Growing a tomato plant inside my house-- help me make this successful

Arielle

Crowing
8 Years
Feb 19, 2011
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Massachusetts, USA
I have a number of tomatos seeds to pick from, the seeds are getting older about 2 years, maybe 3 from a reputable suppier that specializes in Tomatos.


1. Looking at the Early Girls VFF Improved Hybrid, it is a 52 day indeterminant. a slicing tomato 4-6 oz. Suggestions on how to grow an indeterminante plant indoors to keep small, or is a determinant a better choice? I think I have a couple determinatn types.

2. Start under grow lights and keep under grwo lights as it gets bigger--- not sure how to handle beyond that.A mini greenh house I expect to deal with dry winter air and fluctuating air temps. Suggestions welcome.
 
I have a number of tomatos seeds to pick from, the seeds are getting older about 2 years, maybe 3 from a reputable suppier that specializes in Tomatos.


1. Looking at the Early Girls VFF Improved Hybrid, it is a 52 day indeterminant. a slicing tomato 4-6 oz. Suggestions on how to grow an indeterminante plant indoors to keep small, or is a determinant a better choice? I think I have a couple determinatn types.

2. Start under grow lights and keep under grwo lights as it gets bigger--- not sure how to handle beyond that.A mini greenh house I expect to deal with dry winter air and fluctuating air temps. Suggestions welcome.
uuuhhh, move to a warmer climate! lol
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I'm sorry I had to say that... I have been growing tomatoes for years, although I've never heard of indeterminate or determinate. Growing here in sunny California is so much different than where you are. Last spring we planted 14 different tomato plants, we still have a beefsteak tomato plant (over 6ft tall) still producing and several pepper plants that just keep on going. I don't have the heart to take them out as I'm getting the rest of the beds ready for planting. A greenhouse will help get them started but do you have someplace outside to plant them?
 
uuuhhh, move to a warmer climate! lol
gig.gif
I'm sorry I had to say that... I have been growing tomatoes for years, although I've never heard of indeterminate or determinate. Growing here in sunny California is so much different than where you are. Last spring we planted 14 different tomato plants, we still have a beefsteak tomato plant (over 6ft tall) still producing and several pepper plants that just keep on going. I don't have the heart to take them out as I'm getting the rest of the beds ready for planting. A greenhouse will help get them started but do you have someplace outside to plant them?

Now that is the way it is here in Southern California
 
Now that is the way it is here in Southern California
Yuup!
This is what it looked like in April of 2013. Got a late start.

This is what it looked like in July. 8ft tall tomatoes on the left and Armenian cucumbers on the right. Those cukes made amazing pickles...

Pruning the 8 ft tall tomatoes was a big challenge. That box there had 8 different types, all were 6 to 8 footers or taller.
 
Yuup!
This is what it looked like in April of 2013. Got a late start.

This is what it looked like in July. 8ft tall tomatoes on the left and Armenian cucumbers on the right. Those cukes made amazing pickles...

Pruning the 8 ft tall tomatoes was a big challenge. That box there had 8 different types, all were 6 to 8 footers or taller.

So that is what can be dune with water
That is a very nice garden you have
 
So that is what can be dune with water
That is a very nice garden you have
Thanks, we really do enjoy it but it's a lot of work; prepping the soil, planting, pruning, feeding, harvesting, canning, eating, eating, and more eating. lol Tomato sauce, hot sauce, tabasco sauce, pickles, jams, jellies, and relishes, oh my...
 
Thanks, we really do enjoy it but it's a lot of work; prepping the soil, planting, pruning, feeding, harvesting, canning, eating, eating, and more eating. lol Tomato sauce, hot sauce, tabasco sauce, pickles, jams, jellies, and relishes, oh my...

Yes that is a lot of work and the canning I suppose you get the kid's and grandkid's involved, you must have a busy kitchen at that point
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It's been awhile for me but I do remember that far back
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gander007
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I anyone has suggestions on how to prunt the plant to keep it small; and which is better determinant or indeterminant?

Though of making a small green house of a white board type material to reflect the growlight and hold humidity . . . . .

suggestions welcome.
 
I anyone has suggestions on how to prunt the plant to keep it small; and which is better determinant or indeterminant?

Though of making a small green house of a white board type material to reflect the growlight and hold humidity . . . . .

suggestions welcome.
Pruning: choose a height that you want to keep it at. Use a small trellis or cage to mark to height and cut everything that goes above that, usually you would want to cut off all growth on the bottom of the plant but since you want it small and busy only cut the tops (for indeterminate or vining plants).
Determinate plants are will stay small but die off when the fruits are harvested.

What is the difference between "determinate" and "indeterminate" tomatoes?

Determinate varieties of tomatoes, also called "bush" tomatoes, are varieties that are bred to grow to a compact height (approx. 4 feet).
They stop growing when fruit sets on the terminal or top bud, ripen all their crop at or near the same time (usually over a 2 week period), and then die.
They may require a limited amount of caging and/or staking for support, should NOT be pruned or "suckered" as it severely reduces the crop, and will perform relatively well in a container (minimum size of 5-6 gallon). Examples are: Rutgers, Roma, Celebrity (called a semi-determinate by some), and Marglobe.
Indeterminate varieties of tomatoes are also called "vining" tomatoes. They will grow and produce fruit until killed by frost and can reach heights of up to 10 feet although 6 feet is considered the norm. They will bloom, set new fruit and ripen fruit all at the same time throughout the growing season.
They require substantial caging and/or staking for support and pruning and the removal of suckers is practiced by many but is not mandatory. The need for it and advisability of doing it varies from region to region. Experiment and see which works best for you. Because of the need for substantial support and the size of the plants, indeterminate varieties are not usually recommended as container plants. Examples are: Big Boy, Beef Master, most "cherry" types, Early Girl, most heirloom varieties, etc.

A greenhouse would work great if it's big enough for the plants you want. White board or foil would help reflect the light if sun light is not available. Also make sure to get the temps up to the 70's.
 
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I have gone thru my packets and selected out the determinant types. Grushovka #4717 from TOmato Growers in Ft Myers FL. THis one is only 2.5 ft tall. I will make that one my test plant. ITs 65 days but no really sure what that means now that I think about it. Is it from day seed is planted; or from trnsplant? ANd which ever, probably under ideal conditions.


I have selected the container to plant 6 seeds. and it can git in a zip lock to hold in the moisture a bit-- the end will be left open for ventilation.

I wonder if a heattin matt would be beneficial not just at sprouting but thru the entire process as our house tends to be cool in the winter about 55-60, though it can heat up to 80 on a warm day and the wood stove is still at full blast.



Grushovka is a Siberian variety of delicous pink egg shaped fruit. Tomatoes are about 3 inches long with thin skin and are excellent for canning. Plants are small only about 2 1/2 feet tall but produce abundantly.

Siletz #2831 at 52 days is another options though at 52 days. Determinate, deep red full flavored slicing tomato are 10-12 oz abd very bnice for an early variety. Developed by Dr James Baggett of Oregon State U, these plants yeils well even in cool weather. Good acid tastea nd excellent interior fruit quality in an early tomato.

OK ..... planting Siletz instead.
 

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