Member discussion regarding the methods, varieties and merits of growing tomatoes.
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February 22, 2011 | #1 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Austin, Texas
Posts: 147
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Bagging Blossoms
A year or so ago there was a thread where someone recommended a place to buy tulle craft bags for bagging blossoms. I can't seem to find that post now.
Anyone have any recommendations on where to get good blossom bags? |
February 22, 2011 | #2 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Central Ohio
Posts: 741
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February 22, 2011 | #3 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 57
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I just bought some organza bags off of ebay. 100 for $9.99 with free shipping.
They were coming from China, so I thought that it would take a while, but I they came last Friday. Ordered 2/11, received 2/18. They seem to be the same as any that you would find at any craft store, just less expensive. I usually try to buy things made in the US, but I couldn't find anything similar. |
February 22, 2011 | #4 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: zone 6b, PA
Posts: 5,664
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If you need them in smaller quantities and/or quickly, Walmart carried them last summer as did Michael's craft stores.
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February 22, 2011 | #5 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Northport Alabama
Posts: 304
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I don't mean to hijack this thread but when is the right moment
To place a bag over the blossoms? I may try my hand at this for the first time and need some Advice. |
February 22, 2011 | #6 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: zone 6b, PA
Posts: 5,664
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I put the bag on as soon as I was able to do so without harming the buds and kept them on until little tomatoes formed or until all the flowers inside were beginning to brown. Some varieties began budding on a very tiny stem, so I had to wait for a while before there was enough growth to bag the cluster and not crush the budding blossoms with the ribbon drawstring and the top of the bag above the gather. Make sense?
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February 22, 2011 | #7 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Mid-Ohio
Posts: 848
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It seems to work best early in the season
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February 22, 2011 | #8 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Crystal Lake IL
Posts: 2,484
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Why do you think that is?
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February 22, 2011 | #9 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Austin, Texas
Posts: 147
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How soon after blossoms forming can they be cross-pollinated by other tomatoes?
In other words, how long can I wait before bagging? |
February 22, 2011 | #10 | |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Austin, Texas
Posts: 147
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Quote:
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February 22, 2011 | #11 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Mid-Ohio
Posts: 848
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I don't know for certain why bagging works better early in the season, but making crosses is the same way. It possibly avoids heat and humidity issues affecting pollen. I know that around here the open flowers seem to persist longer on the first trusses, later in the season they die quickly if not pollenated.
Flowers can be cross pollinated as soon as they open. If you get to a truss with an open flower or two you can either pinch off the open flowers and bag the rest of the buds or simply put the bag on past those open flowers and mark it. Sometimes you have a very large truss (sometimes branched) and can only bag a portion of it. Make sure to have some brightly colored yarn etc (I use strips of plastic flagging tape) to mark the truss when you take the bag off |
February 24, 2011 | #12 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Central Ohio
Posts: 741
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usually 4x6 will be large enough to cover most trusses, even of longer ones like cherries
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February 24, 2011 | #13 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: north central B.C.
Posts: 2,310
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I bought some organza wine bottle gift bags for the cherry trusses - they fit a bit better.
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