Allotments 4 All
Produce => Edible Plants => Topic started by: Jayb on May 09, 2014, 11:58:33
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Anyone having a go at doing a home grafted version or growing the one from T&M? http://www.allotments4all.co.uk/smf/index.php/topic,76624.msg779259.html#msg779259
I've just potted up some overgrown potato shoots which I'm going to use with some tomato tops. Anyone fancy having a go?
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oooo....should I? I haven't looked properly through the link yet...but if it is about joining the two..
I have some potato sprout plants...and spare tomato or two ...both about same stem thickness....hmm... :drunken_smilie:
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Go for it :icon_cheers:
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I potted up some potato pulls a couple of days ago and yesterday to develop roots, ready to graft. I was going to do a blog post so I've taken some pictures. I'm planning on trying a couple of different ways, using grafting clips and also superglue method. All good practice as I've started off some tomato rootstock to have a bit of a play and if all goes well I'll do more next year.
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1, Tuber with shoots =
2, Potato pulls/starts/shoots
3, Individually potted pulls.
Next the grafting.
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Well - I found this odd potato plant and planted a sturdy Arany Alma right next to it. I guess I leave it to establish for a few days, then take a sliver off both stems, hold them together and tape the join?
If all goes well, then sever the potato top and the tomato root.
Could this work? I will read the url later - promise - just a bit short of time right now.
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Ooh....tempted! Only spate tomato I have isn't the strongest beastie. I'll post a pic and see what you think. never done anything like this.
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Right...job done! :icon_cheers:
I had 4 clips handy so I made 4 pomato plants...well, hoping that at least one will work out.
I used this type of method that is described in this video.. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHnOYcI6B44 ..made kind of 'Japanese craft cut'.
All 4 plants are now in GH...under netting to avoid strong sun light...plastic bags place over to maintain high humidity and I left teeny little bit of leaf on each growing point to help the rooting and against wilting and drying off.
My 2 potato crafts are saxon and Russian blue...and those were crafted with Anja and Snowdrop tomatoes...both determinate. I'm hoping them being more bushy type...they might complete their cropping more of 'in one go' (both being shorter season tomatoes ).
Well...fingers crossed now....if they are still alive tomorrow...I'll take some photos and to show what happens....
edit to add...BTW!...that video clip show very handy way using tubing as plant 'clips'... :icon_cheers:
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I did this yesterday ... but I got it the wrong way round putting the top of a potato plant on to tomato rootstock.
:tongue3:
I'm hoping to get underground tomatoes.
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Well - I found this odd potato plant and planted a sturdy Arany Alma right next to it. I guess I leave it to establish for a few days, then take a sliver off both stems, hold them together and tape the join?
If all goes well, then sever the potato top and the tomato root.
Could this work? I will read the url later - promise - just a bit short of time right now.
Yes I'm sure it can work, just what the success rate is I'm not sure. I'd leave it for longer than a couple of days as I don't think healing will have taken place in that time?
I've just used some pinched out suckers as tops, so it will be interested to hear how your little un does using the different method. I'll have a look through and see if I have anything suitable to use and try your method.
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Ooh....tempted! Only spate tomato I have isn't the strongest beastie. I'll post a pic and see what you think. never done anything like this.
As long as the plant is healthy I should think it will be ok, it's the stem size that is important and needs to match up well to give the best chance for the grafts success. I'm using pinched out suckers for my grafts. They grow quite quickly so if you don't have any at the moment you might do soon?
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Right...job done! :icon_cheers:
I had 4 clips handy so I made 4 pomato plants...well, hoping that at least one will work out.
I used this type of method that is described in this video.. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHnOYcI6B44 ..made kind of 'Japanese craft cut'.
All 4 plants are now in GH...under netting to avoid strong sun light...plastic bags place over to maintain high humidity and I left teeny little bit of leaf on each growing point to help the rooting and against wilting and drying off.
My 2 potato crafts are saxon and Russian blue...and those were crafted with Anja and Snowdrop tomatoes...both determinate. I'm hoping them being more bushy type...they might complete their cropping more of 'in one go' (both being shorter season tomatoes ).
Well...fingers crossed now....if they are still alive tomorrow...I'll take some photos and to show what happens....
edit to add...BTW!...that video clip show very handy way using tubing as plant 'clips'... :icon_cheers:
Excellent :icon_cheers:
Interesting choice using determinates, looking forward to the pictures :toothy10:
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I did this yesterday ... but I got it the wrong way round putting the top of a potato plant on to tomato rootstock.
:tongue3:
I'm hoping to get underground tomatoes.
Lol, don't go eating any berries produced!
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Here is one of my 'babies'...still at very tender stage so I didn't dare to disturb them and remove the bag for photo.
This morning good news is that all the cuttings are upright..no drooping tops :icon_cheers:...which shows that at least there is enough humidity in a bag and/or the cuttings get 'watered' by the craft. Btw...I almost 'over watered' the compost..hoping that potato being 'tougher'..it won't upset it and maybe it forces plenty of moisture through the cut surface too to keep cutting going too.
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Interesting choice using determinates
Well...it was mainly because I had best matching (by size) material with those varieties....and then I thought...those 2 varieties being better for outdoor cultivation and potatoes being happiest in ground too..perhaps it will work well?! :icon_cheers:
Should I strike lucky with the cuttings...I shall try growing some in buckets and some planted in ground...like a proper trial :icon_thumleft:
First time I used those clips..I have had them stashed away for some time but never got round to playing with crafting...so I'm pleased you started me on with this.
I'm just looking to get some more.....maybe it will be something I shall do more in future.. :icon_cheers:
Btw..saw some crafted cucumber plants in garden centre....now I wonder what kind of rootstock they've used with those....any ideas?
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Can I offer some tips from having done one of these as a novelty many moons ago for a show entry....
1: If the graft hasn't taken inside a couple of weeks or so then the top is probably going to die, you will still get a potato out of it...
2: Well done on choosing an outdoor tomato, II found my most successful (way back in the day) was VF Roma, an outdoor bush italian...
3: Feed it heavily, you have created a monster to match Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors.
4: You might well have to deal with other potato stalks coming through.... I'd try and remove them you'll get fewer, bigger, potatoes.
5: Feed it some more
6: Don't earth up above the grafting point, I found that if I did it grew basically as a tomato with a rocket up its arse, it watered itself through roots that grew from the tomato stem and just fed off the potato..
7: It still wants feeding
8: No really, get busy with the MiracleGro....
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Can I offer some tips from having done one of these as a novelty many moons ago for a show entry....
1: If the graft hasn't taken inside a week or so the top is probably going to die, you will still get a potato out of it...
Ah yes...nothing wasted :icon_cheers:
...would hate to pay lot of money for pomato plants and then they turn out to be waste of space. At least now I've just used 'stuff' that I already had spare.
So.....Chris....all those 'moons ago'...how did you do with your show entry?
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Btw...anybody looking to buy some grafting clips...you can get 50 for under £3 from ebay, with FREE delivery included... :icon_cheers: ...'good old' Chinese..they sell absolutely anything and everything cheap.
Too good to be true....?...time will tell as I ordered some..don't know what I will need 50 for.. :drunken_smilie:
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Btw...anybody looking to buy some grafting clips...you can get 50 for under £3 from ebay, with FREE delivery included... :icon_cheers: ...'good old' Chinese..they sell absolutely anything and everything cheap.
Too good to be true....?...time will tell as I ordered some..don't know what I will need 50 for.. :drunken_smilie:
Didn't place, Abingdon show back then was quite big (it was nearly 20 years ago)..... it was horrifying how greedy that plant was, and it wasn't massively productive.... wish I had a photo, but the only ones I had also had me in it so I haven't kept any (I used to hate being in pictures and made a serious effort to destroy all the photos in existance of me, I still don't like being photographed but have at least stopped destroying negatives...
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Can I offer some tips from having done one of these as a novelty many moons ago for a show entry....
1: If the graft hasn't taken inside a couple of weeks or so then the top is probably going to die, you will still get a potato out of it...
2: Well done on choosing an outdoor tomato, II found my most successful (way back in the day) was VF Roma, an outdoor bush italian...
3: Feed it heavily, you have created a monster to match Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors.
4: You might well have to deal with other potato stalks coming through.... I'd try and remove them you'll get fewer, bigger, potatoes.
5: Feed it some more
6: Don't earth up above the grafting point, I found that if I did it grew basically as a tomato with a rocket up its arse, it watered itself through roots that grew from the tomato stem and just fed off the potato..
7: It still wants feeding
8: No really, get busy with the MiracleGro....
I was wondering about 'what if the tops get rooted too situation'...would it be advantage in case the potato 'thinks' its done its deed but the tomato would still want to carry on... :drunken_smilie:...'rocket fuelled arse tomato' sounds tempting.. :icon_cheers:
Lol....must remember to make some more fertilizer... :icon_cheers:
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Should my outdoor potato and Arany Alma splice work out, feeding should be no issue as they are right next to a compost dalek and get all the run off and extra warmth too.
Having read how I should have done it, I remembered that I had 2 chitted potates hanging around that somehow didn't get planted. Well, they are planted into pots now for the purpose. One looks like a Sarpo, the other is unknown.
Would the Sarpo base confer any blight resistance? Now that would be a good reason to get good at grafting, rather than just for the novelty.
Thanks Chris for telling us about your experience. Well, before feeding it, the grafts must take!
Is my trusty kitchen devilparing knife up to the job, or should I get a razor blade?
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Interesting choice using determinates
Well...it was mainly because I had best matching (by size) material with those varieties....and then I thought...those 2 varieties being better for outdoor cultivation and potatoes being happiest in ground too..perhaps it will work well?! :icon_cheers:
Should I strike lucky with the cuttings...I shall try growing some in buckets and some planted in ground...like a proper trial :icon_thumleft:
First time I used those clips..I have had them stashed away for some time but never got round to playing with crafting...so I'm pleased you started me on with this.
I'm just looking to get some more.....maybe it will be something I shall do more in future.. :icon_cheers:
Btw..saw some crafted cucumber plants in garden centre....now I wonder what kind of rootstock they've used with those....any ideas?
Looking good :sunny:
I'm glad you are doing determinates as I've mostly got indies available.
Lol, just started you a new thread for rootstock, the link you give is one I'd come across too!
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I was wondering about 'what if the tops get rooted too situation'...would it be advantage in case the potato 'thinks' its done its deed but the tomato would still want to carry on... :drunken_smilie:...'rocket fuelled arse tomato' sounds tempting.. :icon_cheers:
Lol....must remember to make some more fertilizer... :icon_cheers:
I had a look and the growing instructions on T&M site and they say to plant deeply, up to the second leaf on the tomato plant. This would mean the tomato stem also roots and starts to feed and water itself.
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Thanks Chriscross, really helpful info :wave:
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Would the Sarpo base confer any blight resistance? Now that would be a good reason to get good at grafting, rather than just for the novelty.
Is my trusty kitchen devilparing knife up to the job, or should I get a razor blade?
I don't think added blight resistance could come from the roots to the leaves although if blight were to strike I assume any tubers would retain there varieties resistance. An interesting one to ponder!
I think a better cut is achieved with razor and it's what I'll be using but perhaps not necessary?
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1, Tomato suckers of different sizes
2, Matching up stems
3, Graft held in position
4, Hopefully a success!
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I've had my pomato grafts in the airing cupboard inside a plastic box covered with a bin liner to keep up humidity plus I've misted them a couple of times a day. I'm going to place them in shady spot in the poly-tunnel today and fingers crossed they won't curl up and die.
Not much to say really at the moment they look ok, one is droopy and I think unlikely to make it, I may try making a fresh graft with it. The potato rootstock are growing at an amazing pace already roots coming out of the bottom of some pots!
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It is day 4 for the new plants-to-be and all still upright, though still inside 'sealed' plastic bags.
Tomorrow I'm going to 'open' the bags, still keeping them on but allowing some fresh air inside too. I suspect I will then truly know which ones have some hope for their craft unions.
This waiting game is quite exciting.... :toothy10: No..I'm not 'sad' just tad plant mad.. :drunken_smilie: :glasses9:
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It's great fun reading about all this, thanks! Hope you keep posting, with such beautifully clear pictures.
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It's great fun reading about all this, thanks! Hope you keep posting, with such beautifully clear pictures.
Glad you are enjoying our antics! :wave:
I'm finding it helpful having a few people 'graft' together to share progress and ideas :happy7:
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A few of my Pomatoes are really taking off and are growing strongly now. Some are making small progress and several have withered and died. I think the main problem with the failures using grafting clips, has been although I matched the stem size fairly well the potato part had quite a short and thick stem which didn't allow the grafting clip to sit properly? Only one of the super-glued grafts has taken, I don't think my cuts were accurate enough and I was a bit hit and miss with the glue - I'd need more practice to try this method again.
I'm going to have another go with the ones that didn't successfully graft as they have all sent up new potato shoots which I'll use to practice with again.
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2 done with scalpel blade, hands shaking all the time (I'm not cut out for this and need a lot more practice!) - now the wait begins.
I used the method goodlife suggested - making a slanting cut on the tomato stem, then another on the other side, trim the base and insert into a straight slit into the tomato stem. The stems weren't particularly matched, because you are only supposed to use the growing tip of a tomato plant which has a thinner stem. We'll see.
Sorry you had some losses but how good to have a lot of success too! To see them take off and thrive is super. :wave:
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I had first time luck...all 4 took ! :icon_cheers:
I had couple that stems weren't that thick and the clips felt little loose around the stem..so I took some jute string..undid a length to get just one strand of it..tied around the craft joint (yes..very fiddly job) to make it bit thicker and then attached the clip on.
I haven't taken any clips off yet...the plants are looking ok and they haven't really started to put huge amount growth yet so I'm waiting until they are just about to 'burst' the clips before trusting the crafts are strong enough.
I learned my lesson with apple crafts and removing the 'wrapping' too early..... :BangHead:
I didn't make any fancy cuts...just straight forward slanting ones ..tried to make them 'extra slanting' to give as large surface area as possible..
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Good advice on using the bag to raise humidity. Only wish I'd read it before I started. I've made three pomatos, putting brandy wine onto pentland javelin. Unfortunately I started just before it turned really hot and they definitely didn't like the heat. One down, but the other two seem to have survived. I had a long think about which potato/tomato combination to go for and then just used what was on hand. I am interested to see how the performance compares with the normal plants. No feeding for my plants though beyond whats in the soil.
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2 done with scalpel blade, hands shaking all the time (I'm not cut out for this and need a lot more practice!) - now the wait begins.
I used the method goodlife suggested - making a slanting cut on the tomato stem, then another on the other side, trim the base and insert into a straight slit into the tomato stem. The stems weren't particularly matched, because you are only supposed to use the growing tip of a tomato plant which has a thinner stem. We'll see.
Sorry you had some losses but how good to have a lot of success too! To see them take off and thrive is super. :wave:
Got it wrong - no doubt you spotted it - insert straight into the p o t a t o stem.
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Good advice on using the bag to raise humidity. Only wish I'd read it before I started. I've made three pomatos, putting brandy wine onto pentland javelin. Unfortunately I started just before it turned really hot and they definitely didn't like the heat. One down, but the other two seem to have survived. I had a long think about which potato/tomato combination to go for and then just used what was on hand. I am interested to see how the performance compares with the normal plants. No feeding for my plants though beyond whats in the soil.
Excellent :icon_cheers:
I started off using a regular black bin liner and then used a green recycling one to let in some light. When mine were still in intensive care they got a spray mist a couple of times a day too. Sunlight too soon is a sure killer, I lost one plant which was just on the edge of the shady spot I had mine in and it just got a little too much light.
Oops, I haven't really thought it through where I'm going to plant mine, I don't think I'll want to plant them all! I would think they will be quite heavy feeders to support both crops?
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2 done with scalpel blade, hands shaking all the time (I'm not cut out for this and need a lot more practice!) - now the wait begins.
:icon_cheers:
Sorry you had some losses but how good to have a lot of success too! To see them take off and thrive is super.
Thank you :wave:
But in a way the loss of some is good as it's taught me quite a bit, which I hope will be useful for future grafting :drunken_smilie:
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I had first time luck...all 4 took ! :icon_cheers:
I had couple that stems weren't that thick and the clips felt little loose around the stem..so I took some jute string..undid a length to get just one strand of it..tied around the craft joint (yes..very fiddly job) to make it bit thicker and then attached the clip on.
I haven't taken any clips off yet...the plants are looking ok and they haven't really started to put huge amount growth yet so I'm waiting until they are just about to 'burst' the clips before trusting the crafts are strong enough.
I learned my lesson with apple crafts and removing the 'wrapping' too early..... :BangHead:
I didn't make any fancy cuts...just straight forward slanting ones ..tried to make them 'extra slanting' to give as large surface area as possible..
Top grafter, well done you :icon_cheers:
I've left the clips on for the time being too.
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Got it wrong - no doubt you spotted it - insert straight into the p o t a t o stem.
Lol, missed that :happy7:
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Sorry the picture is not very clear, but it is of a graft using super-glue which is just starting to peel away to reveal a rather lumpy looking join!
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Just to say, I'm very much enjoying reading about this, I know nothing about grafting and it's really interesting. Please keep posting your progress, all!
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My plants got little compost and fertilizer dressing on their pots yesterday..they needed FOOD..they were HUNGRY :icon_cheers:
While I was at it...I trimmed all the new potato growth off from the base, removed clips and the string, very carefully indeed.
The crafts have taken nicely though they didn't look that strong yet so I did put the clips back on for time being.
Tops have started to grow nicely now and given a week or so they will definitely need potting on larger or planting outside, maybe both...in buckets and straight into ground.
I'm glad that I had a looked at the crafts more carefully yesterday as the 'heels' where already started to grow over the string..whoopsie..but I managed carefully cut the knots with razorblade and leave the plant intact :icon_cheers:
No flower buds on plants yet...
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Exciting :icon_cheers:
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Update with the progress...
After I gave my plants top dressing with some compost and few chicken pellets...top growth really took off!
With a effect that the potato stem couldn't keep up with the weight of the tops and they were starting to topple over. As the weather have not been that kind of tomatoes being outdoors yet, I re-potted the plants into deep rose pots that allowed me to 'sink' the plants in and hopefully the tomato tops will now soon root in to allow proper support for the top growth.
The same two tomato varieties that I used for the pomato crafts I have growing also with their own roots only and their growth is more and less identical..BUT...with potato as rootstock, one is showing very different 'behaviour'..being much stronger and stockier than other variety !?
I'm planning to get the plants out in the open next week and then the trial really start.. :icon_cheers:
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I think that if you put the graft below the soil level the tomato part will begin to make it's own roots above the potato bit.
I don't know if that would be detrimental to the project at all - but I know with fruit trees on dwarfing rootstocks if you let the graft become covered the dwarfing effect is negated as the fruiting bit of the tree tries to make it's own standard type root system.
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Ah..that's the thing...there is no need to any dwarfing...the whole idea is just to get two different crops from one plant/space.
Actual opposite effect would be ideal situation as good growth, in theory at least, would mean bigger/better crops.
Once you see how the craft behave, it is clear that the tomato have to root as well. Although it has been already mentioned here and I have read it from other sources as well for tomato part of the craft needing being planted bellow soil level...it was slight surprise to see why. Potato stem on its own is just too soft and bendy to able to support the tomato growth. Potato tops are too heavy even for themselves and you see them toppling over when they get bit taller.
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I thought I might have a go with this.
I assume the potato root doesn't have a potato attached to it when the tomato plant is grafted? If it did, the potato would throw up more shoots and then they would cross with the tomato and produce poisonous fruit.
I haven't any grafting clips but will try either super glue or tie it with cotton and put in a stake to give it support.
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Sorry missed your post Pauline.
I took off shoots from the main potato and potted them up http://www.allotments4all.co.uk/smf/index.php/topic,77692.msg788203.html#msg788203 They root and grow very quickly.
I wonder if a peg would work, or one of clips used for orchids/hair? - if you have any.
Even a rooted potato shoot will send up new potato shoots, but not so many as a potato seed tuber. Potatoes and tomatoes won't cross pollinate. The grafted tomato plant will produce edible fruit. The only possible way to have poisonus fruit were if your potato part of the grafted potato/tomato plant goes on to flower and set true potato seed - and these were then eaten. If at all worried should you get potato flowers just cut them off.
Hope your grafting goes well, let us know how you get on :wave:
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Orchid/hair clips like these http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ladies-Black-Plastic-Hairpin-Claws/dp/B009PJ8DF6
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My plants are now growing outside...planted all straight into ground as I'm getting fed up with constant watering already.
I planted the plants quite deep and gave them good feed and thick mulch with old straw and some chopped up comfry :icon_cheers:
I'll access their feeding needs again in couple of weeks time..now all they need is good talking to get the growth going on... :icon_cheers:
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Thanks Jayb.
I had seen your pictures but wasn't 100% sure as the potato was still in your second picture.
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One of my grafts died quite fast, the other has not done anything. Still looking ok but the tomato bit has not grown. I pick off potato shoots every other day and hope. Next year I'll start much earlier and do many more.
Yes I have used pegs - quick scout of what I had available produced plastic pegs. We had several that were old and the spring wasn't very good anymore. I boiled them to get them clean enough. They do hold the graft together successfully and the end also keeps the covering bag from touching against the tomato plant.
The pot sits on capillary matting, the bag covers the pot, but sits loosely on the pot. There are always small beads of moisture inside the bag. Learning curve :wave:
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All this talk of clips has made me feel obliged to offer an alternative. I have used a plastic straw. Somewhere on youtube there was somebody using plastic tubing to connect the two plants and hold them in position. It was in my price range so seemed the best option. I cut the potato stalk diagonally and then slipped over a short piece of plastic straw, and finally pushed in the tomato stalk with matching cut into the other end of the straw. It holds it nicely and seems to work ok. I did a couple more last week when the weather turned cooler.
I have decided to not let the tomato root independently, keeping the graft above ground. It just seems to me that the potato part becomes nonessential if the tomato sends out its own roots. Could that effect the potato yield? We will see. My first plants should be going in the ground this next week. They will be in the greenhouse border though. I suspect we may have another blight year.
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All this talk of clips has made me feel obliged to offer an alternative. I have used a plastic straw. Somewhere on youtube there was somebody using plastic tubing to connect the two plants and hold them in position. It was in my price range so seemed the best option. I cut the potato stalk diagonally and then slipped over a short piece of plastic straw, and finally pushed in the tomato stalk with matching cut into the other end of the straw. It holds it nicely and seems to work ok. I did a couple more last week when the weather turned cooler.
I have decided to not let the tomato root independently, keeping the graft above ground. It just seems to me that the potato part becomes nonessential if the tomato sends out its own roots. Could that effect the potato yield? We will see. My first plants should be going in the ground this next week. They will be in the greenhouse border though. I suspect we may have another blight year.
There is two problems that I can 'see' with 'potato only' rootstock...the one that I already mentioned, potato stems not being strong enough for support the tomato plants weight and I suspect the craft will be in danger of breaking. Other one problem being..potatoes having shorter life span than tomatoes. If tomato top haven't had chance to root on its own..what happens when the potato has had it? With that reasoning I have done totally opposite to your plan...but I will follow our experiments eagerly to see what will happen..we don't learn if we don't try :thumbsup:
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There is two problems that I can 'see' with 'potato only' rootstock...
I suppose part of the reasoning in keeping one root system and one top growth is to see clearly what influence each has. I am hoping the tomato will keep the potato root alive as long as it needs it and the result will be enormous baking potatoes... but we shall see.
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any more pics, reports , i very instrested in this post ty :)
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My plants have been planted outdoors in stock fence cages for few weeks now. I can't tell what is happening...or not, under ground but the tops have put some growth on and plenty of flowers are open too.. :icon_cheers:
I don't know big my tomato tops are supposed to grow..but if they are not going to put much more growth on..those cages might as well come out ...there is 'tons' of room for good jungly plants.. :BangHead:
Hey ho...could be worst...at least they look happy and healthy... :icon_cheers:
Photos to follow later on... :happy7:
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any more info on whats happering did you get any produce etc from them ?.
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My tomato tops decided not to grow that big at all...and although they are quite small they do have some tomatoes on them, some just starting ripen up :icon_cheers: Would I've known how small plants they make, I would have planted them closer spacing and not bothered with huge support cages. Oh well..
I don't know what is happening, if anything, under ground...I will let the tomatoes to finish cropping and then have dig for the roots.
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ty for the update hope you get some potatoes when time to lift them , so at the moment is it worth to time and effort to try and grow them ??.
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Well in the end mine did not make it, but I now own a scalpel and a set of blades for next year. MIL grows most things in pots and she lavishes water and fertiliser on her plants. It would save a lot of space for her to have duals and of course I want to create several for myself too. Next year I will make a proper effort.
Very much looking forward to Jayb's and Goodlife's final reports and evaluations :wave:
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I was a bit late starting mine (making the graft at the end of June) but I have a Sungold - Marfona growing quite nicely. It's first fruit are setting now so I'm hopeful I will get something before the first frost.
Simon
ps. I'll try and add some pictures later
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For what its worth, I thought I'd give an update. To re-cap I tried a brandywine tomato on top of pentland javelin. The first serious problem was that it was a bit of an afterthought, so I ran out of space in the greenhouse to accommodate it. I ended up squeezing it in rather close to the cape gooseberries which have left it in the shade. Anyway, my intention was to keep the tomato part above ground so all the roots were from the potato. The plant had other ideas and sent aerial roots out from the tomato which quickly found the soil. At the moment there are two rather small tomatoes on the plant, disappointing compared to the other plants, which have produced many tomatoes weighing over a pound this year. No idea whether I have potatoes under there, but will have to wait a while for the toms to ripen. Think I will have to give this a more serious attempt next year.
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I harvested the potatoes this week. Time for the pictures:
This plant was a bit of an after thought and I started very late. Only aim was to test the idea and hopefully get some fruit so yield was never an issue for me.
The graft was made late June using a clip bought from eBay. I only tried one plant. The tomato top was a Sungold side shoot and the potato root was a Marfona shoot removed from the parent potato and grown into a small plant of 2 or 3 inches high prior to grafting. The graft was a clean diagonal cut made with a hobby snap knife. This was then covered in polythene and left outside under the shade of a garden bench for a week to heal. The bag was removed and the plant began to grow.
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It was planted into a potato bag with a few marigold companions. The graft was buried by a couple of inches because it is doubtful the potato stem can support the tomato top weight. Also it allows for extra roots to grow along the tomato stem which can only help. It flowered early August at which time a few potato suckers were produced (I snipped these off). The first fruit began to set mid-August.
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And finally the mature plant:
August was not a kind month for growing outdoors thanks to cold wet weather. Thankfully it survived the blight. The first fruit ripened towards the end of September. The mature plant gave a useful crop of tomatoes. Come the end of October blight was beginning to take hold on the top so I called time and harvested the potatoes. Again a useful crop from one plant. I think things would have been much better if I had only started with the graft at least six weeks earlier. Also, two plants per bag looks a possibility.
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I never got round to do the photos!!?? :BangHead:
Well..what can I tell you...? It wasn't totally waste of time and it certainly was interesting experiment. BUT, my decision to use bush tomatoes did work from tomatoes' point of view, they cropped fine, the issue was that I didn't realize how small variety they were. My fault...should have read the packets more carefully. I actually used more of 'dwarf' type rather than 'ordinary' determinate bush. Tops didn't grown any taller than 1 1/2 ft. ...and I spaced the plants too wide thinking they were going to bush out ..they didn't need all the space nor the fancy support cages :BangHead:
And then the potatoes..I'm thinking that the small tops did restrict the growth down bellow...I did get spuds but not very many per plant..but, they were perfectly edible :icon_cheers:
So what did I learn?
1. crafting was quite straight forward
2. perhaps more stronger growing tomato variety if in need larger spud yield OR if still using these really low growing varieties, plant more closely!
I still have one tomato plant alive..signs of blight is there but I just picked few 'clean' tomatoes. They don't taste or look great anymore for being so late in the season but I'm not too picky.
I might do the same craft again next year...but it would be interesting to plant it in quite dense row using normal seed potato spacing and let the plants support each other. Then the space used would really be worth while..providing blight will not spoil the fun.
If my plants would grow in similar fashion next year, yielding similar amounts...I would think of the tomato crop as the 'main' one and any spuds as nice bonus.
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I would like to try this during our coming summer months. Just got to work out how I can grow potatoes in the area reserved for tomatoes (which is fruit fly protected) without adding contamination to the soil.
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Has anyone tried this the other way round? I read somewhere that growing potatoes on tomato roots makes them produce more berries, but does it work?
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sgbfly, thank you for your super photos. I am now definitely determined to give it a better try next year. Both yields were very respectable. Well done :icon_salut: :wave: