Day 66
UPDATE#14
Grower update
Update #14
Actions taken
HarvestPicked and ate several newly ripened tomatoes.
Several tomatoes already ripened and were promptly popped into my mouth. Some might make it into a salad.
GrowLog
SuccessfulVeranda Red Tomatoes Produced despite Cool Indoor Temperatures
Grow log by Sher · Original thread
14 visual updates18 photos39 replies
View recapCrop🍅Tomato
VarietyVeranda Red
MethodAeroGarden hydroponics, temperature comparison
EquipmentAeroGarden units in warm and cool household locations
Plants2
AudienceAdvanced
What you can learnA strong informal temperature trial showing effects on plant form, fruit set, fruit size, ripening, and flavour.
Actions:2 Harvest1 Pruning
Useful practices
- thinning to one plant per pod
- comparing warmer and cooler microclimates
- allowing imperfect plants to continue fruiting
- harvesting and taste-testing ripe tomatoes
Problems encountered
- cool indoor temperatures
- spindly growth in the cooler location
- poor early fruit set
- smaller fruit
- hard-to-reach canopy
*The days were calculated automatically and approximately.
Conversation
S
LOL
Day 62
UPDATE#13
Grower update
Update #13
Actions taken
HarvestHarvested and ate two ripe Veranda Red tomatoes.
I have two tomatoes (one on each plant) that have tomatoes as large as the last time I grew Veranda Reds. I popped two of the tomatoes in my mouth tonight, and they were as good as I remembered. Mostly sweet with a little tomato tang.
Conversation
L
Your Veranda Reds look fabulous, Sher! Both of my plants have a few tomatoes developing, but they're growing slowly.My AG Golden Harvest plants are loaded with tomatoes that are ripening very slowly. I need to try the suggestion about putting something around the garden to hold in heat.
S
They look wonderful Sher!
S
Thank you lynnee and Shawn!
Day 58
UPDATE#12
Grower update
Update #12
First ripe one! The tomatoes are a lot smaller than the Veranda Reds I grew previously, due to the colder temperatures these are growing in. But I am very happy to see them ripening anyway.
Conversation
L
One of my Veranda Reds has tiny tomatoes on it!
S
I hope yours grow as big -- or bigger -- than my previous grow did, lynnee. I will be watching.
Day 47
UPDATE#11
Grower update
Update #11
Mine look about the same as the last photos. But they both are putting on more tomatoes.
Conversation
C
They look yummy!
L
The Veranda Reds are growing in such a civilized way. One of my VR plants is about to flower. The VRs don't produce a thick canopy of leaves like the AG tomatoes do, and I love them for it. What do your VRs taste like? High or low acid?
C
I haven't yet grown them, but they are on the list!
S
lynnee, I am embarrassed to say I don't remember how they taste. I just remember that they were prolific and that I really liked them.
L
"Really liked them" translates to "they taste good", I think.
Day 42
UPDATE#10
Grower update
Update #10
The spindly plants that are too cool are still producing tomatoes. The other one desperately needs a canopy trim, but it is in a hard to reach spot, so I am pretty much letting it do its own thing.
Conversation
L
Nice photos, Sher. I'm happy to report that my larger Veranda Red is beginning to produce flowers. The other one has started to grow again in its new location. Neither is worth photographing right now, but it looks like I will have red tomatoes to go with the Golden Harvests after all. 😀
C
Congrats to both of you, Sher and lynnee!
S
lynnee, I am so glad they are doing better!
Day 37
UPDATE#9
Grower update
Update #9
This shows the difference temperatures make in my house. The first photo is in a semi enclosed corner with other Aerogardens where it stays warmer. The second is in a cooler, open area.
Conversation
L
Those photos are fascinating, Sher. Watching what the plants do in slightly different situations is what makes AGs (and this forum) so much fun.
Day 37
UPDATE#8
Grower update
Update #8
I am keeping the house cooler this year and it appears to be too cool for tomatoes to thrive. There are lots of flowers, but they are not setting much fruit. If they fail to produce more, I will replace them with romaine.
Conversation
L
You may have answered the question of why my Red Verandas aren't thriving. They're growing, but very slowly. The oldest RV is about to produce its first set of flowers, but it's far behind yours. Probably the house has been too cold--or else the plants react the same way that I do to daytime temperatures that go up and down dramatically in the Spring and Fall.
E
If you have a closet, or book case, or something with at least three sides that you can put the AG on/in - that seems to trap the heat from the light enough for tomato plants to fruit even with our cooler house temperatures.
L
I'll see what I can figure out. That's a great suggestion.
S
I agree with ERR0R1755 . The tomatoes in a Harvest in the corner with several other machines, surrounded by a room divider, are doing better. I also have my peppers that like hot weather there.
Day 31
UPDATE#7
Grower update
Update #7
Two little tomatoes off to a great start!
Conversation
C
Wow, I'll say! And I see a lot more coming too!
S
So cute at this stage. THen they get red and bright
Day 27
UPDATE#6
Grower update
Update #6
I love watching these grow. It never gets old.
Day 21
UPDATE#5
Grower update
Update #5
They are growing like weeds and starting to put on flowers.
Conversation
C
Woo hoo!
Day 13
UPDATE#4
Grower update
Update #4
They are on a growth spurt now!
Day 7
UPDATE#3
Grower update
Update #3
These are growing fast. Soon I will move one to another machine.
Conversation
C
Beautiful! It is funny how something so small and delicate can bring such joy!
Day 3
UPDATE#2
Grower update
Update #2
Actions taken
PruningReduced each pod to a single seedling.
I just thinned them down to one per pod. They all have their first true leaves.
Conversation
L
I ordered some Veranda Red seed, because you said it was your favorite, so I'll be watching your garden grow. If the seed arrives in time, I'll add some to the tomato garden that I just planted. 🙂
S
That would be so much fun, lynnee!
Day 1
UPDATE#1
Grower update
Update #1
These are finally up. I will probably move one to another machine when they get a little bigger.