Going to try keeping cuttings over winter this year

DoubleJ · August 1, 2012

My garage stays 45-50 during the winter. The couple of times I've started seeds in January, they start but don't put on too much growth until I move them into the house. I'm thinking I could overwinter them in the garage and maybe not have to mess with seeds next year. worst case, it doesn't work and I'm not out anything. Anyone try/do this?

Sherry_AK · August 1, 2012

I have been wintering-over cuttings for several years now. Except for last year, I rooted the cuttings (Sept.), planted them in small pots (about the size of a large yogurt container) and kept them in a south window in a cool room. Of course, being in a south window here in Alaska still resulted in very poor lighting conditions. I watered them as needed, about the same as houseplants. By Feb/Mar they looked pretty sad, but in April when days were getting a little longer they suddenly perked up and started growing. I potted them up as necessary and usually got ripe fruit (still indoors, of course) in late May.

But last year I gave the rooted cuttings just a few hours of artificial light each day and it made a huge difference. We ate the first ripe tomato on the first day of Spring this year and had a fairly consistent supply of tomatoes since then. I wintered over 12 plants this year, which was really too many, but sometimes I just can't help myself!

Good luck with your plan.

Sherry

DoubleJ · August 2, 2012

Did you have issues with plants producing less and smaller fruits from year to year? I was told that might happen

Sherry_AK · August 2, 2012

I did not notice that. But, in my case, these plants might have lived happier lives indoors than outdoors here. Other than the low light conditions of early Spring, the temperatures were probably more to their liking inside. Right now I'm growing a 3rd generation cutting of 'Trust' which has given me loads of nice ripe red tomatoes this season, and the plant is still in the house in a south window.

ron bruce · August 6, 2012

Wow I may have to try this in winter... better than store bought I imagine but also to get earlier fruit next year.

August 1, 2012	#1
DoubleJ Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Shelton, WA Posts: 127	Going to try keeping cuttings over winter this year My garage stays 45-50 during the winter. The couple of times I've started seeds in January, they start but don't put on too much growth until I move them into the house. I'm thinking I could overwinter them in the garage and maybe not have to mess with seeds next year. worst case, it doesn't work and I'm not out anything. Anyone try/do this?

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August 1, 2012	#2
Sherry_AK Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Alaska Zone 3/4 Posts: 1,857	I have been wintering-over cuttings for several years now. Except for last year, I rooted the cuttings (Sept.), planted them in small pots (about the size of a large yogurt container) and kept them in a south window in a cool room. Of course, being in a south window here in Alaska still resulted in very poor lighting conditions. I watered them as needed, about the same as houseplants. By Feb/Mar they looked pretty sad, but in April when days were getting a little longer they suddenly perked up and started growing. I potted them up as necessary and usually got ripe fruit (still indoors, of course) in late May. But last year I gave the rooted cuttings just a few hours of artificial light each day and it made a huge difference. We ate the first ripe tomato on the first day of Spring this year and had a fairly consistent supply of tomatoes since then. I wintered over 12 plants this year, which was really too many, but sometimes I just can't help myself! Good luck with your plan. Sherry

August 2, 2012	#3
DoubleJ Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Shelton, WA Posts: 127	Did you have issues with plants producing less and smaller fruits from year to year? I was told that might happen

August 6, 2012	#5
ron bruce Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: zone 5/6 BC, Canada Posts: 14	Wow I may have to try this in winter... better than store bought I imagine but also to get earlier fruit next year.