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My Tomato Patch November 1 and Combo-Mix Update (pics)
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Posted by rnewste 8b NorCal (rnewstead@aol.com) on Sun, Nov 1, 09 at 19:36
| Well, here we are on November 1, and it hit 80 degrees here in N. California today. My second planting of the season is doing petty well. The Brandywine and N.A.R.X. are now 7 ft. tall and loaded with tomatoes:
As expected in my combo-mix trials, the plants in plain Miracle-Gro are "leggy" with the lower branches dying off earlier than I would like:
So far, the Cherokee Purple is loving a ratio of 3:2:1 Miracle-Gro, Bark Fines, and Perlite. Not a dead branch from bottom to top! Too soon to declare this the winning mix-combo, but so far, it is looking quite promising.
Carmello planted on August 8 in a 2:2:1:1 ratio of Sta-Green, Cactus Mix, Turface, and Perlite is also looking fine:
The tomatoes are starting to blush, so just about 90 days from plant-out should be about right:
Indian Stripe in a 5:1:1 ratio of Miracle-Gro, Turface, and Perlite is also doing well:
The Goose Creek I planted in Pro-Mix BX on Sept 11 are developing well:
I have another 6 Champion plants in various ratios of Sta-Green, Bark Fines, and Perlite put in on August 22, so we'll see which ratio turns out best in a few months:
The Yolo Wonder Peppers are now about 45 inches high and are quite productive:
I am trialing various combo-mixes on the Peppers as well. Here a 3:2:2 ratio of Miracle-Gro, Bark Fines and Perlite on the left 2 plants, and the same ratio of Miracle-Gro, Redwood Compost, and Perlite on the right. Notice any difference?
Here are 2 Corn-Tainers with the one on the left a 4:1:1 ratio of Miracle-Gro, Cactus Mix, and Perlite. The one on the right a same ratio but with Miracle-Gro, Bark Fines, and Perlite. Conclusion: trash the Cactus Mix:
I'll post an update in about 30 days and hopefully, we will have lots of tomatoes for the neighborhood with their Thanksgiving dinner.
Raybo |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: My Tomato Patch November 1 and Combo-Mix Update (pics)
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| Raybo, thanks for posting these great photos and offering info on your experiments with soil. I would love to have some tomato plants like yours. I live in a condo with a deck with sun until about 3pm. Is that enough sunlight to grow tomatoes? Maybe next year I could have a plant or two. |
RE: My Tomato Patch November 1 and Combo-Mix Update (pics)
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| sandra, Yep, if you have sun until 3:00pm, you are good to go!! What part of N. California are you in? If you are inland a bit like I am in San Jose, you can easily get 2 crops in per year. In fact, I am using 7 of the EarthTainers to get a third crop of Snow Peas over our (mild) Winter here. Raybo |
RE: My Tomato Patch November 1 and Combo-Mix Update (pics)
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| Thanks for the update. Your plants look great...lots of lush growth, nicely formed and sized fruit...they are obviously VERY healthy! Do you think the MiracleGro plants are doing better because of the starter "food" that is added? And isn't MiracleGro Potting mix just peat moss and perlite? (I haven't used it so I'm not sure.) Good job. Can't wait for the next update! Donna H. |
RE: My Tomato Patch November 1 and Combo-Mix Update (pics)
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| Hi Donna, Miracle-Gro only contains trace amounts of fertilizer, so I don't think it makes any significant contribution. Miracle-Gro does not list the specific ingredients, but Pro-Mix BX is made of peat moss, perlite, and vermiculite. you can make your own mix, if you like, and I may experiment with that next season. Raybo |
RE: My Tomato Patch November 1 and Combo-Mix Update (pics)
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| Hello Donna, Thanks for your photos and post with list of your various soil ingredients! This is really helpful for me since this was the first year I did container gardening. I was pleasantly surprised at the results. I also used Miracle Gro since I had some on hand. It was not designated as specifically for vegetables but I think my results were pretty good. Last week finished disposing of the plants and today I did some "tidying up" to prepare for the winter. Ugh. Now I'm trying to figure out how to group the pots and a couple of chairs, etc. for over-winter storage under a tarp?? so the balcony doesn't look too ugly. To think of TWO plantings? I surely do wish I had your wonderful climate. |
1st year Container Garden Tomatoes
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| Here's a photo of my first efforts with growing tomatoes on my balcony taken August 26 of this year. |
My first year with Container Garden Tomatoes!
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| I don't have much space so next year I might trying the hanging baskets which I have heard about. |
Trying that photo again
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| Guess I shouldn't have tried to post this late at night. Once more |
First Container Tomato Plants
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| Hopefully this one takes. |
RE: My Tomato Patch November 1 and Combo-Mix Update (pics)
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| Raybo, your experiments are so very interesting. Thanks |
RE: My Tomato Patch November 1 and Combo-Mix Update (pics)
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| Hi Ray, I usually make my own with peat and perlite. My last batch of indoor plants had a mix of peat, perlite and vermiculite (no composted pine bark since the fines are too stinky for indoor growing.) Based on your trials, I will most likely adjust my ratios when filling my boxes next season. Thank you for your clarification on the added fertilizer in MG. Now that the plants have been in a while, what is your feeding schedule and what have you been using? I'm asking since your plants look SO amazingly healthy, they MUST be getting good doses of food. (Can you tell I'm taking notes.....?) Donna H. |
RE: My Tomato Patch November 1 and Combo-Mix Update (pics)
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| I just found the ingredients for MG Premium Potting Mix posted at Amazon: "Superior blend of composted bark, sphagnum peat moss and perlite, enriched with Miracle-Gro plant food, feeds instantly..." The bark definitely seems to be the key here. Donna H. |
Posting photo -
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At least I THINK I am having just tested it out in the Test Forum ...  |
RE: My Tomato Patch November 1 and Combo-Mix Update (pics)
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| Still lookin good, Raybo! =) I yanked the last of my dead mater plants last weekend...still almost trying to produce cherry tomatoes, but outdone by the freeze. |
RE: My Tomato Patch November 1 and Combo-Mix Update (pics)
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| Raybo - I have an update, as well. I have broccoli planted in swc's constructed from cat litter buckets, and have a soil moisture level of 3-4. The growing medium is nothing but Miracle Gro Potting Mix, and only the wicking basket characteristics were addressed. This level would probably be ideal for tomatoes, in my opinion. What's your thoughts? What kind of level are you looking for? EG |
RE: My Tomato Patch November 1 and Combo-Mix Update (pics)
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| Hey EG, how are you doing? What specific moisture meter are you using in getting a reading of 3-4? Regarding just using Miracle-Gro potting mix alone, I have found it is too "good" in wicking, and that is why I am running about 30 different combinations of potting mix, Turface, Cactus Mix, Bark Fines, Redwood Compost, and Perlite. To date, the 3:2:1 ratio of potting mix, bark fines, Perlite seems to be doing the best in the EarthTainers. I'll have to validate this with several 'Tainer grows of this ratio in the Spring planting - - but I will NEVER use plain potting mix in the 'Tainers again. Raybo |
RE: My Tomato Patch November 1 and Combo-Mix Update (pics)
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| Raybo, I am doing well. I am using the same moisture meter as you have previously shown in your photos. If you'll remember, I was gonna experiment with the reduction of water allowed to enter the mix, as you experiment with various mixes. I'll grow a tomato plant with this setup when spring arrives, and hopefully have more data to provide. I've never grown in the MG potting mix, and wanted to give it a try. I have no problems at all with it, but I have REALLY altered the wicking basket to an unbelievable level.
Have you set your sights on an acceptable moisture level reading? EG |
RE: My Tomato Patch November 1 and Combo-Mix Update (pics)
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| EG--How have you altered the wicking basket? (I don't have time, desire or energy to mix my own planting media.) |
RE: My Tomato Patch November 1 and Combo-Mix Update (pics)
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| azruss - by only allowing the water to enter the mix through a very tiny area (one that you wouldn't believe would even work) I have discovered the perfect sized orifice for a 4 gallon swc, and the earthtainer's wicking basket characteristics in revision 1.3 will be addressed next spring. I will use the original 9" pond basket - as I already have them in place from last year's grow cycle. I already have an idea on how much reduction will be needed for it, but a trial will give hard evidence. Bottom line - there's more than one way to skin a cat. EG |
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