Tomato Growing Thread 2022

@JWK I always find it difficult to do. But like the start of the season with all the seedlings, can't bear to discard any that have not quite met the grade.

 

I use an electric toothbrush to pollinate my tomato flowers. So I was interested to read about buzz pollination by insects.

Efficiency of using electric toothbrush as an alternative to a tuning fork for artificial buzz pollination is independent of instrument buzzing frequency | BMC Ecology | Full Text

I suspect it holds very true where the stigma is very enclosed and it's is the flush of pollen which fertilises the ovaries via the stigma. It is very unlikely that the buzz pollination will cross the plants genetics with another. However, there are some flowers where the stigma protrude quite significantly and not only is pollination not guaranteed but perhaps open to cross pollination more. As my old teacher would say.... Discuss.

Still, my dog got hold of the toothbrush and gnarled the end a bit so I need to file it down a bit to remove the bumps or buy another end bit.

 

Mine are getting there after a slow start………

 

@jowwy what is the tomato jowry, it's got a nice cluster of fruit . The basil looks really tasty, mouth watering on that...

 

I think they are gardeners delight……..i grew them from seed and we had a slow start due to cold temps in late april early may, but they getting there now. I have 6 plants with four trusses of 10ish toms on each and one basil plant per tom plant.

 

@jowwy a
Well looks like you're in for a nice treat of tomatoes and fresh basil. Can I recommend a dash of balsamic and good Olive oil ? :-)

 

Personally, i hate tomatoes, but the Mrs loves them and betroot, so happy to grow them as much as i can for her……pickled betroot soon

 

@jowwy so do you grow anything that you particularly like ?

 

Cucumber, lettuce, spring onions, carrots, rasberries, strawberries, apples, plums, all the herbs for cooking………

 

Thinking of topping some of my plants though NONE brilliant! Everything is so dry although gardener does water every day!!
Next year fewer plants so that watering/feeding can be concentrated!

 

This was the true colours tomato I picked the other day


And taking a look inside, very pretty (and tasty gwr)

 

Having lost 5 Tomato plants this season with the rest looking poor, its plan B

 

Great!! But no £10 not!!!

 

Us poor pensioners don't have those