Hey Fellow Floridians - Year 2

[Zone9b]

Originally Posted by Barb_FL

In Summer of '15, the BCD was still producing tomatoes until mid June. I know this b/c I broke my wrist on June 9th, and had surgery on June 18th. Beginning June 18th, I couldn't go outside (could not sweat) so DH had to water for me; he wasn't consistent at all and just once a day. I had only kept a couple of plants to test and was watering them twice a day. By the time I got the stitches removed the plant was not how I left it.

Also, it was from a cutting so hadn't been 'tired' from pumping out fruit for months.

-----
I preordered some seeds from Fred Hempel (Artisan seeds) that is suppose to have a very long shelf life. I thought if I could get production somewhat late, could have fresh tomatoes most of the summer. Tomato is called Green Bee. Problem is seeds won't be available until Feb so pretty much excludes growing until 2018. I don't think I would grow these for the fall season as the only thing that really appeals to me is long shelf life in the summer.

Garden Gem had long shelf life too; weeks but Green Bee sounds like it could approach > 6 weeks.

----
Actually I think determinates would work better for the experiment. I would just stagger sowing them.

Another option is the "HEAT" tomatoes....start them in March so by May they would be at their optimal health/vigor and not tired. So if they set in May/Late May/early June, tomatoes should be ready to eat until mid-August.

Another thought is the Micros and just bring them inside.

That is another interesting point. For fresh tomatoes in the summer grow a variety that produces in late spring/early summer and has a long shell life.
Larry

[efisakov]

Originally Posted by ginger2778

Here's a link Ella. They come in 72 cell mini greenhouses, but I don't need the dome cover. They also come in pellet refill packs. You soak the flat dry pellets in water, and they expand. When ready to plant out, I peel back the netting and transplant.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Ferry-Mor...&wl13=&veh=sem

thank you, Marsha

[Fiishergurl]

I grew Bloody Butcher and Juliet in the summer of 2014 and they grew pretty well and set fruit in July and August but they had some leaf diseases so I pulled them before I set out my fall seedlings in September of that year. In my opinion they didnt taste as good as Tasti lees or Kumatos from the grocery store so I would not grow those again. I think the heat and conditions had something to do with taste as bloody butcher is supposed to be better tasting than what I experienced. I havent been home the last two summers so havent tried again.

Ginny

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using Tapatalk

[ginger2778]

Originally Posted by efisakov

thank you, Marsha

Oops Ella- it was Barb that asked the question. Sorry!

[maxjohnson]

Day 17. I'm not bringing them outside until I can be sure most of the whiteflies are gone.

[Fiishergurl]

Max

They look great!

Ginny

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using Tapatalk

[schill93]

Max,

What are those lights your using?

[maxjohnson]

AeroGarden ExtraLED, 30watt each.

[efisakov]

Originally Posted by ginger2778

Oops Ella- it was Barb that asked the question. Sorry!

Marsha, we all benefit from your info. So, thank you from all of us.

[efisakov]

Originally Posted by Fiishergurl

Max

They look great!

Ginny

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using Tapatalk

I second that.

[Fiishergurl]

First ripening ICD.. :-) Thanks Kay!

Ginny

[kayrobbins]

I think ICD is one of the prettiest cherries. I hope you like the taste!

[Zone9b]

I harvested the last of my first crop of Broccoli for this season on Friday. The crop was planted late in August and was completely harvested 62 days later. The first crop was a fair success, given that it was grown under far less than ideal conditions for Broccoli; i.e. September was hot. We blanched and froze some and ate the rest. Today I planted what I hope will be my second crop, which included 146 Castle Dome transplants.
I also seeded 162 3 ½” cups with Broccoli Seeds, which I expect to be ready for the third crop when the second comes out, which I expect to happen in approximately 50 days.
Larry

[Barb_FL]

GINNY - Congrats!!!! Was this a plant left out in the hurricane? My ICD plants are enormous. I saw a SunGold tomato just starting to turn yellow.

Larry - You are a broccoli guru for sure. My first set is finally getting some size but not big enough to transplant.

You asked about BrandyBoy - so far so good in both EB and RP. RP went from having 2 tomatoes to 8 and EB went from 3 to 5.

This was over 5 days but the last 3 nights and the next 6 will be 74-76 ish.... so not great for fruit set. The daytime highs and night time lows range is 6 degrees.

I went ahead and counted the tomatoes set since nothing will probably set for another week.

Others with bigger gains were:

Wild Fred (Dwarf) in RP went from 1 to 8 tomatoes.
Champion 2 - EB 2 to 6
Dusky Rose - RP 1 to 6 (EB didn't change at 2)

[Zone9b]

Originally Posted by Barb_FL

GINNY - Congrats!!!! Was this a plant left out in the hurricane? My ICD plants are enormous. I saw a SunGold tomato just starting to turn yellow.
Larry - You are a broccoli guru for sure. My first set is finally getting some size but not big enough to transplant.
You asked about BrandyBoy - so far so good in both EB and RP. RP went from having 2 tomatoes to 8 and EB went from 3 to 5.
This was over 5 days but the last 3 nights and the next 6 will be 74-76 ish.... so not great for fruit set. The daytime highs and night time lows range is 6 degrees.
I went ahead and counted the tomatoes set since nothing will probably set for another week.
Others with bigger gains were:
Wild Fred (Dwarf) in RP went from 1 to 8 tomatoes.
Champion 2 - EB 2 to 6
Dusky Rose - RP 1 to 6 (EB didn't change at 2)

Wow That is amazing that your night time lows are that high. Here they are running from mid 60s to upper 60s and of course cooler temperatures are ahead.
Larry