2012 Winter Greenhouse Tomatoes

[mdvpc]

I planted in 5 gallon buckets using the global bucket method on 9/15. All plants have flowered and Yukon Quest is getting ready to fruit. I used Tomato Tone 3-4-6, 240 ccs, 120 ccs of Espoma cal/mag and 1 tablespoon of Azomite in the growing medium. The mix is Fertilome Ultimate Potting Mix. I gave them a snack one time with FloraNova Grow (4-7-10 with micronutrients), 1 tsp to a gallon of water. Everything looks great. Temps in the greenhouse are averaging 90-95 high, 60 low.

The varieties on the first row are from left to right:

Jade Beauty, Summertime Green, Tastywine F-6, Tastywine Black F-2,Emerald Beauty, Sweet Scarlet F-6, Boronia F-7, Chocolate Lightning F-5, Blazing Beauty F-7, Yukon Quest.

The varieties on the second row are from left to right:

Iditarod Red, Wherokowhai F8, Peppermint Stripes F-5 and Tadesse (the real one from Carolyn, not crossed, RL).

[dokutaaguriin]

Looking very good Michael!

[mdvpc]

Jeff-So far so good!

[amideutch]

Michael, very nice indeed. The Yukon Quest and Iditarod always impressed with their vigor. Will be interested in how the Tastywines turn out. Ami

[mdvpc]

Ami-They really are vigorous, and looks like they will be first to fruit. I will check them this morning. I grew both of the Tastywines last year, the black is from seed saved by me.

[mdvpc]

I was wrong. The first to fruit is my Summertime Green. I think Yukon Quest will be right behind.

[Heritage]

Michael, looks great! Which vial # is your Sweet Scarlett F6 from?

Steve

[mdvpc]

Steve-Its vial 12-112.

[mdvpc]

Jade Beauty was the second to fruit at 31 days from transplant.

[maf]

Very nice!

[rnewste]

Hi Michael,

Your plants look wonderful!!

Was there a reason you went with Fertilome Ultimate Potting Mix? In reading the Spec Sheet at their site, it lists Sphagnum Peat Moss as between 83 to 93% of its composition. Coarse Perlite, Dolomitic and Calcitic Limestone make up the balance. This seems similar to Pro-Mix BX as well as the "original" Sunshine Mix #4.

Just curious as I am searching to replace the Sunshine Advanced Mix #4 in my InnTainers this Winter, and was leaning toward a Pro-Mix BX (or HP) formulation. The Sunshine Advanced coir based product ran too wet for my liking this Summer.

Raybo

[mdvpc]

Raybo

First of all, thanks to you and all your posts with information about swc's-it led me to try swc's. And with my total lack of handiness, even I could make the global buckets.

I can't get the Pro-Mix where I live. I even talked to the rep that has this territory, and he confirmed no-one near here has it. So in looking at the earthbox site and forum, the Fertilome is a recommended mix. It was available in Las Cruces, about 40 miles from here, and I am there often. The price for the 3 cf (its not a compressed 3 cf although) was pretty good-around 16 dollars. If I could get the Pro-Mix, I might use it. But the Fertilome is very light and is really doing great so far.

I considered using the earthbox formula for making my own mix. I might do that next year, when I plan on using mostly, if not all, global buckets. I will have to figure out the cost/hassle of making my own.

[rnewste]

Michael,

$16.00 is a very good price for the Fertilome! I am looking at paying about $37.00 for a 3.8 cu. ft. bale of Pro-Mix HP out here.

I have tried to locate sources for Fertilome in the San Jose area, but no one seems to carry it in this region. I'll keep looking as it appears to be a very good product with lots of happy customer reviews.

Raybo

[mdvpc]

Raybo

Isnt the promix a compressed bale? So it goes a lot further than non-compressed, right?

[rnewste]

Michael,

My personal experience with so-called compressed bales is that when wet, the cubic area shrinks back down to the original size of the bale. The Sunshine Advanced Mix #4 lettering on the bag claims "it fluffs up to 6.0 cubic feet". Well, I have a feather pillow that is about 12 inches tall - yet ends up at 6 inches when in use. Same observation for these compressed bale claims by the Manufacturers. In ACTUAL use, you get no where near the functional cubic area as claimed in the advertising.

Raybo