[arugula]

I thought this might be helpful when you are selecting which seeds to buy. On the other hand, it might just cause extra purchasing to be necessary. 

[pdblake]

It only mentions that one tom. Is there a link to the rest of what they tested? It's like they tasted dozens and decided, "we like this one best, you don't need to know about the others."

Looks more like a full page advert for Mr Fothergill's as it is.

[mumofstig]

It's strange because they say their trials failed for 2011 and 2012 - so that particular tomato must be a magic one 
http://www.hortweek.com/go/edibles/article/1147505/faulty-compost-scuppers-tomato-trials/

Faulty compost scuppers tomato trials
By Matthew Appleby Friday, 31 August 2012

1 Comment
Failure of two tomato trials at RHS Wisley attributed to issues associated with growing media used for this year's tests.

Composted green waste lacking phosphate has caused the abandonment of a tomato trial at RHS Wisley.

RHS trials development manager Mark Heath said two RHS tomato trials failed this year because of issues with growing media. Rosemoor trials failed because gardeners used manure contaminated with herbicide on border soil. Both will rerun in 2013, possibly without using peat-free compost at all.

Wisley tomato trials failed because of phosphate deficiency in bagged consumer compost used for growing 30 varieties sent in by breeders and suppliers.

Heath refused to name the supplier of the commercially available peat-free compost. He said tomatoes at Wisley had gone blue and had poor leaf growth.

Newly appointed Heath, who used to work for Sakata in Holland, said: "We will be wary of using the product again. Everyone is saying peat-free composts aren't very good for tomatoes. There's a huge debate concerning peat, but it's only in the UK, which is farcical." He added: "This was a peat-free compost for tomatoes that we put our faith in, but it hasn't come off."

Suttons horticultural manager Tom Sharples said this is the second year in succession that RHS tomato trials have failed because of problems caused by peat-frees.

Sharples added that last year Wisley, Harlow Carr and Rosemoor trials failed: "The trouble is the RHS has the policy to use peat-free wherever possible." Tozer and Thompson & Morgan were also among those supplying tomatoes to the trial.

Steve Harper, managing director at green waste compost maker Vital Earth, which is not accused of supplying the compost, said: "All PAS100-certified composters have to go through a large number of hoops to ensure that their product is fit for purpose, including growth trials."

He suggested waiting for results from the Sustainable Growing Media Task Force, "which among other things is investigating which substrates are sustainable - peat will be judged fairly against all other substrates - and looking for methodology to ensure that all growing media sold in the retail and professional markets do what they are supposed to do."

 Clopyralid pollution - Chemicals Regulation Directorate view


The Chemicals Regulation Directorate (CRD) said of clopyralid pollution: "We do not hold a specific register or record of these sorts of cases.

"We are aware of the potential problem but not of any specific evidence, other than perhaps anecdotal evidence, for example from information received from organisations such as the RHS."

WRAP has been looking into the potential for compost contamination as part of Defra's policy to reduce peat usage.

[arugula]

It only mentions that one tom. Is there a link to the rest of what they tested? It's like they tasted dozens and decided, "we like this one best, you don't need to know about the others."

That is just as the page came up. I have admin permission to post it as is.

[pdblake]

Hmm, seems I'm not seeing what everyone else is.

[Aunt Sally]

And our signature tune is:

etuszlplwpg

[arugula]

Ain't that true!

[shokkyy]

call me old-fashioned, but I like my tomatoes to be red

[mumofstig]

You're old fashioned - there I did, do you feel better now? 

[davejg]

  brilliant aunt sally brilliant.

[Elaine G]

Thanks Aunt Sally, I really enjoyed that 

Elaine

[JayG]

And our signature tune is:

etuszlplwpg

Enjoyed that even though I'm not sure what a home-grown termater is! 

[Lawrence]

To be honest I have never been impressed with Peat free either, I tried for a couple of years but owing to very poor results (and the cost, and the fact that their 10Ltr is a lot smaller than our 10 Ltr!)  I stopped using it.

[arugula]

call me old-fashioned, but I like my tomatoes to be red

Golden Nugget is one of the tastiest I've ever grown.

[Yorkie]

My horticultural lecturer swears by Sungold.