Two Winter Micro Dwarfs

[Growing Coastal]

I started these two just after Xmas at the new moon.
Noticed that the Lil Lise already has a fruit forming. She is the smaller plant of the two. I grew them before and I know that they both stay short. By the time they are too big for the plant table it should be warm enough to put them out under light in the garage. And later, in hanging baskets on the clothes line.



Breaking nicely under led lights plus window sun (what little there has been!). We had something like 67 days with rain on each day. Having lights on in the house helped dispell the darkness of those days.





These both make good tasting, cherry sized fruit.

[GoDawgs]

Pretty little plants!

Dec 26th - "Plant sweet corn, beans, peppers and other above ground crops where climate is suitable..."

Do you grow by the moon too? I've been doing it for about three years now and things have been good enough that now I'm afraid to not use it!

[Growing Coastal]

I plant by the moon only if convenient. I argue with a friend who swears by it with the thought that the seed will remain as is in the soil until it is happy with the moon's state if that is what it requires.

[Banadoura]

These plants look beautiful!

Can you share the following info:

When do you start fertilizing and how much?

Thanks

[Growing Coastal]

Hi Banadoura.
They are great little plants to grow and were fun to watch during winter months.
I start fertilizing when the seed mix has run out of feed which is pretty soon after they come up, just as they start to look a bit pale. I used a mild fertilizer, about 1/2 strength fish fertilizer 1 x/week. When big enough I potted them up into a soil mix that is richer than seed starter.
They are looking nice and green but I see a bottom leaf on each plant yellowing so I am going to start feeding again and give them a little epsom salts drink too. The micro dwarfs have such dense foliage that they won't miss the odd leaf. Actually, I remember taking out some leaves to allow for air circulation the one year I grew them outside. Now that they are in full bloom and fruiting I will change the fertilizer to a lower nitrogen and higher P and K but still at 1/2 strength, weekly.

[MissS]

I love your plants and what a nice thread.

[Growing Coastal]

Thanks Patti.
It is a simple, fun project that helped dispell the winter gloom. Soon they will have to go out into a setup in the carport to make room for seedlings. I hope they won't be too shocked.

Fruit is coming along nicely on both plants.




I think they are almost at max height now. I chose these two because I know they remain short.

[Growing Coastal]

I love your plants and what a nice thread.

I'm afraid I put it in the wrong place as it is neither a breeding or crossing project!

[MissS]

I love your plants and what a nice thread.

I'm afraid I put it in the wrong place as it is neither a breeding or crossing project!

Would you like me to move it? I can do that for you. Just tell me where you would like it. I think it's okay here though.

[HL2601]

Your plants are great looking! They must make you feel very happy!

[Growing Coastal]

Yes indeed HL. A happy-making winter project.

Fruit started blushing last week.




Yesterday I picked one from each and had them with dinner. I thought Lil Lise had slightly better flavour and Vilma a slightly tougher skin. But that's only the 1st fruits which are not always the best, I've read. For me the 1st fruit of any tomato are the best after not having any for so long.



Lots more to come. Three more Lil Lise are blushing. There may be others I haven't found yet in the dense foliage.

[bower]

Those look great. Just planting some Red Dwarf micro today. In case it's a Ragnarok summer here.

[Greatgardens]

Nice photos and nice looking plants.
What size pots are you using?

[Growing Coastal]

These pots are smaller than one gallon but a little larger than a 6" pot. And yes, the plants are looking good though they've lost some bottom leaves due to lack of fertilizer and maybe dryness but have filled in nicely from breaks. These micros are very dense with many leaves that sometimes hide the fruit.

[HL2601]

I agree with your tasting note-ANY homegrown micro brings far more joy than a supermarket tomato. Growing micros in the winter is a good way to stay sane and to serve petite capreses as a delicacy, Your plants are beautiful! Think about joining Sean and Dan's micro project over at Tomatotalk. It is fun!

[Growing Coastal]

The number of tomatoes is impressive for such little plants. I had enough to top a pizza with fresh slices this week.

[AKgardener]

glad to see Im not the only one who grows micro's I grow then in the winter I have so many varity's as soon and as the new one's germinate I will post pictures. Im staring the curly kaley right now my husbands favorite is the vilmas.. I have so far 37 varitys of mirco drawfs they are fun to grow..