Allotments 4 All
Allotment Stuff => The Basics => Topic started by: Jeannine on April 10, 2016, 02:32:59
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Does anyone have a list of them with heights please ?
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Micro Tom Tomato – This is the mini tomato that started it all. Bred at the University of Florida, this little fellow grows only 5-8 inches tall and bears tasty 1 inch fruit.
Micro Tina Tomato – Slightly larger than her brother Tom, Tina produces a true tomato that is the size of a cherry. This mini tomato plant’s red fruit is mildly acidic and sweet.
Micro Gemma Tomato – A mini tomato plant for color and contrast, Micro Gemma’s fruit is golden, full fleshed and richly flavored.
Tiny Tim-45 days, dwarf — A heavy yielder with clusters of fine flavored, red fruit that are about one half inch in diameter.
When grown in pots, this variety only grows ten to twelve inches tall and fourteen inches across. It may grow a bit bigger when planted in the garden.
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I have the seeds for these 4 and all the descriptions, it is the heights I need, preferably from someone who has grown them as there seems to be a difference depending on where you look. Tina and Gemma never came with heights.
XX Jeannine
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try this site for the most rigorous data on the micro toms.
http://hortsci.ashspublications.org/content/35/4/774.full.pdf
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Can't help with the sizes of Tina and Gemma I'm afraid but I am growing Micro Tom and Tiny Tim.
The description of Tiny Tim is fair but I would say the fruit size of Micro Tom is more like the size of your little finger nail rather than the one inch suggested. Pretty hopeless for any salad as it would get lost. :happy7: However it is the first variety to produce any kind of ripe tomato so you can kid yourself the tomato season has begun mid may.
The pdf file mentions a variety called Yellow Canary. If anyone knows where to get this one I would be very interested. I grew this in pots in the greenhouse about ten years ago and began harvesting the first small cherries may 17th. I have seldom come close to that date since.
Rather stupidly I forgot to save the seed so lost it. :BangHead:
Having great success so far with a variety from Wallis Seeds called Cherry Falls. Dwarf plants about a foot tall planted in a greenhouse border and full of flowers already, (as are the Micro Tom and Tiny Tim)
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Hi, I am pretty certain that Tatianas Tomatoes has Yellow Canary and she will ship to the UK. I went through all her seeds a few days ago and that was one I was looking for. I do have quite a few different ones but wanted to see what else there is out there. Floragold Basket is a little yellow one too. I can't put my hand on the notes I took but I will go and find it and get back to you.
I have about 12 different ones growing right now and am planning on growing them through the winter. I have them categorized into less than 12",then 12" 18" 24".. after that they are too big for me.
XX Jeannine
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Found my list.
Tatianas does has have Yellow Canary, I was going to order myself but on looking in my stash I have the seeds. I thought I had sown all the varieties of Micros I had so I don't know if I missed this one or if it was one of the two that didn't germinate, my seeds are pretty old. I am going to sow again today. If you want to take a chance I can pop you about 10 in the mail today.
If this helps anyone else. her is my list with heights where I have them. where there is a c=variation eg 6-8 I have put the tallest.
Boets 24-36
Jagodka 24
Polyarne 18
Floragold Basket 8
Mohamed 12
Minibel 12
Hahms Gelbe Topftomate 6
Micro Tina ??? 18
Micro Gemma ??? 18
Micro Tom 8
Micro Gold ?? 8
Early Dwarf Cherry 24
Orange Cherry 18
Sweet Clare ??
Pixie ??
Vilma ??
Florada Petite 9
Tiny Tim 18
Cherrygold 16
Small Fry ??
Alapatieva 24
Amber Coloured 24
Beta 18
Bonte Tigret 18
Bushy Labarisvsky 18
Chibiko 12
Krainiy Sever 24
Red Alert 18
Spiridonovskie 18
My own Tiny Toes..still not stable at about 12
There are others eg Anmore Treasures and Anmore Dewdrop but they are better suited for hanging baskets.
If anyone knows about anymore I would be obliged.
XX Jeannine
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Thanks for the link to Tatianas, Jeannine, It looks like I will soon have Yellow Canary again. I'll make sure to save seed to keep it going this time. :happy7:
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Please try the Floragold Basket too. There is another small one which she is very enthusiastic about Krainiy Sever but it is 2 feet tall. Great lady and a very dedicated grower who by coincidence is my neighbor just down the road from me.
I bet you can't just :blob7: buy one !!!!
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If anyone knows about anymore I would be obliged.
XX Jeannine
One little cutie you might be interested in is Mini Me Micro Blue! It's not quite stable but not far off. I'm hoping it will be ready in the autumn. Micro sized plant.
I quite like the three Sweet n' Neat's for growing types, but I'm not sure much wow flavour.
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OO OO OO .. where do I get that baby bloo one..is it one you are working on yourself??
I have Sweet and Neat too.
XX Jeannine
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Yes, I've been growing them out for a few years, not great tasting or anything, but they are really cute, I thought I had a picture somewhere with some ripe fruit but I can't find it for the moment. I took a picture of some of the little ones I've just sown which are starting to come through.
There's a bit more here with some pictures from last year's young plants http://www.growingfoodsavingseeds.co.uk/forum/main-forum/new-channel/4283-micro-blue-mini-me
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Red Robin. Height and spread 12-14 inches. 54 days. Trying this year, so no idea regards taste.
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That is smashing Jayb.. I am dead jealous..oh I know that is a sin.. rephrase it .I am so proud of you
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Thanks :toothy10:
Found some pictures, these are from a couple of years ago.
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Oh now you are just gloating..bless your heart.. I won't go to heaven if I keep these thoughts going.
How did you do it?
XX Jeannine
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No way! I just think they are really cute.
As they are so close I'd rather wait till they are stable to share, which I hope will be later on this year if you fancy giving them a try. The two plants I salvaged and kept over winter have survived quite well by the window.
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Jay you have sold me on the idea of trying now,, so what do I do, pick two tomatoes 1 micro and one other and swap pollen I guess.. does it matter what the second one is or should I stick to two types of micros , eg if I start with say Micro Tina then say us a different color tomato.. I need something to get my brain working again..so I am going to have a go, I have two books on breeding veggies I shall dig them out.
I think getting that color is a very great accomplishment Jay and you should be very proud.
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I have flowers on Micro Gemma!!
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Jay you have sold me on the idea of trying now,, so what do I do, pick two tomatoes 1 micro and one other and swap pollen I guess.. does it matter what the second one is or should I stick to two types of micros , eg if I start with say Micro Tina then say us a different color tomato.. I need something to get my brain working again..so I am going to have a go, I have two books on breeding veggies I shall dig them out.
I think getting that color is a very great accomplishment Jay and you should be very proud.
Yes that's about the sum of it :happy7:
Pick your favourite mini growing dwarf or one with the traits you want to reproduce. I believe Red Robin and Tiny Tim giving good results. I've used several varieties for crossing, Tiny Toes (might interest you) Sweet and Neat the red pink and yellow, Chibikko and Micro Tom. You could also think of making crosses with/for slightly larger dwarves, giving a more productive tomato as the mini ones are very limited by their size.
Yes choosing the partner is the exciting step, whether it be introducing different fruit colour, improving taste, shape etc. One thing to watch is some of the Mini micros have thick tough skin, I believe this is a dominate trait and difficult to select out.
First make your cross.
Harvest the ripe F1 seed.
Sow and grow out the a couple of F1 plants and save the F2 seed.
Grow out as large an F2 population as you can to find the desired mini plants. Once you have selected for the recessive mini dwarf trait in your grow outs it will be captured for future generations and you can then select for other traits :toothy10:
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Jeannine, I still haven't posted the seeds I got for you, they are hopefully in the post tomorrow. Things have been all a bit difficult recently since my aunt fell...But if you would like to skip a year while you wait for your crosses/seeds I can add in some F1 seeds you might like to grow. I'll have a look I might even have some F2's but I'm not sure.
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Jay, I am so sorry I thought I had answered this, how rude of me.
I am sorry to hear about your aunt, I do hope she is mending quickly.
Don't you even think about posting anything more to me, just look after yourself and your family.
I came on the topic to go whheeee. I have small green tomatoes on a couple of my babies I think Micro Tina for sure and ------'oh eck I forget, would have to go and look.
Anyway you take care..
XX Jeannine
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Hi all. My Red Robin are starting to flower :)
What final/eventual size pot do you use with your micros.
Here says 8 inch? Is that height of pot...seems big?
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Hi all. My Red Robin are starting to flower :)
What final/eventual size pot do you use with your micros.
Here says 8 inch? Is that height of pot...seems big?
Yes, but tomatoes do have long roots, doesn't have to be a wide pot. :wave:
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Thanks Galina :) Another site said keep small 9cm for fruiting but that seemed too small :)
My 5 l pots are
Measurements are 22.5cm wide at the top.
17.5cm wide at the bottom.
17.5cm deep.
So is the 7.5 the charm at Measurements are 26cm wide at the top.
20cm wide at the bottom. and 20 cm deep?
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I have fruit on several now, I think I left it a bit late to pollinate them so I am going to take a few cuttings and do it later, the trouble is I will have to pick something that is growing in the greenhouse to choose and most of the 20 or so varieties I am growing have really big fruits, Micro Gemma/Mega Marv or Micro Tina , Rachel Sebastian just doesn't sound right . I have Ildi in there also Sungoldand Tigerella. I do have Virginia Sweets which is a very pretty bi color but it is also very big. I wonder if the garden center has anything. I found a place tucked away a few weeks ago that I never went to usually and was surprised to see they had quite a few heirloom tomatoes. I guess I could just play. I do have 1 wild Cheesemani.
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I should think the 5l pots are fine. There are pots that roses come in which are narrower and deep. In the end it probably does not matter all that much, unless you are striving for perfection. :wave:
Thanks Galina :) Another site said keep small 9cm for fruiting but that seemed too small :)
My 5 l pots are
Measurements are 22.5cm wide at the top.
17.5cm wide at the bottom.
17.5cm deep.
So is the 7.5 the charm at Measurements are 26cm wide at the top.
20cm wide at the bottom. and 20 cm deep?
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Thanks. I tend to overthink :)
They are growing nice and strong.So far it's only them, Irish Gardeners Delight and Garden Gem with flower.
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Thanks Galina :) Another site said keep small 9cm for fruiting but that seemed too small :)
My 5 l pots are
Measurements are 22.5cm wide at the top.
17.5cm wide at the bottom.
17.5cm deep.
So is the 7.5 the charm at Measurements are 26cm wide at the top.
20cm wide at the bottom. and 20 cm deep?
Hi all. My Red Robin are starting to flower :)
What final/eventual size pot do you use with your micros.
Here says 8 inch? Is that height of pot...seems big?
I quite often find pot sizing confusing, but generally litre sizing works for me plus I can work out how much compost I'll need! For the very smallest micro tomatoes I use 1 litre pots and then gradually increase I'd have thought a 2-3 litre pot for Red Robin would be fine, though if you already have them in a 5 litre that would work well too. I guess i go on compromise of space to fit lots in! The 18- 24" variety plants need at least a 5 litre pot.
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I have fruit on several now, I think I left it a bit late to pollinate them so I am going to take a few cuttings and do it later, the trouble is I will have to pick something that is growing in the greenhouse to choose and most of the 20 or so varieties I am growing have really big fruits, Micro Gemma/Mega Marv or Micro Tina , Rachel Sebastian just doesn't sound right . I have Ildi in there also Sungoldand Tigerella. I do have Virginia Sweets which is a very pretty bi color but it is also very big. I wonder if the garden center has anything. I found a place tucked away a few weeks ago that I never went to usually and was surprised to see they had quite a few heirloom tomatoes. I guess I could just play. I do have 1 wild Cheesemani.
Micro Toms seem to self regulate the size of fruit from crosses, if you are looking at the tiny micros then fruit size is really limited by the size of plants, as the size of dwarf increases so too can the size of fruit. If you are looking to cross using Gemma or Tina, I find that they flower/fruit in waves and they should certainly produce more flushes for you. I like the sound of many of your potential crosses, you have excellent flavour choices which I can only think would improve the micros.
My choices would be from
Couer di Bue, Cowlicks Brandywine, Hoy, Opalka, Shirley o/p; for size taste and shape.
Ildi for multiflora and colour
Virginia Sweets sounds like it would make a lovely cross and think how pretty the fruits would be.
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i think i will start to put my outdoor toms out this week however the smallest variety i have is idle so not very micro :drunken_smilie: :drunken_smilie: :drunken_smilie:
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Jay, I have just been in the greenhouse, with a magnifying glass, the Tiny Toes and Tiniest Toes are identical in every way.
I also looked at all my micros, none of them are very happy, they got a bit neglected for a while and left in tiny pots, they have fruited but look sad. All my greenhouse tomatoes which were in the final place s a while ago are doing great. I think the micros will pick up now they are planted out . I have flowers just starting on Hoy and Cowlicks, but not Virginia Sweets. As my micros are sad I am wondering if I may be better off to sow some more specifically to catch up with Virginia Sweets rather than wait for these sad one s to heal. If I did that I could pick just 1 variety of micro to play with and grow several plants. Right now I only have one o each variety
Please advise me, and advise re which one to choose would be great
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i think i will start to put my outdoor toms out this week however the smallest variety i have is idle so not very micro :drunken_smilie: :drunken_smilie: :drunken_smilie:
Is that your garden or allotment, either way it's looking good and lots to keep you busy planting out :wave: Not sure of the variety idle but if it is anything like Ildi, you're right, it's no micro, it was a positive thug last time I grew it and needed twice the space I'd give it, nice though :happy7:
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Jay, I have just been in the greenhouse, with a magnifying glass, the Tiny Toes and Tiniest Toes are identical in every way.
I also looked at all my micros, none of them are very happy, they got a bit neglected for a while and left in tiny pots, they have fruited but look sad. All my greenhouse tomatoes which were in the final place s a while ago are doing great. I think the micros will pick up now they are planted out . I have flowers just starting on Hoy and Cowlicks, but not Virginia Sweets. As my micros are sad I am wondering if I may be better off to sow some more specifically to catch up with Virginia Sweets rather than wait for these sad one s to heal. If I did that I could pick just 1 variety of micro to play with and grow several plants. Right now I only have one o each variety
Please advise me, and advise re which one to choose would be great
How bizarre is that, are they hairy or hairless? I'll have to look through and find my pictures.
I would think that your existing micro plants would pick up and have another flush of flowers before newly sown plants start to flower, but if you think looking at the plants that they are beyond the point of recovering, go with sowing some fresh seed. I'm sure if you end up with any spare plants they will easily find a new home. If you are going to resow I'd just pick you favourite to use crossing, I don't think there is much between them.
Are you going to make some crosses with Tiny Toes? The flowers are a bit bigger to work with than Tina and co.
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Hi, no I am not doing anything with Tiny Toes this year I want to increase the seeds. I am going to pick just 2 tiny micro I red and I yellow and sow a good few then try to cross with something different on each plane .I have been waiting up in the hope you answered as I was going to sow them before I went to bed.
// I guess I will use Micro Tina and Gemma or maybe one of the other yellow ones then I think these are the smallest red and yellow I have . I think they should be flowering when the bigger ones are still flowering later in the season, now I just have ti go ahead and do it. I would have used a regular blue one for Dad if I had one but I gave all my blues to the church sale and forgot to keep one.
Well I am off to bed now, I will plant in the morning, my list of what I have is posted earlier up if you think of a better one I should use//Night Night XX Jeannine
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Red Robins now have green fruits :)
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I got 2 fruit off my one Micro Gemma plant and I immediately planted the seeds now I have a pot full of shoots.Plus I sowed a good few of two others which are already potted on from earlier so I am getting ready. Chibbiko and the one called Helms something . So that is three varieties for playing with. I shall use Virginia Sweets, for sure, gotta try Sungold,probably Hoy after that I am not sure. I might do a couple with a Tiny Toes.. Virginia's Sweet Tiny Toes sort of sound nice
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Hope alls well with you Jeannine....thought of you today when eating fruit off Red Robin. Nice :)