Starting fall Heirlooms from seed

[snappybob]

After reading in Carolyns book about heat tolerent Heirlooms I am wanting to order some seeds for starting some fall tomatoes. I am wondering if, when starting seeds in the summer, there is a need to grow indoors and under lights. Obviously there is a need for this in the winter but in the summer would it be better to give the seedlings direct sunlight? I grew Red Branywine last winter and they have been in the ground since April 1st and, so far, are doing quite well. For the fall I'm thinking German Johnson, Tropic and/or Box Car Willie. I was thinking on ordering the seeds from Chuck Wyatt's website. After reading the post on mailed seeds I have to ask. Has anyone had problems with gemination from seeds mailed from that area (Maryland)? Thanks in advance of any help or comments.

[carolyn137]

Just a few comments here.

First, I didn't specifically talk about heat tolerant varieties in my book.

Second, in general, smaller fruited varieties tend to do best in those areas of high prolonged heat.

Third, when growing two crops a year the Spring crop should be mid and late season varieties and then concentrate on early and early mid season ones for the Fall crop. There are many seasoned TX growers who post here so you might wish to ask for their input in a dedicated thread.

Fourth, without going into lots of detail, I do think that there are other seed sources where the seed is germination tested and it is known that germination problems usually do not arise. Unfortunately, since Chuck died in 2002, and he was a good friend of mine, I don't think that is one of the best places, currently, to order seeds from b/c of seed age and the number of varieties that have turned out to be crossed, as reported back by others. Just my opinion.

[giardiniere]

I ordered from Heirloom Seeds (a sister site of Heirloom Tomatoes), this spring. I had excellent germination from them (95%-100%). Time will tell if there are any cross pollination problems that Carolyn eluded to. I will say, that I do have one seedling, that was supposed to be Cuostralee, but it is a potato leaf variety of some sort. It's a healthy lookin' bugger, I just don't know what it is. I guess time will tell if everything turns out to be what it says it is.

I'm glad you mentioned this Carolyn. I didn't know they were having problems. I ordered three different varieties from them. I guess I should make note of this, in case I save seeds. Something I did plan on doing.

[carolyn137]

HeirloomSeeds.com in W. Elizabeth PA owned by Tom Hauch and HeirloomTomatoes.net, which is Chuck's old site are two entirely different places.

It's Heirloomseeds.com and Heirloomtomatoes.com that are sister sites. As in Tom just broke out the tomatoes from one site and offered them at the other site separately. Same varieties, same seeds.

And heirloomtomatoes.bizland I think is still in business and I can't recommend them either.

One really needs to look at the domain addresses to keep things straight.

[giardiniere]

Thanks for clearing that up Carolyn. :wink:

[snappybob]

Thanks for the responses. Based on you above post Carolyn I will re-think my variety choices and look into another seed vender. A new thread targeting Texas growers is also a good idea.