Erin's (callisto9's) Red Heirloom Toms in the VeggiePro! - Started 9/10/09

[Bobbie]

I'm thinking of yanking the Ruby Heirloom in my Elite+.  the mega cherries are thriving, so it's not time to re-plant the whole garden.  I'm wondering if--since the megas are only taking up half the garden--it would work to start some basil in the pod where the Ruby is now?

[callisto9]

I'm thinking of yanking the Ruby Heirloom in my Elite+.  the mega cherries are thriving, so it's not time to re-plant the whole garden.  I'm wondering if--since the megas are only taking up half the garden--it would work to start some basil in the pod where the Ruby is now?

How are the Ruby Heirlooms different than the Red Heirlooms?

How many plants do you have on yours? How far in are you?

I don't see why you couldn't start some basil, unless the light can't get through the toms.

[shane arthur]

The nutrients might be a bit strong for a seedling. Keep an eye on it but i cant see a problem with starting basil since you have a half a garden sitting there. Give it a shot and see how it turns out.

[Bobbie]

The Ruby Heirlooms are the full sized tomatoes, and the Megas are the big cherries.  I've got one of each in an Elite+.  The Megas are thriving--I've harvested about 20 so far, and I have at least as many green ones on the vine plus several clusters of flowers.  A good 6 weeks ago or more, the Ruby produced one yellow flower and several empty flower caps, but nothing since then. 

[Bobbie]

Good point about the nutrients, Shane--but, as you suggest, there's really nothing to lose.  I have a package of basil seeds already.  I might give it a shot after Christmas.

[callisto9]

The Ruby Heirlooms are the full sized tomatoes, and the Megas are the big cherries.  I've got one of each in an Elite+.  The Megas are thriving--I've harvested about 20 so far, and I have at least as many green ones on the vine plus several clusters of flowers.  A good 6 weeks ago or more, the Ruby produced one yellow flower and several empty flower caps, but nothing since then. 

See, I have RED Heirlooms. Are those the same as Ruby?

My cherry toms are growing well, but no flowers yet. It's still early though.

I still wonder why my Red Heirlooms are failing. I really wanted toms this winter.

[shane arthur]

I may be way off here but at one time i think they called ruby heirlooms "ruby red heirlooms" To me i think they are the same but would have to see them grow to know for sure. The heirlooms have a pretty leaf pattern.

[callisto9]

Well it figures that just about the time I was going to pull this kit, my toms start turning. They must've known! LOL

Here's the latest. This kit only produced FOUR tomatoes, despite tons of flowers. Disappointing.

Also worth noting that the plant on the right is the one with all the toms. The plant on the left didn't produce any tomatoes.

[bab43]

I am happy to see your tomatoes turning red! 

[callisto9]

I am happy to see your tomatoes turning red! 

Me too! I can' wait to try one.

[ocarolina]

did you try adding bloom nutrients to get flower to produce? When I switched my ratios from grow to bloom on the cherry toms, they got tons of flowers.  Same thing now with the varieties of peppers that I am growing.  Plus, when I realized that one of the tomato plants was ending it's produce, I snipped a 5-6 inch stem off, and it has rooted in a bare pod in the same unit.  Although I did save seeds, it seems that the cuttings are much quicker to grow. 

[callisto9]

did you try adding bloom nutrients to get flower to produce? When I switched my ratios from grow to bloom on the cherry toms, they got tons of flowers.  Same thing now with the varieties of peppers that I am growing.  Plus, when I realized that one of the tomato plants was ending it's produce, I snipped a 5-6 inch stem off, and it has rooted in a bare pod in the same unit.  Although I did save seeds, it seems that the cuttings are much quicker to grow. 

I did add bloom nutrients. I got tons of flowers, just four toms. The plant is so big now, the only flowers I have gotten is at the top. But again, they flower, I pollinate and then the flowers die and drop off.

After I pull this kit, I'm going to try jalapenos. I don't know if I can stand to wait another four months for a failed tomato kit again. It's too depressing.

[callisto9]

Here's pics from about 10 days ago:

[callisto9]

Today I harvested my first tomato! I only have four, so I wanted to make sure I had  use for them before I picked one. I made grilled cheese with tomato.

The tomato itself is pretty tasty. I salted the heck out of it, so I can't report what it tasted like sans salt or sans in between cheese and bread. Overall, I'd give the taste of this tomato a 7/10.

However, I can't say I'd do this kit again unless I ever figure out what the problem is. Despite 10s of flowers, I only ever had four tomatoes.

[callisto9]

After I find a purpose for these other three toms, I am putting my cherries in the VeggiePro. They are doing well so far.

[Grasshopper]

Wow, your tomato plants look a lot different than mine!  It's interesting that yours got so tall.  I was undecided as to the whole pruning thing, but eventually decided not to prune and have only raised the light two or three notches.  I started my tomatoes in mid November and have about a dozen green ones so far.  As for the whole pollination bit, after reading the posts about dropped flowers, I decided to vigorously shake the plants several times a day.

Thank you for sharing your experience and pictures!

[ocarolina]

save a few of the seeds for another plant - you may want to grow them again - looks delicious.  I just ordered the kit, and am hoping I do not have the same problem.  I was doing great with my jalapenos and anaheims - and all of a sudden the flowers were dropping too.  I was so used to adding the same nutes, that I did not check the tds reading.  Well today, I checked, and it was almost 4000 (I use the same mix every day).  I had a heart attack.  I dumped some and refilled with r/o water.  It is now about 1900.  I don't know how it got so high so fast, but it did make the flowers fall off. Maybe the ag nutes were too strong and the flowers dropped of your tom plants.  When I have the levels too low,  or too high, they drop all the flowers.  It has to be in the right range for them to stay on to produce fruit - I am learning by making mistakes.  I guess my laziness and thinking everything is always consistent cost me about 20 flowers on my plants.  I have to check daily now to make sure the levels are OK.  I hope you enjoy the rest of your toms. A good bruschetta (sp?) on some crusty bread would be great with fresh tomatoes. Enjoy them . 

[callisto9]

save a few of the seeds for another plant - you may want to grow them again - looks delicious.  I just ordered the kit, and am hoping I do not have the same problem.  I was doing great with my jalapenos and anaheims - and all of a sudden the flowers were dropping too.  I was so used to adding the same nutes, that I did not check the tds reading.  Well today, I checked, and it was almost 4000 (I use the same mix every day).  I had a heart attack.  I dumped some and refilled with r/o water.  It is now about 1900.  I don't know how it got so high so fast, but it did make the flowers fall off. Maybe the ag nutes were too strong and the flowers dropped of your tom plants.  When I have the levels too low,  or too high, they drop all the flowers.  It has to be in the right range for them to stay on to produce fruit - I am learning by making mistakes.  I guess my laziness and thinking everything is always consistent cost me about 20 flowers on my plants.  I have to check daily now to make sure the levels are OK.  I hope you enjoy the rest of your toms. A good bruschetta (sp?) on some crusty bread would be great with fresh tomatoes. Enjoy them . 

What is the TDS reading?

I don't think I'll be saving any seeds from this kit. I can't bear to wait 4 mos. for four tomatoes again!

I did dump and refill once, but when the plants are this big, it's really hard to clean out all the water. I had to do it with a turkey baster.

[Bobbie]

That one tomato DOES look luscious!  (and you've gotten four more than I did!)

[callisto9]

That one tomato DOES look luscious!  (and you've gotten four more than I did!)

It was pretty cool to eat them (two left!). I don't think I'll try another big tomato kit anytime soon.

Sorry to hear yours aren't doing so well. Join the club.