Member discussion regarding the methods, varieties and merits of growing tomatoes.
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#1 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Whidbey Island, WA Zone 7, Sunset 5
Posts: 931
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Because so many of my seeds are sprouting later than others, and they're in the same flat,
the plastic cover has been removed, and the seeds that are coming later are drier. Spray and spit didn't work for many of them. ![]() So I went into the first aid kit (human) and cut a few pieces of gauze, small enough to tent over the new seedlings, and sprayed them with water. Within 24 hours, most of them had either shed their helmets, or were soft enough for me to assist them. ![]() So now I have even more tomatoes to find room for! j |
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#2 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Cheektowaga, NY
Posts: 2,466
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That's a great idea! Good thinking.
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#3 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Germany
Posts: 1,351
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Now I know what I will be doing in case of! Thanks for sharing this great idea! clara
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#4 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: zone 6b, PA
Posts: 5,664
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Thanks for sharing a great tip, j- I'll try to remember that one for next year.
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#5 |
Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Upstate NY, zone 4b/5a
Posts: 21,169
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Spit has usually worked for me, but in a last attempt I did something similar to what you did and just moistend some cotton, wrap it around the head and keep it wet.
That usually works, but not always. If I were still raising my own plants from seed I think I might consider chewing on a rubber band to increase saliva flow, putting it in a shallow dish and then soaking the cotton it that b/c it's the enzymes in saliva that are important. ![]() I suppose I might even consider spitting on the spit laden cotten to keep it wet. ![]()
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Carolyn |
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#6 | |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: zone 6b, PA
Posts: 5,664
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#7 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Northern Minnesota - zone 3
Posts: 3,226
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I use spit and a poke a fingertip into saran wrap to stretch a little depression, which I cut to form a tiny plastic cap for the seed head. The surface tension when the spit bonds to the plastic keeps it wet for a long time.
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Dee ************** |
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#8 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Den of Drunken Fools
Posts: 38,539
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I have to say I used to mess with this but with me being gone much of the time I have found they grow out of it on their pwn.
The embryonic leaves end up looking like they are in handcuffs. And then the true leaves emerge normally. No more spit and tweezers for me. Worth |
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#9 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: asdf
Posts: 1,202
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#10 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Den of Drunken Fools
Posts: 38,539
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I will also add that I thought this thread just might be about guys that wear hair spray.
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#11 | |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: zone 6b, PA
Posts: 5,664
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#12 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: MA
Posts: 4,966
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I just moisten the seed coat with water, with thumb and forefinger gently grip the seedcoat (crosswise and less than half way towards the stem), and gently sqeeze the seedcoat off.
A 99+% success rate, and no waiting for the disappointment of headless seedlings. Dr. L ![]() |
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#13 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: New York Zone 6
Posts: 479
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I do it similarly as Tormato except I use the spit method too... I still lose a few, but I rescue many more than I lose on balance.
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#14 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Jersey
Posts: 1,183
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when plants are at that stage i am usually watering with a squirt bottle and it takes about 10-15 minutes. i have found if the first thing i do is get a drop of water over the stuck seeds then wait about 15 minutes and just give it a tug it slides off with no prob.
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#15 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Whidbey Island, WA Zone 7, Sunset 5
Posts: 931
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I was really talking about the ones that don't do it the easy ways. I use the method with the gauze for the ones that don't come off with spit or spray. YMMV
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