Aussie 2007 Season

[cosmicgardener]

Tessa I had similar problems with Anna Russian - spindly and weak but the last week she has come on a treat. I think its just a matter of giving her a bit more time. I've found also she likes the cooler end of the hothouse but don;t know how scientific that is.

McSee I also had some fused cots but interestingly the secondary leaves have come through without any need to separate them - they actually grew through a sort of 'ring' created by the fused cots. I'll watch them to make sure they aren't strangled and remove the cots if necessary.

My weaklings are Box Car Willie which is going to have to shape up or ship out. Bonny Best who got planted two weeks ago is nearly as well grown.

[mcsee]

Cosmic - I noticed the seed coat was very hard on the Anna Russian, staying on for a long time. Maybe with it being hard it kept the cots together longer. Just a guess.

[cosmicgardener]

I thought the same - my first sowing didn't have the problem but was weak. It has now come on well, so I'll save seed from this one. The second batch seed coats were stuck but some of the fused ones had shed their seed coats so can't say for sure if that caused the problem. It's a shame because I really like Anna Russian even though she's untidy and doesn't fit my neat streak..........Best grower so far is Silvery Fir Tree.

[mcsee]

I'm hoping 'Casey's Pure Yellow' is good for me, as I have 5 germinated so far and expect some good results with the grow out. Also hoping for maybe one KBX to add to my grow list.

[Mantis]

I will get a pic of Rainys this weekend sometime. It is definetely more compact than the others around it apart from the dwarves.
Not sure on the Flathead monster fruit Grub, only know it is beafsteak shape and big. Must do some more digging on this one

[Spatzbear]

I will have to do a stocktake today. Seriously.
I have lost count as to how many varieties there are and how many plants, etc.

And there are 2 more varieties on my desk screaming to be sown!

[Mantis]

I found this pic of Flathead Monster grown by Tomtrees. I'm excited now

[cosmicgardener]

Oh what a conundrum - I too have some varieties screaming plant me plant me, because one of my customers collected their plants early to go to Hobart ( hope they look after them) so I now have room for 20 pots. Eek............got the kids arriving for the week ( to look after Mum hahahaha) so might make it a kid project. Brandywine Suddeths is taking over the hothouse........

[Spatzbear]

Flathead Monster looks great! Mantis, we'll be watching its progress closely.

Have just counted and rearranged my seedlings. 51 varieties. I think I have enough. I will only sow the 2 varieties lying on the desk.

Big mistake this year: I underestimated the unseasonally hot spring days. The black tubes on the window sill heated up too much. The last few weeks I was wondering why I lost so many seedlings this year, until I noticed how hot the tubes were when I was counting and rearranging them an hour ago. So I scoured the place for planter boxes and styrofoam boxes to protect them from the heat. Let's hope that did the trick.

[tessa]

what's that mater in your avatar, spatz?

[Grub]

Spatz,
That's why I use foam cups and cutdown foam veggie boxies to house them.
Will plant up in a few hours perhaps... psyching myself up for it.

[maryinoregon]

Originally Posted by Grub

Mary,
I don't think it is any more or less prone to cracking. It can get soft when very ripe and without tasting like its overripe. I am guessing, but it does sound like a weather thing. Maybe pick a few a bit earlier and bring them in to ripen. I'm sure they will taste great that way and maybe you will have better control of them during the ripening stages. Maybe try a few a tad earlier.

Best wishes, Grub. And feel free to jump in on this thread... we are all just shooting the breeze here

Many thanks. I will do what you suggest. I do believe it is the weather. Such a strange year. Finally all my tomato plants are loaded and ripening, but it's time to get a fall garden in. Territorial Seed Company is about a half hours drive from me and they have a tomato taste off each year with a cash prize. If I have some ripe GMG around that time, I plan on entering. Will let you know if I do.

[Spatzbear]

Tessa, see the beginning of this thread:
http://www.tomatoville.com/showthrea...lushing+yellow

Grub, I used your idea of the cutdown veggie foam boxes. The babies look happy in there.
Are you having fun repotting? It's one of these things I really enjoy. Sowing, repotting, planting.

[Mantis]

Ventured into greenhouse with camera
Rainys Maltese
Toms yellow wonder
Gary O'Sena and Grampa Willie
Juanne Flammee
Twin Flathead Monsters
Crncovic Yugoslavian - terminating main stem at a flower truss

Nearly time for the Daconil eh

[mcsee]

They're looking good Mantis.