Member discussion regarding the methods, varieties and merits of growing tomatoes.
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August 4, 2023 | #1 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Central MN, USDA Zone 3
Posts: 302
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A warning about cheap seeds
The first image is of an old open-pollinated variety, one that has remained somewhat popular for 80 years. Over that time indiscriminate providers allowed the variety to devolve. The second is carefully conserved seed from a reputable seedsman. A few years ago, a respected seed house obtained seeds originally stored in a freezer back in the 1960's and compared to what exists in the wild. I bought seed from that seedsman, and saved some. The original packet was exhausted this spring, and so, to supply neighbors, I used saved seeds as well. Then my bride came home with some flowers she wished to try...and a packet of this variety. "Let's see", I thought. While the cheap seeds deliver a perfectly usable (and slightly earlier) tomato, they aren't as smooth and nice, won't deliver a slice just right for a sandwich. Because we can tomatoes, make salsa, spaghetti sauce, and homemade V8, they're gonna get used. But the remaining seed will be tossed. Sent from my motorola edge (2022) using Tapatalk
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a day without fresh homegrown tomatoes is like... ...sigh |
August 4, 2023 | #2 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Hampton, Virginia
Posts: 1,489
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Your First Picture is like my "Burn-up Amish Paste Plants" from July Mercury Sun Heat we suffered here in Virginia. Leaving me with only 2 hearty Plants, Amen!!.
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May God Bless you and my Garden, Amen https://www.angelfieldfarms.com MrsJustice as Farmer Joyce Beggs |
August 6, 2023 | #3 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Mar 2020
Location: Central IL, Zone 6a
Posts: 39
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Wisconsin 55?
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+ Marc |
August 6, 2023 | #4 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Central MN, USDA Zone 3
Posts: 302
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Yes, sir.
But the concept might apply to just about any older OP variety. Sent from my motorola edge (2022) using Tapatalk
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a day without fresh homegrown tomatoes is like... ...sigh |
August 7, 2023 | #5 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Mar 2020
Location: Central IL, Zone 6a
Posts: 39
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I agree! Side question about your resurrected WI55s - how tall have they grown?
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+ Marc |
August 10, 2023 | #6 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Central MN, USDA Zone 3
Posts: 302
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All are approximately the same size: contained by an approximately 18" diameter by 5 foot concrete-reinforcement-mesh cage they almost stretched to the top. I suspect if one stretched absolutely straight, the Johnny's plants would reach 7 feet, the saved-seeds plants about the same, and the Livingston seeds plants about 6.
Sent from my motorola edge (2022) using Tapatalk
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a day without fresh homegrown tomatoes is like... ...sigh |
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