Winter dwarfs, by the window and under lights.

gixxerific · Mon Jan 02, 2012 8:52 am

Yes rainbow just flourescent lights. 6500K

gixxerific · Sat Jan 14, 2012 10:15 am

Well here is my Lucky Leprachaun. Not looking so good but it does have ripe fruit on it.

[img]https://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj185/gixxerific/Gardening/DSC05550.jpg[/img]

Here are the others in the basement. They are from left to right Victorian Dwarf, Orange Pixie, Tasmanian Chocolate, Red Robin and Silvery Fir Tree.

[img]https://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj185/gixxerific/Gardening/DSC05552.jpg[/img]

Close up of Silvery Fir Tree this one is doing great and has tons of flowers on it.

[img]https://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj185/gixxerific/Gardening/DSC05553.jpg[/img]

Victorian Dwarf this one is going gangbusters, the foliage is so dense. This has hat least 6 fruit on it.

[img]https://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj185/gixxerific/Gardening/DSC05554.jpg[/img]

Close ups of VDwarf

[img]https://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj185/gixxerific/Gardening/DSC05556.jpg[/img]

applestar · Sat Jan 14, 2012 10:47 am

Wow. You're almost ready to eat!

...the Leprechaun, I'm thinking either it's getting too chilled from the transferred cold despite the double glazed window, (or maybe do you draw curtains OVER it?) or... The foliage appearance makes me wonder if you have a sucking insect problem... Most probbly Whiteflies or Red Spidermites.

Father's Daughter · Sat Jan 14, 2012 11:40 am

Wow is right! Glad to see the basement plants are thriving, but I'm sorry to see the window plant looks like a goner.

Here's my update:
All are in three gallon pots, at a fairly constant 70 degrees, under shop lights with standard "daylight" bulbs, 14 hours on, 10 hours off.

Perth Pride, Iditarod Red, Dwarf Champion Improved - started 11/19, 18 inches tall, at least two flower trusses on each plant, and one or two open flowers on each.

Yaponskiy Karlik - started 11/19, 18 inches tall, 6 flower trusses, nine open flowers, 4 pea size fruits.

Yukon Quest - started on 11/29 (only one seed germinated in first sowing on 11/19 and that plant was given as a Christmas gift), 10 inches tall.

I think you're a few weeks ahead of me, so your updates are helping me make sure that my plants are still on track! I hope something can be done to save the not-so-Lucky Leprachaun.

gixxerific · Sat Jan 14, 2012 11:50 am

my post [url=https://www.helpfulgardener.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=41759]here[/url] explains what is going on.

I did have spider mites, pretty badly in fact. I didn't notice it till late. Those little buggers are hard to see.

They are now gone but I do also have a bad infestation of fungus gnats.

Not too mention I don't have anything holding it up so, yes, it does rest against the window during the day. But the blinds are pulled at night.

TBH this is definitely NOT the perfect window for growing in. All my non bedroom big windows are on the north side. But that is alright because my garden is in the perfect spot and that is where it all goes down anyways.

gixxerific · Sat Jan 21, 2012 3:16 pm

[img]https://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj185/gixxerific/Gardening/DSC05561.jpg[/img]
[img]https://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj185/gixxerific/Gardening/DSC05562.jpg[/img]
[img]https://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj185/gixxerific/Gardening/DSC05563.jpg[/img]
[img]https://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj185/gixxerific/Gardening/DSC05564.jpg[/img]
[img]https://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj185/gixxerific/Gardening/DSC05566.jpg[/img]

applestar · Sat Jan 21, 2012 3:44 pm

Slow going but definitely looks worth it if you have the room.
What are you going to do now that seed starting season is almost here?

gixxerific · Sat Jan 21, 2012 4:11 pm

applestar wrote:Slow going but definitely looks worth it if you have the room.
What are you going to do now that seed starting season is almost here?

Ha ha that is a good question.

happygardener · Wed Jan 25, 2012 12:09 pm

Great inspiration Gixxerific. I am going to plant some today. My dwarf seeds are old, but might be okay. I have a light close to South windows. These windows are partially shaded and are now hosting my geraniums and chives. I am going to move the potted tomato according to its needs. Thanks.

gixxerific · Wed Jan 25, 2012 1:05 pm

happygardener wrote:Great inspiration Gixxerific. I am going to plant some today. My dwarf seeds are old, but might be okay. I have a light close to South windows. These windows are partially shaded and are now hosting my geraniums and chives. I am going to move the potted tomato according to its needs. Thanks.

Good luck my window plant has been culled but my lighted plants are still going. The window plant just couldn't make it with the lack of sunlight this winter not to mention my poor window choice. That was the only window I could really use though. If I could turn my house around I would have done better.

if you don't mind me asking where in St Louis are you, PM me if you wish to keep it on the down low.

Dono

happygardener · Wed Jan 25, 2012 1:32 pm

I'm 50 miles West of St. Louis at Washington, Mo. Not so far from you. I live close to the Missouri River.

gixxerific · Fri Mar 02, 2012 4:55 pm

A couple quick pics. This project didn't do as well as I hoped. But I could have done more with more work, better lights.

[img]https://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj185/gixxerific/Gardening/DSC05572.jpg[/img]
Here are a few in the background. The new pots are peppers I just planted.
[img]https://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj185/gixxerific/Gardening/DSC05571.jpg[/img]

rainbowgardener · Sat Mar 03, 2012 7:03 am

Looking good! Will you be planning to move them outdoors when it is warm enough?

applestar · Sat Mar 03, 2012 7:48 am

Interesting

All the varieties were ones recommended for pot culture, right? So what variety is in the latest photos? I tried to figure it out but I don't think you ID'd it specifically.

Also, which variety out of the ones you tried did you think performed the best? (A numbered pref list would be nice)

gixxerific · Sat Mar 03, 2012 7:51 am

I want to put them out as soon as possible. I really need the room for my other starters. Not to mention they have fungus gnats which I don't want around my baby's.

They are doing okay but in reality they are going downhill. They have all been topped so they won't grow much more. I will be growing a bunch of dwarfs in pots this year.

gixxerific · Sat Mar 03, 2012 7:59 am

applestar wrote:Interesting

All the varieties were ones recommended for pot culture, right? So what variety is in the latest photos? I tried to figure it out but I don't think you ID'd it specifically.

Also, which variety out of the ones you tried did you think performed the best? (A numbered pref list would be nice)

You posted while I was posting. The one with the ripe fruit is Victorian Dwarf. It has. Been by far the most prolific. I'm on the highway on the way to work, not driving though LOL. I will do a more detailed rundown later.

Dono

applestar · Sat Mar 03, 2012 8:07 am

Yay! That was my first guess.

Drive safe.

Duh_Vinci · Sat Mar 03, 2012 6:18 pm

Looking good, Dono! That Victorian Dwarf indeed a very interesting specimen, will definitely try it this year's end...

We have tasted our first dwarf yesterday too, didn't even get to take a picture, but there are more fruits and flowers are emerging (New Big Dwarf).

Regards,
D

gixxerific · Sat Mar 03, 2012 8:25 pm

Here you go Applestar:

As far as how they did. I must first reiterate that they were grown in a cold basement with 6500K fluorescent lights.

Victorian Dwarf hands down out produced and outgrew the others by a longshot. I'm excited to see this in a better environment this summer. I have several fruit on it. I also had to trim this one back early on since it was outgrowing it's basement/greenhouse environment. Very thick stalks on this on as well. I highly recommend this one, even though I haven't even tasted the fruit yet.

Tasmanian Chocolate would be second. Another big one, put this and Vic Dwarf in 5 gallon or bigger. Another thick stalk plant, which is good because the fruit on this are bigger but not as many as Vic Dwarf. This is a dark fruit plant. I can't wait for these either. It is also another plant that was growing to the moon and had to be tamed.

Third Silvery Fir Tree this one isn't as big as the others. Though it does have a unique wispy leaf that is cool. It did produce more, smaller fruit than Taz Choco. This plant did not get nearly as tall but it was still a full plant. I am looking forward to this one as well outdoors.

Red Robin coming in at fourth. This is a very compact plant. Mine is maybe a foot+-. It produces small cherry like fruit. Still waiting for these to turn as well. Nothing special here in my eyes. Though it would be great for patio growers.

Orange Pixie, I was looking forward to this and still am this summer. This plant however did not ever get very big nor did it ever produce any fruit. It has been culled for now. I will be bringing it back but for now I need the space and it was not doing anything much at all.

Again these were all grown indoors in less than optimal conditions. So YMMV. Just my observations so far.

Hope this helps someone.

Dono

gixxerific · Sat Mar 03, 2012 8:30 pm

Duh_Vinci wrote:Looking good, Dono! That Victorian Dwarf indeed a very interesting specimen, will definitely try it this year's end...

We have tasted our first dwarf yesterday too, didn't even get to take a picture, but there are more fruits and flowers are emerging (New Big Dwarf).

Regards,
D

New Big dwarf is a good one I hear. I had my first tomato in Jan from Lucky Leprachaun. My next is in a few day's so not bad for the season not even beginning yet.

Good to hear you are up to your old tricks again. Meaning I miss you on here. We need some more of your most awesome pics my friend.

gixxerific · Sun Mar 25, 2012 10:40 am

Still growing, not the greatest shape but they are still growing. Picked some Tasmanian Chocolate last night for a salad with fresh lettuce. Yum Yum.
[img]https://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj185/gixxerific/Gardening/DSC05615.jpg[/img]
[img]https://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj185/gixxerific/Gardening/DSC05616.jpg[/img]

Duh_Vinci · Sun Mar 25, 2012 1:09 pm

I bet it was "yum yum"!

I loved Tasmanian when I grew it last year, rich, well balanced flavor, and very nice, unique coco-ish color. Very tasty, envy

As for the looks, you know what, as long as they growing and producing, who cares!

Regards,
D

P.S. Seeded 3 of yours this morning, Big Cheef, Spudayellow Strawberry and Darth Mater

Next set will be seeded in about a month...

gixxerific · Sun Mar 25, 2012 2:14 pm

Watch those Darth's the germinated fast for me

applestar · Sun Mar 25, 2012 3:05 pm

NICE! Are you going to plant them in the ground once the weather settles? It would be interesting to see how they perform.

So, do you think this is worth the effort? Will you be doing it again for next winter?

gixxerific · Sun Mar 25, 2012 6:00 pm

No these won't go in the ground. They have been topped at all growing points so they won't get any bigger. Though I have seen some buds. I will replant these varietys and some, outside this season.

Was it worth it yes and no. The window lucky leprechaun had great tasting fruit. But died due to infestation. The others at first put out awful tasting fruit mushy as well. Could be many factors here. Weak light, weak fertilizing ?? The later fruits are good. This is after. Being thrown outside to fend for themselves with 0 hardening off. Though they are in a partly shaded area of the porch.

Will I do it again, c'mon Apple what do you think?

Dono

dustyrivergardens · Mon Mar 26, 2012 11:23 am

Wow.... it has been to long I can't remember what a home grown tomato is suppose to taste like are they good ? lol...

gixxerific · Mon Mar 26, 2012 4:31 pm

dustyrivergardens wrote:Wow.... it has been to long I can't remember what a home grown tomato is suppose to taste like are they good ? lol...

No they are not Dusty. I would highly suggest against planting any. If you have any plants growing DO NOT plant them. It is a waste of time. Instead send them to me and I will dispose of them properly.

Feels good to save another person from certain heartache.

Pm me for my address.

Dono