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Tomato Size
http://byap.backyardmagazines.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=7051		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  ajajaj [ Feb 23rd, '10, 16:00 ]
Post subject:  Tomato Size
I have planted a couple of different varieties of tommies (beefsteak and gross lise IIRC) and cannot seem to get the Beefsteak to, you know Steak *get big*.

They are in the AP system and growing nuts.

I prune as per described in many a "tomato growing" website, yet my tommies all end up just larger than golf ball size.

Any ideas?

it is under a Plastic house, in Adelaide, in quite decent weather.

TIA

Aj
Author:  earthbound [ Feb 23rd, '10, 16:32 ]
Post subject:  Re: Tomato Size
Perhaps a bit of a lack in phosphates and potassium? What sort of feed are you using on the fish?
Author:  ajajaj [ Feb 23rd, '10, 16:58 ]
Post subject:  Re: Tomato Size
Just what the hatchery gave me - little round pellets - barramundi is what I have.

The fish are growing great.

Levels are all great.

I just added some iron, as I noticed my chili plants started to drop leaves (and lose greenness), and also buried a banana skin under a inlet.

Only change to system recently has been that I ripped out 2 basil plants, and temps have dropped from 35-40 down to 26-28

Also, I add seasol on occasion, about every 2-3 weeks.
Author:  KudaPucat [ Feb 23rd, '10, 19:35 ]
Post subject:  Re: Tomato Size
ajajaj wrote:
I prune as per described in many a "tomato growing" website, yet my tommies all end up just larger than golf ball size.


The same thing happens to me, but I planted TommyToe - a cherry tomato variety. ;-)

On a serious note though: There are many varieties that I've had trouble with, the TommyToes are the first tomatoes I've had any success with. Rouge De Marmonde, growing in the same bed, have failed miserably, putting out very few fruit, that have matured poorly. Try some different types, and go for vine tomatoes imho, over bushing varieties.
Author:  himzol [ Feb 24th, '10, 07:57 ]
Post subject:  Re: Tomato Size
Hi Aj,

did you plant from seed or get seedlings? I once got a punnet of bell pepper seedlings, three turned out to be egg plants.. possibly your "beefstakes" are something else.

how are the Grosse Lisse's growing? I've got these in my AP system along with some cherry toms, both are going bunta. this system is running on the waste of only about three yabbies. (did have goldfish but some nut decided to take half the grow beds off line and the water quality went south real quick)

However I suspect this is your problem,
Quote:
and temps have dropped from 35-40 down to 26-28
Tomatoes really suffer in temperatures above 32°C.

H.
Author:  ajajaj [ Feb 24th, '10, 14:41 ]
Post subject:  Re: Tomato Size
OK, temp may be an issue, but up here I could never get them to go large unless in a plastic house.

There is *plenty* of fruit, *plenty* of nitrates going on, I think the next planting will be pruned back heavily to try and see if I can increase the size...
Author:  Nocky [ Feb 24th, '10, 16:58 ]
Post subject:  Re: Tomato Size
I had drama's to AJ some one suggested seasol and it worked :dontknow:
Author:  davidstcldfl [ Feb 27th, '10, 18:47 ]
Post subject:  Re: Tomato Size
Hi AJ, Himzol mentioned high temps. I have the same issue here in Flordia, in the states. Plus, we have very high humidity. I dont know what your humidity is like ?

I've tried tomatoe seed devleoped for higher temps....seems to work a little better. I have better results with the cherry type tomatoes, in the heat. But , once it gets hot enough, I can't get any of them to set fruit. I'm impressed that you got some tomatoes to set, at all. Wish I had tip to make them bigger. Best of luck AJ.
Author:  DéjàVoodoo [ Feb 28th, '10, 00:56 ]
Post subject:  Re: Tomato Size
Toms like cool night temps to set fruit and lots of sun for good growth. Most of all they need lots of nutrients as they are heavy feeders. Mind you I do not have any experience with them in AP, but in the dirt garden I add miracle grow once a week. Some growth problems might be a result of low Nitrates and as EB pointed out maybe phosphates and potassium - again just a guess in AP. IMO though small fruit is usually the cause of damage to the fruit. I have had plenty of troubles in the dirt garden. Sometimes the damage is easy to see as a small worm hole. Around here stink bugs are a real problem also, on a green tomato you will see little white pinhole spots develop where they have been feeding and yellow ones on ripe fruit. With enough damage from stink bugs I have seen them ripen early and small also. I have never had troubles eating the small fruit. Worms are usually contained to just 1/4 of the fruit and easy to cut out. Aphrid damage does not seem to change the taste - so we still eat those.

Just my 2 cents
Mark
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