Aquaponics Digest - Sat 01/16/99
Message 1: Re: Tomato Varieties
from Gordon Watkins
Message 2: Remove
from "Chuck Donahue"
Message 3: Re: Tomato Varieties
from Michael Strates
Message 4: Re: Tomato Varieties
from Jon Hays
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Subject: Re: Tomato Varieties
From: Gordon Watkins
Date: Sat, 16 Jan 1999 10:52:30 -0600
John,
The flavor problems with the varieties seemed to improve as my system
matured
(more nutrients?), at least according to friends who taste tested them. I'm
pretty
critical and still felt that they didn't quite measure up to field grown ones.
From the Sungolds, I harvested an average of 3 lbs per plant over a 240 day
period. They were consistently very sweet, flavorful and attractive,
although the
color might make marketing a little more of a challenge. The splitting I
mentioned
is a frequent problem with cherries and can best be avoided by not waiting too
late to harvest. I just planted Sun Cherry which has the same "Sweet 100"
heritage
but ripens red.
From the Monroes and First Ladys, I harvested approximately 10 lbs per plant
over the same period and, as I said, the flavor did seem to improve. I
didn't keep
track of 1's, 2's, etc, but I would estimate that only about 25-30% would have
been marketable as 1's, compared to nearly 100% of the cherries. The others
suffered from inconsistent sizes, and odd shapes, especially the Monroes.
Perhaps
more attention to pollination would help correct this problem, which is
inconsequential if they're being grown for home use only. I've just planted
Cobras
for comparison.
The problem with the indeterminate varieties recommended for greenhouse
production is that they take up so damned much space, both the roots and
especially the tops. I transplanted a determinate variety (Homestead) from my
garden which is now 2 years old and still producing and, while I haven't tracked
production closely, it doesn't approach the indeterminates for poundage.
By the time I was ready to transplant the Brandywines and Roses, my
greenhouse
production was slowing due to heat and shade (the plants continued to grow but
failed to set fruit) and so I planted them in my garden. They both tasted very
good but were highly variable in shape and size and production was much
lower than
the "improved" varieties.
I too am interested in trying more heat tolerant varieties, but have none to
recommend. Maybe someone else on the list has suggestions (Jim R.?) or try
checking with your local organic growers association or cooperative extension
agent. Let me know what you find and I'll do the same.
Gordon
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Subject: Re: Tomato Varieties
From: Michael Strates
Date: Sun, 17 Jan 1999 17:01:01 +1100 (EST)
On Fri, 15 Jan 1999, William Evans wrote:
WE> Yes but perlite is basically silica,whereas the scoria has many
WE> elements?, true?, tho will take forever to turn into clay?Yes it is
WE> heavy, have 20 ton in front yard.
Yes.. although both perlite and scoria come from a volcanic source. Its
deceivingly light, and I suppose that's why they call it perlite :) (I
think they puff it up in ovens like pop corn or puffed rice). Both perlite
and scoria will take more than your life time (or mine) to decompose into
any other compound, I'd imagine.
I have 5 year old perlite in my backyard and am still using it as
effectively as the new stuff. At the end of the season, I fill a trash can
up with water, immerse a heating element into it, get the water to around
100 degrees, and throw all the perlite in, and boil it for 12 minutes. Its
important you do this with any medium (except new sterile bagged media)
before you use it.
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Subject: Re: Tomato Varieties
From: Jon Hays
Date: Sat, 16 Jan 1999 21:19:31 -0700
Gordon: Try Heatwave from Burpee, they do good here in New Mexico in fact
it is the only one that will set in 100 degree + temp that we have here.
Last year we had over 30 days of over 110 degrees and mine did fine. I
don't know how they will do in a greenhouse or in cool weather.
Good luck John
John Hays
1903 Pebble Hill Rd.
Carlsbad, NM 88220
1-505-887-0102
ICQ# 765699
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