Has anyone tried the free tomato varieties?

[dilettante]

A couple of months back the magazine came with I think six varieties of tomato seed. Has anyone used them? How are people getting on? Mine have been in a cold frame for shy of a month and the Red Pear seem to be sprouting up quite well, with one Prinicipe Borghese and Red Cherry germinating as well.

Curious to hear others' experiences.

[Thelma Sanders]

They would have been better somewhere warmer, I think you are lucky to have anything sprouting!

[Jay22]

Principe Borghese and the Cherry Falls are doing fine...that's the only ones I've tried from the freebies as I don't have the room for them.

[Potstubsdustbins]

I am with Thelma and think your lucky to get anything germinating in a cold frame, they really need to be much warmer than that.

[Elfeda]

I am with Thelma and think your lucky to get anything germinating in a cold frame, they really need to be much warmer than that.

hmm I can see self seeded tomato plants alredy at my prevoius tomato patch outside.

[Thelma Sanders]

hmm I can see self seeded tomato plants alredy at my prevoius tomato patch outside.

I don't doubt it, but what percentage is germinating?
Almost certainly more would germinate in warmer conditions, that's the point I was trying to make.

[Potstubsdustbins]

Yep when you think of how many seed are in a tomato your going to get the odd one germinate. But if you want reliable germination the optimum temperature is 21 to 27 degrees C.

[Containergardener]

I've got Príncipe borghese up, 12. in my living rm on windowsill. Warm room and woodburner on at night .

[Gillykat]

I sowed mine ~ three of five varieties ~ on 2nd April. One Red Pear and one Gardener's Delight germinated on 8th and the others all emerged on 10th. They're now growing well and the Red Pear especially are almost 5 inches tall The only ones I didn't have much luck with are the ones from Gardeners World magazine 'Super Sweet 100' - I only had one germinate.

[1Bee]

Gardener's Delight was the one my Dad always grew. Makes me all nostalgic.

[dilettante]

You are right, of course. I'm not entirely sure why I put them in the coldframe aside from the excitement and novelty of having one. I'll do another sowing at home tonight I think. My windowsills at home have been barren this year.

[Bren In Pots]

I'm growing Principe Borghese they're on a sunny bedroom window sill and by the looks of the forecast they'll be there a long time.

[vixylix]

I've got mine growing on my windowsills and so far they're doing fine. I would like to get them outside though as some of them are getting huuuugggeee!

[SusieG]

I've got Príncipe borghese up, 12. in my living rm on windowsill. Warm room and woodburner on at night .

Oooh, sounds very cosy CG!

[Containergardener]

They seem happy Susie, a chilli friend has popped up now.