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http://www.durgan.org/URL/?PXSKR 13 February 2012 Tomato Seed Planting

Tomato seeds planted for placing outdoors about 24 May 2012. Pots are plastic cups with holes burned in the sides to make a small water reservoir and to supply drainage.A coffee filter was placed in each pot to prevent soil escaping from the drainage holes and the filter tends to make transplanting easier since it encompasses the soil somewhat. Three seeds were planted per pot. When the seedlings are of sufficient size, the weaker will be removed, leaving one per pot. The pot was covered with a gusseted clear plastic bag, which keeps humidity high. The gusseted bag allows the pots to sit level on a flat surface. The bag will be opened as soon as the seedlings show growth. At this stage maximum light is beneficial.

Seeds chosen were Bonny Best(5), Celebrity(5), Big Beef(5), Better Boy(5), Black Krim (10) (Purple fruit), and a grape type called Red Currant (2). I will plant five Lemon Boy when the seeds are obtained. Total plants are 37. I avoid the heirlooms. My favourites are the black types which are essentially all the same.

I'm in the middle of sowing mine at the moment.
I sow mine differently by germinating the seeds first on damp kitchen towel in my airing cupboard, that way I only germinate the exact amount that I need and save the rest for subsequent years (I'm a mean old sod and tomato seeds tend to be expensive)
The weak seedlings in my experience are mainly the result of competition and invariably the first seedling to emerge is the strongest.

This year I'm growing 7 Ferline for bottling, a cherry type (2) I saved seed from that stays firm when bottled (nice on toast for breakfast), 3 Black Russian, 5 Paul Robeson and 5 White Queen for the greenhouse with Totem & Megabite for windowsills.

http://www.durgan.org/URL/?BLMTL 12 March 2012 Tomatoes Germination and Growth. The greenhouse has been cool so germination has been slow, but the plants are healthy and strong. At least one seed germinated in all containers.