Let there be Light!

So after my attempt at using the shop light I had failed with the light dying, I decided to use the existing shop light I bought some years ago for a work bench that I never made.

Basically I have gone to various forums and gotten the same response "You need light, air, and water".  Light being the critical element my plants have not had.

I assembled the light using 2x daylight 40 bulbs size T12.
I used 1 x 2"x4" and cut it in half.  Found some scrap 2x4 to build the feet and a 1x4 to use as the cross bar.  I now have a hanging light with a rigged up pulley system to raise the lights as needed.  Next objective is to get a fan.  I'm sure I have one somewhere.

Round 2.... Begin

Ok.  So my first attempt has not gone so well but I'm not giving up.  My transfer from pellet to gallon pot was not too successful.  My spindly cotyledons are still spindly although some are starting to show the forming of a true leaf.

Tonight I have started ROUND 2.

Round 2 basic overview:
Bought a 24 pellet window sill seed house, a bag of jiffy seed starter and Miracle Gro sphagnum peat moss. a package of 10 oz Solo clear cups.

I drilled three holes in each cup. 1 each side and 1 on the bottom.
I mixed the Jiffy seed starter and Miracle Gro together and packed about 5 oz per cup.
I soaked the moss mixture and used a pencil to place a seed approx 1" deep.  We will see how it takes.

The 24 pellet box has been used with the remaining seeds such as 4x Black Krim, 6 x Ace 55, 8 x Borgo Cellano, 6 x Lillian Yellow.

The cups have been filled with varieties such as Green Zebra, Green Grape, Hartmanns Yellow Gooseberry, Yellow Pear, Amish Paste, Anna Russian, Pink Oxheart.

I have also setup a shop light scenario to give light and warmth.  The basis for most of this has been using things I have available rather than purchasing expensive grow systems and such.

We'll see how it goes.  Fingers crossed.

Here's some pics

Uh Oh --- Looks like some are not happy!

So last night I was using some Pine Sol in the laundry room where I have been keeping the plants that I re-potted into larger pots/cups.  I think the fumes of the Pine Sol was heavy and some of the plants did not like it.
Looks likes I am losing a Mortgage Lifter and an ACE 55.



As you can see there is very little green and the plant is shriveling as opposed to thriving.

Here is a pic of my Spindley project to see how these will hold up until ready to go into the dirt.

Another pic of the general board that has the pots and cups.  The best one going is the Lilian Yellow in the 3rd cup from the left.  The leaves are starting to get a bit more form with ridges as you can see below.

 This experience is definitely a learning one.

So as far as prep goes I have built my 2nd raised bed. Used 3, 2x8s.  Cut 1 in half and made a box.  Real simple.  Next step is to till the earth and put in some special plant mix to get ready.  I don't think I will begin outdoor planting until last weekend in April.  We still have a lot of time.

Transfer!!! I need a Transfer

Big thanks to Four Seasons Nursery (Gravel Springs Nursery) for the 1 gallon pots. ($.10 each).  They have a ton of various size pots in the back and are more than happy to sell them to you.

3/13/11

I transferred a select group of my spindlers to 1 gallon pots and some into Solo cups.  I still have a few to transfer, however looking at them, They are standing upright and less "Spindley" now.  This is fun watching and learning.  I hope I yield some good fruits.

We did start the day on Sunday by going to Home Depot.  Apparently I have entered a competition with my wife, Mandy, on some tomatoes she and Arden are going to grow.  And I guess I have surrendered half of one of my raised beds. hmmm.   I think I will bring home a nice pallet and make another bed....hehehe

February 27. The Beginning of the End!

Ok. So I started in the AM by using warm water in the tray.  I allowed the jiffy pellets to expand and cool (approx 5-6 hrs).  I figured out how I was going to attempt so many different types by drawing quadrants on the cover of the tray.
LIST of Seeds Germinating:
4 x Anna Russian from 2010 [AR]
4 x Misc. (I think Costoluto Fiorentino) [Misc]
2 x Green Grape [GG]
2 x Yellow Pear [YP]
2 x Green Zebra [GZ]
2 x Amish Paste [AP]
3 x Hartmann's Yellow Gooseberry [HYG]
2 x Black Krim [BK]
3 x Lillian Yellow [LY]
5 x Ace 55 (I'm looking forward to these) [55]
4 x Borgo Cellano [BC]
3 x Mortgage Lifter [ML]

I used a pencil (old school kind with eraser).  I pushed a small hole into the center about 1/2" and dropped anywhere from 2-3 seeds per hole.   (NOTE: Going back I was told I should have gone about 2" deep to grow a thicker stalked plant.  I will try on round 2)

Seeing that the tray was full of expanded jiffy pellets and made of flimsy plastic. I highly recommend using a piece of wood or something sturdy underneath for transport and storage.  I used a leftover piece of plywood just a hair bigger than the tray.

I placed the germination tray in the laundry room on top of the dryer.  I did not realize this would turn out so good, as the dryer heat warms the room and makes it an ideal room.

Within 1 week I had sprouts coming in.

As of 3/9/11 I have the following plants and dilemma.

Plants (3/9/11):

As you can view, I am 28/36 on germinated seeds.  ( I plan to sow the 8 remaining with 55s or something good).

My Notes: I have become concerned as my plants are "Spindley".  They are about 3" and skinny.  My plan is to visit Gravel Springs Nursery and "Dig up" 1 gallon planter pots for $.10 each.  After that my plan is to transfer (not transplat) the expanded peat pellet in complete form into the pot and place soil around it and raise it up to the green of the plant, just under it.  After that I plan to move the plants to the garage and use a shop light lowered close to the surface to use as a light and heat source. (We will see how far that gets).

Definition of Spindley

I did not realize the germination and sprouting would take so rapidly.  Next time I will give it about 3-4 weeks and not 8.  I still may be in the good.  Just worried they wont take.

Next Phase will be laying out my boxes outside for the season.  Where to put them??? hmmm

Gentleman Start Your Engines 2011

Ok.  Here is some minor background to the beginning of 2011.

In 2010 I retained seeds from some of my heirloom tomato plants.  Primary Anna Russian and Costoluto Fioretino.  I also retained some seeds from Vandy, but the dog ate them in the zip lock.

I purchased a mix bag of seeds from TOMATO BOB.
Borgo Cellano
Ace 55
Lillians Yellow
Hartmans Yellow Gooseberry
And a grab bag of sampler seeds (Mortgage Lifter, Black Krim, Amish Paste, Green Grape, Yellow Pear)
---NOTE.  I realized my venture into tomatoes was getting out of hand so I split the seeds with Patty (an avid amateur farmer during the warm months).

I bought a 36 count Tomato Starter kit from Home Depot (TOMATO STARTER KIT)

So I am ready to go!

Overview & History 2010 and past

Ok.  This is my first blog and first post.  Figured an online diary of the events of my tomato planting would help.

Basic History:
As a kid, growing up in NJ I would get tomato plants from a good family friend each year.  I would plant them with my father in our back yard.  Being young your more interested in kid stuff (video games, sports, etc..), but I always remember growing tomatoes even if I didn't eat them.  This memory is one which will always be with me that I cherish.

History 2010:
In talking to my boss and good friend who has gotten into the habit of growing heirloom tomatoes amongst other vegetables each year, I decided to give it a go.

My first attempt to grow tomatoes as an adult started with the idea to make my own "Topsy Turvey" out of a Homer Bucket from Home Depot.   ( Homemade Upsidedown planter).

I made 2 and had some small type of tomato bought from Home Depot.  I used Shepards hooks and put them in my rock garden in the back yard.  Long short of it, it wasn't 100% successful.  The yield was definitely not worth the time and money.  I think I started too late.

As the summer moved on, I found someone online which had some heirloom plants.  I picked some up (Thanks Perry).  This started my adventure into a raised bed.  I bought 3 x 8' 2x8s and made a rectangular box.  I had about a cubic yard of special plant mix from Luxury Landscape. I  had some leftover weed screen and a bunch of bamboo sticks.  I was excited as I had various types (Anna Russian, Pink Oxheart, Pineapple, Yellow Brandywine, Beefsteak, Beauty King, Ceylon, Yellow Pear).  The plants grew very healthy except for a battle with TOMATO HORN WORM .  I did yield some fruit, but not as much as I expected.  I had a late start.  Sometime in mid July I started.