Indoor tomato gardening

Top 2. May 13, 1999 11:15 PM

» Jojo - Hi Tony

Hi Tony

You could probably get away with a fluorescent fixture but would be much better off investing in high-pressure sodium lights of about 400 watts. This will produce the kind of light required to flower and fruit tomatoes.

A fan or outlet to move hot air out of the room will be required. If the temperature goes far above 80 degrees farenheit the plants will fail to pollinate no matter what you do.

You can grow tomatoes in 5 gallon pots and sterile soil. This would be easiest for lack of a pump system. You'll need to water twice a day once they start fruiting.

You will need stakes to keep the plants upright. Better yet, do what the hothouses do -- tie a string to a hook on the ceiling above each plant. Tie the other end to the base of the plant. Wind the tomato vine around the string as it grows. You will need clips once the plants start fruiting to keep them from bending and sliding down the string, but this method is worth it in the long run.

You can use this bending and sliding problem to your advantage as well. Many hothouse operations let their tomatoes bend and slide down the string once they've grown too tall and are hitting the roof. This allows the plant some more growing height, giving you more time and also more fruit per plant.

I hope this helps - I realize this method sounds very convoluted, but it's actually quite simple -- just hard to explain. Leave a message again if you don't understand and I'll try to fish out some pictures of this method in action.

-- posted by Jojo

Top 3. May 14, 1999 7:09 AM

» KirkL - The funny part will be the looks on the DEA's face when you off

The funny part will be the looks on the DEA's face when you offer them a free tomatoe when they come to investigate the new "indoor farm". 8)

-- posted by KirkL

Top 4. May 15, 1999 8:38 AM

» Slick - Greetings Jojo

We of the Northwest, have a problem this year. Too cold! Too cold to put tomatoes into the ground. And my starts are growing nicely , in the window. My question is, one is starting to flower, and how should I handle it? Do I need to take some kind of action, before I put them out?

Vancouver is truely a beautiful city. I haven't been there since my Bellingham college days, but have fond memories.

Best Regards---Slick

-- posted by Slick

Top 5. May 22, 1999 4:02 PM

» TONYBRIG - Ants on my Romaine

OK big-shot how do I handle these little guys?
Want to spray them Organically or better yet;
eliminate themn from the soils.
also how is the best way to pick the lettuce clean (wash) and store it.
When do i have to worry about them............
Going to Seed?

Thanks!

You can answer on the Ask Tony thread.
We love the diversification!

VBOLHH

-- posted by TONYBRIG

http://www.suite101.com/discussion.cfm/i...

Top 6. May 22, 1999 4:19 PM

» TONYBRIG - Ann/JoJo

How do I retard the growing of the tomatoes
so that they dont all mature at once?

Also whats the best way to get rid of ants in
the Garden.

Why do tomatoes not taste rite after refrigeration? any remedy for this?
Is freezing a no no?

Do you have any suggestions for Gardening/Investing?
Stock tips?

VBOLHH

-- posted by TONYBRIG

Top 7. May 27, 1999 4:02 PM

» wbox - tomatoes, ants, and investing?!

Hi Tony,
Quite the range o' questions you've posted here... I'll try to take a shot.

Re: retarding tomatoes...
You could try stressing some out by witholding water and fert., and being really nice to others. That might scatter the production times a bit. (But I just made that up smile . A better alternative would be to preserve the extras so you have them all winter.

Re: getting rid of ants...
Sometimes ants are actually a sign that you have other critters - they love to munch on aphids. The only real way to get rid of ants is to find where they live and kill the queen. (Gross, but true.) If they are really causing trouble and you can't find the queen - I'd spray everything with soapy water or citrus oil. But if they're helping you out by munching more damaging pests, leave them alone.

Re: tomato taste & freezing...
No idea on why they taste different. But you can freeze them. According to my "Preserving Summer's Bounty" book you can freeze them whole, blanched, stewed, or as sauce with no problem. They'll be mushy when you thaw them, but should still taste good.

Sorry I don't have any good gardening investing stock tips. If my company ever goes public, I'll let you know!

So where are the questions about Container Gardening???

Cheers,
Ann

-- posted by wbox