Burpee Green Zebra Tomatoes 2/1/22

[lynnee]

Today I started a serious Green Zebra Tomato project. This is an indeterminate, so it will take 4 months or more. It'd be better to do it in a Farm XL, but hopefully the Plus will give it enough room.  The grow deck and bowl were taken apart and thoroughly cleaned in the dishwasher, in hopes of starting the project off right!  

I planted 2 seeds in each of 4 pods to start. Added 12 ml AG nutes, because I always start my new gardens that way.

[campingcorgis]

This will be fun & interesting to watch!  

[lynnee]

These are some zebras that I grew on our patio several years ago.

[Shawn]

Following

[Sher]

Another wonderful tomato project to follow!

[lynnee]

Day 12. At least one seed germinated in every pod, but one pod had a real weakling that I discarded. I separated the two seedlings from the other pods. It was a little late for this, as some seedlings had roots growing out of the sponge. We'll see whether they all survive!

[Sher]

lynnee, if even a piece of the root was attached, they will probably do well. Here's hoping!

[Shawn]

They should still do fine.  Turn the pods every other or  couple of days so they each form a soft root ball.  I do that to help contain roots.  While they still can combine, not as bad.

[lynnee]

Trying to contain the root balls is a good idea for this project, because I may need to transfer some or all of the plants outdoors. Once they're started, they will probably produce a few tomatoes even if I can't make them work in the AG. 🍅

[lynnee]

Day 42. The Green Zebra plants were too crowded, so I removed all but two that were developing flowers. Didn't try to save the discards, because it's too early to move them outdoors, even in California.

I'm really excited to see an open blossom before the plant reached the lights in the Farm 24! These are indeterminate vines.

Before and after, with flower location circled:



Closeups of flower buds on second plant, and open flower on first:

[Sher]

They look like they appreciate the extra room. And YAY for the flower and buds!

[Shawn]

You do so well with your plants and these are no expcetion

[lynnee]

Day 50. Tomato!



Lights can be raised another 12" or so.

[Sher]

The tomato was the first thing I spotted -- even before seeing your arrow!

Congratulations on the new firstborn!  

[Shawn]

It is so exciting!

[lynnee]

Day 55. Today I pruned the Green Zebras to improve air circulation. I took off the lower leaves that weren't getting light, and the middle leaves that were getting tangled up.

There are several tomatoes developing--one is already about half the adult size.

[Sher]

They look lobed rather than round. Interesting! 

[lynnee]

They do, don't they! Husband Ray is a Zebra connoisseur, so he can tell us whether they taste the way they're supposed to.

I hope that the shape doesn't indicate future blossom end rot, which my outdoor plants developed after they'd been fruiting for a while.

[Sher]

A little bit of Calmag will prevent blossom end rot. 

[lynnee]

Day 69. I pruned the Green Zebras to three strong stems each--they should have been pruned to two strong stems much earlier.  I also took off the growing tips on the tallest branches.  I hope that I didn't take away too many leaves, but tomatoes are usually pretty resilient.

As you noticed, Sher , most of the developing tomatoes are lobed. This is "bumpy shoulders", I think, and is usually caused by uneven temperature or other generally less-than-optimal growing conditions. The tomatoes should taste okay, I think.

Some of the tomatoes are striped, but they're a long way from being ripe enough to harvest. They're still green and hard, instead of slightly yellow-green and slightly yielding.