do determinate romas really need 9sf?

chocolatepop 2010-06-14, 10:12

the only determinates I have are romas. Do they really need 9sf? I can also make any sort of trellis/cage/etc needed. Would a horizontal system decrease the amount of room needed?

milaneyjane 2010-06-14, 10:29

When I planted my romas I put them close to the outside edge of the box so that half the growth would be hanging over the edge of the plant, but still allow me to get my "cage" around it. I think 9 sf is too much based on romas I have grown in the past. This is my first year doing them in the SFG though.

chocolatepop 2010-06-14, 11:28

Thanks MJ

how close did you plant them? I am building a box to suit my needs Smile

Patty from Yorktown 2010-06-14, 18:32

Hi,
Romas seem to be small enough plants that you can almost plant 1 per square. I thought my plants were a little crowded. I also do not think I would plant 16 plants in a 4x4 square. Perhaps split the distance at 18 inches per plant, which will mess up your nice grid. Sorry about that.

Patty in Yorktown

chocolatepop 2010-06-14, 19:54

Patty from Yorktown wrote:Hi,
Romas seem to be small enough plants that you can almost plant 1 per square. I thought my plants were a little crowded. I also do not think I would plant 16 plants in a 4x4 square. Perhaps split the distance at 18 inches per plant, which will mess up your nice grid. Sorry about that.

Patty in Yorktown

no problem at all. im actually not going to do a 4x4, more like 2ft by whatever length I like.

milaneyjane 2010-06-15, 07:44

If you look at my picture, is shows a box with the 4 romas on the side. It is raining out so I can't go measure, but the bed is about 7 feet long. I put one in each corner and then just spaced the other two evenly inbetween. I have the cages that Tim Wardell uses. I have used them the past few years and they are great for Romas. If you did a two foot wide bed it would work just fine. I would probably allow 18 inch spacing???

Retired Member 1 2010-06-16, 13:04

I use 4 sf for determinates. That is what Mel recommended in the original book, and it has always worked for me.

martha 2010-06-16, 17:34

So, I knew at one point that I had planted marglobes, which are determinate. I did not, however, remember that at planting time. If you remember the photo of my tomato beds, do you think I will be okay?

Edited to add: Marglobes are in the bed over which I am leaning. (I can't help it, I think the world might end if I dangle a participle...it's a hangover from childhood!)

do determinate romas really need 9sf? Downsi10

jsavolt 2010-06-16, 19:27

Your beds are beautiful, love the shape! You wont need that much space. Plant them to an outside and I think they will be fine.

chocolatepop 2010-06-16, 20:39

ok thanks! I'll get to building tomorrow!

nancy 2010-06-17, 05:58

Kudos, Martha!! I do that, too!

"I think the world might end if I dangle a participle"

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