Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Growing => Grow Your Own => Topic started by: mumofstig on January 21, 2018, 10:17

Title: Early tomato Experiment 2018
Post by: mumofstig on January 21, 2018, 10:17
It's a long while since we had the last experiment, here
So what to do ??- The Great Tomato Experiment in Grow Your Own - Page 1 of 16 (http://chat.allotment-garden.org/index.php?topic=87470.msg970195#msg970195)
so I wondered if anybody else was thinking of sowing just a few early tomatoes?

As usual I sowed 2 Gartenperle and 2 Yellow Peardrops on Thursday 18th Jan and they are beginning to show   ;)
Anyone else fancy joining in?  :D

Warning: This usually involves moving them between house and greenhouse whenever cold is forecast, or keeping them indoors til end of April  - so not for the faint hearted  :lol: :lol:
Title: Re: Early tomato Experiment
Post by: jaydig on January 21, 2018, 11:14
I went into the greenhouse supposedly just to sow my onions, but I got carried away and also sowed a few Marzano tomatoes, and some Supersweet from a trial packet.
I'll check tomorrow to see if anything's happening.
Title: Re: Early tomato Experiment
Post by: mumofstig on January 21, 2018, 11:34
Are they out in a cold greenhouse? Brrr  :unsure:
Title: Re: Early tomato Experiment
Post by: spadework on January 21, 2018, 12:07
Sowed some mini toms at the end of november under lights (yellow canary) that only grow around six inches tall. They are already showing the first flower buds.

They are on course for their first miniscule but welcome crop in may sometime.

The large greenhouse beef stakes have already been sown. :)
Title: Re: Early tomato Experiment
Post by: Mr Dog on January 21, 2018, 14:07
Think I'll join you and pop in a couple of Tom Thumb seeds this week as I know the plants stay small and will be manageable. I grew Koralik last year as supposedly small plants to sit on the shelves in the greenhouse but they turned into monsters fairly quickly and ended up about 4ft high and the same across!
Title: Re: Early tomato Experiment
Post by: jaydig on January 21, 2018, 17:14
Are they out in a cold greenhouse? Brrr  :unsure:

Yes, they are, but they are in heated propagators.  I had plenty of seed so thought I'd risk it. Nothing ventured, nothing gained as they say.
Title: Re: Early tomato Experiment
Post by: Eblana on January 21, 2018, 17:42
I was going through my seed box last night and just thinking that I might try a few early tomatoes and chili’s and see how they go.  Count me in.  Will let you know what variety I decide on later.
Title: Re: Early tomato Experiment
Post by: LILLILEAF on January 21, 2018, 19:42
I have sown 3 types of currant toms today :),can I join in,first time for me to sow seeds in January may be this is a new thing I will sow the onions next week :lol:
Title: Re: Early tomato Experiment
Post by: victoria park on January 21, 2018, 22:00
My sungold and floridity cherries are being sown tomorrow. I enjoy the challenge. And this year, despite quite a few cold nights, I'v actually managed to keep 3 chillies alive in the cold greenhouse under 2 fleeces.  :ohmy: Pleased with that
Tomatoes are one crop where you can successfully really elongate the season by a good month or more.
I have been known to take my young toms indoors  for the odd night , but it really isn't a chore and well worth the effort. The small cherries mature more quickly than the marmandes etc.
Title: Re: Early tomato Experiment
Post by: DD. on January 22, 2018, 13:45
Popped in a few Shirley, Scotland Yellow and Clear Pink Early today. Just enough for the heated greenhouse in a couple of months. In the interim they will be kept inside, accompanied by a generous helping of aluminium foil.

The seeds are currently resident in the bedroom in a propagator. (Polythene bag).
Title: Re: Early tomato Experiment
Post by: arh on January 23, 2018, 07:56
I also sowed some Shirley F1 seeds yesterday afternoon, 10 in a 6x pot, (4 x 2 and 2 x 1) they are in the lounge patio doorway, on a little table, that's the sunniest/lightest place in the whole bungalow.
Title: Re: Early tomato Experiment
Post by: Enfield Glen on January 23, 2018, 08:11
I am trying a basket variety on the basis these tend not to put on a lot of growth before flowering and can easily be bout in doors if needed.

The race is one for the first ripe tomato!
Title: Re: Early tomato Experiment
Post by: Eblana on January 23, 2018, 15:43
I decided to try the cherry ones as I had some seed over from last year.  Decided on Roma x 4, Red Cherry x 4 and Red Pear x 4.  I also tried a few chillis (packet of mixed seed so no idea what varieties).  They are all tucked up in the heated propogator.
Title: Re: Early tomato Experiment
Post by: theothermarg on January 23, 2018, 15:51
I'm in ! Will choose a couple of varieties and get on to it in the morning.
Have already sown some Sweet pepper and some chilli's
I will be back
Title: Re: Early tomato Experiment
Post by: Christine on January 23, 2018, 16:54
I'm itching to sow things but don't think it's worth it as we're having a proper winter up here.
Title: Re: Early tomato Experiment
Post by: I Love Spuds on January 24, 2018, 13:13
I am trying 1 of each; Tumbling tom, Suncherry, super sweet & Chadwick cherry.
All in heated prop. with lights, keeping the chillis company  :D
Title: Re: Early tomato Experiment
Post by: Mr Dog on January 25, 2018, 14:53
Finally underway. Found a packet of Red Tumbling Tom that I'd forgotten about so have sown a few of those.
Title: Re: Early tomato Experiment
Post by: theothermarg on January 26, 2018, 10:09
Have sown 6 Ailsa Craig tomatoes and 6 Ildi Small yellow plum tomatoes on Monday just to see if They survive
without extra light. Germinate on sunny widow sill then they will go in unheated sheltered greenhouse 
Title: Re: Early tomato Experiment
Post by: victoria park on January 26, 2018, 20:34
Have sown 6 Ailsa Craig tomatoes and 6 Ildi Small yellow plum tomatoes on Monday just to see if They survive
without extra light. Germinate on sunny widow sill then they will go in unheated sheltered greenhouse

They'll be fine. That's exactly what I do every year and you're not a million miles from me. A little fleece over them when in the greenhouse would be advisable and only take them in on real minus freezing nights. Most years mine just remain in the greenhouse.
One advantage of the early sowing is the pinched side shoots can be planted during April/May in plenty of time to get even more plants that will harvest well in time before the Autumn.
Title: Re: Early tomato Experiment
Post by: ARPoet on January 27, 2018, 07:40
As well as starting tom seeds off on 1st Jan on a bedroom windowsill, I also nipped of a dozen side shoots last November when I cleared the old plants. I potted them up as an experiment and to my surprise 3 have survived on the same windowsill.
 I will see how these go on when they get planted in the g.h.in the spring and keep you informed.
Title: Re: Early tomato Experiment
Post by: arh on January 28, 2018, 11:42
My "Shirley" tomato seeds, (sown last Monday) have appeared this morning, atm there are 7 out of 10 showing, so i am well pleased, will update as they grow, (or don't).
Title: Re: Early tomato Experiment
Post by: oldgrunge on January 28, 2018, 12:04
As well as starting tom seeds off on 1st Jan on a bedroom windowsill, I also nipped of a dozen side shoots last November when I cleared the old plants. I potted them up as an experiment and to my surprise 3 have survived on the same windowsill.
 I will see how these go on when they get planted in the g.h.in the spring and keep you informed.
This is interesting, ARPoet. For the last two seasons I have grown tomato plants from offshoot cuttings taken in the spring/ early summer. An idea I got from Bob Flowerdew. They always perform really well, producing strong, vigorous plants.
So this idea of yours, taking cuttings in autumn would be a very interesting experiment. Will try it myself this year. Please let us know how the plants do.
Title: Re: Early tomato Experiment
Post by: I Love Spuds on January 28, 2018, 14:48
Chadwick and tumbling tom both up, only started on the 23rd Jan!
Title: Re: Early tomato Experiment
Post by: LILLILEAF on January 30, 2018, 05:55
All my currant type tomato seeds have germinated  :)all goo so far.
Title: Re: Early tomato Experiment
Post by: DD. on January 30, 2018, 07:07
Posted in my diary, but forgot to post here that  mine have germinated.
Title: Re: Early tomato Experiment
Post by: Nobbie on January 30, 2018, 10:08
Just sown 6 sun gold as I usually buy a few early plants, so I hopefully won't need to this year. I'll leave the sideshoots to grow and then take these as cuttings in March/April to fill up the greenhouse. They'll be going in a LED lit propagator in the unheated loft conversion as an experiment.

Good idea above about growing some bush types, must nip out and get some Tumbler seeds as I've bought these before as plants to get get an early crop and they did well.
Title: Re: Early tomato Experiment
Post by: Nobbie on January 31, 2018, 10:11
I couldn't find any "Tumbler" seeds, so maybe I imagined that, so have sown some Tumbling Tom instead. Up in the airing cupboard to kick them into life and then under my new LED grow panel in the loft🙂
Title: Re: Early tomato Experiment
Post by: Eblana on January 31, 2018, 10:14
Two Roma and one of the chili’s have germinated.
Title: Re: Early tomato Experiment
Post by: sunshineband on January 31, 2018, 10:53
Chillies and peppers are out of the propagator now and so three tomato seeds will be going in..... Golden Sunrise is always a good early medium sized one, Gartenperl or Gardeners' Delight? Not sure which yet, and then an un-named dark green and maroon midsized one from Lanzarote just for fun

That'll be enough for the heated greenhouse.

Others for the polytunnel and then for outside will be sown in two batches later on
Title: Re: Early tomato Experiment
Post by: Dev on January 31, 2018, 12:31
Decided to take up the experiment, so nestling on the window sill with foil backing are three Ailsa Craig seeds (all I had left), five Sungold, Gardners Delight, Marmande and San Marzano - the last two freebies with Kitchen Garden magazine. Once I got going I had to sow Sweet Pepper, Scotch Bonnet chillis, Dill, Broad beans, cabbage Greyhound and peas Early Onward and Kelvedon Wonder. It's so easy to get carried away!
Title: Re: Early tomato Experiment
Post by: arh on January 31, 2018, 15:44
All 10 seeds up and running, :lol:, just have to keep them alive now, (that's the hard part).
Title: Re: Early tomato Experiment
Post by: Mr Dog on February 01, 2018, 20:59
3 of the 4 Tumbling Tom seeds through. Next stop pricking out hopefully.
Title: Re: Early tomato Experiment
Post by: Mr Dog on February 03, 2018, 17:13
4th and final seedling through although one doesn't look too happy - something's been nibbling its leaves.
Title: Re: Early tomato Experiment 2018
Post by: Nobbie on February 12, 2018, 16:07
3/4 sun gold, 4/4 tumbling tom and at least one chilli of each, Apache, Scotch Bonnet and Havana Gold. Thought I'd cooked them in the hot press as it was very warm in there, but moved to windowsill where they started getting leggy. I then knocked up this growbox with a £15 LED light off ebay and they seem to be doing ok now. Should be interesting to see how they get on using just artificial light. They are in an unheated loft conversion and with the lid down the temp seems to max out at 25c which seems about right to me.

(https://i.imgur.com/T0GJgiQ.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/Exo9dUh.jpg)


edit to show pics

Title: Re: Early tomato Experiment 2018
Post by: DD. on February 12, 2018, 16:41
Itchy fingers. Sowed a few "Jersey Sunrise" heritage tomatoes.

(At what stage does this cease to be an "early" experiment"?)
Title: Re: Early tomato Experiment 2018
Post by: mumofstig on February 12, 2018, 17:04
Fairly soon, as I think we are fast approaching 'normal' sowing time - would you agree?
Title: Re: Early tomato Experiment 2018
Post by: DD. on February 12, 2018, 17:43
Fairly soon, as I think we are fast approaching 'normal' sowing time - would you agree?

Awww yus.
Title: Re: Early tomato Experiment 2018
Post by: mumofstig on February 12, 2018, 19:40
Right then - please don't post any more seed sowings.

Only add updates for those you've already sown  ;)
Title: Re: Early tomato Experiment 2018
Post by: theothermarg on February 13, 2018, 11:54
7 out of 9 lldi  small yellow plum came up and are doing well. there are 3 out of 6 Ailsa Craig which don't look so happy but are growing. Both were started off on a sunny windowsill 22nd Jan and were put in a unheated G/H when they first showed
Title: Re: Early tomato Experiment 2018
Post by: Aidy on February 13, 2018, 14:10
3/4 sun gold, 4/4 tumbling tom and at least one chilli of each, Apache, Scotch Bonnet and Havana Gold. Thought I'd cooked them in the hot press as it was very warm in there, but moved to windowsill where they started getting leggy. I then knocked up this growbox with a £15 LED light off ebay and they seem to be doing ok now. Should be interesting to see how they get on using just artificial light. They are in an unheated loft conversion and with the lid down the temp seems to max out at 25c which seems about right to me.

(https://i.imgur.com/T0GJgiQ.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/Exo9dUh.jpg)


edit to show pics

This what I used for my chillies several years ago, I found the light did a great job to a point, I discovered there wasnt enough light once the plant got to a certain point and they became leggy. I still use this light for germination/ seedling stage but now have a 300watt LEDgrow light to grow them on further, I also discovered I was in fact giving them too much light, the dark period is from the research I did more important as it is this stage that the plants convert t the chemicals they need to grow etc, its my favourite word of all tme... Photoperiodism! So my chillies now have 12 hours a day as this is their norm from their native countries, I discovered many tricks and tips from some indoor funny herb web sites that helped a lot.
Hope all works out for you
Title: Re: Early tomato Experiment 2018
Post by: Mr Dog on February 13, 2018, 14:59

<snip> I discovered many tricks and tips from some indoor funny herb web sites that helped a lot.
Hope all works out for you

There's some really good tips on some of those! Have you tried 'Fiming' your chillies?

Anyway, back on topic.....4 red tumbling toms potted on into individual 3" pots.
Title: Re: Early tomato Experiment 2018
Post by: Aidy on February 13, 2018, 15:18
Not filmed but here is a weekly photo diary of the first efforts with the chillies and a tom under the grow lights as Nobbie's..
Germination.
1 Week later
2 weeks later
5 weeks later
Title: Re: Early tomato Experiment 2018
Post by: Mr Dog on February 13, 2018, 16:26
Not filmed but here is a weekly photo diary of the first efforts with the chillies and a tom under the grow lights as Nobbie's..
Germination.
1 Week later
2 weeks later
5 weeks later

Not filmed, fimed (no L) :)...similar to topping but designed to produce more branching. I tried it last year with a Lemon Drop and Dedo de Mocha - both plants produced a lot more fruits than their 'topped' and 'just let to get on with it' brothers!
Title: Re: Early tomato Experiment 2018
Post by: gstrong on February 13, 2018, 18:08
Two out of three Sweet Baby are up, sown on 29th Jan. Kept in a warm spot in the Kitchen for the first wee while, now in an unheated porch along with my tatties chitting ☺️
Title: Re: Early tomato Experiment 2018
Post by: DD. on February 15, 2018, 13:38
Current state of play with some of the Shirleys and Scotland Yellow. Probably not as far on as some. No heated propagators or grow lights here. Only artificial aids were a polythene bag and some foil.
Title: Re: Early tomato Experiment 2018
Post by: arh on February 15, 2018, 14:37
Here are 2 photo's of how my 10 Shirley F1 plants are coming along. The first photo is of how they stand in the patio doorway, and the 2nd is of them slightly closer up, (I hope). :)
Title: Re: Early tomato Experiment 2018
Post by: arh on February 15, 2018, 14:39
There now, success, :lol: :lol: adding photo's is now much easier, thank you John.
Title: Re: Early tomato Experiment 2018
Post by: DD. on February 18, 2018, 07:17
Itchy fingers. Sowed a few "Jersey Sunrise" heritage tomatoes.

Emerged overnight.
Title: Re: Early tomato Experiment 2018
Post by: m1ckz on February 18, 2018, 21:47
i have some moneymaker up 2 inches    but what do i do with them  lol  ill sow some more later ha ha haaaaa
Title: Re: Early tomato Experiment 2018
Post by: victoria park on February 20, 2018, 19:23
Forecast looking like some unusual cold nights coming next week. Haven't had consistent cold at this stage for many years down here.  Might well have to transport my little darlings back from the cold greenhouse on the plot to the warm of the house for a couple of days next week. I like to extend the season wherever possible with a bit of extra effort, but I'm not daft as a brush.
Title: Re: Early tomato Experiment 2018
Post by: Nobbie on February 22, 2018, 11:01
Amazing what a difference 10 days under a LED grow lamp makes, seems to be working well with temp varying between 21-28 degrees. Sungold at the front, Tumbling Tom at the back in need of transplanting. At this point I'm thinking I have probably sowed too early for the Toms, but should just about be able to keep them going indoors until the greenhouse is warm enough. Will grow on the Sungold and let the sideshoots grow for use as cuttings to enable me to fill the greenhouse.

Chilli's seem OK, glad four Apaches came through as these are my favourite, will leave them a bit longer before transplanting as they seem to like close company early on.

(https://i.imgur.com/fluhiPv.jpg)

edit to show image

Title: Re: Early tomato Experiment 2018
Post by: ARPoet on March 02, 2018, 16:51
Here is a short video of my tomato and chilli experiment.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fhAx0iydBc&feature=youtu.be (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fhAx0iydBc&feature=youtu.be)
Title: Re: Early tomato Experiment 2018
Post by: m1ckz on March 03, 2018, 08:11
TOMATO NOW 3 INCHES ON WINDOW CILL LOL  wont dump them just yet though  lol
Title: Re: Early tomato Experiment 2018
Post by: Potty Plotty Lotty on March 04, 2018, 12:46
(http://)

Sowed seeds on 3rd Feb. One month on this us how they look.  :)

Growlights have been effective and left on for 12 hours per day. I don’t have any particularly bright window sills and out of the house during the day so minimal heating. Added bonus of using the roof as a heated propogator to germinate the aubergines.

I have a gizmo for measuring light intensity and for the moment they are going to stay under the lights.
Title: Re: Early tomato Experiment 2018
Post by: Nobbie on March 09, 2018, 09:55
(https://i.imgur.com/YdfaQYE.jpg)

After my last post, I realised that I had not set the timer correctly, so they actually had 24 hour light for 10 days! No wonder they grew so well. It will be interesting to see how I manage to keep these alive until they go into an unheated greenhouse, but that's all part of the challenge :lol:

As they are rapidly running out of space in the growbox, I've bought a bigger LED growlight for £30 of eBay and will setup an area on the floor to stand the plants so they can keep growing unchecked. At this rate I may be harvesting tomatoes from my attic in May. All good fun :)
Title: Re: Early tomato Experiment 2018
Post by: arh on March 12, 2018, 07:39
Well, like it or not, I think that my tomato plants will have to go outside very shortly, they are now 12" tall.
Title: Re: Early tomato Experiment 2018
Post by: Mr Dog on March 18, 2018, 17:55
First flower buds forming on the largest of my Tumbling Toms.
Title: Re: Early tomato Experiment 2018
Post by: victoria park on March 18, 2018, 19:52
While I love the idea od extending the season, I stop at using lights, given that they must use a fair bit of electricity. Can anyone say roughly what wattage their grow lights array consume per hour in reality ? I'd  be interested to know.
Meanwhile my sungolds. Ildi and Crimson Crush are at the second real leaf stage, 3 inches, reasonably compact, and have been brought back to the house for a couple of days.
Title: Re: Early tomato Experiment 2018
Post by: DD. on March 18, 2018, 20:56
While I love the idea od extending the season, I stop at using lights, given that they must use a fair bit of electricity. Can anyone say roughly what wattage their grow lights array consume per hour in reality ? I'd  be interested to know.

300w grow lights were mentioned earlier. These will use 7.2kwh (units) of electricity in a day. (24 x .3). Let's assume they are on for half this time, that's 3.6 units. Assuming a cost per unit of around 15p that's 54p a day or over £15 a month. If you leave them on all the time, that's well over £30 a month.

It's all well and good raising plants early, but as others have found out, you need somewhere to put them when they get to a good size.
Title: Re: Early tomato Experiment 2018
Post by: Nobbie on March 18, 2018, 22:46
While I love the idea od extending the season, I stop at using lights, given that they must use a fair bit of electricity. Can anyone say roughly what wattage their grow lights array consume per hour in reality ? I'd  be interested to know.
Meanwhile my sungolds. Ildi and Crimson Crush are at the second real leaf stage, 3 inches, reasonably compact, and have been brought back to the house for a couple of days.

You need to be quite careful about the figures quoted for led growlights as many quote equivalent wattage rather than actual consumption. My first growlight that I mounted in the box actually consumed 27w *12hour a day = .324kwh @15p = 5p a day, £1.50 a month. That seems to be enough light for 2-4 square feet of growing area. Certainly worth it for raising things like chilli's which can take a while to get to a decent size. It is interesting raising the tomatoes this early, but I'd probably wait a month next year as they grow really fast given the right conditions, but I'd still use the growlights as they seem to produce nice healthy plants rather than the leggy ones you can get growing on windowsills.
Title: Re: Early tomato Experiment 2018
Post by: Nobbie on March 22, 2018, 14:22
(https://i.imgur.com/d2249c2.jpg)

First flower has appeared on one of the Tumbling Tom plants, luckily these can stay growing in pots indoors until they fruit. Currently under a growlight, but will probably move to a windowsill soon.
Title: Re: Early tomato Experiment 2018
Post by: Mr Dog on March 23, 2018, 14:56
Potted up some chilli/pepper plugs today and took advantage of having some warm compost to pot 3 of the 4 Tumbling Toms into Root Nurse fabric pots - they're getting a bit big for the windowsill/3" pots. There wasn't enough compost for the 4th so will bring some more in to warm up over the weekend.
Title: Re: Early tomato Experiment 2018
Post by: hasbeans on March 28, 2018, 18:51
I have a couple of stupice toms that have a truss forming and are about 8".  How hardy are these, could they go into a coldframe soon (running out of windowsill!)?
Title: Re: Early tomato Experiment 2018
Post by: Potty Plotty Lotty on March 29, 2018, 22:21
Not hardy at all I' m afraid. You could put them out on warmer days in the cold frame and bring them back indoors at night but they they don't like being below 10C.....

It also depends on the location of the cold frame. Mine catches the sun first thing so warms up quite quickly so I can put them in the frame before I leave for work. That is when the weather improves....
Title: Re: Early tomato Experiment 2018
Post by: Mr Dog on May 11, 2018, 14:11
This topic seems to have gone off the radar so jumping it up to see how everyone's early toms are going. I've got the first small fruits appearing on a couple of mine.
Title: Re: Early tomato Experiment 2018
Post by: hasbeans on May 11, 2018, 14:58
I got one grape sized tomato on a leggy cherry red plant
Title: Re: Early tomato Experiment 2018
Post by: I Love Spuds on May 11, 2018, 15:31
Of those that I started only 2 tumbling toms (I thought is was 1 originally until I check my diary!) and 1 Chadwick cherry survived. The others were all old seed though.

Tumbling tom's were a bit of disappointment, although they have made it to the GH (in baskets), but the later sown ones have almost caught up and look far healthier. I don't think I gave them enough light early on, despite my best effort with grow lights etc!

Chadwick cherry is somewhat of a thug! It's romped away. I struggle to keep up with pinching out of side shoots it's growing so quick. This has been grown in the same conditions as the tumbling tom's so may need less light or something.

All are now flowering but no fruit yet.
Title: Re: Early tomato Experiment 2018
Post by: Nobbie on May 11, 2018, 19:15
After sticking my toms on the windowsill for a month where the sungold got a bit leggy, they were placed out in the greenhouse towards the end of April and the sideshoots were removed and rooted in water before potting up. I planted out the original three sungold and 3 tumbling tom and the rooted cuttings are just sitting in pots waiting to be planted.

Plenty of small toms on the tumbling tom and some full size green toms on the sungold. May even get a ripe one by the end of May if I'm lucky.

https://i.imgur.com/X7egPLl.jpg
Title: Re: Early tomato Experiment 2018
Post by: Potty Plotty Lotty on May 15, 2018, 20:38
Really happy with mine. Here's a comparison of the early ones (fruits are forming) in large pots at the back and those planted two months later at the normal time (early April) at the front of the photo.

Latah are the only ones that haven't done well (early or normal timing to be honest). Galina, Sungold and Stupice have all done well. I have 2 of each and they've been outside for 1-2 weeks. Looking forward to an early harvest...
Title: Re: Early tomato Experiment 2018
Post by: Nobbie on May 18, 2018, 10:18
First tomatoes have ripened :D Although the Sungold and Tumbling Tome were sown a top the same time, the Tumbling Tom still seem a few weeks from having ripe fruit, although they look like they will have much more of it. Sungold does seem to be one of the earliest to ripen in my experience and as I like the taste it's pretty much my standard choice.

I'll see how the Tumbling Tom tastes and consider growing again as I can put a row in front of the Sungold without shading them as my greenhouse is sited next to a wall.

I'll definitely be using the £15 growlight I bought again next year, but may start them a couple of week later as they did get a bit leggy on the windowsill.

Apache chilli's also have some useable fruit on them where I've left them to grow and the ones I've chopped are starting to bush out a bit.
Title: Re: Early tomato Experiment 2018
Post by: Potty Plotty Lotty on June 09, 2018, 17:34
First tomatoes are showing signs of ripening. Looks like they are Galina and Sungold (lost the labels  ::))

No greenhouse so just in pots on the patio.

Suggests planting two months early gives fruit about 1.5 months earlier than normal but having said that May has been rather sunny which may have helped.
Title: Re: Early tomato Experiment 2018
Post by: mumofstig on June 09, 2018, 20:15
Suggests planting two months early gives fruit about 1.5 months earlier than normal but having said that May has been rather sunny which may have helped.
But the late cold spring didn't  ::)
Title: Re: Early tomato Experiment 2018
Post by: Potty Plotty Lotty on June 16, 2018, 13:36

But the late cold spring didn't  ::)
[/quote]

Do you think this makes a difference to mollycoddled indoor plants? I guess windowsills are cooler even with modern windows.

Turns out they are Sungold tomatoes-no sign of Galina or Stupice ripening yet.
Title: Re: Early tomato Experiment 2018
Post by: mumofstig on June 16, 2018, 14:49
Quote
But the late cold spring didn't  ::)
Do you think this makes a difference to mollycoddled indoor plants? I guess windowsills are cooler even with modern windows.
Turns out they are Sungold tomatoes-no sign of Galina or Stupice ripening yet.
Here at least the cold spring meant the plants weren't out in the greenhouse as often as usual, and the days they did get out there were often grey and miserable, although over 10' so no damage done.
Mine certainly aren't as early as they usually are, they are still stubbornly green :(
Title: Re: Early tomato Experiment 2018
Post by: Growster... on June 16, 2018, 20:23
Our toms are getting there, but pretty dour...

Over the last few years, we have always had a few on my birthday (mid July), but I doubt that will happen this year.

Might buy a few from Thanet Earth (Tesco) to make up the shortfall...
Title: Re: Early tomato Experiment 2018
Post by: mumofstig on June 16, 2018, 20:33

Might buy a few from Thanet Earth (Tesco) to make up the shortfall...

I had some grown there this week, they tasted lovely - but the skins were really tough, you could cut your tongue on them  :ohmy:
Title: Re: Early tomato Experiment 2018
Post by: Growster... on June 17, 2018, 07:18
Yes, you're right Mum, they are tough, and I'm still convinced that they've got their blurb wrong by saying the vines are grown up to 15 metres high...

But the flavour is as good as a ripe one from home, so there is a pay-off!
Title: Re: Early tomato Experiment 2018
Post by: Mr Dog on June 19, 2018, 16:13
1st ripe Tumbling Tom picked today  :)
Title: Re: Early tomato Experiment 2018
Post by: mumofstig on June 19, 2018, 16:22
Yes, you're right Mum, they are tough, and I'm still convinced that they've got their blurb wrong by saying the vines are grown up to 15 metres high...
If you look at their virtual tour http://www.thanetearth.com/thanet-earth-interactive-tour.html (http://www.thanetearth.com/thanet-earth-interactive-tour.html) you can see how the long stems are laid along the rows, round the end and then back up to the roof again  :ohmy: