garf
Breeder in Training
Posts: 166
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Post by garf on Feb 21, 2012 15:44:17 GMT -5
I planted a red brandywine into a mound in my yard that was a 30 year old mulch pile. This plant literally exploded. It is by far the healthiest plant in my yard.
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Post by tucsontomato on Feb 21, 2012 23:50:38 GMT -5
Do you have a picture of it?  |
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garf
Breeder in Training
Posts: 166
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Post by garf on Feb 23, 2012 13:38:39 GMT -5
There it is. Attachments:
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Post by tucsontomato on Feb 23, 2012 22:13:52 GMT -5
Nice picture Garf-
When did you start it and how big do you think you can get that thing before the Summer heat sets in?
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garf
Breeder in Training
Posts: 166
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Post by garf on Feb 25, 2012 12:05:43 GMT -5
I set it out about 6" and it's been out around 8 weeks. I'd like to see how long it lasts.
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garf
Breeder in Training
Posts: 166
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Post by garf on Mar 16, 2012 16:26:30 GMT -5
The plant has been attacked. It looks like snail damage. Attachments:
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garf
Breeder in Training
Posts: 166
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Post by garf on Mar 16, 2012 20:13:10 GMT -5
I just found and killed 4 huge hornworms.
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stratcat
Tomato Fanatic
Tha Green Bomb!
Neighborhood Pariah
Posts: 422
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Post by stratcat on Mar 16, 2012 20:49:46 GMT -5
Hi, garf. I just saw this and recognized it as hornworm damage. Last year, in my 33rd garden at my house, I had my 1st hormworms. Looking in last year's notes, I see I picked 15 of those nasties. I found out they eat on the fruit, too!  |
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garf
Breeder in Training
Posts: 166
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Post by garf on Mar 17, 2012 13:47:17 GMT -5
In the light of day, I found more damaged tomatoes for a total of 5 so far. I also found some leaf damage, then turned the leaf over to find a small hornworm, which got crushed. Now I need to inspect the plants every day and night.
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stratcat
Tomato Fanatic
Tha Green Bomb!
Neighborhood Pariah
Posts: 422
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Post by stratcat on Mar 17, 2012 14:45:55 GMT -5
Yeah, I was on hornworm patrol 2-3 times/day last summer. I'd even take a flashlight out at the end of the day. Of course, the first tomato they ate on was an experiment that I had to let ripen for seed anyway. The plant was eaten on so much, I may not have had another tomato all season.
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garf
Breeder in Training
Posts: 166
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Post by garf on Mar 21, 2012 15:42:22 GMT -5
I found 2 more hornworms, but very little more damage. If it was earlier in the season, I would use BT.
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garf
Breeder in Training
Posts: 166
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Post by garf on Mar 23, 2012 13:39:17 GMT -5
I am getting the first blush on the red brandywine plant. I hope I can stay ahead of the worms. I haven't used BT on this one.  |
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Post by janeestipular555 on Mar 24, 2012 1:42:51 GMT -5
Brandywine always seems to win the local Tomato contests. It must like cool summers since only the bay area and those in northern short summer areas have good things to say about it!
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garf
Breeder in Training
Posts: 166
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Post by garf on Mar 26, 2012 18:54:29 GMT -5
The first 2 tomatoes from the mulch pile plant. the coin is a quarter.  |
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garf
Breeder in Training
Posts: 166
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Post by garf on Mar 27, 2012 14:04:16 GMT -5
As most of us know, Hornworm hunting is best done at night. As with everything else, proper tools are needed. The first item is whatever eyewear that allows you to see well up close. The second item is a STRONG flashlight. I have a large number of flashlights, so it was just a matter of selecting the best one for the job. It turns out the best one for the job is an oddball I picked up from our favorite auction site. It has 128 low power LED's and lights up my entire living room at night.   |
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