Spotted Brahma
Well-known member
I know its early, but I think I am going to start next years tomato plants from seed in the greenhouse as opposed to buying started plants. Does this make a difference in quality of plants ? Production potential ?
Tomaters
- Thread starter Spotted Brahma
- Start date
CottageFarm
Well-known member
You may not be too early. Don't know when you put them in the ground there, but I start my plants at the end of Jan. and put them in the ground at the end of May.
Plant quality is dependant upon the quality of the nursery stock you were getting before.
Yield is primarily about variety.
By starting your own, however, you have vastly more choices on variety than you could find at the finest nursery around. You also have the potential to have more mature plants to put in the ground, which may give you an earlier yield, which will, of course, give you fruit before all of your neighbors. :D
The downside to starting your own:
Tomatoes are very susceptible to damping off disease. Proper enviroment is critical.
Temperature is also critical. Start them inside where temperature is easier to control. You want to maintain 80 degree soil temp for 7-10 days for proper germination. Try an electric blanket on a table top.
Once they're producing their 1st real leaves, not just seed leaves, their pretty easy. They can go in the greenhouse then, as long as you can keep them warm, with good air circulation, they'll grow like weeds.
I do about 1000 plants a year. It ain't rocket science, and I still find it very enjoyable.
Plant quality is dependant upon the quality of the nursery stock you were getting before.
Yield is primarily about variety.
By starting your own, however, you have vastly more choices on variety than you could find at the finest nursery around. You also have the potential to have more mature plants to put in the ground, which may give you an earlier yield, which will, of course, give you fruit before all of your neighbors. :D
The downside to starting your own:
Tomatoes are very susceptible to damping off disease. Proper enviroment is critical.
Temperature is also critical. Start them inside where temperature is easier to control. You want to maintain 80 degree soil temp for 7-10 days for proper germination. Try an electric blanket on a table top.
Once they're producing their 1st real leaves, not just seed leaves, their pretty easy. They can go in the greenhouse then, as long as you can keep them warm, with good air circulation, they'll grow like weeds.
I do about 1000 plants a year. It ain't rocket science, and I still find it very enjoyable.
OP
OP
Spotted Brahma
Well-known member
Thank you for the great tips. I've decided I'm going to give it a try at growing them myself.
B&M Farms
Well-known member
You can plant the seeds about 45 days before you plan on setting them out in the field. One advantage to growing from your own seed is you know what your planting. If you buy plants they may or may not be whats on the label because of mixups in large nuseries. As stated earlier the soil needs to be around 70 degrees to promote good germination. After all the seeds are up the temps can be reduced. I try to keep my plants somewhat cool during the day and around 50 degrees at night. The slower they grow the sturdier and hardier plant you will have. If they grow real fast because of being too warm they will be tall and skinny. Before I plant my tomatoes in the field I set them outside in their flats for a few day and let them adjust.
