Slow and cool

Rairdog · March 21, 2015

I have experimented with growing some Pineapple and Martino tomato's very slow and cool. These were started in late Jan. It was the first time I have saved seed so it started as a germination test. I knew they would be to big by May. I was curious how commercial plants are so thick and compact. They were fed lightly 2 to 3 times with seaweed, AACT extract, buffalo loam and 1/4 strength shultz' 10-15-10 while in DE. They hardly grew at all until they were up-potted. Then they slowly came out of their purple state and exploded. They have been kept between 55-65 except for a few sunny days when the GH reached mid 80's for a few hours.

Here they are on 2/18

Today

Does this seem like a good plan? Do you think it will make them sturdier for cool nights when planted out?

JamesL · March 21, 2015

They look really good. Pretty think stemmed already. Almost look like dwarves.
May is still a long way off though. Do you have room to up pot again?
It will be tough to keep them cool from here on out, no?

Rairdog · March 22, 2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamesL

They look really good. Pretty think stemmed already. Almost look like dwarves.
May is still a long way off though. Do you have room to up pot again?
It will be tough to keep them cool from here on out, no?

I can make room and plan on 1.25 quart next. They may take a little more shuffling than I planned to keep them cool. The Pineapple got to 8 ft last year. The Martino is listed a determinate but I think it's more semi-det. I had it in aqauponics and it never stopped producing until it got too cold and died out. These were just an experiment that I couldn't kill knowing it was too early. I have 72 of of various varieties that are germinating now. They will get 6 to 8 weeks before planting out. I just wanted to see if I can avoid tall lanky plants that need support in a pot. I will probably have trouble keeping them from getting root bound and flowering in the pots. This was a big problem for me last year.

Rairdog · March 25, 2015

So no one thinks it's odd to grow with heat and have lanky plants that can't support themseves? I was just reading about feeding inhibitors. I never realized that was the cause of stocky plants. I just figured it was cost saving to grow them cooler.

RayR · March 25, 2015

They look great. There's one thing about DE that is extraordinary, it is a great thermal insulator. Keeping the roots protected from the cool outside temperatures is very important for tomato plants.

peppero · March 25, 2015

Great pix and I wish you success in your tomato experiments.

jon

JamesL · March 25, 2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rairdog

So no one thinks it's odd to grow with heat and have lanky plants that can't support themseves? I was just reading about feeding inhibitors. I never realized that was the cause of stocky plants. I just figured it was cost saving to grow them cooler.

Agreed. Selling plants with growth inhibitor applied ought to come with a disclaimer.
But that's tilting at windmills as it won't happen.

March 21, 2015	#1
Rairdog Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2014 Location: Noblesville, IN Posts: 112	Slow and cool I have experimented with growing some Pineapple and Martino tomato's very slow and cool. These were started in late Jan. It was the first time I have saved seed so it started as a germination test. I knew they would be to big by May. I was curious how commercial plants are so thick and compact. They were fed lightly 2 to 3 times with seaweed, AACT extract, buffalo loam and 1/4 strength shultz' 10-15-10 while in DE. They hardly grew at all until they were up-potted. Then they slowly came out of their purple state and exploded. They have been kept between 55-65 except for a few sunny days when the GH reached mid 80's for a few hours. Here they are on 2/18 Today Does this seem like a good plan? Do you think it will make them sturdier for cool nights when planted out?

March 21, 2015	#2
JamesL Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Long Island NY Posts: 1,992	They look really good. Pretty think stemmed already. Almost look like dwarves. May is still a long way off though. Do you have room to up pot again? It will be tough to keep them cool from here on out, no?

March 25, 2015	#4
Rairdog Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2014 Location: Noblesville, IN Posts: 112	So no one thinks it's odd to grow with heat and have lanky plants that can't support themseves? I was just reading about feeding inhibitors. I never realized that was the cause of stocky plants. I just figured it was cost saving to grow them cooler.

March 25, 2015	#5
RayR Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Cheektowaga, NY Posts: 2,466	They look great. There's one thing about DE that is extraordinary, it is a great thermal insulator. Keeping the roots protected from the cool outside temperatures is very important for tomato plants.

March 25, 2015	#6
peppero Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: selmer, tn Posts: 2,944	Great pix and I wish you success in your tomato experiments. jon