My First Tumbling Tom

[Deborah]

None of the Casino Chip and Micro Tom seeds came up. I gave up and bought a Tumbling Tom plant today.
I planted it in a 12 inch pot which should be OK.
It's curly and kind of creepy looking.
Saw many of the tomatoes mentioned here at the garden center.

[Cole_Robbie]

I grow Tumbling Tom for my hanging basket tomatoes. They do look a little odd. "Topsy Tom" is a new variety I am trying in them this year as well for the hanging baskets.

[roper2008]

That's odd Deborah. I planted 2 seeds of casino chips and they
both germinated fine. Do you think you planted the seeds too
deep?

[Deborah]

Glad someone else thinks they look a little strange. LOL.
Roper, I did EVERYTHING wrong.
So much to learn. I really, really wanted the Casino Chips to see if they're like my childhood cherries.
In the garden center, I felt proud because I recognized some of the heirlooms you all talk about. Pinks, Brandywines, Mortgage Lifter and others.

Deborah,

I grew red and yellow Tumbling Tom plants a couple of years ago. The plants did have an odd look to them when young. After growing to possibly eight inches in height and becoming slightly bushy in appearance, they began bending over the edge of the pots and blooming. They bloom profusely and are very beautiful covered in blooms. They also produce lots of tomatoes and the weight of the fruit causes them to drape over the sides of the pots. One of the two colors tasted very good. The other was a total spitter for me. I can't remember which tasted good and which tasted horrible.

I don't know which fruit color your plant will produce, but I will be very interested in your comments about the taste.

Ted

[Sun City Linda]

Try try again! Tomatoes are generally pretty easy. Most common cause is, as has been said buried too deep. They also like bottom heat and without it can take weeks!

Originally Posted by Deborah

None of the Casino Chip and Micro Tom seeds came up. I gave up and bought a Tumbling Tom plant today.
I planted it in a 12 inch pot which should be OK.
It's curly and kind of creepy looking.
Saw many of the tomatoes mentioned here at the garden center.

[Deborah]

Thanks, Ted. I'll let you know. I guess if they're awful I can disguise them in salads and toss them into a pot of chili.

[FILMNET]

Me too, tried them for 2 years. Dont remeber if the plants look strange, but small cherries were ok. My Casino Chip last year tasted terrible.

[livinonfaith]

Don't give up on the seed starting, Deborah!

It's probably just some little glitch, but once we figure out what it is, you will be able to grow any variety you like! (You notice I said WE. If you let this group know exactly what you did, you'll have the problem analyzed pretty quickly. Most of us can't help it! We're obsessed!)

A couple of things that have helped me start tomato seeds.

1) Plant a couple extra.

2) Try starting them on a wet paper towel tucked in a plastic baggy. Then stick it somewhere that is slightly warm, like the top of the fridge or computer monitor. Just be sure to check it every couple of days, because you want to transfer it to the soil when you see the root unfolding.

3) I don't recommend those little peat disks. Others have apparently had success, but I never do quite as well with them. The moisture is harder to regulate. Seed starting mix, DE (there's a thread about that), or even a good potting soil have all done better for me.

4) As others have said, don't plant them deep. They really just need enough soil to cover them and keep them from drying out. (No more than 1/4 inch)

5) Store them in a cool place so that they will be good for a few years. It doesn't have to be cold like a fridge, just don't put them in a hot place.

That's all I can thing of right now. Maybe one of those will help.

Originally Posted by Deborah

Thanks, Ted. I'll let you know. I guess if they're awful I can disguise them in salads and toss them into a pot of chili.

I would suggest after putting them in a salad or chili, you throw the salad or chili away. They were pretty bad.

My tomato seeds usually germinate within ten days. I sometimes have a few cells that don't sprout anything, but the following year when that soil has been used in a flower pot or something, the seed germinates after being in moist soil for a full year.

Ted

[LDx4]

Deborah,

Do you want a Casino Chips seedling? I've sent you a PM.

Lyn

[Deborah]

Lyn, yes !!! PM-ing now.