Growing Tomatoes In Miami, Florida

[Garf]

I don't know how many people realize it, but the growing season is reversed in Miami. During the summer it is nearly impossible to grow tomatoes. there are supposed to be a few varieties that can set fruit in this heat, but the rain, diseases, and insects combined makes it nearly impossible. Has anyone tried to grow tomatoes in summer in south Florida?

[heirloomdaddy]

I'm sure it's difficult, but can be done. With a good preventative routine, I would think that the biggest issue would be blossom drop in the heat. Either way, I'd Rather be able to grow tomatoes all year except for the hot months!

[coastal-tony]

Garf, welcome to this thread. I live about 50 miles north of you, in Lantana. This is going to be my 3rd attempt to grow tomatos & peppers. I have a dozen pepper plants from the "spring" Feb, March, April attempt. I didn't get dick from the peppers or tomatos. Tuesday I put 3 tomato & pepper seeds in each of these cut down cups. Keeping them in the kitchen until they pop up. Then I'll look at the tomoto growing threads for help. You get a lot of varying views on what to do next. Don't know if they will go in 6" pots, or directly into 5-gal. pots. Hopefully some of the experienced growers will offer tips if they look at this thread. There are a lot of people growing stuff that live between me and you. This is about the time to start seeds down here. I do have spare seeds that others sent me if you want some send me a P.M. and I'll mail you some.

[carolyn137]

Originally Posted by Garf

I don't know how many people realize it, but the growing season is reversed in Miami. During the summer it is nearly impossible to grow tomatoes. there are supposed to be a few varieties that can set fruit in this heat, but the rain, diseases, and insects combined makes it nearly impossible. Has anyone tried to grow tomatoes in summer in south Florida?

And now I'm laughing a bit b'c I just posted something about this in your welcoming thread.

I have several tomato friends who live in S FL and in the Miami area as well and many are very experienced growers.

They find that it's just plain useless to try and grow tomatoes through the summer as do folks in S CA.

They grow a Spring Crop using mid and late season varieties, getting plants out by late january to mid Februaary and then a Fall crop using mid and short season varieties getting then out by mid-Sept.

I like their Fall crop ones b'c sometimes I get a box of wonderful fruits as a Xmas gift.

[coastal-tony]

Garf, I found a stash of NEW 5-gal. plastic pots, with two handles & a lid for $2.00 each. They are the color of this text. You will pay $3.75 for those ugly orange buckets at H.D.

[Garf]

Well, where can I find them?

[Garf]

Originally Posted by coastal-tony

I do have spare seeds that others sent me if you want some send me a P.M. and I'll mail you some.

Right now I have more seeds than I can possibly use. Thanks anyway.

[coastal-tony]

S Fla. craigslist, search 5 gallon buckets, you need to get 10, to get them for $2.00.

Originally Posted by Garf

Well, where can I find them?

[Garf]

I stopped by a local nursery today to pick up some perlite. I asked them when the tomato plants were due. They said about 2 weeks. Sounds like a good time to start seeds. Most of the seed I have started has drowned.

[coastal-tony]

Sorry to hear that, but, there is still hope for the fall planting. I have tripples of all me seedlings and I'm only potting one of each of the 13 I started.

Originally Posted by Garf

I stopped by a local nursery today to pick up some perlite. I asked them when the tomato plants were due. They said about 2 weeks. Sounds like a good time to start seeds. Most of the seed I have started has drowned.

[OmahaJB]

While living in Miami from 2000-2003, I tried growing tomato plants only one year. Bought seedlings from Home Depot probably around April. The plant itself grew well, but with the heat and humidity there was no pollination.

One year I bought seed for 10 different tree varieties that were known for being good for bonsai. Purchased them on ebay for a great price that year. I had great germination for all but two, so probably had close to 100 seedlings going. Then came a late December cold snap. My apartment did not have heat and all the seedlings died. I felt awful about it but obviously there was nothing I could really have done to prevent it. The plants were already in the apartment.

Hopefully you'll have tomatoes before a cold snap there if it hits, or a good heating system in your residence to bring the plants in to.

Jeff

[Garf]

I have several varieties started for the main growing season in Miami. They are doing better than the earlier batches, because I am sheltering them from the heavy rains.

[coastal-tony]

Go, figure. Yesterday afternoon, I put my trays in the back yard to be out of the AM sun. It starts POURING and the rain on the roof valleys gathers up and HAMMERS my trays. My little guys got nailed, shooting them from one cup to another. Now I won't know till (hopefully) they produce what type they are. They are strong. Yesterday I thought they were gone, today there out front looking for the sun. I'll post a pic tomorrow.

[dustdevil]

Garf, try growing Floradade. I saw it posted on another forum that it can take prolonged temps of 97-100 with high humidity and still pump out tomatoes.

[Garf]

I grew Floramerica back in 89 with good success. This year I couldn't find it so I bought Floradade for my summer attempt next year. I also have Heatwave 2, Tropic, and Everglades.