a practical way to go about it.

 

Was it in China?
Some strange videos that really don't relate to the UK conditions.

 

I've put a squished supermarket tomato straight into soil and it germinated in a few days - same with ones I've dried on kitchen paper.. I don't see why a slice wouldn't work as well so long as you didn't damage the seeds.

 

But is that outside?
Yes, but I assume you get multiple plants from the one slice.
I'm sure the principle is good but not really how I would grow them.
Are you thinning them out.

 

In the unheated porch. I suspect it would take a little longer outside. They self seed in the garden and in the compost heap.

 

I know they do this in warmer countries as I've see it done, well kind of. This lady would throw any damaged toms down around the plants and stomp them in. I'm assuming she would weed out all but the strongest the next year? This same lady once asked our friends what toms cost in the supermarket as she had never bought any - she was well over 60!