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jwahlton

Am I the only one who can kill Tom's Everglade tomatoes?

14 years ago

I got a few plants going from the Everglades that Tom gave me. They looked strong and healthy so I potted them. I don't want to put them in the "ground" yet until I decide where to put them, so I thought I'd put them in a pot. The next day they looked like this:

Comments (16)

  • 14 years ago

    5-1-1 mix?

    Looks like fertilizer burn.

    Dianne

  • 14 years ago

    They really don't like to be messed with. I would've waited until they were big before transplanting them. I'm hardly the expert. My best plants are the ones I haven't planted.(Thank you, birds!)

  • 14 years ago

    Not 5-1-1, just compost and vermeculite. I just put them there the day before so I don't think fertilzier burn. I was putting them there until they got bigger.

    I did what Tom said, started in small cup, moved up to a little larger cup, then when they looked good (about 3-4") I put them there

  • 14 years ago

    I think coffeemom is right.
    I made the mistake of trying to transplant some that the birds planted and now they are all dead.

  • 14 years ago

    I started mine in peat pellets (Feb), transplanted to styrofoam cups (Mar), then into the ground (Apr). The soil they're planted in is a mix of Florida sand, Miracle Grow Garden Soil, and compost. They're growing great, in fact this week I've begun picking the first few to ripen on the vine.

    John

  • 14 years ago

    I did pretty much the same as you did John. The soil this is in is compost, vermiculite, and a bit of soil I think.

  • 14 years ago

    Way too small to transplant. I never transplant or even separate tomatoes until they have at least 4 sets of leaves. You said that it may have some garden soil in the mix. Did you sterilize it? That soil may have pathogens that killed it. Was the compost well rotted (at least a year)? If not, it could have burned them. Tomatoes are more sensitive than people think.

  • 14 years ago

    Remember that these are wild plants; they don't need special care or special soil. Plant a few seeds in the ground in an area you want them to come from every year, in the worst of soils, but well draining, and they'll do fine.

    When Cathy said I had to rescue the Cherries Jubilee allamanda I had to pull out about 500 volunteers shortly after removing the plant in the pictures you all saw, and today I will have to pull the ones you see in the pictures below that I took this morning, but the allamanda that was smothered is coming back beautifully ;-)

    Tom

  • 14 years ago

    Diane these had at least 4 sets of leaves.

    Tom, I was hoping you'd chime in here! I knew they didn't need any special care which is why I just put into that dirt. It was "clean" stuff. I still have some more seeds so I will try again. And try to keep these alive!

  • 14 years ago

    The plants look burned to me. Were they started inside and moved outside and not hardened off? Were they started outside but in a spot with more shade then moved to full sun? You said the plants mix had compost in it? Where did it come from? Like I said the plants look fried......it was either sun or chemicals that did them in.

  • 14 years ago

    Just wondering when I should start the seeds for the winter garden??? Any help would be appreciated. Just received the seeds today that I ordered from Southern J Ranch in West Palm Beach. Just moved to the Lehigh Acres area and I am not really sure when I should start the seeds for planting this coming winter.

  • 14 years ago

    You're coastal Zone 10 right? Set dates are 9/1-9/15 so start your seed 7/15-8/1 but bear in mind they have to be protected from the heat/sun and rain....

    Tom

  • 14 years ago

    Bamboo. Yes they were started inside then moved to a more shaded spot. Compost is Black Cow. Oh well, I've got more!!!!!! See Tom, someone CAN kill them!

  • 14 years ago

    @ postlethwait I live in Lehigh! Off of Sunshine Blvd... west side of Lehigh. I have lived in Florida for 32 years. Your winter garden will begin after August. So CLOSE! Right now, I have green beans, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, and gourds going. The green beans will be over soon, and I will replace them with yard long beans. Did you know that there are 3 varieties of peaches that grow here too. There is a seller in Lehigh/Labelle area. Do a search on Craigslist to find them. $20 a tree.

    Welcome to Lehigh,
    Laurie
    kirataffy@centurylink.net

  • 14 years ago

    I guess I'll start some more next month for my fall planting

  • 14 years ago

    Thanks Laurie, We are off Bell, more east than you..??..
    I put in some tomatoes when we moved her in late Feb, early Mar, but something seems to like them better than me, eats the fruit on one side all the way thru, don't know what it is yet. Can't find any worms, maybe grasshoppers??? We hope to put in raised beds in the next month, will make it much easier for me to garden. I really have loved this site, been reading post for the past week. Thanks again
    Ada
    timetravel1@centurylink.net