AG3 Micro Tom Tomatoes 1-31-2010

[shane arthur]

I do not want to encourage too much bushing since i have a limited area to grow in. That's why i decided not to prune this go around.

[shane arthur]

My ag3 died on me, so i transplanted the two pods to other gardens. They still seem happy.
I havent decided if i'm going to replace the dead 3 pod. I will probably wait and get a tall garden.

[Corinne]

How are these transplanted micros coming along ,,,,UPDATE UPDATE!

[shane arthur]

Well the Micro Tom's are flowering and doing wonderfully. Here's some pictures i took.

[Corinne]

You are so humble, my friend!   
Here they are growing like mad and you keep it a secret! Share your successes..it
encourages those of us who are trying our hand at the same project.
Mine are also in an AG3, but not in the flowering stage yet. They are doing well though..
nice and sturdy and green. This is my first time growing the micro toms.
Thanks for sharing the progress, shane.

[bab43]

They look very nice!  I've never grown these, but they look taller and more slender than other pictures.  Did you do something different with these ones or is it the seeds?

[shane arthur]

I have not pruned these so they grew a bit taller than my last batch. usually i have more horizontal growth before i would allow it to flower. this time i am using a hands off approach to see what happens.

[bab43]

Thanks for explaining that Shane.  I assumed that horizontal look was natural because I've seen it on a few Glogs.  I'm certainly looking forward to seeing how these ones develop.

[shane arthur]

I found a couple of baby tomatoes! The plants grew to their maximum height without pruning.

[Corinne]

Great! Do you think it will be as fruitful as the others you pruned?
This is a good experiment.
I am finding that my 3 in the AG3 are
spreading all over the deck!
I wish they were taller. Next time I won't prune so much or just plant 2 .
You always have good luck with toms 

[shane arthur]

[Corinne]

Thanks for the photos, shane!
I always find updates, whether in photo or just in worded post so helpful..
especially when growing the same seeds.
You have a LOT of progress here. Perhaps you hesitate to update because
 you have grown these seeds several times, but updates in every stage I find helpful and
I know several others will agree with me.
GREAT GROWING, shane.
Keep us updated regularly please.

[peznin]

Interesting. Your micro toms definitely look "leggier" than mine.  I haven't pruned either, but then I'm also growing mine in an AG7 with a bunch of other stuff...

[shane arthur]

I just used the ag3 as an experiment, I like them in a larger garden with more light. They grew to their maximum because i didn't prune and they only have one light bulb to grow off of. you are right, mine did get leggy because of the lighting.

[shane arthur]

Well, i had to pull the plug on these micro toms. Without a support system the plants cant support themselves and when i tried to move them to a large machine they wilted beyond repair. I believe i damaged too many roots when i removed it from the ag3.

I will not be growing these in a ag3 again, think some flowers will be next

[Corinne]

Oh I am so disappointed to hear this, shane. They were doing so well.  But..that's what happens with experiments..and failure or success, we always learn something and have fun in the process.

[bab43]

Sorry to hear these didn't work.    After this experiment would you suggest that they do need top-pruning or would you try them again in a larger AG with support?

I've only grown flowers in my AG3s.  I might try herbs at some point, but for lettuce or vegetables I'd be worried about the water level going down too quickly.  Though there have been no posts about that so maybe not an issue.

I was following this project with interest - pruning vs no pruning of the Micro Toms.  Very disappointing for you that the project failed. 

[shane arthur]

I truly love growing micro toms, but without a support system it makes it very hard to support a load of tom's.
I think the ag3 is awesome for flowers and light feeders, but anything that drinks a lot makes it harder to grow in that small space. The one bulb is also a problem, as mine got leggy. they are perfect for classic's and beyond though as they do not get very tall.

I have become spoiled with the pull thingies (technical term) supporting my tom's

[Corinne]

I am crossing my fingers now for mine in the AG3.

[shane arthur]

I believe by pruning it, you will stand a better chance at your micro's. As you know mine were tall and leggy which spells disaster for fruit bearing plants that are unsupported.