Member discussion regarding the methods, varieties and merits of growing tomatoes.
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December 30, 2006 | #16 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Evansville, IN
Posts: 2,984
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Nor',
One of SSE's 2006 publications showed some pepper plants, I believe it was, growing inside long, rectangular, screened cubicle row covers. They were built from wooden frames boxed wide enough to contain the plants comfortably and tall enough to allow growing space and air circulation. The entire enclosure was sized so that two people could easily handle it and lift it onto or off the pepper bushes planted in a standard row culture. If I remember correctly, the article went into some detail of their construction. I think it was hardwood framing covered with synthetic screen porch type wire fabric. I'll check on it Tuesday when I go back to work as the publication is at my office. For tomatoes, you could enclose each plant in a wire tower made from concrete reinforcement wire and cover the entire cage with a shade cloth sleave or "pillow case." There is shade cloth available that allows 70% sunlight to pass through. Some products also are woven so they allow ample air circulation. I suppose you could construct the sleave from screen fabric as well. You could prune the plants from which you intend to save seeds to control their size within the wire cages and cover the entire cage and plant just for that period of time when the flower trusses you have tagged for seed harvest threaten to bloom and until the tiny fruit have set. Be sure to snip off any advanced blossoms before you net the cage or tardy blossoms after you remove the net ... I'm talkin' about blossoms within the tagged flower trusses you have targeted for saving. Were there's a will, there's certainly a way. If I find any pictures or plans, I'll add a link in this message as a later edit. Keep an eye out. PV |
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