Gardener's Delight Tomato Seed Germination and Growing Thread

Discussion in 'Edible Gardening' started by JWK, Mar 29, 2018.

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  1. silu

    silu gardening easy...hmmm

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    Well I seemed fated! 1st of all the seeds from Scrungee went walk about in the post, so late getting started then got pretty poor germination of about 1/2 from each year batch but things were improving as the weather did and seedlings looking not too bad (nothing germinated from 2007 batch tho). Yesterday there were slight dramas and I had to rush off on an errand completely forgetting that the lid was still on the seed tray and it was boiling hot here...yup seedlings fried:cry3:. Sorry folks I won't be able to join the experiment this year but all isn't totally lost as didn't sow all the seeds that Scrungee sent me so will read with interest all your results and try again next year.
     
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    • Scrungee

      Scrungee Well known for it

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      So, with the 2005 seeds, I got 84% germination, Silu got 50% and JWK got zero. Old seed germination appears to be very temperamental.
       
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      • Redwing

        Redwing Wild Gardener

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        And I got zero with my 2004 seed.
         
      • Fern4

        Fern4 Total Gardener

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        I haven't got any. :frown: I blame Wickes compost and the fact I let OH sow them! :gaah: Sorry about that Scrungee.
         
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        • Jack McHammocklashing

          Jack McHammocklashing Sludgemariner

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          None of my very few GD 2007 germinated, everything else in the seed compost and prop did

          So it was my seeds that were not up to it
           
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          • Loofah

            Loofah Admin Staff Member

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            I'm looking forward to who wins the first fruit race!
             
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            • silu

              silu gardening easy...hmmm

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              Reckon Scrungee is 6/4 on favourite. I fell at the 1st fence!
               
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              • Redwing

                Redwing Wild Gardener

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                I fell before the first fence!
                 
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                • Loofah

                  Loofah Admin Staff Member

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                  I've just been digging around in the shed and found a packet of GD seeds... but the bottom has been torn off with the date on! Found another unopened promo packet from 2011 but think I'll leave until the taste tests are in...
                   
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                  • JWK

                    JWK Gardener Staff Member

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                    I think there are four of us left?
                    Me - have three 2007 seedlings.
                    @Scrungee - have 2005 and 2007 plants.
                    @Ezzie - have 2006 plants. Any success with your 2003 seeds?
                    @Pushkin - any luck with your 2003 seeds?
                     
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                    • Scrungee

                      Scrungee Well known for it

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                      I also have over twenty plants from 2012 seeds, for comparison with tomatoes from 2005 and 2007seeds.
                       
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                      • Pushkin

                        Pushkin Super Gardener

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                        Not a single one germinated.
                        Sorry.
                         
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                        • JWK

                          JWK Gardener Staff Member

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                          Now there are three of us:
                          Me: have three 2007 seedlings and several 2012 & 2018 plants.
                          Scrungee: have 2005, 2007 & 2012 plants
                          Ezzie: have 2006 and ???? 2003 plants
                           
                        • Scrungee

                          Scrungee Well known for it

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                          There could be more after @shiney 's event, as I'm holidaying in Dorset in the days before and depending on how much room @Zigs has, can take some plants (and secure packaging) for him to take themto Shineyland and pass onto a few others (I've got so many I must get rid of some).

                          My next priority is to save some seeds from the 2005 & 2007 [1] plants, then carry out some 'blind' taste tests with the remaining tomatoes, and maybe also including second rounds with all 3 the same to check the reliability of the tasters.


                          [1] A high proportion of the 2007's are mutants! I hope this is due to ageing damage to the seed and not to it's DNA and be carried on into saved seeds.
                           
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                            Last edited: May 10, 2018
                          • JWK

                            JWK Gardener Staff Member

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                            For anyone taking these plants: please do a taste test/comparison and tell us on here what you think.

                            I had also hoped to have some extra plants to distribute at Shiney's Open Day but my seedlings are way too small to be taking side shoot cuttings.
                             
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