The Micros Are Kicking In

GoDawgs · May 18, 2020

I'm really happy with these three Whippersnapper and one Red Robin microdwarf tomatoes. I had them on a table in full sun but they weren't really happy so I put them on the front porch on a table along the railing. They get morning sun until about noon and are doing really well. I've been using the electric toothbrush trick on the flowers in case the pollinators miss them where they are.

Two of the three Whippersnappers:

The third one, which seems to be a tad more upright than the other two sprawlers.

I just picked more from these three plus the Red Robin. They're now getting ripe steadily and making just what we need. Pickles has been putting them in one of the cherry tomato clam shells that the bought cherries came in as it seems to keep them well. Over two days it looks like we have $1.79 worth as that's what we've been paying.

Any suggestions as to other varieties I might should try? These are great to fill in the early gap until the regular cherrys get ready and it gives me something to play with during the winter.

Koala Doug · May 18, 2020

I grew 'Yellow Canary' and 'Rosy Finch' (the other stable-mates of 'Red Robin') last year.

All three have the same stature - 12" high and 12" wide - and the same yield (about 75-85 fruits per plant in the first flush; and about 35-50 fruit in the second wave about 4-6 weeks later). Though I should say that I barely get any direct sunlight, so I assume better environmental conditions would lead to higher yields.

All three are part of what Sakata calls its 'Little Birdy' series... and all three are open-pollinated.

garden patch · May 19, 2020

tiny tim is my go to micro tomato plant

kilroyscarnival · May 19, 2020

They look lovely! I grew Whippersnapper in the fall/winter and it was a pretty productive little plant. It was recommended as a basket variety, but it grew upwards for me and I was afraid of it flopping down too hard so I supported it. My fave of the micros was Jochalos. Still going strong in the Florida heat, though the last of the yellow cherries are a bit small. I've started some new ones to grow indoors under lights for when it's too hot and rainy here. My first indoor crop. Are the micros not just darling? I may grow mostly micros in the future.

GoDawgs · May 20, 2020

Thanks for the inputs. I think I might be trying a few different ones next fall/winter to compare with Whippersnapper. I sure won't need any this summer as I have three different regular cherry plants growing and will be swamped with fruits!

With the plants on the porch, the railing provides some support for those tomato clusters. I'm going to save seeds from the one that hangs the most and from the more upright one just to see if that upright trait is a fluke or for real.

May 18, 2020	#1
GoDawgs Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Augusta area, Georgia, 8a/7b Posts: 1,685	The Micros Are Kicking In I'm really happy with these three Whippersnapper and one Red Robin microdwarf tomatoes. I had them on a table in full sun but they weren't really happy so I put them on the front porch on a table along the railing. They get morning sun until about noon and are doing really well. I've been using the electric toothbrush trick on the flowers in case the pollinators miss them where they are. Two of the three Whippersnappers: The third one, which seems to be a tad more upright than the other two sprawlers. I just picked more from these three plus the Red Robin. They're now getting ripe steadily and making just what we need. Pickles has been putting them in one of the cherry tomato clam shells that the bought cherries came in as it seems to keep them well. Over two days it looks like we have $1.79 worth as that's what we've been paying. Any suggestions as to other varieties I might should try? These are great to fill in the early gap until the regular cherrys get ready and it gives me something to play with during the winter.

May 18, 2020	#2
Koala Doug Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: Detroit Posts: 688	I grew 'Yellow Canary' and 'Rosy Finch' (the other stable-mates of 'Red Robin') last year. All three have the same stature - 12" high and 12" wide - and the same yield (about 75-85 fruits per plant in the first flush; and about 35-50 fruit in the second wave about 4-6 weeks later). Though I should say that I barely get any direct sunlight, so I assume better environmental conditions would lead to higher yields. All three are part of what Sakata calls its 'Little Birdy' series... and all three are open-pollinated.

May 19, 2020	#3
garden patch Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2020 Location: Toronto Posts: 89	tiny tim is my go to micro tomato plant

May 19, 2020	#4
kilroyscarnival Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 614	They look lovely! I grew Whippersnapper in the fall/winter and it was a pretty productive little plant. It was recommended as a basket variety, but it grew upwards for me and I was afraid of it flopping down too hard so I supported it. My fave of the micros was Jochalos. Still going strong in the Florida heat, though the last of the yellow cherries are a bit small. I've started some new ones to grow indoors under lights for when it's too hot and rainy here. My first indoor crop. Are the micros not just darling? I may grow mostly micros in the future.

May 20, 2020	#5
GoDawgs Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Augusta area, Georgia, 8a/7b Posts: 1,685	Thanks for the inputs. I think I might be trying a few different ones next fall/winter to compare with Whippersnapper. I sure won't need any this summer as I have three different regular cherry plants growing and will be swamped with fruits! With the plants on the porch, the railing provides some support for those tomato clusters. I'm going to save seeds from the one that hangs the most and from the more upright one just to see if that upright trait is a fluke or for real.