Print Page - How do they do it?

Title: How do they do it?
Post by: Svengali on April 12, 2006, 10:45:35

I started off my tomatoes this year - as I thought - dangerously early, determined to get a head start. I started them off in a heated propagator, and then gave them full light in a heated greenhouse. The best plants are about 3" high at the moment, while some have barely started.
Yesterday I dropped into B&Q, to be met with row upon row of sturdy 9" tall tomato plants!
What do they know that I don't? How do they get their plants ready so early?
Going to the greenhouse now to have VERY strong words with my delinquents!

JeremyB

Title: Re: How do they do it?
Post by: sandersj89 on April 12, 2006, 11:05:29

They have fully computer controller environments with artificial light and heat.

Trouble is Jo Public wander in and buy them and plonk them in a cold greenhouse or even outside and the stress stopps the plants for a week or two while ours catch up!

;)

Jerry

Title: Re: How do they do it?
Post by: Curryandchips on April 12, 2006, 11:50:50

Yes, they will all catch up with each other in a few weeks ...

Title: Re: How do they do it?
Post by: David R on April 12, 2006, 11:54:49

they may even have been shipped half way round the globe having been germinated and grown under the conditions Jerry describes.

Its still very early in the season, dont worry.

Title: Re: How do they do it?
Post by: RSJK on April 12, 2006, 20:11:56

QuoteYesterday I dropped into B&Q, to be met with row upon row of sturdy 9" tall tomato plants!
What do they know that I don't? How do they get their plants ready so early?

Give them two or three days Svengali I can assure you they will not look that good at B&Q for long, they tend to forget that they need things such as water to keep them looking good. Another thing not one of there staff probably do not know how to grow the things so they should NOT be selling them.

Title: Re: How do they do it?
Post by: Jitterbug on April 12, 2006, 21:14:20

I saw the same thing at Stewarts the other day and was really miserable. :-\ My tumbling toms are just sitting there sulking but the others like marmade, Harbinger and San Marzano just keeled over and died an early death (they seemed to have rotted just above the soil :'(. Now I've had to quickly scrabble around and plant another round and hope I'm not too late.

That will teach me for sowing them far too early. Lesson hard learn't.

Jitterbug

Title: Re: How do they do it?
Post by: Ricado on April 12, 2006, 21:46:35

my toms at work are now all over 2ft tall, and some about 21/2ft, sown between christmas and new yr, and kept in heated greenhouses. Ive 60 plants red, yellow, plum, beefsteak, bush and normal cordons. But sungold are by far the best tomato in my view, gardeners delight doesnt even compare.

Title: Re: How do they do it?
Post by: kitty on April 13, 2006, 21:19:48

i hate b&q.

i mean..i really hate b&q..i would rather poke my eyes out with a rusty spoon than shop there.............

>:(kitty

Title: Re: How do they do it?
Post by: busy_lizzie on April 14, 2006, 09:39:57

B&Q should be "had" up for cruelty against plants. Every year when we go they have enormous amounts of rotting bedding plants on display. It is true the staff don't seem to know how to look after them. busy_lizzie

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Produce => Edible Plants => Topic started by: Svengali on April 12, 2006, 10:45:35