Tomato Growing Thread 2021

Now 2 deg C forecast for early tomorrow morning!

 

Always above ground

 

Mine are grown early, under lights. They get more elongated (i.e. because they are "caused" to grow softer) than plants that are grown cooler, later, and with better light (if in greenhouse rather than windowsill / lights)

This is mostly an issue for me with Beefsteaks. I do start them "very early" 'coz they take forever to plump-up a good fruit. My regulars, Shirley and the like, are started early-ish, but not mega-early.

 

I thought the idea of starting early and growing under lights was to stop them getting elongated, they get elongated when they get too warm in comparison to the amount of light.

Which is why I never start very early, because I dont have lights, and I just wonder how many weeks earlier you get the first fruit, in comparison to how many weeks earlier you sow the seed.
Just wonder if anyone has done a comparison.

 

I'm probably doing it wrong, but I've never had short-and-stubby Tom plants under lights ...

... but I most definitely do have very short and stubby Cucumbers, with enormous leaves this year. I didn't realise that the timer was bust, so they had 24/7 light ... so a bit of an unintended experiment!

Hadn't considered it, but my boiler room may be warm for Toms ... and perfect for Cues ...

I may have a photo of First Tom last year, I'll check for a date

 

Sorry, no such photo.

Only time-specific I have is a video "panning up" a Tomato plant. Date is 13-Jun-2020


Truss 1


Truss 2

not sure if there is Truss 3 out of shot off to the left, the camera pans up quite a long way to:



next truss facing away on far side of plant. No set fruit of any size, hence why I think there may have been another truss

Photo includes the truss above, which is just forming.

 

I use a telescopic fishing net to rescue bees, butterflies, moths, etc. from my greenhouse (and polytunnels).

How do you extract them from something that size?

 

I've found squashes always do well under lights, so do french beans, although runners want to grow upwards towards it, but a few extra inches between the ground and first runner bean leaves doesn't cause a problem.

Winter Squash, Courgette, Cucumber and French Beans 6 days after sowing in heated propagators and then kept under lights most of the day.

Will they be ready for planting out on 1st June 14 days after sowing ?



But getting back on topic, the last of my tomatoes (small bush for window boxes and containers) have been moved out from under lights as they are now too big.

 

Apart form Cabbage Whites <spit> I've not seen anything hanging about ...

Not really thought about it @Scrungee - are they getting out of the vents perhaps?

I have one, continuous, ridge vent on each bay



However, I am thinking about putting a net on it - 1" or more, don't want to restrict air but would like to keep the birds out ... the bigger ones do huge damage when they get in and become panicked.

Perhaps tunnel is different in the sense that exits are only available "as Tunnel Crew are pointing out, One at the front and one at the back"

 

Insects must be getting in to pollinate, unless you now do everything by hand.

 

Robot @Scrungee, By Robot ...

I don't have the time, but and every-year failed New Year's Resolution is to learn how to and keep bees ...

 

I'm feeling you .... It hasn't got so low here but I'm heartily heartily tired of these cold nights, shifting forecasts and all the worrying and running around with pots and hastily fashioned cloches. Wondering now if the poor things will actually survive. My tomato bed is reminding me of Glastonbury.

Fascinating conversation about stem laying. Mega impressive greenhouse @Kristen. Stuff of dreams of space.. and perhaps retirement

 

My greenhouse cost me a £grand, they wanted it "got shot" to make way of a housing estate ... so the price was not much different from an amateur one. However, that is glossing over the labour to take it down and put it back up, but for someone handy who might choose to do that "exercise", instead of going to the gym ... I reckon it is viable.

 

And it looks like you absolutely make the most of it! I'm growing a town garden and for the most part it does the job - when the climate cooperates.. but who knows for one day when I've more time on my hands

 

I'm very happy with my Sweet Olive, they are now on their third day of outings and if the weather continues, will be planted on Monday. Grow lights have made all the difference this year, the plants have grown nice and sturdy on the windowsill.

I'm also pleased to reclaim the living room for human use