A rainy day in the Middle South - Good riddeance pollen - My young tomatoes getting yellow pollen washed away

Windmere 4/6/2014, 9:16 am

I just took my young tomato plants out. They got a heavy dusting of yellow pine pollen yesterday. This morning they are getting a good rinse!

A rainy day in the Middle South - Good riddeance pollen - My young tomatoes getting yellow pollen washed away 00210

A rainy day in the Middle South - Good riddeance pollen - My young tomatoes getting yellow pollen washed away 00210

Hopefully we will get some tomatoes this year~

TxGramma 4/6/2014, 10:20 am

Nice looking tomato plants! What varieties are you growing this year?

**AtlantaMarie** 4/6/2014, 10:47 am

Looks like we MIGHT get that rain sometime this afternoon. The big one you're getting is circling around JUST south of us... Please blow it north, Windmere. I need it! Wink

yolos 4/6/2014, 11:16 am

Windmere - I got a late start this morning so I just set mine out in the rain. I started mine in 4 packs and have been trying to decide whether to up pot them to bigger pots or just wait until I plant them out. I am NOT going to try to plant them out early this year. I am going for as little stress on the plants as possible. That would make them less susceptible to disease maybe, maybe.

Did you get your Mountain Merit to germinate. I had a pretty high germination rate on all my tomatoes except the Mountain Merit. Not a single Mountain Merit germinated yet. I planted them on March 30. All of the Juliet and Cherokee Purple I planted on that same date have sprouted. Oh well, I will give them some more time to see if they are just late sleepers. I finally got around to ordering some Goliath and I also bought a pack of Mountain Merit just as a back up. So if these do not sprout I can try again and have a late crop.

Goosegirl 4/6/2014, 1:40 pm

Yolos - Don't give up on the Mountain Merits yet. A few years ago I tried some new tomato varieties, and the one I was most looking forward to trying (White Bush) took 3 weeks to germinate! It was planted the same time as everything else, same light, same heat mat, same watering schedule - JUST SLOOOOOOOOW!!! I was just about to reseed the cells when the first one finally appeared.

GG

yolos 4/6/2014, 1:42 pm

ACK

A rainy day in the Middle South - Good riddeance pollen - My young tomatoes getting yellow pollen washed away 671790

I guess my tomaotes did not like the rain. Maybe too cold. 50 degrees. I have been hardening them off for the heat but not cold ??
A rainy day in the Middle South - Good riddeance pollen - My young tomatoes getting yellow pollen washed away Tomato10

A rainy day in the Middle South - Good riddeance pollen - My young tomatoes getting yellow pollen washed away Tomato10

I know they will bounce back but good grief. I had to turn up the heater in the house to help them along. I guess I better go put them back under the lights for a while. I definitely will not try to pot them up today. I will give them a day to get over the stress.

Goosegirl 4/6/2014, 5:47 pm

Been there. They are hardy, give them a few days.

GG

cj32769 4/6/2014, 7:16 pm

They are fine just look a little "leggy" might be time to put them in some cut off 2 liter bottles for support if the cups will fit or else get them ready for the beds. You can bury them deep and then you can use the top halfs of 2 liter bottles to keep them warm.

Windmere 4/6/2014, 11:42 pm

yolos wrote:Windmere - I got a late start this morning so I just set mine out in the rain. I started mine in 4 packs and have been trying to decide whether to up pot them to bigger pots or just wait until I plant them out. I am NOT going to try to plant them out early this year. I am going for as little stress on the plants as possible. That would make them less susceptible to disease maybe, maybe.

Did you get your Mountain Merit to germinate. I had a pretty high germination rate on all my tomatoes except the Mountain Merit. Not a single Mountain Merit germinated yet. I planted them on March 30. All of the Juliet and Cherokee Purple I planted on that same date have sprouted. Oh well, I will give them some more time to see if they are just late sleepers. I finally got around to ordering some Goliath and I also bought a pack of Mountain Merit just as a back up. So if these do not sprout I can try again and have a late crop.

Hi yolos - When I saw the photo you posted of your lanky tomato, I ran out to bring my tomatoes inside. We were out for a bit and I forgot about them until I saw your photo (about five p.m.). My tomatoes got leggy for a while when we had a lot of dreary/cold weather and I could not take them outside. The past warmer temps solved the leggy problem and now they stand up pretty well (except for one Blue Streak that is in the shape of an "S"). I planted the tomatoes in my post on Feb 26.

I understand what you are saying about not setting tomatoes out too early. Last season, mine were not planted until around late May... it might have even been early June. This was due in part to my not being able to set up my beds as quickly as I would have liked. It might have been a good thing, because I did not have any blight on any of my Russian Heirloom Black Krims. Our weather last season was crazy!

Wow, I'm very sorry to hear about the Mountain Merit. I actually did not plant mine yet, but I am guarded about germination rates. I planted some Mountain Magic (basically the cherry size version of the Merit) and only half of mine came up. Goose Girls comment about "late bloomers" is consoling (thanks Goose Girl!). I will definitely plant the Merits in the near future though.

Yolos, have you worked with potatoes yet? I have three varieties that I bought from Pike. I bought some copper fungicide for use on my tomatoes... but I'm wondering if a spritz on my potato sprouts might be a good thing?

TxGramma - This year I'm going to attempt a nice variety of tomatoes... I presently have:

Indigo Rose, Blue Streak, Black Krim, Sungold, Mountain Magic, Wapsipinicon, Yellow Pear, Garden Peach, and White Cherry

I suddenly got a large variety of tomato seeds from Winter Sown... So many to choose from... so little space!!!!!

yolos 4/6/2014, 11:55 pm

I grew potatoes in 2012 and 2013. The tops eventually died early of some disease or other, probably blight. They lasted long enough to get some potatoes big enough to eat but not worth a whole 3 x 8 box dedicated to them. So I am not doing it this year.

I don't know about the copper fungicide on potatoes. I am kind of leery of spraying anything on a root crop so I decided not to try it this year. I even hate the thought of spraying the tomatoes but I figure the sun and rain will degrade the fungicide so even if we find out 20 years from now that it causes cancer, the amount we will have consumed is small.????????????????? I don't worry about me because I have been eating vegetables my whole life treated with horrible chemicals but I am trying to think long term for my grandson who just loves to eat my raw veggies out of the garden.

Windmere 4/7/2014, 12:05 am

yolos wrote:I grew potatoes in 2012 and 2013. The tops eventually died early of some disease or other, probably blight. They lasted long enough to get some potatoes big enough to eat but not worth a whole 3 x 8 box dedicated to them. So I am not doing it this year.

I don't know about the copper fungicide on potatoes. I am kind of leery of spraying anything on a root crop so I decided not to try it this year. I even hate the thought of spraying the tomatoes but I figure the sun and rain will degrade the fungicide so even if we find out 20 years from now that it causes cancer, the amount we will have consumed is small.????????????????? I don't worry about me because I have been eating vegetables my whole life treated with horrible chemicals but I am trying to think long term for my grandson who just loves to eat my raw veggies out of the garden.

Yolos, your comments about your grandson are well taken. In fact, my wife just said pretty much the same thing the other day about it being too late for her and me... but not for our daughter. Our daughter is considered odd by her friends because she could eat fresh raw vegetables all day long. In fact, ever since she was about three, she will only eat green beans fresh/raw or frozen (yes, frozen).

The description of the fungicide I bought says

32 oz., Ready to Use, Copper Fungicide
Copper Sulfate 7.0% for controlling early, and late blight, leaf spots, downy mildew, anthracnose, and certain other fungal diseases
Formula will not burn plants
Contains Copper Octanoate, which is a Copper salt combined with a naturally occurring fatty acid

I am going to read a bit more about this... Perhaps some other folks might have some comments as well.

yolos 4/19/2014, 11:01 am

Rain, rain go away and come back in July. I have not seen the sun in 2 days. I am on vacation and want to plant now. Not tomorrow.

Windmere 4/19/2014, 12:42 pm

yolos wrote:Rain, rain go away and come back in July. I have not seen the sun in 2 days. I am on vacation and want to plant now. Not tomorrow.

This is so annoying isn't it? Rolling Eyes

I also wanted to direct sow a few things. What I will end up doing is transferring my tomato plants from 3" pots to 5" pots. I am not going to permanently put them out until it gets very hot. Last year I did not suffer any blight issues... and I'm hoping it had something to do with not putting them out until cold/moisture was gone for certain. Plus I'd like them a bit large for planting them tilted on their side. Last year the "experimental" ones that were tilted had amazingly good stability.

My daughter wants to plant some Green Zebra and Kumato tomato seeds in seed starters. I'm worried it's a bit late... we'll see what happens.

I ordered another bag of pre-mixed Mel's Mix and FedEx is supposed to deliver it today. It makes things sooo easy. However, convenience has a price. Shocked

CapeCoddess 4/19/2014, 12:50 pm

HoW come you guys don't go out and plant in the rain? Seems like it would be ideal for the new babies...
A rainy day in the Middle South - Good riddeance pollen - My young tomatoes getting yellow pollen washed away 1787710427

A rainy day in the Middle South - Good riddeance pollen - My young tomatoes getting yellow pollen washed away 1787710427

the yellow pine pollen hasn't started on the Cape yet. I am NOT looking forward to it. Its so gross! Everything turns yellow.

CC

boffer 4/19/2014, 1:06 pm

CapeCoddess wrote:HoW come you guys don't go out and plant in the rain?...
CC

After all, it could be worse! :

yolos 4/19/2014, 1:08 pm

CapeCoddess wrote:HoW come you guys don't go out and plant in the rain? Seems like it would be ideal for the new babies...

CC

Too dreary, I am a sun worshipper. I do work outside in the winter because it is supposed be somewhat dreary then. But this is the spring in Georgia and supposed to be warm and sunny and uplifting. Bah Humbug.

yolos 4/19/2014, 1:09 pm

boffer wrote:
CapeCoddess wrote:HoW come you guys don't go out and plant in the rain?...
CC

After all, it could be worse! :

Yea, it could be freezing. Then I would have to hibernate.

Windmere 4/19/2014, 1:22 pm

yolos wrote:
CapeCoddess wrote:HoW come you guys don't go out and plant in the rain? Seems like it would be ideal for the new babies...

CC
Too dreary, I am a sun worshipper. I do work outside in the winter because it is supposed be somewhat dreary then. But this is the spring in Georgia and supposed to be warm and sunny and uplifting. Bah Humbug.

I am like yolos CC. Today is for indoor activities... like some seed starting. Winter and fall have their place for planting.... but so does spring!!

**sanderson** 4/19/2014, 2:30 pm

Yolos, It's your vacation and the weather should cooperate Very Happy

with you!

**AtlantaMarie** 4/19/2014, 2:33 pm

Besides, the wind is howling too! Don't know about Yolos' location, but here it's running about 35 mph.

Actually did make dogs on the grill for lunch, but gardening is out for today! Again...

A rainy day in the Middle South - Good riddeance pollen - My young tomatoes getting yellow pollen washed away 950477

A rainy day in the Middle South - Good riddeance pollen - My young tomatoes getting yellow pollen washed away 950477

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A rainy day in the Middle South - Good riddeance pollen - My young tomatoes getting yellow pollen washed away

A rainy day in the Middle South - Good riddeance pollen - My young tomatoes getting yellow pollen washed away

Re: A rainy day in the Middle South - Good riddeance pollen - My young tomatoes getting yellow pollen washed away

Re: A rainy day in the Middle South - Good riddeance pollen - My young tomatoes getting yellow pollen washed away

Re: A rainy day in the Middle South - Good riddeance pollen - My young tomatoes getting yellow pollen washed away

Re: A rainy day in the Middle South - Good riddeance pollen - My young tomatoes getting yellow pollen washed away

Re: A rainy day in the Middle South - Good riddeance pollen - My young tomatoes getting yellow pollen washed away

Re: A rainy day in the Middle South - Good riddeance pollen - My young tomatoes getting yellow pollen washed away

Re: A rainy day in the Middle South - Good riddeance pollen - My young tomatoes getting yellow pollen washed away

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Re: A rainy day in the Middle South - Good riddeance pollen - My young tomatoes getting yellow pollen washed away

Re: A rainy day in the Middle South - Good riddeance pollen - My young tomatoes getting yellow pollen washed away

Re: A rainy day in the Middle South - Good riddeance pollen - My young tomatoes getting yellow pollen washed away

Re: A rainy day in the Middle South - Good riddeance pollen - My young tomatoes getting yellow pollen washed away

Re: A rainy day in the Middle South - Good riddeance pollen - My young tomatoes getting yellow pollen washed away

Re: A rainy day in the Middle South - Good riddeance pollen - My young tomatoes getting yellow pollen washed away

Re: A rainy day in the Middle South - Good riddeance pollen - My young tomatoes getting yellow pollen washed away


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