Mark's 2018 crop
 

Things are going well this year, we have some fruit setting already, and everything is healthy.

The media is Pro Mix HP.

We have 5 rows of plants, 2 plants per 5 gallon container, each plant is single stem, and is strung up with roller spools.

We are at our 3rd truss of flowers, and are running 1350 ppm, at a 6.3 pH.

About half of the 250 plants are Mat-Su Express, there are several other of our stable and unstable crosses in there too, and 5-6 varieties of heirlooms.

I plan on crossing MSE to Rebel Yell, and want to make an Elgin Pink cross too, maybe a couple of others. I will have more to report on soon.

Have a great season,
Mark

Very nice setup,

My goodness...
As always your plants look wonderfully vigorous and healthy Mark.
Any KARMAs or Zena's Gift in the crowd?
KarenO

Wow. I was just thinking today about how we needed some updates from you this year. That is the most amazingly neat greenhouse I have ever seen. Glad your season is off to a great start.

Mark, you always manage to be farther north than almost all of us, and still farther ahead at the same time. Well done, as usual.

Off to another great season. Everything looks perfect.

My hat's off to you sir!

A thing of beauty and neatness. You are inspirational.

I would love to see pictures of the 2 plants per 5 gallon container when they get big.

[QUOTE=KarenO;692662]My goodness...
As always your plants look wonderfully vigorous and healthy Mark.
Any KARMAs or Zena's Gift in the crowd?
KarenO[/QUOTE]

Thanks for the compliments, we do put a lot into this.

Karen, I do have Karma Pink going, have not started Zena's Gift yet.

Mark, it all looks wonderful.

I also wanted to grow Zena's Gift this time, but being my first attempt to grow in Pro Mix and use the method you pointed out to me - I stuck with some I've grown in ground before.

What a great subtropical oasis in the North!
Looking very healthy and organized!
I'm feeling jelous that we have sold Alaska so cheap with so comfortable climate for tomatoes :)

Really lovely, Mark, and so tidy!

Marvelous! How many people does it take to keep your operation running so well?

[QUOTE=Cole_Robbie;692665]Mark, you always manage to be farther north than almost all of us, and still farther ahead at the same time. Well done, as usual.[/QUOTE]


That says it for me as well! You've built a well managed smoothly functioning operation in a difficult climate along with creating your own delicious tomatoes to fit your needs. Not to mention generously sharing your advice and seeds with the rest of us. :yes:

My favorite grow thread every year. Stole nearly everything I know about container tomatoes from them. Thank you and hoping you have your best season yet.

[B][SIZE=3][FONT=Garamond]Wonderful photos! I can't wait to see what that greenhouse looks like in a couple of weeks. :)[/FONT][/SIZE][/B]

[QUOTE=Salsacharley;692729]Marvelous! How many people does it take to keep your operation running so well?[/QUOTE]

We have 10 people working here, most of the labor is doing floral stuff until June, then we do much more production of produce. I get this little GH until then, the wife gets the rest. LOL

The plants are really starting to grow. I am running about 1400ppm, the effects of the cold root zones are fading now, P is moving in the plants much better. I let it get about 90 degrees for a couple of days, that shook off the cold.

Several tomatoes are set now, Mat-Su Express leads the way, some of our other crosses have some fruit set too. Here we go.

Oh my gosh "here we go" is right. Your greenhouse just always amazes me. It is just a sight to behold. What you do up there I find incredible. Here I am and it's just time for me to be starting my seeds... sigh

In a previous life I raised animals in an 'intensive' sort of way. I know the difficulties and risks involved in growing things that intensively. Small miscalculations are magnified dramatically. You have to do it right.

I also am amazed by what you do......

Thanks for sharing your process and your wonderful and inspiring greenhouse photos Mark! I have two Mat Su Express doing beautifully so far...

[QUOTE=MissS;694220]Oh my gosh "here we go" is right. Your greenhouse just always amazes me. It is just a sight to behold. What you do up there I find incredible. Here I am and it's just time for me to be starting my seeds... sigh[/QUOTE]

THIS!!! Except we are in our final leg of the season; hopefully can squeeze out 2 more months.

Gorgeous plants. You are an amazing grower Mark
KarenO

[QUOTE=KarenO;694345]Gorgeous plants. You are an amazing grower Mark
KarenO[/QUOTE]

Well I wish I was. I think I am getting more organized and efficient, but there is so much to learn. I see issues all the time, some are dreadful, I am really working on good management to help. I think this is the most organized start I have had, we will just have to see how things progress.

Good luck this year, your Karma Pink is doing well.

[QUOTE=hl2601;694255]Thanks for sharing your process and your wonderful and inspiring greenhouse photos Mark! I have two Mat Su Express doing beautifully so far...[/QUOTE]

Good luck with the Mat-Su. We have pretty good yields with them in the GH, if you prune them the fruit is bigger. They seem to be consistently pretty tasty, and an early-midseason type.

What everybody said! I'm speechless. Looks like quite a bit of the white stuff still outside. Of course a meteorologist has to mention that :-)

What everyone said X2!

Thanks for sharing!

Mark -

I plant singles in 15G Fabrics with a 18" Cage that just barely shoehorns in.

Curious in your double plant per 5G.
Do you literally plant than on each opposing corner. Kurious ?

[QUOTE=mobiledynamics;694473]Mark -

I plant singles in 15G Fabrics with a 18" Cage that just barely shoehorns in.

Curious in your double plant per 5G.
Do you literally plant than on each opposing corner. Kurious ?[/QUOTE]

I used to do 15-20 gallon, then 10, then 6, now 4-5 two plants, and that is what many major producers do.
We just plant them towards the middle, the same as one plant two stems, but the stalks wont split when we lower and move the tops over when they get too tall.
Piece of cake, 20 footers will be pulled out this fall.

Amazing. Fantastic pics and truly labor of love.
Love Matsu tomatoes, looking forward to hearing about other crosses.

Wowsers. Granted yours is for production in a semi controlled enviroment, where I'm outdoors. Hell, I've had some topple over due to high winds....learned to brace the cages horizontally tied to a structure.

Ehh. Maybe I should try planting doubles - I just can't wrap my head around sun/light/air doubling/tripling up