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Post by Jim on Mar 7, 2008 18:47:08 GMT -5
I only started a few maters...I'm trying to hold off a few more weeks.....trying.
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Post by bluelacedredhead on Mar 7, 2008 19:50:10 GMT -5
PapaVic,
Is there any way to improve on the vigor once it's been determined that a batch of seed is weak? For example, will soaking in peroxide solution or weak tea improve more than just the germination rate?
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Post by PapaVic on Mar 7, 2008 20:54:05 GMT -5
BLRH,
I think that presoaking helps swell and soften the seed casing. With the old Mozark seeds last year, I presoaked overnight in the fridge in weak Lipton tea. But with a later batch, I presoaked with plain water and really I can't say there was all that much difference. Both batches germinated at about 70%. The ones I didn't presoak with anything didn't sprout as strongly.
Basically, I think presoaking old, dry seed might help and certainly can't hurt. Don't know about peroxide, but at least with peroxide, you would be killing pathogens. I'd check with a professional for the dilution rate first.
Okay, here is something I'm going to try next week ... Messenger (harpin protein) ... I'm gonna soak seeds in the recommended solution overnight or dampen some sand with it and put a very thin layer of sand over top of the tomato seeds laid on the straight water-dampened ProMix in seed cells. I'm also going to spray the solution on the sprouts that already are up with clinging seed hulls and see what happens. I'll report back on that next week.
Bill
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Post by pugs on Mar 7, 2008 22:26:14 GMT -5
Years ago I read about microwaving old cactus seed to get it to germinate. I think it was for 5 seconds or less. I don't have a clue where I read it, but it wasn't on-line. Maybe someone with better search skills than mine could try and find it. Or there is the good old trial and error.
Pugs
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Post by bluelacedredhead on Mar 8, 2008 9:31:33 GMT -5
I used the weak tea solution method last year and I thought it worked well. Will be looking forward to further experiments with germination and vigor.  |
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Post by paquebot on Mar 8, 2008 23:52:27 GMT -5
PapaVic, Is there any way to improve on the vigor once it's been determined that a batch of seed is weak? For example, will soaking in peroxide solution or weak tea improve more than just the germination rate? Hydrogen peroxide and tomato seed has been proven to not get along. In fact, one study shows that it retards germination rather than improving it. www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1744-7348.1930.tb07229.xMartin |
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Post by Alan on Mar 9, 2008 0:14:20 GMT -5
I almost always soak eggplant and pepper seeds just to get them going a little faster and did soak Bills old Mozark seeds last year to get them going as I never could get them to germinate in a flat.
This week I will be starting a ton of Jubilee, Rutgeurs, Aunt Rubys German Green, Lemon Boy, Celebrity, Cherokee Purple, Jack White, Absynth, and Brandywine seeds and then all of the seeds that I need less of and a ton of cherry tomatoes. I really need to make a list of priorties for seed starting, but I'd never follow it if I did.
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Post by PapaVic on Mar 11, 2008 12:49:40 GMT -5
Okay ... planted some more exotic ones today ...
Gene's Spotted/Striped Tidwell (12 seeds)
Vintage Wine (12 seeds)
Oaxacan Jewel (12 seeds)
Pink Berkeley Tie-dye (12 seeds)
Black and Brown Boar (12 seeds)
Pork Chop (6 seeds)
Sam Houston/Crimson Indian Stripe (24 seeds)
Arbuznyi (6 seeds)
Beauty King (12 seeds)
Evan Purple Plum (18 seeds)
Indian Stripe (54 seeds)
Gonna plant the TSWV-resistant vars this afternoon or tomorrow.
pv
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LoreD
gardener
Posts: 226
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Post by LoreD on Mar 11, 2008 16:10:43 GMT -5
I just got 300 tomatoes and 100 peppers started. Fortunately this batch only has 5 kinds.
Pallo di Fuoco
Franchi Giant Red Pear
Gioia della Mensa
Kellogg's Breakfast
Old Italian
I'll probably do another 400 tomato plants of the Italian varieties and then do about 400 more of about 20 plants x 20 varieties.
I wanted to do another theme this year but everybody loved the Italian stuff so I'm doing it again this year.
PapaVic,
When I saw you starting Neves Azorean Red I realized that I had the seed and had completely forgot. Thanks for the reminder.
I saw you started Shah Mikado. I think I saw on another forum some dispute as to whether this was extinct. (We know who said that) Your opinion about this would be welcome. I was going to order it from Underwood Gardens but was unsure because of the the dispute.
LoreD
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Post by PapaVic on Mar 11, 2008 16:48:39 GMT -5
LoreD, Regarding the particular dispute to which you refer, the two people who perennially huff and puff about Shah Mikado do so apparently because they have a long-standing, long distance quarrel with William Woys Weaver. Something about history and varying "professional" egos are in conflict, it seems. Yet at the same time, and in spite of the tremendous contributions they've made to the hobby, the two WWW.naysayers themselves dish out a few rather fanciful "heirloom" tomato pedigrees without sufficient substantiation, IMO. The only interest I have in Shah Mikado is that it's a cream yellow (white) tomato with potato leaf foliage that I intend to use in some crosses. I notice that a certain someone is using "White Potato Leaf" in some crosses similar to what I hope to do ... and you probably have seen postulations that Shah Mikado is White Potato Leaf, but even that is guess work without proof possitive, huh? That Shah Mikado is supposed to have a pink blush or star on the blossom end is a plus. It's pedigree is of no concern whatever to me ... just the genetic characteristics that it might contribute to a cross. |
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Post by PapaVic on Mar 11, 2008 16:54:03 GMT -5
More seeds put into the cells ...
TSWV-resistant types:
Bolseno (10 seeds)
Sophya (12 seeds)
Mountain Glory (48 seeds)
Amelia (60 seeds)
Capaya (20 seeds)
... two others (not TSWV-res.):
Glory F1 (16 seeds)
Glory F2 (30 seeds)
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Post by pugs on Mar 11, 2008 17:35:54 GMT -5
PapaVic,
Is the Gene's Spotted/Striped Tidwell the one that spkero uses as an avatar? If so, that is one beautiful mater. I hope that seed of it is available one day.
Pugs
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Post by PapaVic on Mar 12, 2008 15:43:56 GMT -5
Pugs ... yes, that's the tomato.
More seeds put to bed this afternoon:
Potato Top (Limbaugh's)
Amana Orange
Zhong Shusi Hao
Caspian Pink
Berg
Brandywine
Holyland (yellow strain)
Cherokee Purple x Bradley (F1)
Mozark
Sioux
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Post by downinmyback on Mar 12, 2008 22:01:45 GMT -5
I started my tomato seeds and pepper seeds today. I started 36 different tomato varieties and 9 pepper varieties. I am trying to cut back on the amount of tomato plant this year after having around 100 last year.
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Post by PapaVic on Mar 12, 2008 22:43:14 GMT -5
I won't be growing all these tomatoes in my small garden at home. Most of them are being started for the Master Gardners spring plant sale. Some will be given away at Earth Day. Some will go to friends. Some will stay at home.
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