Posted: Tue Mar 11, 25 8:30 pm Post subject: Tomatoes
Last year we had a happy few days staying in Clovelly and I spent a good hour or so talking tomatoes with the head gardener there. We came home with a punnet full of delicious fruit and a large plastic bag of over ripe ones. I spent the morning planting up the saved seeds of seven different varieties. Naturally I had forgotten the names by the time I got home but at least I saved them in separate envelopes. I now have a propogator full of Clovelly Heritage tomato seeds A to F. I do so hope that they all grow and give me a chance to identify them properly.
There's also two small pots of Tumbling Tom and a hanging basket waiting for them. WHY?! I am so going to regret this when I have to keep them watered all summer.
Nicky cigreen
Joined: 25 Jun 2007 Posts: 9905 Location: Devon, uk
Yes, I can understand. A chance to grow really good tomatoes, regardless of the fact you may not succeed and they may not be as good as his, is irresistible. I don't have much luck growing from seed, so if I grow them, and it has to be in the greenhouse as they don't ripen outdoors, then I buy the plants.
Nicky cigreen
Joined: 25 Jun 2007 Posts: 9905 Location: Devon, uk
Posted: Wed Mar 12, 25 10:08 am Post subject:
I grow all my tomatoes in a gh, even the varieties that say they are for outdoors. They need a little warm to germinate - I use a heated propagator, my Dad uses the airing cupboard (top tip - don't forget you put them in there!)
I save my own seed - only buying when I want to try something specific. I just squash some seeds onto kitchen towel and let it dry. Then the following year I plant it, still stuck to the kitchen towel. I find you get very similar tomatoes, although sometimes there is a little inter breeding. If you grow from a hybrid you will get a variety from their offspring, all with qualities of the original tomato - I save the ones I liked, and that way you develop you own varieties. I should think up more interesting names than 'yellow-orange cherry plums' etc...
not always in a good way
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