I now have 13 varieties at various stages of their ‘journey’ to tomato-ness. Sown on the 13/14th April – Cherokee Purple, Sungold, Yellow Balconi and Rosada are up and out – lounging about in the sun – waiting for cocktails which will never arrive – those fresh pina colada pineapple segments turning to freight mush on account of the ash. They’ll have to wait for me to mix up my special potassium potion instead.
Still lurking half in and half out – with no awareness that the skies they’ll be reaching for – will never be as clear again if they don’t get a move on are the others – still in the propagator.
And now joined, in a ‘mould-breaking/transformative/gamechanging’ move ( if the ash doesn’t get you debate debris will), by other types of seeds . Tomato Lover is no longer a 1 plant race . Monocropping has been toppled. I have added 2 types of Basil – Italian Large Leaf and Lemon and some Marigold seeds which will be used for companion planting. I’ve no idea what their requirements might be so am treating as tomato seeds – into some compost and into the propagator.
As Mother Nature can bring both chaos and calm to our skies at the same time I’ll leave her to work germination genius on the newbies .
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
You mention your ‘potassium potion’ – can you share a bit of your experience with different kinds of tomato feed; I used a cheap brand from the supermarket last year – is it worth splashing out on something a bit more up-market, or are they all basically the same?
Isn’t it amazing how much we depend upon air transport for food imports these days? I’m sure the pineapples will survive a trip in a refrigerated cargo ship. I’m not sure the same can be said for the Spanish tomatoes though. We’ll have to start buying seasonal produce again!
Anyway, my Black Cherries are doing splendidly; Gold Medal, Gardeners Delight (save The Clone) and Lettuce Leaf are lagging behind. The leaves on the latter three turned purple, which I think means they’re too cold on thei9r su8nny windowsills. I lost two L.L. after pricking out, so planted replacements.
I trimmed one truss from The Clone (G.D.); it still wants to flower , so I’ll get something reliable at least. Cloning is a good way to overwinter your stocks.
I hope you have plenty of friends and family to supply your tomato crops too; and plenty of jars for chutney! Good luck with the ‘family’.
Isn’t it amazing how much we depend upon air transport for food imports these days? I’m sure the pineapples will survive a trip in a refrigerated cargo ship. I’m not sure the same can be said for the Spanish tomatoes though. We’ll have to start buying seasonal produce again!
Anyway, my Black Cherries are doing splendidly; Gold Medal, Gardeners Delight (save The Clone) and Lettuce Leaf are lagging behind. The leaves on the latter three turned purple, which I think means they’re too cold on thei9r su8nny windowsills. I lost two L.L. after pricking out, so planted replacements.
I trimmed one truss from The Clone (G.D.); it still wants to flower , so I’ll get something reliable at least. Cloning is a good way to overwinter your stocks.
I hope you have plenty of takers for your tomato crops too; and plenty of jars for chutney! Good luck with the ‘family’.
Good question – and one I’ve asked myself as I’ve dithered over whether to go for branded ( Tomorite) or a special offer deal on own brand products – would that be short changing my tomatoes ? – or am I just being conned into giving them the equivalent of ‘ designer’ trainers.
With growbags the received wisdom is that you do get what you pay for – and that it’s worth going for branded, premium bags as opposed to cheap and anonymous. Does the same apply to feed ? I’ll see what I can find out and start scrutinsing the back of bottles.
The subject of seasonal food is interesting. It’s all too easy to be incredulous about those stories which purport children don’t know potatoes grow underground, milk comes from cows etc ( like the recounted story of the little boy who watched amazed as long orange carrots were pulled from the ground – and the gardener’s amazement at the same boy’s incredulous and slightly accusational question of ‘ but how did you get them in there? )…but similarly I wouldn’t like to have to be quizzed on what vegetables are ready for cropping ( naturally) in which month in the UK – there would be a lot of hopefull guess work going on….
Great to have an update on how your ‘collection’ is doing. And especially to hear that the Black Cherries are doing so well. I think its easy to assume that some of the more ‘exotic’ looking varieties must be somehow harder to grow – but your experience demonstrates that’s just not so…