Re: Baby toms - first time from seed

jazzycat 5/2/2013, 11:47 pm

hehe You can fix anything with duct tape, can't you. What a Face

R&R 1011 5/3/2013, 12:32 pm

Haha, I like the way you think! It looks like only 3 got really damaged, so should be good to go.

Triciasgarden 5/3/2013, 8:44 pm

Duct tape, he he!

Sounds like you all are doing great!

I planted tomatoes the beginning of March and none of them are much more than 2" tall. I did use MM from one of my beds but my soil was made the old way. So should I transplant these into potting soil so it is lighter soil and maybe they can try to get bigger or go buy starts that are already growing like they should? My last frost date is in 8 days.

R&R 1011 5/4/2013, 12:09 am

Triciasgarden wrote:Duct tape, he he!

Sounds like you all are doing great!

I planted tomatoes the beginning of March and none of them are much more than 2" tall. I did use MM from one of my beds but my soil was made the old way. So should I transplant these into potting soil so it is lighter soil and maybe they can try to get bigger or go buy starts that are already growing like they should? My last frost date is in 8 days.

What is the old MM formula? A few of my tomatoes and pepper plants are small. Im, personally, going to plant them in my boxes as is. When I up potted my tomatoes in MM they took off and got huge in a matter of days. If you can get your current MM up to par, I think your seedlings will be fine.

**llama momma** 5/4/2013, 3:22 am

Triciasgarden wrote:Duct tape, he he!

So should I transplant these into potting soil so it is lighter soil and maybe they can try to get bigger or go buy starts that are already growing like they should?

Wish I had a valid opinion but it's the first year growing toms and peppers from seed. :scratch:

CapeCoddess 5/4/2013, 10:58 am

Triciasgarden wrote:
I planted tomatoes the beginning of March and none of them are much more than 2" tall. I did use MM from one of my beds but my soil was made the old way. So should I transplant these into potting soil so it is lighter soil and maybe they can try to get bigger or go buy starts that are already growing like they should? My last frost date is in 8 days.

If I remember correctly, the original MM needed continual fertilizing to work. I have 2 beds of the old formula and use compost and pee to fertilize the greens that are in them.

Did you fertilize your baby maters? They could probably use it every 2 weeks maybe.

CC

Triciasgarden 5/4/2013, 2:46 pm

The old formula included using one part of soil. I do think I need to add some organic fertilizer. My compost is taking longer than I want, partly because I am not able to turn the piles as often as I should. I combined and mixed really well and watered two smaller ones a few days ago and that pile is up to 118 this morning. I pulled apart another one this morning and am in the process of breaking everything down that has clumped up, getting rid of any dog hair I find because it is taking too long, getting rid if any sticks, and tearing up any newspaper that is larger than an inch. I sure can get some of the pee and I have some rabbit manure that has been sitting in bags for at least six weeks. Do you think I should make up some manure tea with the rabbit manure and water with it?

I do also have some worm castings.

Gunny 5/4/2013, 3:25 pm

Tricia,
Yep that will work, I am using a manure and compost tea made in a five gallon bucket with a quart of urine thrown in for good measure and its working real well. I also add some tums extra strength for a little calcium boost. Am going to try adding aspirin at a rate of one 5 grain or 325mg tablet per one gallon of water to toughen them up so the bugs will have a harder time gnawing on the leaves. When they blossom add 2 tbsp of epsom salts and 1tbsp of baby shampoo to a gallon of water and soak the soil at the base of the plant as an aid to set fruit.
For my tea mix I use about a gallon of each in a net bag or some of the wife's knee highs. She can't figure out where there going. I just tell her the dryer probably ate them and let it go at that. Have fun.

Triciasgarden 5/5/2013, 12:52 am

Gunny you have learned and done so much since you started such a short time ago! Thank you for your help!

madriver50 5/5/2013, 12:11 pm

Well, I transplanted my seedlings into the Community garden this morning. Looks like the weather in Central Ohio will be good for the next week. Planted Black Crims, Mortgagelifter, Brandywine, Roma, Roman Candle, Abe Lincoln and Sioux.

How often do you water them in the beginning ?

**llama momma** 5/6/2013, 8:37 am

Madriver
If the soil is Mel's Mix remember it will drain very well so keep a close eye on it. Personally I look at newly transplanted stuff every day. The plants appearance will tell you how they're doing, also stick your finger in the soil and keep an eye on the weather. We are having a stretch of great weather here like you mentioned, 70's by day and 50's at night. If there is somewhere in this blessed country that has these temps year round, tell me cause I'm outta here! lol.

Gunny 5/6/2013, 10:00 am

Nope, just our winter months. Average daytime temp is 72. But the nights get into the 30's. Great for cool weather crops. Anything below 85 is considered freezing weather to the long time all year residents down here, Laughing

**llama momma** 5/6/2013, 10:21 am

The winter temps sound great. Your summers though make me pause as do my summers here in central Ohio. Last year in Ohio was just rediculous with far too many days/weeks in the 90's and 100's.

Gunny 5/6/2013, 10:33 am

It just gets a little toasty here in the summers, great for all those hot weather things like sweet potatoes and okra. Am pushing the envelope with my three sister plants and just seeded some more last week and had sprouts in four days. If that is all that will grow now down here then I'm happy. This is one of those live and learn type gardens, like my giant soil cube garden. Laughing

**llama momma** 5/6/2013, 11:03 am

R&R 1011 5/10/2013, 11:45 am

Whoa man, tomatoes are resilient! You remember that my 2 yr old attacked some of my tomatoes? She got a couple to the point of completely breaking off all of their leaves. Where there is nothing but a main stem. Do you know that those pitiful looking stems are growing new leaves?! They might get a little behind, but they sure are perking up! Hooray to the lucky 24!

Gunny 5/10/2013, 1:06 pm

I have a tom coming up in an asparagus box that was never planted or sown. Must be the birds are helping me. I don't have the foggiest notion of how that plant got there. Will let it grow and see what it does. Must have come with the compost. This is the second mystery tomato plant in my boxes. I am thankful for them as they will increase my meager harvest this summer if I can keep them going. One good thing about volunteers, they are free. Now if only some would pop up in my baron ground Laughing

**llama momma** 5/15/2013, 11:11 am

R&R 1011 wrote:Whoa man, tomatoes are resilient! You remember that my 2 yr old attacked some of my tomatoes? She got a couple to the point of completely breaking off all of their leaves. Where there is nothing but a main stem. Do you know that those pitiful looking stems are growing new leaves?! They might get a little behind, but they sure are perking up! Hooray to the lucky 24!

RandR--With our projected temperatures in the toasty range I bet those mowed down plants will very soon look just fine! Baby toms - first time from seed - Page 2 3170584802

Baby toms - first time from seed - Page 2 3170584802

Gunny-- gotta love those volunteers!

herblover 5/20/2013, 3:30 pm

Planted my toms on Sat; 'Dixie Golden Giant', 'Chocolate Cherry', 'Yellow Plum' and 'German Red Strawberry'.

R&R 1011 5/22/2013, 1:27 am

herblover wrote:Planted my toms on Sat; 'Dixie Golden Giant', 'Chocolate Cherry', 'Yellow Plum' and 'German Red Strawberry'.

Chocolate cherry sounds interesting.

Ive got almost everything planted in my beds. Smile

**llama momma** 5/22/2013, 4:51 am

I hope the weather forecast is wrong for central Ohio, projected low 40's for Thurs night and hi 30's for Friday night. I'd really love to get all the tomatoes off the dining room table. Today's forecast for large hail is not happy news either.

herblover 5/22/2013, 1:11 pm

R&R 1011 wrote:
herblover wrote:Planted my toms on Sat; 'Dixie Golden Giant', 'Chocolate Cherry', 'Yellow Plum' and 'German Red Strawberry'.

Chocolate cherry sounds interesting.

Ive got almost everything planted in my beds.

I like to try new varieties and love color in any bed so thought it would be pretty as well as fruitful.

Windmere 5/22/2013, 1:57 pm

Hello all,

I am so excited that I have a whopping seventeen beautiful and healthy black krim tomatoes. I planted them from seed a bit late (around early March). They were actually an after thought (originally we weren't going to plant any tomatoes). However, they are now about 10" - 12" tall. I planted much more than I needed. I thought there would be strength in numbers in case I messed up on them. I intend to give some away.

One thing I noticed while tending to them today: One or two already have buds. Is this normal? Is it a bad thing or a good thing? Should I pick them off to give the plant more time to grow?

This whole project is so exciting for me. To see nice healthy, bushy plants that I grew from tiny seeds is just awesome!

cheers

Triciasgarden 5/22/2013, 11:30 pm

You Ohioans good luck with your weather and keeping your crops! That weather is just not fair or fun!

Windmere that is great, 17 black krims! I bought black krim seeds but never got them planted, lol. I heard black krims are yummy! I love the name and the color of them!

herblover 5/23/2013, 1:42 pm

llama momma wrote:I hope the weather forecast is wrong for central Ohio, projected low 40's for Thurs night and hi 30's for Friday night. I'd really love to get all the tomatoes off the dining room table. Today's forecast for large hail is not happy news either.

I'm with you llama momma! But it will make for happier weather to work in the garden for the gardener!

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