Day 82
UPDATE#5
Grower update
Update #5
Actions taken
HarvestPicked or tasted the first ripe Chibikko and judged it superb.
The Chibikkos are loaded. I found a ripe one today and it was superb!
GrowLog
SuccessfulChibikko Tomatoes Transplanted Outdoors for a Long Productive Season
Grow log by Sher · Original thread
5 visual updates8 photos18 replies
View recapCrop🍅Tomato
VarietyChibikko
MethodAeroGarden seed starting
EquipmentAeroGarden Harvest
Plants-
AudienceExperimental
What you can learnA valuable indoor-start-to-outdoor diary showing transplant recovery, cold damage, mature plant size, flavour, productivity, and seed-saving potential.
Actions:1 Finished1 Transplant1 Pruning1 Harvest
Useful practices
- hardening seedlings on a deck
- planting pods and all outdoors
- removing cold-damaged leaves
- saving open-pollinated seed
- continuing harvest into late autumn
Problems encountered
- deformed new growth after transplant
- cold damage in the mid-30s Fahrenheit
- plant size unsuitable for a regular AeroGarden
- thick tomato skins
*The days were calculated automatically and approximately.
Conversation
S
They are cute. The last pic looks like tiny watermelons LOL
S
They are big for cherry tomatoes. And since you pointed it out, they DO look like tiny watermelons!
S
The chibikkos turned out to be delicious. A little thick skinned, but a perfect blend of sweet and tart. They are very prolific. Ron pops them into his mouth by the bowlful! I will grow these again.
S
If I create a Post, will you add your review of them to it?
S
Yes, but these were grown outside. I doubt that they would fit in a regular Aerogarden. Let me know if you still want me to review them.
S
The chibikkos on the deck are still sporadically producing a few tomatoes here and there. It dawned on me that, had I taken a cutting as soon as the plant matured, then taken a cutting of the second one when it matured, I would probably be giving tomatoes to my neighbors -- instead of holding my breath waiting for the next straggler to ripen!
S
I have still been getting a handful of tomatoes a week from these. I think the 6 I picked today will be the last because the bush is pretty dead. I have seeds started and am considering planting one in the rain tower -- or maybe a Bounty. That may be a challenge since these grow big and sprawl all over the place. I guess thd worst thing that could happen is I might have to remove it if it becomes unmanageable. It will definitely get rigorously pruned. Since they grow so slowly, it may be a while before they are ready to transplant.
Day 55
UPDATE#4
Grower update
Update #4
Actions taken
PruningRemoved leaves whitened by two cold nights.
I planned to pull the Chibikkos up, but decided to wait and see what they would do. They recovered and started doing well. Then they were hit by two nights in the mid 30's. Some of the leaves turned white, so I removed them. Now they are bushy and 24" tall, so I definitely would not want to grow them in a Bounty, although they might could be pruned to fit. And they are just now starting to put on tomatoes. @cornne, since I promised you seeds, I wanted to update you. You are still welcome to seeds when they are ready if you want them, but I will not grow these again.
Conversation
A
So glad they could be salvaged! Too bad about the variety, though. :(
Day 13
UPDATE#3
Grower update
Update #3
These tomatoes are not doing well. The new growth is deformed. I plan to pull them before anything can spread. Sorry, Corinne.
Day 7
UPDATE#2
Grower update
Update #2
Actions taken
TransplantMoved the tomatoes into outdoor ground or containers.
The weather finally cooperated, so the Chibikkos made it into the ground today. I was not going to plant the smallest one, but Ron really wanted me to save the runt.
Day 1
UPDATE#1
Grower update
Update #1
Actions taken
FinishedPlaced the seedlings on the deck to acclimate them before planting.
I started these in the Harvest to plant outside. I am hardening them off on the deck, and will plant them, pod and all, next week in containers. These tomatoes are a grayer color than others I've grown. They were my freebie seeds from Renaissance. Very crowded daylilies and azaleas (and a dandelion) in the background. I am one of those weird people who loves dandelions. Their little wild faces make me so happy!
Conversation
U
everything looks so green and fresh! I wish we had warmer weather here..it has felt like in the low 30's for a few days, and another rainy day tomorrow.
S
I feel for you. Usually I feel like spring will never come. This year I feel like we never had winter. And that is not necessarily a good thing. Soon....
S
They sure do look great
U
I see this is one of the free seeds Renaissance sent along with an order I am following this and perhaps it will make a nice future product.
S
Corinne, I plan to save some seeds. They are open pollinated so the seeds should produce plants like the parent. If the plants produce good tomatoes, I can send you some of the seeds. We'll wait and see!
U
Thanks so much, Sher . Wishing this project good success and following.