Erin's (callisto9's) Cherry Toms in the SS6! - Started 11/21/09

[callisto9]

These are doing really well. Already have tiny little starts that will be flowers soon. I can only hope this kit does better than the Red Heirlooms in my VP.







Any advice at this point? I've pruned a few of the bigger leaves to make sure all the plants have enough room. I think this kit is going to be a little crowded in the SS6!

[bab43]

Are you planning to top-prune them above the 5th branch?  There was a lot of debate about that a while back, but I decided to go ahead and prune mine.  The effect is that new branches come in lower down, some of which will grow tomatoes.  This is my post where I pruned "http://www.aerogardengrowers.com/index.php/topic,2588.msg31018.html#msg31018", scrolling down to day 26 you can see the new branches coming in.  Even with pruning they will grow up to your lights.

If you have buds growing, I wouldn't prune those branches.

[callisto9]

Are you planning to top-prune them above the 5th branch?  There was a lot of debate about that a while back, but I decided to go ahead and prune mine.  The effect is that new branches come in lower down, some of which will grow tomatoes.  This is my post where I pruned "http://www.aerogardengrowers.com/index.php/topic,2588.msg31018.html#msg31018", scrolling down to day 26 you can see the new branches coming in.  Even with pruning they will grow up to your lights.

If you have buds growing, I wouldn't prune those branches.

Shoot! I thought that advice was only for the taller toms. Oops.  I already have buds on all my tom plants right now.

Thanks for the reminder though.

[callisto9]

I did do that pruning technique in the Veggie Pro with my Red Heirlooms and I ended up with very lopsided tomato plants.

[bab43]

Not everyone does that pruning and they say it does slow down flowering.  Probably not what you want after the rubies! 

[callisto9]

Not everyone does that pruning and they say it does slow down flowering.  Probably not what you want after the rubies! 

Oh, I had lots of flowering with the Rubies - just not many tomatoes. 

I think I'll just let these go and see how they do. I'm STOKED! I'm hoping for more than four toms this time. 

[Bobbie]

Well, this isn't scientific, since I had two different types of plants: I pruned the Mega Cherry, and it's a healthy fruitful plant.  I didn't prune the Heriloom (due to the discussion that was held at the time about their bearing fruit later when pruned) and it grew into a leggy plant that hasn't produced anything.  Pruning or the lack thereof may have nothing to do with it; but I'm still going to prune the next time around.

[callisto9]

Well, this isn't scientific, since I had two different types of plants: I pruned the Mega Cherry, and it's a healthy fruitful plant.  I didn't prune the Heriloom (due to the discussion that was held at the time about their bearing fruit later when pruned) and it grew into a leggy plant that hasn't produced anything.  Pruning or the lack thereof may have nothing to do with it; but I'm still going to prune the next time around.

I'm not pruning my cherries, so we'll see how it goes. I pruned the heck out of my Red Heirlooms and it did not do well (though I don't think that had anything to do with pruning).

[callisto9]

I have two tiny little toms! Pics soon.

One plant is very far ahead of the others (the yellow cherries). My two red cherries haven't flowered yet.

[Bobbie]

Those first tiny toms are SO exciting!

[callisto9]

Those first tiny toms are SO exciting!

They're so cute! I am debating moving them to my VeggiePro. Is it too late? The root system is pretty well established. I'm just worried my Space Saver 6 won't get high enough for them (and it's also under a counter that prevents the lid from raising all the way up).

Thoughts?

[callisto9]

Cherry toms are coming along well! I have eaten a couple of the yellow ones (not bad). Red are way behind and one plant doesn't even have any fruits on it yet.

Despite having horrible luck with my red heirlooms in my VeggiePro, these are doing very well. To the best of my knowledge, I have no flower drop.

One weird thing that happened a week or so ago is the yellow leaves with purple stemming. What's that about? Anyone have any ideas? It's new growth.

[bab43]

Erin, you don't give a meter reading for these.  According to Shane's post "http://www.aerogardengrowers.com/index.php/topic,3277.msg37496.html#msg37496" your target reading is 1460.  It's not always possible to keep exactly to that, but you should try to stay above 1200 and below 1600.

If your meter reading and pH are OK, then it's a mystery.  Is it only one branch?

[callisto9]

Erin, you don't give a meter reading for these.  According to Shane's post "http://www.aerogardengrowers.com/index.php/topic,3277.msg37496.html#msg37496" your target reading is 1460.  It's not always possible to keep exactly to that, but you should try to stay above 1200 and below 1600.

If your meter reading and pH are OK, then it's a mystery.  Is it only one branch?

I just did a TDS reading...it was 155 (x10) so 1550.

It's two different plants and two different new shoots of growth. It's weird!

[bab43]

I've grown at higher (and lower) levels and have never seen anything like it.

Hopefully someone else has a suggestion because it doesn't make sense to me. 

Cherry toms are coming along well! I have eaten a couple of the yellow ones (not bad). Red are way behind and one plant doesn't even have any fruits on it yet.

The reds do seem to grow slower.  Everyone liked them though - I got to eat most of the golden ones which were second choice.   

[callisto9]

I can't wait to try the red tomatoes! The yellow are a little acidic, but it's really hard to tell when they're ripe! LOL

[bab43]

I couldn't tell the first time.  I thought they were supposed to come off at a touch when ripe rather than have to tug a bit so the first ones were way overripe. 

[callisto9]

I couldn't tell the first time.  I thought they were supposed to come off at a touch when ripe rather than have to tug a bit so the first ones were way overripe. 

I have to tug a little to get them to come off. They taste ok, but not great. Def edible though.