The 2013 Early Tomato Sowing Thread

[redser]

My early toms, planted end of Jan, have all started to die They're still inside but maybe a little too cold and damp in the kitchen. Time to start again ......

How are they dying? What size pots are they in and how big are they? Have you a photo? The next 1-2 weeks 'could' see a big change in the weather. Try keep them going and they might just make it. Or maybe you could take cuttings from them for new plants.

[traceys plot]

Turned kitchen into my potting shed and potted on 15 more tomato plants mortgage lifter, sunbaby and trailing pearl

[binley100]

I might be wrong but I try and grow my early toms very slowly in cool conditions so they don't get too big .......I've got some in my gh (unheated) but protected with bubblewrap and fleece and the rest are in my conservatory which is unheated but a bit more sheltered also prtected with fleece. they've got secondleaves but aren't anywhere near as far on as some seen on here but hopefully when the temp rises and the sun decides to come out and play they'll just romp away no bother.

[Stonewaller]

I planted two types of tom beginning of Jan, one type now has flowers (Latah from Real Seeds), the other doesn't. They're now in 6" pots on the windowsills and I'm wondering what to do with them. They don't need insect pollination do they?
As a precaution I've got some slightly later sown ones at the two leaf stage and also some more which have just germinated, but it'll be interesting to see if the later ones catch up once (if?) the weather improves

[sally fran]

They don't need insect pollination do they?

Hello Stonewaller

They do need help with pollination but insects are not essential. Have a look at this:

Pollinating Tomato Flowers - YouTube

[Noosner]

I planted two types of tom beginning of Jan, one type now has flowers (Latah from Real Seeds),

Well done with the Latah. My seeds (also from Real Seeds) totally failed to germinate. Inspired by your success, I have just sown another batch.

[Tripmeup]

Some of my early Roma and Tamina are putting on a bit of growth... is painfully slow tho..

[GardenNinja]

Testing the weather with tomato Kootenai. It has been hardening off for a few weeks and has been outside for five days. I'm hoping that the weather will continue to warm up so I can get some ultra early tomatoes. Many thanks to veggiechicken and the VSP for the seeds!

[bearded bloke]

Mine are now to big to get in camera from original seated viewpoint ..........








So from a nearby standing point .............

[marchogaeth]

My tomatoes are still quite tŵty, they have been out in the poly under a cloch and fleece for weeks. Every time I think it's warming up (like this week) I go out and find we've had an overnight min of 2.5C (not on the forecast) and I wish I'd brought them all in (but it is getting a chore even for me).

Anyway this is not meant to be a winge but a song in praise of my Maja plant. I've got one or two of lots of different bush tome this year and this one is looking fantastic: small but perfectly formed. Nice dark green leaves and a beautiful compact shape (it would pass for a Christmas Tree on a cake). I know it is supposed to tollerate colder conditions and it really does. The second best is Urbikany. (I know it's not a bush but the Stupice is champing at the bit and will probably go into it's ring today if I can rig up a temporary cloch for it.)

[chilli_grower]

here is my best early plant, I am very pleased with it.

[redser]

Very nice, what is it?

[chilli_grower]

red alert variety

[mothhawk]

My house is too warm to keep them indoors and the garden is too cold to put them out! I've taken the tops out of the Red Alert plants twice, and they've still defied me, flowered and set 3 toms. They will soon be too tall for the windowsill. The one surviving plant from the mixed freebies is also now flowering.

It's the first time I've sown in January, so I've learned that the end of February is probably the perfect time to sow next year.

[annacruachan]

Healthy early toms



Sown 28 January and now have two trusses. First trusses have set fruit for the most part. We have been luckier with the weather than most this year; no snow but cold winds and lots of sun. The conservatory has been heated all winter - and still is!

The problem now is that they are too close together. I have peppers, chillies and cucumbers demanding space as well! Hope summer appears soon so that the toms can go into the tunnel and greenhouse.