-
applestar
- Mod
- Posts: 30550
- Joined: Thu May 01, 2008 7:21 pm
- Location: Zone 6, NJ (3/M)4/E ~ 10/M(11/B)
Re: Indoor Garden 2018-2019 Revisited
How tall is your Totem F1 at full maturity, and what size container do you have it in? I’m trying to figure out if it fits in the micro dwarf category. ...while we’re at it, diameter of typical fruit and possibly weight, too? THANKS
-
SQWIB
- Greener Thumb
- Posts: 970
- Joined: Tue Feb 16, 2016 9:21 am
- Location: Zone 7A - Philadelphia, PA
About 12"
One I just gave away was in a one gallon pot.
Not sure if the one gallon pot is a "nursery trade gallon" pot. (.75 gallon).
I have another in a three gallon grow bag that I am pretty sure is a true three gallon size.
The one gallon size is adequate and the plant in that pot done better than the other, coincidence, I don't know, but save yourself some space and potting mix and go with no more than a two gallon pot.
One I just gave away was in a one gallon pot.
Not sure if the one gallon pot is a "nursery trade gallon" pot. (.75 gallon).
I have another in a three gallon grow bag that I am pretty sure is a true three gallon size.
The one gallon size is adequate and the plant in that pot done better than the other, coincidence, I don't know, but save yourself some space and potting mix and go with no more than a two gallon pot.
-
applestar
- Mod
- Posts: 30550
- Joined: Thu May 01, 2008 7:21 pm
- Location: Zone 6, NJ (3/M)4/E ~ 10/M(11/B)
Thanks @SQWIB 
I really think that puts it in micro dwarf territory, but with added bonus of somewhat larger fruits than cherries according to some previous growers.
Now to find out if I like the flavor.... (I might try and see if I can make some crosses with it, too, though I have not been successful with the teeny tiny micro dwarf blossoms so far ...hmm... I need to look up if there are any restrictions on that — typically not, but they might have incorporated a male-sterile gene in the hybrid)
I really think that puts it in micro dwarf territory, but with added bonus of somewhat larger fruits than cherries according to some previous growers.Now to find out if I like the flavor....
(I might try and see if I can make some crosses with it, too, though I have not been successful with the teeny tiny micro dwarf blossoms so far ...hmm... I need to look up if there are any restrictions on that — typically not, but they might have incorporated a male-sterile gene in the hybrid)-
SQWIB
- Greener Thumb
- Posts: 970
- Joined: Tue Feb 16, 2016 9:21 am
- Location: Zone 7A - Philadelphia, PA
March 7th, 2019
March 8th, 2019
Diluted a 1/4 cup of calcium sulfate dihydrate in a few gallons of water. I'll probably repeat the calcium feeding next week in the same amount.
March 9th, 2019
Sad day in the grow tent, I removed all of the plants, removed all of the tomatoes with BER, staked and tied up the plants, trimmed a bit and placed back in the tent.
To make some room in the grow tent, I gave my brother the chives, one of the Totem F1 plants and put the other Totem F1 and parsley in the basement bathroom.
-
SQWIB
- Greener Thumb
- Posts: 970
- Joined: Tue Feb 16, 2016 9:21 am
- Location: Zone 7A - Philadelphia, PA
March 18th, 2019
The tomato plants are growing nicely and have been setting fruit throughout the week. I got a few flowers on the eggplants, I'm not really expecting fruiting or maturing fruit on the eggplants in the tent, I'm just trying to nurse them through until I can transplant outside.
The Tomato plants are getting about three gallons of water every 24 hours and I will probably increase to 3.5 gallons per day later this week. The tub is working out great and I never realized how much plants transpire when the lights are on until this last week, the entire garage is like a sauna. I guess given the fact that only 5% of the water taken up by roots remains in the plant and the rest is loss due to transpiration.
There is definitely no need for a humidifier.
I trimmed the plants a tad then diluted in water and fed some "Jobes Organics Vegetable and Tomato 2 - 7 - 4" @ 1/4 cup and some "Calcium Sulfate Dihydrate" @ 1/4 cup.
Raised the lights a bit, they're almost maxed out.
What does a $1,200.00 tomato look like?
The tomato plants are growing nicely and have been setting fruit throughout the week. I got a few flowers on the eggplants, I'm not really expecting fruiting or maturing fruit on the eggplants in the tent, I'm just trying to nurse them through until I can transplant outside.
The Tomato plants are getting about three gallons of water every 24 hours and I will probably increase to 3.5 gallons per day later this week. The tub is working out great and I never realized how much plants transpire when the lights are on until this last week, the entire garage is like a sauna. I guess given the fact that only 5% of the water taken up by roots remains in the plant and the rest is loss due to transpiration.
There is definitely no need for a humidifier.
I trimmed the plants a tad then diluted in water and fed some "Jobes Organics Vegetable and Tomato 2 - 7 - 4" @ 1/4 cup and some "Calcium Sulfate Dihydrate" @ 1/4 cup.
Raised the lights a bit, they're almost maxed out.
What does a $1,200.00 tomato look like?
-
SQWIB
- Greener Thumb
- Posts: 970
- Joined: Tue Feb 16, 2016 9:21 am
- Location: Zone 7A - Philadelphia, PA
March 21st, 2019
The aphids have spread to the pepper seedlings so everything has been getting treated with a Hydrogen Peroxide spray.
I have one tomato with signs of BER, I was getting pretty excited about the grow until this discovery. The Totem F1 tomatoes seem unaffected on this last batch.
March 22nd, 2019
I have been checking the tomatoes every day, praying that the BER is almost gone. I do have a glimmer of hope with these Totem F1 tomato plants. At the least I know next year I can grow a dozen of these in the tent on shelves and get a decent tomato crop.
The plants are growing like crazy, this picture is 4 days after the picture with me standing inside the tent (March 18th), you can see there is no room to stand in there now.
Plenty of tomatoes considering I have been a bit laxed with the the robotic bee so the fruit set could be better.
So far only one tomato has obvious BER, I get so anxious every day I check the tomatoes for BER. The tomato on the left is the one with the BER, you can see it barely at 7-8 o' clock
The aphids have spread to the pepper seedlings so everything has been getting treated with a Hydrogen Peroxide spray.
I have one tomato with signs of BER, I was getting pretty excited about the grow until this discovery. The Totem F1 tomatoes seem unaffected on this last batch.
March 22nd, 2019
I have been checking the tomatoes every day, praying that the BER is almost gone. I do have a glimmer of hope with these Totem F1 tomato plants. At the least I know next year I can grow a dozen of these in the tent on shelves and get a decent tomato crop.
The plants are growing like crazy, this picture is 4 days after the picture with me standing inside the tent (March 18th), you can see there is no room to stand in there now.
Plenty of tomatoes considering I have been a bit laxed with the the robotic bee so the fruit set could be better.
So far only one tomato has obvious BER, I get so anxious every day I check the tomatoes for BER. The tomato on the left is the one with the BER, you can see it barely at 7-8 o' clock
-
SQWIB
- Greener Thumb
- Posts: 970
- Joined: Tue Feb 16, 2016 9:21 am
- Location: Zone 7A - Philadelphia, PA
March 22nd-24th, 2019
I fed the plants with this evenings watering, 4 scoops of "Jobes Organics Vegetable and Tomato 2 - 7 - 4" and 1 scoop of "Calcium Sulfate Dihydrate". I'm not sure what size the scoop is but I'm guessing about 3 tablespoons.
I had to trim everything back again Saturday. Some of the tomatoes are near Golf ball size.
Got a tomato off of the Totem that was actually pretty good, what's crazy is that this was the only mater on the plant that showed signs of BER, I just cut that off and it was fine. Now I'm down to $600.00 per/tomato.
I fed the plants with this evenings watering, 4 scoops of "Jobes Organics Vegetable and Tomato 2 - 7 - 4" and 1 scoop of "Calcium Sulfate Dihydrate". I'm not sure what size the scoop is but I'm guessing about 3 tablespoons.
I had to trim everything back again Saturday. Some of the tomatoes are near Golf ball size.
Got a tomato off of the Totem that was actually pretty good, what's crazy is that this was the only mater on the plant that showed signs of BER, I just cut that off and it was fine. Now I'm down to $600.00 per/tomato.
-
SQWIB
- Greener Thumb
- Posts: 970
- Joined: Tue Feb 16, 2016 9:21 am
- Location: Zone 7A - Philadelphia, PA
March 25th, 2019
I was checking the plants real good today and noticed a few red tomatoes, I need to be more on top of these plants, I had about three that were past rip and tossed.
These are the Gardeners delight and no BER. You can see a few to the right that were also no good.
Top 2 out of this batch were past ripe, they were fed to the rehab turtles.
Keepers
When I was grabbing for the over ripe tomato it appeared that half was green and half was over ripe so I yanked this guy off by mistake thinking it was a BER tomato... Ooops!
At first I was a bit upset and thought to myself, "Wow, this may not be a FAIL after all"! (Looking at the bigger picture of course).
The over ripe tomato was here. The one I pulled above and the one below are about the same size.
The gardeners delight was really good, much better than the totem, but to be fair, the totem may not have been at its ripest.
Although this is supposed to be a cherry type tomato, it's a bit more acidic and not as sweet as say a sweet 100 but it does have a great tomato flavor like your slicing tomatoes.
I can honestly say that this is the first time in March I had a great tasting tomato!
I was checking the plants real good today and noticed a few red tomatoes, I need to be more on top of these plants, I had about three that were past rip and tossed.
These are the Gardeners delight and no BER. You can see a few to the right that were also no good.
Top 2 out of this batch were past ripe, they were fed to the rehab turtles.
Keepers
When I was grabbing for the over ripe tomato it appeared that half was green and half was over ripe so I yanked this guy off by mistake thinking it was a BER tomato... Ooops!
At first I was a bit upset and thought to myself, "Wow, this may not be a FAIL after all"! (Looking at the bigger picture of course).
The over ripe tomato was here. The one I pulled above and the one below are about the same size.
The gardeners delight was really good, much better than the totem, but to be fair, the totem may not have been at its ripest.
Although this is supposed to be a cherry type tomato, it's a bit more acidic and not as sweet as say a sweet 100 but it does have a great tomato flavor like your slicing tomatoes.
I can honestly say that this is the first time in March I had a great tasting tomato!
-
SQWIB
- Greener Thumb
- Posts: 970
- Joined: Tue Feb 16, 2016 9:21 am
- Location: Zone 7A - Philadelphia, PA
March 26th, 2019
The tomato plants are a bit out of control, they're leaning to one side, I'll do my best to keep them in check. I got to try a few more tomatoes today and the Totems are sweeter and not as acidic but not as flavorful as the Gardeners delight. I prefer the Gardeners delight for snacking.
I had to raise the eggplants up onto milk crates as the tomato plants absorbed the eggplants. I was pretty happy to see this little guy. Keeping my fingers crossed.
The tomato plants are a bit out of control, they're leaning to one side, I'll do my best to keep them in check. I got to try a few more tomatoes today and the Totems are sweeter and not as acidic but not as flavorful as the Gardeners delight. I prefer the Gardeners delight for snacking.
I had to raise the eggplants up onto milk crates as the tomato plants absorbed the eggplants. I was pretty happy to see this little guy. Keeping my fingers crossed.
Wow SQWIB, impressive. For a minute I was contemplating putting some tomato plants in my garage (the squirrels made my tomato test a few years ago far too depressing) then I saw that you were using humidifiers and a ton of other equipment. I got intimidated.
I am mildly curious...would daylight bulbs in the 5000K range work with an indoor vegetable garden?
Edit: when I hit reply I, for some reason, suddenly saw the tomato update. Wow.
I am mildly curious...would daylight bulbs in the 5000K range work with an indoor vegetable garden?
Edit: when I hit reply I, for some reason, suddenly saw the tomato update. Wow.
-
SQWIB
- Greener Thumb
- Posts: 970
- Joined: Tue Feb 16, 2016 9:21 am
- Location: Zone 7A - Philadelphia, PA
I really haven't updated this page much. I had issues with my website and stopped posting.
I think your 5000 k bulbs would work, the only problem I see is getting light to the entire plant. Maybe if you used several around the plant.
I have actually seen some folks use side lights.
Humidifier is not needed, the plants transpire so much, my garage is like a sauna.
Vent and vent fan is not needed unless you were growing in an enclosed place.
I would suggest using an oscillating fan.
I think your 5000 k bulbs would work, the only problem I see is getting light to the entire plant. Maybe if you used several around the plant.
I have actually seen some folks use side lights.
Humidifier is not needed, the plants transpire so much, my garage is like a sauna.
Vent and vent fan is not needed unless you were growing in an enclosed place.
I would suggest using an oscillating fan.
-
SQWIB
- Greener Thumb
- Posts: 970
- Joined: Tue Feb 16, 2016 9:21 am
- Location: Zone 7A - Philadelphia, PA
Last post for the indoor garden, I didn't want to leave this thread hanging.
March 27th - April 2nd, 2019
I noticed that the water pan was still significantly wet after 24 hours so I cut back on the watering to 2 gallons every 24 hours. I did not fertilize the plants this past week but will give them something later this week.
The Gardener's delight has been a steady producer the last few weeks. So far I still only have one eggplant.
Some Gardener's Delights to snack on at work.
April 19th, 2019
April 23rd - May 5th, 2019
I have been neglecting my indoor garden the last few weeks but I did get a decent haul on the 24th of April and the 5th of may, I decide to feed them one last time before I pull the plug. They haven't been fed for at least three weeks.
I called it quits on the indoor garden as I was getting ripe tomatoes on a few of the outdoor plants already. I couldn't bear to terminate these plants so I tossed them on the deck, I can't see them doing too well and they will probably succumb to a fungus or early blight due to the density of the foliage, but I'm not going to worry about it.
May 18th, 2019
Everything is boxed up and put away for the next indoor grow. I'll probably compost the plants this weekend
March 27th - April 2nd, 2019
I noticed that the water pan was still significantly wet after 24 hours so I cut back on the watering to 2 gallons every 24 hours. I did not fertilize the plants this past week but will give them something later this week.
The Gardener's delight has been a steady producer the last few weeks. So far I still only have one eggplant.
Some Gardener's Delights to snack on at work.
April 19th, 2019
April 23rd - May 5th, 2019
I have been neglecting my indoor garden the last few weeks but I did get a decent haul on the 24th of April and the 5th of may, I decide to feed them one last time before I pull the plug. They haven't been fed for at least three weeks.
I called it quits on the indoor garden as I was getting ripe tomatoes on a few of the outdoor plants already. I couldn't bear to terminate these plants so I tossed them on the deck, I can't see them doing too well and they will probably succumb to a fungus or early blight due to the density of the foliage, but I'm not going to worry about it.
May 18th, 2019
Everything is boxed up and put away for the next indoor grow. I'll probably compost the plants this weekend
-
thisgardener1
- Newly Registered
- Posts: 5
- Joined: Sat Dec 01, 2018 4:51 am
