I think there is a definate variety impact. I have 6 types on the go, all treated exactly the same and only San Marzona have shown BER on the first truss. Sungold, GD, Ferline, Maramande, Tumbler, etc have all been fine.
Only trouble is Marmande is suffering from Greenback!
Jerry
Attention Allan & Johnboy - tomato watering
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sandersj89
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Garlic_Guy
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Just a couple of observations on the relies so far. I have three varieties on the go this year:
- Pantano (Italian Beefsteak)
- Alicante
- Sweet Olive
I have some of each in:
- Growbags in the greenhouse
- Out in the allotment
Out of the ones in the growbags/greenhouse:
- All of the Pantano have shown some BER.
- Some of the Sweet Olive also have BER.
- The Alicante all seem fine.
Interestingly, all of the plants grown outside seem to have a greater yield of fruit.
One possibly cause of BER on the greehouse ones might be a little less water. Interestingly, one batch of Alicante grown outside in medium sized pots have probably had the least water of any, and are going great guns. Maybe Alicante is less prone to problems than the others.
- Pantano (Italian Beefsteak)
- Alicante
- Sweet Olive
I have some of each in:
- Growbags in the greenhouse
- Out in the allotment
Out of the ones in the growbags/greenhouse:
- All of the Pantano have shown some BER.
- Some of the Sweet Olive also have BER.
- The Alicante all seem fine.
Interestingly, all of the plants grown outside seem to have a greater yield of fruit.
One possibly cause of BER on the greehouse ones might be a little less water. Interestingly, one batch of Alicante grown outside in medium sized pots have probably had the least water of any, and are going great guns. Maybe Alicante is less prone to problems than the others.
BER is certainly supposed to arise because the plants don't have enough water while the young fruit are forming. Another way of looking at what you say, Vivianne, is that the plants don't get enough water early on, when they are growing fast. It's more difficult to keep them adequately watered all the time while they are in small pots, I've found. (On the other hand, I don't like putting them in their final pots too early, in case I have to rush them into the house if a sharp frost is threatened.) I'm not too sure of the scientific basis for saying don't plant them out until the first truss is visible/set.
Ken,
I know what it's like with growing Toms with limited heat/protection. I have limited windowsills and no heated greenhouse. I have a few plastic greenhouses (6ftx4ft) but these only offer protection from the wind and cannot keep the temperature up overnight. Last year I lost all of my Toms and squashes due to May being HOT in the day, but plummeting to almost freezing at night. This year I started everything off later, put the Toms in smaller pots until 1st week of May, then they went into 8cm square pots and out to the plastic greenhouses, fortunately the weather was kinder this year!
I now have a polytunnel, so hope to relocated a plastic greenhouse into this and put in a small heater to get the toms etc going a bit earlier.
I know what it's like with growing Toms with limited heat/protection. I have limited windowsills and no heated greenhouse. I have a few plastic greenhouses (6ftx4ft) but these only offer protection from the wind and cannot keep the temperature up overnight. Last year I lost all of my Toms and squashes due to May being HOT in the day, but plummeting to almost freezing at night. This year I started everything off later, put the Toms in smaller pots until 1st week of May, then they went into 8cm square pots and out to the plastic greenhouses, fortunately the weather was kinder this year!
I now have a polytunnel, so hope to relocated a plastic greenhouse into this and put in a small heater to get the toms etc going a bit earlier.
I don't suffer from insanity .... I enjoy it!
Vivianne
Vivianne
Hi Vivianne,
I have for a number of years operated a tunnel within a tunnel and it has been very successful.
I have used a Parasene 2Kw heater in an approximate area of 10'x10'x6'on a low bench with a double thickness of 4" expanded Polystyrene sheets forming the floor but on the bench. The inner tunnel is made of Large-Bubble sheeting. You will find that although you want to conserve as much heat as possible Ventilation is of paramount importance. Watering should be kept to the absolute minimum otherwise damping-off can occur.
I hope this of assistance to you.
I have for a number of years operated a tunnel within a tunnel and it has been very successful.
I have used a Parasene 2Kw heater in an approximate area of 10'x10'x6'on a low bench with a double thickness of 4" expanded Polystyrene sheets forming the floor but on the bench. The inner tunnel is made of Large-Bubble sheeting. You will find that although you want to conserve as much heat as possible Ventilation is of paramount importance. Watering should be kept to the absolute minimum otherwise damping-off can occur.
I hope this of assistance to you.
JB.