My 2011 tomatoes

[MargeH]

I have signs of tomatoes on about half of my plants. Last year's garden was the best I have had in years because I didn't lose any plants to TYLCV until October and then only three.

I don't expect to be that lucky this year because this spring has started out much warmer than last year and the white flies will be moving in soon (if a few aren't already here). I never get overrun with them, but it only takes one fly to spread the virus. I usually start seeing signs of it the end of March or early April (I am already keeping an eye on a Brandy Boy; I am not as familiar with the signs of the virus in PL plants, though, so I haven't made up my mind to pull the plant yet, especially since it already has several tomatoes set on it).

Here are pictures of a few plants that I took this afternoon. Plants are Indian Stripe, Red Brandywine, Sungold, an Unknown, New Big Dwarf and Tony's Italian.

I had a labeling disaster with one batch when I potted up. The marker that I used faded and I don't know the variety of about 5 of my plants. I know what I planted so hopefully at some point I can identify some of them.

Marjorie

[chancethegardener]

Those tomatoes (especially the Italian one) look very nice. I am right behind you with the help of Florida's nice weather.

[newatthiskat]

Those are some pretty plants and tomatoes! congradulations on how well they are growing. I am now dreaming of tomatoes LOL
Kat

[MargeH]

The Tony's Italian is going gangbusters. I probably have at least 20 set tomatoes on it already. Indian Stripe and Red Brandywine aren't far behind with probably more than 10 each. I have learned that I have to get fruit set early - before the plants get hit by TYLCV.

I have 19 5 gal pots on my driveway in the front that is my Dwarf Project garden. There are tomatoes on my Cheeky plants (seeds were planted in mid-Dec. - the others in mid-Jan.) but I don't think that my Lucky Swirl and Barossa Moon plants are far behind.

The weather has been great and I can see growth on the set ones every day. Because of the warm temps this early, though, I know I will be seeing TYLCV again this year, but I will enjoy it until the virus hits. So sad to watch what it does to the plants.

Chance, have you had any problems with the virus yet? I hope you stay virus free. I know that I have carrier plants around my yard. You can't tear out your neighbors plants, though, so I am stuck with it. I just wish that the resistant varieties had better taste. I have tried a couple but since they were bred for commercial growers, they are mostly determinate and not much better than a supermarket tomato.

Marjorie

[chancethegardener]

So far no diseases and the plants look pretty healthy with lots of blooms on them (knock on the wood)
What kind of virus do they have?

[MargeH]

The virus I get is Tomato Yellow Leaf Curl Virus (TYLCV).

You would know it if you have it. It shows up in new growth. Sarasota-Manatee counties were some of the first places it hit in the U.S. in the '90s. Because this is a heavy commercial tomato growing area, it is prevalent here. Most of the growers here have switched to resistant varieties. Beware of whiteflies; they are the vector.

It is mainly a tropical/sub-tropical virus but I think there have been outbreaks of it in Georgia and the Carolinas, and along the Gulf Coast.

Marjorie

[redneckplanter]

marge when did you plant out?
you look to be at least two weeks ahead of me...smiles
nice lookin mater plants.............

[tam91]

I am jealous, I am watching snow.

Ick to the whiteflies and virus. I am picturing tomato plants in beekeepers outfits or something. Sorry you're having that trouble.

[MargeH]

Redneck, I usually plant out mid to late Feb. Several of my plants I started earlier than usual and potted them up to gal. pots in Jan. Tony's Italian is one of those and I have a Stump of the World that also has some good-size tomatoes on it already.

The key for me is to get tomato to set as soon as possible. The virus I get won't kill the plant but it does stunt it and stop tomato set. Because of that, I decided to experiment and start some seeds a little earlier than usual this year. I think that I am going to back up my seed starting next year to Thanksgiving or the first week of Dec. I usually start them between Christmas and New Years.

Tam, We are going to hit the high 80s this weekend. I am a Florida native and have never lived in snow. It is great here this time of year but by the end of June we are READY for a little cool weather that won't come around until October. I grew up in the center of the state near Orlando where it can get REALLY hot and humid. At least in Sarasota we get some breezes off of the Gulf.

Marjorie