Contaminated seed compost?

[george356]

I think I have had a batch of seed compost which has been contaminated with unknown seeds.

I sowed what I thought were seeds of tomato "Cuor di Bue" and this is what has come up







Now, I have never grown this variety before, but they don't look like, or smell like, any tomatoes I have ever seen. Has anyone grown this variety before and can confirm that they are, indeed, "Cuor di Bue" - I may add that it is not just one seedling, I have a tray of 1 dozen seedlings just like these

George

[roitelet]

I would say they are not tomatoes. The variety you were supposed to be growing is also known as Coeur de Beouf, a beefsteak tomato. I would take the compost and a plant back to where you got it from and complain LOUDLY. I have no idea what the plants that have grown are, it might be interesting to let one grow and see what happens.

[george356]

Problem is I cannot remember which place I bought that particular batch of compost

Strangely enough, each seperate pot just had the one seedling, and that was right in the centre, where I sowed the supposed tomato seed. Maybe it was a factory screw up on the seed front?

I have put 2 of the plants in a growbag in the greenhouse and wait with baited breath to see what happens

[jacob]

I think I'd be blaming the seeds, not the compost... Apart from the weird leaves they look like tomatoes?

[Chippy Minton]

Strangely enough, each seperate pot just had the one seedling, and that was right in the centre, where I sowed the supposed tomato seed. Maybe it was a factory screw up on the seed front?

I have put 2 of the plants in a growbag in the greenhouse and wait with baited breath to see what happens

That would be my thought, if the compost was contaminated it would be strange to be so precise that only 1 seed got into each pot. Seems more likely that the seeds were not as ordered. Did they look like tomato seeds?

[kathycam]

I'd also think it was the seeds and not the compost, where did you buy the seeds?

[george356]

Chippy - yes, the seeds definitely looked like tomato seeds.

Kathy - seeds were bought at a local nursery - Italian packaging - I will try to get a pic of the packet and post it later.

[Potstubsdustbins]

A pic for comparison tom is second one back.

[Chippy Minton]

They do look tomato-ish, I say grow them on and post a pic of what you get

[Ananke]

I think it is a potato leaved tomato. I had one last year.

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...ion_69736.html

[george356]

I think it is a potato leaved tomato. I had one last year.

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...ion_69736.html

Well, I have a couple planted in a growbag in the greenhouse, and have another dozen in 3" pots so if anyone fancies a couple to try out, and lives near Durham, they are welcome to PM me for contact details.

[Nicos]

George...do you still have the package or remember which company?
A quick trip to where you bought them from with the plant/photo might be in order. They may replace all your plants with their own ready grown plug plants.

Failing that you may find the www.site or email address of the seed company, and could send them a piccie to ask if that is how they are supposed to look?

I'd be shocked if they said they were!

If you got the wrong seeds in a tomato packet then there will be a whole more loads of peeps in the same situation...and the seed packets will need to be withdrawn!

They would be pleased to hear from you cos no-one wants a bad reputation.
Could have been a disgruntled worker having a last laugh...you just never know

[Nicos]

What ever they are..they look very healthy!!

[marchogaeth]

If they are from Franchi seeds (Italian) then the leaves on the packet look nothing like what you have so far. Tomato Cuor di Bue - Oxheart (106-24) - Seeds from Italy.

In fact this pic doesn't even look particularly potato leaved.....

[george356]

Nicos - yes, I still have the packet, I bought them October last year from Eggleston Hall gardens, and they DO look like they are living the life of Riley, don't they - they were in the remainders rack at 50p so I got a packet.

marchogaeth - yep - Franchi seeds - I agree, they bear no resemblance - I will grow them on, maybe they are a cross.