Despite beautiful sunshine, it's way too wet to do anything but cleanup today. So, I'm taking this time to show you some of the differences in some of my seedlings. All seedlings in these four pics were planted the same day, 2/22/05. First pic, 3 seedlings in cups:
This photo is the top of my Tomato Kit brugs, also planted 02/22/05, the same day the three cup brugs in the first photo were planted:
This photo is of a couple of the cup seedlings and a group of the Tomato Kit seedlings, all planted 02/22/05. Are they about as dramatically different as can be, or are my eyes deceiving me??:
This message was edited Apr 30, 2005 4:51 PM
None of these are good pics, camera bat-tree died, and with Lefty, I could not get in a good position to get the best shots and, I stepped right on the top of one of my Upees, so I quit. The final photo is of a side view of the Tomato Kit brugs:
sherry, wowie, you are right! dramatically different! none of my brug babies look anything that good. my best one became a salad to a really plump caterpillar!!!
BTW, I'm not good on Ys in young seedlings, but the seedling closest to the camera in the final photo looks like it has a triple Y. I'm sure it's not, but I thought I'd throw that out to see what you think...
Sherry, Are these the Tomato Success Kits that I read about from Gardener's Supply, and if so, did you use the "tomato booster" that comes with the kits? The reason I'm asking is that I had been wondering in the past if brugs would repond well (i.e. extra well) to the same fertilizer and micro-nutrient combo that tomatoes do if they are both solanaceae? I'm curious if that might have something to do with the difference I see in your seedlings. Thanks, Sherry.
Sherry, they look great. I'm going to have to look into these tomato kits.
Yes, Jackie, they are the Gardner's Supply tomato kits. I had a late sprouting seedling bloom within a few months, last year, so I loaded the tomato kits up again this year and, IMO, their progress is amazing. I used the kit as it arrived from Gardner's supply and only fertilized once, I believe, 1/2 cup, per kit. I would like to have a few Ys before I separate them, which I plan to do within the next two weeks - then, they will go in the ground and I'll put another batch of seedlings in the kits. The seedlings in the cups have had nothing but Messengers. I'm also learning that in my area, it appears that the brugs can be grown more successfully in almost complete shade, as I'm growing the seedlings in the tomato kits (in complete shade), we call them the Jack in the Beanstalk seedlings, the leaves as big as a frying pan. The seedlings in the white cups receive morning sun. The tomatoes we grew in the kits did not compare to the brug seedlings. I have the tomato booster, but I forgot to use it. I will do that on some of them this year to see how it works. Have you used the tomato success kits???
Sherry, you are so funny with your "loading up the kits again," I love it!
No, I 've not tried, but I was looking at them very seriously, and now that I've read your "testimonial," I think that I will have to get a few. They will be more than worth their cost if the progress is like this. I think you're really on to something here, Sherry.
From my experience, most container grown seedlings like the indirect light as opposed to more sun too.
If I plant them out with the intention of direct sun, I get them used to it slowly.
I had a Dr. Suess last year that hung on, but didn't perform handstands in only a little more than half day sun. My other 3 brugs that only got a few hours in the early morning or later afternoon did much better, and I'm pretty far north.
Thanks so much Sherry, and keep us posted on these babies.
Jackie, my use of the tomato kits was not taken kindly by some, I was told that I should do it the old fashioned way and forget the kits and instant gratification. I thought the whole thing was very funny and I enjoyed the banter. I was a bit concerned about the the seedlings not coming untangled when I separated them, but, you know what??? They appeared to love the untangling and several Yed almost instantly. I was also concerned about contamination among the seedlings, so I added H2o2 to their water and, maybe I was just lucky, but it turned out great. The best thing of all was the tree frogs! They made the water reservoir their home, and when I'd go out to water up, upon the first squirt, they would all hop out and wait until I finished and hop back in for a bath before bed. They were pretty cute and I hope they return this year!!
Hey Sherry, If I was a zone 9-10, I could learn to be "patient" too, but alas, I live in one of the snow capitals of the world with only a guaranteed 5 month outdoor growing season. I have to go for the gusto.
The H2O2 is also helpful, I've been doing alot of reading regarding the many benefits of the stuff. It even whitens teeth better than those strips LOL
I tried that this year with several transplants, and those that had the peroxide boost seemed to do better.
I just love the tree frog story... too cute. Nature and its ability to adapt is a constant source of entertainment and wonder. I really hope they return for a stay at Sherry's Spa this year! I know I wouldn't mind a week or two with you myself!
It's very funny about the tomato kits. I live in the Mississippi Delta, some of the most prized farm land in the country. But, when my neighbors and pals saw my brugs in the tomato kits last year, the rush was on, my son has 4, my hubby's mom, 92, just had 2 delivered today. The neighbor behind me is taking a medication that keeps her outta the sun, but she wanted a garden, so she ordered kits. My MD pal broke his ankle, like me, and bought kits. Mind you, in the beginning, they all pooh poohed my plastic garden, lol, until they saw the results. When I saw the simplicity of the system work, I realized I was doing too much to my brugs, as well as giving them too much sun. Brugs, IMO, are fascinating anyway, but when you see them grow in a kit, it's almost impossible to believe, unless, of course, you live in one of those magic zones................thanks, Jackie, for your posts!!!
Sherry , stake those baby brugs asap so they grow straight .
Thanks, Scoot!!!!!! They got blown almost to kingdom come in a storm night before last, and yesterday was so cold and soggy that it was impossible to get much done. Today looks beautiful, and chilly, impossible to believe it's May Day...
Ohhhhh. Sherry, did you feel the earthquake about 7 AM??
The center was in west of Blythville, AR but we felt it way over here!!
I crawled out of bed and sat down at my computer to wake up, a few minutes later we had "earth tremors", or a slight earthquake. Computer monitor shaking like someone "big" had bumped into my desk and the lampshades just dancing.
If DH hadn't been sitting near and experienced this with me I would have thought I was dreaming.
What a way to start the day!!!
Judy
I hope it was just a minor one and caused no damage to anyone at or near Blythville. I've heard reports that the Midwest is going to have a big one before long. I believe they said it would be along the New Madrid fault.
This is the 3rd one we've had in the last 4 months. The first one was scary because the house shook and popped, although there was no appearent damage. The center of this one was on the New Madrid Fault.
Judy
Well, that is getting scary. Seems each time that one burbs it gets louder.
OK OK OK....Where can I get this kit????? Where I say, Where lolol! Please tell me the whole name I should ask for and where to find it? Is it online or in a store, if so which? I gotta try this Sherry, your plants look outstanding!
Julie
My word, Judy, is that what waked me up this am??? I had no idea it was an earthquake. I don't think it's fair to have tornadoes and earthquakes, whew!!!
Wow, Julie, the 'outstanding' part is the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me, thanks!!! Ours are from Gardners' Supply and I'm pretty sure you can Google for Tomato Success Kit and the addy will pop up. The Gardners' Supply Kit has everything I used. Last year I didn't use the metal trellis, but when I put my second batch in this year, I will use the trellis. My son says the Gardners' Supply kit is the best buy, but I have NOT checked that out. You will need the soil, the fertilizer, the plastic box and the trellis. I would only order one, see how you like it. I put six in this year, only four last year. Don't know yet how these will 'pull apart' and transplant, but I had no problem last year. I used a drop of H2o2 in the water, thinking it might prevent problems and keep the seedlings extra clean. Whatever I did worked and, as you can see, I'm off to a pretty good start this year. PLEASE let me know if you do it and if it works. Between the bubbler and the tomato kits, I'm a pretty happy gardner this year. GOOD LUCK!!
Sherry, it is amazing and theseedlings could not possibly look any better than they do.
My word, you all are just so nice, thank you so much BrugNanny. Do let me say that there could be drawbacks that I have not run into yet. I have to get them out of the kits to transplant and there will be a bazillion roots to pull apart. After I get one out, it goes immediately to its hole, with good dirt and SuperThrive soaking the dirt. Last year, they didn't miss a beat. Also, last year I didn't put them in the tomato kits until after Father's Day and my seedling bloomed 3 1/2 months after it was sprouted. I planned for that seedling to bloom quickly this season, but it was damaged and frozen back, as if it had been in the garden all winter. Oh, well.
I ditto Brugnanny, couldn't look any better than they do for sure! When I say 'outstanding' I do mean it, you deserve a big pat on the back for such an awesome job you're doing with your seedlings.
I do want to try this method. Now...gotta talk or ummm bat my eye's alittle to get one special someone to maybe get it for me for say, hmmmmmmmm 'Mother's Day'???? LOL Whatcha think? It's usually a whole lotta dirt, I call it 'special dirt' LOL ...my family thinks I've lost it! They just don't understand.
Maw maw used to say, plant it, pray over it, and whether it lives or dies, it's a good a spot as any to do both! She was adorable, God bless her soul :-)
Julie
