Tomatoes - Page 10

The Hollyberry Lady · 10-26-2010, 11:27 AM

Very cool, Patty!

Gawd those ones in the grocery store in winter are gross aren't they?!

They look so perfectly red on the outside but when you cut into them they're white and unripe! Blech!

This is definitely what motivates me to produce a crop or two indoors over the cold months. I just can't stand those awful sawdust tasting ones at the store. I'd rather even eat summer canned tomatoes than those, any day. They're just disgusting and totally expensive, to boot!

I hope people with sunny sills will consider doing what I'm doing and produce some fruits inside over winter. You won't be disappointed.

Here's a 7 year old blurry pic of some "sweet million" cherry tomatoes I grew in a pot outdoors against a wall. I had them staked in the pot to support them and I harvested fruits all summer long.

You can also see some red flowers in the pic from my "scarlet runner" pole bean vine I had also growing in a pot near the tomatoes...

: )

bananarama2 · 10-26-2010, 03:14 PM

I don't mean to step on any toes, but I was re-reading the whole growing tomatoes indoors topic, and came across something that I think needs some clarifying, although it won't really change anyone's results. Tomatoes, like all flowering plants do need pollination to produce fruit. They are, fortunately, self-pollinating, so do not require another plant nearby to produce fruit. Both male and female reproductive organs (stamens and pistil) are enclosed inside a central calyx, which insects force open to affect cross-pollination. Yields can be increased and somewhat guaranteed by gently shaking the flowers, especially when there is little air movement to distribute the pollen to the pistils. I make a point when in my greenhouse to simply shake the flower sprays a little, or gently tapping each flower with my index finger, snapping it off my thumb, just like you'd "flick" someone's ear. Like everyone, Mother Nature appreciates a little help too!

bananarama2 · 10-26-2010, 03:26 PM

Well thanks so much for the offer Sherry! That's very kind and considerate (who would expect anything less from you anyway), but where would the challenge and resulting pleasure be there, other than the plant surviving Canada Post? So, I'll gratefully decline your offer....hopefully so I can post a picture or two of my own success with growing indoor tomatoes again. But you definitely get a nod for incentive and inspiration. Thx a bunch!

The Hollyberry Lady · 10-26-2010, 03:28 PM

Your information is exactly correct Rik, however when I stated that tomato plants don't require any pollination I only meant it in the sense that they are somewhat self-pollinating, unlike squash and cucumber plants which will not produce fruits indoors even with a light "flick" of the blossoms and actually require hand-pollination with a soft paintbrush.

With tomatoes though, you don't need to do anything at all to get fruits, and I just didn't want to confuse or discourage new gardeners wanting to try this for the first time with too much information about pollianation.

It is true though that when tomatoes are naturally pollinated they tend to be larger in size with bigger yields on the plants as well. I sometimes tap my tomato blossoms just to make sure the pollen spreads around.

: )

The Hollyberry Lady · 10-26-2010, 03:48 PM

No problem Rik..I totally understand. Is there anyone else in Canada that might like an already mature "Patio" tomato plant sent to them?

I should also point out that when beginning a tomato plant from a seed, this late in the year, it is best to use a grow light of some kind to get it going. If the plant is already mature and producing fruits however, you may stick it right into the window like I have.

: )

The Hollyberry Lady · 10-30-2010, 10:27 AM

Here they are today, getting really fat...

: )

sandy0225 · 10-30-2010, 04:59 PM

if you still have any tomato plants that haven't been frosted, you can do cuttings and root them in a glass of water. Then the plants you bring inside will be smaller, but they will think they are older and start blooming right away. FYI, I know it's too late for most folks.

saltydad · 10-30-2010, 05:06 PM

We ate the last tomato of the season, a pink Brandywine. Damn, was it good!

The Hollyberry Lady · 10-30-2010, 07:12 PM

Great it was a tasty little bugger for you, Howard!

Yes yes Sandy, what you are saying is exactly correct and I've actually done what you've described...it works like a charm!

Thanks so much for bringing it up here. Tomato cuttings are super easy to root. My tomato plants still aren't dead yet in the garden, and you've inspired me to repeat this familiar process again, so I can grow three plants this year indoors, instead of one.

: )

Jananas Bananas · 10-30-2010, 08:47 PM

We have two growing seasons here, so our big box stores are selling veggies starts again. I think I am going to get me another batch of tomato starts, THEN I will take some cuttings inside for the winter. I NEVER knew you could do that with them and I am darn sure going to try it. I would like tomatoes all year round that I have grown. For some reason the ones in the grocery store taste like cardboard in the winter time to me. I will definitely be giving this a shot! Thanks!

~JaNan

PennyG · 10-31-2010, 06:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Hollyberry Lady

No problem Rik..I totally understand. Is there anyone else in Canada that might like an already mature "Patio" tomato plant sent to them?

: )

Sherry.....are you offering a plant

......let me know ok

The Hollyberry Lady · 10-31-2010, 12:42 PM

Yes Penny, I am offering a "Patio" tomato plant from my garden that will keep producing for you in a sunny window sill all winter long...

I was going to cut the tops off of the two plants I have tonight, but I'll bring one of them inside for you and get it boxed up sometime next week to send off.

I should have thought of you already but I wasn't sure if you'd be interested in something like this over winter, or if you had the means to support a veggie plant. Cool that you want one.

I may have to cut it back a bit to fit it in the box but it will continue to grow once you get it...

That's the great thing about tomato plants....you can cut them, prune them, and remove many leaves, yet they still keep growing and thriving.

I'll be in touch soon Pen, about your new patio plant...

: )

PennyG · 11-01-2010, 06:28 AM

Thank you sooooooo much, Sherry!!

The Hollyberry Lady · 11-01-2010, 01:25 PM

Today is the day!!!

A picture says a thousand words...

: )

The Hollyberry Lady · 11-02-2010, 10:09 PM

Even more ripe today...

: )

The Hollyberry Lady · 11-08-2010, 05:18 PM

I picked the two you saw on the vines earlier and gave one to my mom and here's the one I'm putting in my bowl of salad tonight...

: O

More of the smaller ones are beginning to turn red now too...

Blake09 · 11-08-2010, 07:11 PM

The pictures may not be verry good...

Some of the tomatoes that I picked out off the garden today, the ones that survived the first frost and temps down to 28F...

The ones Ive been chowing down on for a couple days...

There are about double that amound of tomatoes that are frostbitten. All comes from 1 tomatoe plant, the vines got so long I had to use 2 big and 1 small tomato cage!

All the tomato plants are dead now so no tomatoes more for me!

.

The Hollyberry Lady · 11-08-2010, 09:03 PM

Did you say your pictures might not be very good, Blake?!

You've got to be kidding me!!!

I'd just love to have a container filled with those! I think you've successfully shown me up and your post should be called...

"How to show Sherry up and make her VERY jealous"!!!

Show off!!!

Talk to me when you're harvesting tomatoes in February!!!

: )

Blake09 · 11-08-2010, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Hollyberry Lady

Talk to me when you're harvesting tomatoes in February!!!

: )

Well, looks like I need to sow some seeds and see if any part of the tomato plant is still alive so I can take a cutting!

LOL

.

Jananas Bananas · 11-08-2010, 09:36 PM

I am gleeking here you guys. Wait let me wipe the drool. GEEZ! Have you ever had fried green tomatoes???? YUMMY!

Blake I had to run to the box store and buy a couple more tomato starts so I can grow some in the house too!

I've got to go get something to eat now. So much for posting!

~JaNan

10-26-2010, 11:27 AM	#181 (permalink)
The Hollyberry Lady The Hollyberry Lady's Photo Gallery Find me on the map! Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 15,161 BananaBucks : 1,456,659 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 12,042 Times Was Thanked 11,326 Times in 5,311 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 102 Times	Re: Tomatoes Very cool, Patty! Gawd those ones in the grocery store in winter are gross aren't they?! They look so perfectly red on the outside but when you cut into them they're white and unripe! Blech! This is definitely what motivates me to produce a crop or two indoors over the cold months. I just can't stand those awful sawdust tasting ones at the store. I'd rather even eat summer canned tomatoes than those, any day. They're just disgusting and totally expensive, to boot! I hope people with sunny sills will consider doing what I'm doing and produce some fruits inside over winter. You won't be disappointed. Here's a 7 year old blurry pic of some "sweet million" cherry tomatoes I grew in a pot outdoors against a wall. I had them staked in the pot to support them and I harvested fruits all summer long. You can also see some red flowers in the pic from my "scarlet runner" pole bean vine I had also growing in a pot near the tomatoes... : )

10-26-2010, 03:14 PM	#182 (permalink)
bananarama2 bananarama2's Photo Gallery Location: The drier, sunny East Coast of the West Coast, on Vancouver Island Find me on the map! Zone: 8a to 8b (?) Name: Rik Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 165 BananaBucks : 15,502 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 102 Times Was Thanked 221 Times in 96 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 25 Times	Re: Tomatoes I don't mean to step on any toes, but I was re-reading the whole growing tomatoes indoors topic, and came across something that I think needs some clarifying, although it won't really change anyone's results. Tomatoes, like all flowering plants do need pollination to produce fruit. They are, fortunately, self-pollinating, so do not require another plant nearby to produce fruit. Both male and female reproductive organs (stamens and pistil) are enclosed inside a central calyx, which insects force open to affect cross-pollination. Yields can be increased and somewhat guaranteed by gently shaking the flowers, especially when there is little air movement to distribute the pollen to the pistils. I make a point when in my greenhouse to simply shake the flower sprays a little, or gently tapping each flower with my index finger, snapping it off my thumb, just like you'd "flick" someone's ear. Like everyone, Mother Nature appreciates a little help too! __________________ If you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem.

10-26-2010, 03:26 PM	#183 (permalink)
bananarama2 bananarama2's Photo Gallery Location: The drier, sunny East Coast of the West Coast, on Vancouver Island Find me on the map! Zone: 8a to 8b (?) Name: Rik Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 165 BananaBucks : 15,502 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 102 Times Was Thanked 221 Times in 96 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 25 Times	Re: Tomatoes Well thanks so much for the offer Sherry! That's very kind and considerate (who would expect anything less from you anyway), but where would the challenge and resulting pleasure be there, other than the plant surviving Canada Post? So, I'll gratefully decline your offer....hopefully so I can post a picture or two of my own success with growing indoor tomatoes again. But you definitely get a nod for incentive and inspiration. Thx a bunch! __________________ If you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem.

10-26-2010, 03:28 PM	#184 (permalink)
The Hollyberry Lady The Hollyberry Lady's Photo Gallery Find me on the map! Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 15,161 BananaBucks : 1,456,659 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 12,042 Times Was Thanked 11,326 Times in 5,311 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 102 Times	Re: Tomatoes Your information is exactly correct Rik, however when I stated that tomato plants don't require any pollination I only meant it in the sense that they are somewhat self-pollinating, unlike squash and cucumber plants which will not produce fruits indoors even with a light "flick" of the blossoms and actually require hand-pollination with a soft paintbrush. With tomatoes though, you don't need to do anything at all to get fruits, and I just didn't want to confuse or discourage new gardeners wanting to try this for the first time with too much information about pollianation. It is true though that when tomatoes are naturally pollinated they tend to be larger in size with bigger yields on the plants as well. I sometimes tap my tomato blossoms just to make sure the pollen spreads around. : )

10-26-2010, 03:48 PM	#185 (permalink)
The Hollyberry Lady The Hollyberry Lady's Photo Gallery Find me on the map! Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 15,161 BananaBucks : 1,456,659 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 12,042 Times Was Thanked 11,326 Times in 5,311 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 102 Times	Re: Tomatoes No problem Rik..I totally understand. Is there anyone else in Canada that might like an already mature "Patio" tomato plant sent to them? I should also point out that when beginning a tomato plant from a seed, this late in the year, it is best to use a grow light of some kind to get it going. If the plant is already mature and producing fruits however, you may stick it right into the window like I have. : )

Members currently in the chatroom: 0
	The most chatters online in one day was 17, 09-06-2009. No one is currently using the chat.

10-30-2010, 10:27 AM	#186 (permalink)
The Hollyberry Lady The Hollyberry Lady's Photo Gallery Find me on the map! Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 15,161 BananaBucks : 1,456,659 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 12,042 Times Was Thanked 11,326 Times in 5,311 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 102 Times	Re: Tomatoes Here they are today, getting really fat... : )

10-30-2010, 04:59 PM	#187 (permalink)
sandy0225 Northern Tropics sandy0225's Photo Gallery Location: Muncie, Indiana zone 5 Find me on the map! Zone: zone 5 Name: Sandy Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 1,718 BananaBucks : 487,577 Feedback: 31 / 97% Said "Thanks" 38 Times Was Thanked 1,801 Times in 682 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 9 Times	Re: Tomatoes if you still have any tomato plants that haven't been frosted, you can do cuttings and root them in a glass of water. Then the plants you bring inside will be smaller, but they will think they are older and start blooming right away. FYI, I know it's too late for most folks. __________________ Sandy Burrell Northern Tropics Greenhouse 1501 East Fuson Road Muncie, IN 47302 www.northerntropics.com specializing in bananas, heirloom tomatoes and water gardening plants~ check out our new online store at our website!

10-30-2010, 05:06 PM	#188 (permalink)
saltydad saltydad's Photo Gallery Location: Silver Spring, Maryland USA Find me on the map! Zone: 7a Name: Howard Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 4,552 BananaBucks : 306,802 Feedback: 2 / 100% Said "Thanks" 14,712 Times Was Thanked 4,662 Times in 1,778 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 824 Times	Re: Tomatoes We ate the last tomato of the season, a pink Brandywine. Damn, was it good! __________________ Men In Nursing- "A Few Good Men" "Gardening is the purest of human pleasures." - Francis Bacon "If by a liberal, they mean someone who looks ahead and not behind; someone who welcomes new ideas without rigid reactions; someone who cares about the welfare of the people, their health, their housing, their schools, their jobs, their civil rights, their civil liberties; someone who believes we can break through the stalemate and suspicion that grips us; that is what they meant by a liberal, I am proud to be a liberal." John F. Kennedy, September, 1960 http://flickr.com/photos/saltydad/ and http://community.webshots.com/user/saltydad http://s751.photobucket.com/albums/xx151/saltydad/

10-30-2010, 07:12 PM	#189 (permalink)
The Hollyberry Lady The Hollyberry Lady's Photo Gallery Find me on the map! Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 15,161 BananaBucks : 1,456,659 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 12,042 Times Was Thanked 11,326 Times in 5,311 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 102 Times	Re: Tomatoes Great it was a tasty little bugger for you, Howard! Yes yes Sandy, what you are saying is exactly correct and I've actually done what you've described...it works like a charm! Thanks so much for bringing it up here. Tomato cuttings are super easy to root. My tomato plants still aren't dead yet in the garden, and you've inspired me to repeat this familiar process again, so I can grow three plants this year indoors, instead of one. : )

10-30-2010, 08:47 PM	#190 (permalink)
Jananas Bananas Jananas Bananas's Photo Gallery Location: Austin, Texas Find me on the map! Zone: 8b/9a Name: JaNan Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 4,438 BananaBucks : 443,329 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 3,341 Times Was Thanked 7,059 Times in 2,683 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 133 Times	Re: Tomatoes We have two growing seasons here, so our big box stores are selling veggies starts again. I think I am going to get me another batch of tomato starts, THEN I will take some cuttings inside for the winter. I NEVER knew you could do that with them and I am darn sure going to try it. I would like tomatoes all year round that I have grown. For some reason the ones in the grocery store taste like cardboard in the winter time to me. I will definitely be giving this a shot! Thanks! ~JaNan __________________ Jananas Bananas

10-31-2010, 12:42 PM	#192 (permalink)
The Hollyberry Lady The Hollyberry Lady's Photo Gallery Find me on the map! Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 15,161 BananaBucks : 1,456,659 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 12,042 Times Was Thanked 11,326 Times in 5,311 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 102 Times	Re: Tomatoes Yes Penny, I am offering a "Patio" tomato plant from my garden that will keep producing for you in a sunny window sill all winter long... I was going to cut the tops off of the two plants I have tonight, but I'll bring one of them inside for you and get it boxed up sometime next week to send off. I should have thought of you already but I wasn't sure if you'd be interested in something like this over winter, or if you had the means to support a veggie plant. Cool that you want one. I may have to cut it back a bit to fit it in the box but it will continue to grow once you get it... That's the great thing about tomato plants....you can cut them, prune them, and remove many leaves, yet they still keep growing and thriving. I'll be in touch soon Pen, about your new patio plant... : )

11-01-2010, 06:28 AM	#193 (permalink)
PennyG Location: Ontario, Canada...zone 5b Zone: 5b Name: Penny Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 301 BananaBucks : 8,821 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 379 Times Was Thanked 306 Times in 201 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 3 Times	Re: Tomatoes Thank you sooooooo much, Sherry!!

11-01-2010, 01:25 PM	#194 (permalink)
The Hollyberry Lady The Hollyberry Lady's Photo Gallery Find me on the map! Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 15,161 BananaBucks : 1,456,659 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 12,042 Times Was Thanked 11,326 Times in 5,311 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 102 Times	Re: Tomatoes Today is the day!!! A picture says a thousand words... : )

11-02-2010, 10:09 PM	#195 (permalink)
The Hollyberry Lady The Hollyberry Lady's Photo Gallery Find me on the map! Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 15,161 BananaBucks : 1,456,659 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 12,042 Times Was Thanked 11,326 Times in 5,311 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 102 Times	Re: Tomatoes Even more ripe today... : )

11-08-2010, 05:18 PM	#196 (permalink)
The Hollyberry Lady The Hollyberry Lady's Photo Gallery Find me on the map! Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 15,161 BananaBucks : 1,456,659 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 12,042 Times Was Thanked 11,326 Times in 5,311 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 102 Times	Re: Tomatoes I picked the two you saw on the vines earlier and gave one to my mom and here's the one I'm putting in my bowl of salad tonight... : O More of the smaller ones are beginning to turn red now too...

11-08-2010, 07:11 PM	#197 (permalink)
Blake09 Blake09's Photo Gallery Find me on the map! Zone: Zone 7B Name: Blake Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 1,237 BananaBucks : 164,453 Feedback: 2 / 100% Said "Thanks" 1,424 Times Was Thanked 1,105 Times in 448 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 328 Times	Re: Tomatoes The pictures may not be verry good... Some of the tomatoes that I picked out off the garden today, the ones that survived the first frost and temps down to 28F... The ones Ive been chowing down on for a couple days... There are about double that amound of tomatoes that are frostbitten. All comes from 1 tomatoe plant, the vines got so long I had to use 2 big and 1 small tomato cage! All the tomato plants are dead now so no tomatoes more for me! . __________________ A banana plant in the autumn gale - I listen to the dripping of rain Into a basin at night. ~ Basho Matsuo (1644- 1694)

11-08-2010, 09:03 PM	#198 (permalink)
The Hollyberry Lady The Hollyberry Lady's Photo Gallery Find me on the map! Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 15,161 BananaBucks : 1,456,659 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 12,042 Times Was Thanked 11,326 Times in 5,311 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 102 Times	Re: Tomatoes Did you say your pictures might not be very good, Blake?! You've got to be kidding me!!! I'd just love to have a container filled with those! I think you've successfully shown me up and your post should be called... *"How to show Sherry up and make her VERY jealous"!!!* Show off!!! Talk to me when you're harvesting tomatoes in February!!! : )

11-08-2010, 09:36 PM	#200 (permalink)
Jananas Bananas Jananas Bananas's Photo Gallery Location: Austin, Texas Find me on the map! Zone: 8b/9a Name: JaNan Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 4,438 BananaBucks : 443,329 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 3,341 Times Was Thanked 7,059 Times in 2,683 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 133 Times	Re: Tomatoes I am gleeking here you guys. Wait let me wipe the drool. GEEZ! Have you ever had fried green tomatoes???? YUMMY! Blake I had to run to the box store and buy a couple more tomato starts so I can grow some in the house too! I've got to go get something to eat now. So much for posting! ~JaNan __________________ Jananas Bananas

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)