Fruitset in Northern California - April 5

[rnewste]

As I was pruning the plants today, I discovered tomatoes on 3 varieties.

Jetsetter (living up to its namesake):



Better Boy:



Park's Whopper:



I had thought Better Boy and Park's Whopper were larger, mid-season varieties. Oh well, I'm not going to throw them back.

This Season, I've pruned the lower 12 to 14 inches off the plants to increase air flow and inhibit the onset of fungal disease. I've also trimmed the foliage considerably on the North side of each plant as this area gets almost no Sun. We'll see if this helps come the June/July timeframe.





Raybo

[JamesL]

Raybo,
I am as green as those tomatoes with envy....
Had what I would call the first day of spring here today.

[lakelady]

LOL James, was that Spring? I sure do hope it's here to stay.

Ray, what can I say? All you touch is golden ! Great looking plants, great looking maters!

[efisakov]

Hi, Reybo,
looking good.
I read somewhere that Park's Whopper can be as early as 55 days , or as late as 80. Maybe you lucky and will have your first tom earlier than usually.
good luck

[Deborah]

I like this pruning. The plants have a very light and open look. They actually look pretty.

[sprtsguy76]

Looking great as usual Ray. I think you might be on to something to help prevent disease. Air flow is so crucial when you plant couples so close together like that. Bottom line is that a little pruning MAY go a long way with your set up.

Damon

[Daddy Pig]

Hey Ray,

amazing setup!. Quick question - what size are the Earthtainers in the last 2 pics? They look 18gallon or so. I've made three 18 gallon Earthtainerish containers and was going to populate them this weekend. I was going to add 1 plant per box, but looking at your pics it seems you can do 2 plants per box.

Is it better bang for your buck to add 1 plant or 2 per box?

[rnewste]

The EarthTainers are based on the 31 gallon Centrex containers from Lowes. You can also adapt the plans for an 18 gallon container. Free plans are at this link:

http://earthtainer.tomatofest.com/

For the 18 gallon size, 2 smaller varieties will work OK.

Raybo

[matereater]

Great lookin plants ray!!

[Daddy Pig]

Thanks Ray

[z_willus_d]

Fruit-set already Ray? Impressive results. I think you're doing the right thing with the early low-stem pruning. Can you tell me where you get the black trellis netting you tie up in your cages? I think I need to do the same for my peppers (those that remain after the winds die down).

Thanks,
Naysen

[rnewste]

Naysen,

I use this trellis netting cut into panels of 3 strings by 5 strings to fit on the 14 by 28 inch cage rungs:

http://www.amazon.com/Dalen-Gardenee...rellis+netting

Don't buy the Hydrofarms brand netting as the panels won't stretch to fit the rungs.

I dye it black with RIT dye (also on Amazon) so it blends into the background better (this step not essential).

Raybo

[aclum]

Hi Raybo,

Congratulations on the first tomatoes!! Wasn't there some sort of little contest going on for the CA folks?? I think you won <g>.

Your garden is an inspiration to me as always. I'm generally about a week behind you (planted out March 11) and I just noticed my first baby tomato (about the size of yours) on my ungrafted Carbon. I have a feeling it's going to be a very good year for tomatoes in Northern/Central CA. Looking forward to more photos and progress reports as the season progresses.

Anne

[rnewste]

Anne,

Yes, Sun City Linda and others and I are contesting who will have the first non-early early tomato. Stupice, Glacier, etc. don't count.

Just received 2 grafted plants from Marla an hour ago - and they are in their EarthTainer "condo" right now. Will post photos when they perk up. Thank you Marla!!

Raybo

[Delerium]

The first picture is Giant II

The 2nd tomato is from my Mortgage Lifter.

We had some really strong winds yesterday that stressed the plants a bit. But no damage other than a little wind damage to some of the foliage.