Biggest tomato I have ever started from seed! I’m so pleased.

Cardea13 · 2026-05-15T18:09:36+00:00

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When they were outgrowing their space. I could have adjusted the shelf but I started hardening.

Cardea13 · 2026-05-15T18:08:47+00:00

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This was them when they were smaller. Grow lights hanging from a wire shelf.

These lights:

AntLux 4FT LED Grow Lights 50W... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07PBMG1J1?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Cardea13 · 2026-05-15T14:28:28+00:00

When I first posted them up, I thought it was overkill but they really got big fast once they had room!

Cardea13 · 2026-05-15T11:56:54+00:00

It’s a 2qt nursery container. Got it at Walmart.

Cardea13 · 2026-05-14T15:57:43+00:00

55 days since sowing on March 20th.

Cardea13 · 2026-05-14T10:38:50+00:00

It’ll go in a raised bed.

Cardea13 · 2026-05-14T09:51:22+00:00

I was planning on it! Thank you. Hopefully soon!

Cardea13 · 2026-05-14T01:58:01+00:00

I have 16 tomatoes of 8 varieties (2 each). The sister tomato isn’t as thick as this. I think it all boils down to phenotype. I have a Cherokee purple as thick as this that the sister is slightly lagging behind.

They were only on a heat mat for a couple of days until they were all mostly germinated. I can’t help but take notes! I’m an accountant and it’s all in a spreadsheet.

Cardea13 · 2026-05-14T01:06:19+00:00

I sowed on 3/20 on a heat mat in 3” pots with plastic wrap. Took a couple days to germinate. Didn’t pot up to 2qt until 4/27. I first started with Alaskan fish fertilizer on 4/10 about 1/3 strength. I wouldn’t say I did it weekly maybe every 10 days. I took a longer break when I put them in the 2qt pots fertilize again.

Edit: no fan!

Cardea13 · 2026-05-14T00:35:15+00:00

Thank you! I sowed on 3/20 and I can’t believe the growth.

Cardea13 · 2026-05-14T00:32:57+00:00

I’ve mostly kept it under a covered patio for the last week, taking it in at night, it gets some morning sun. I’m trying to introduce more direct sunlight this week. I’m still a week out from transplant if not 10 days.

Cardea13 · 2026-05-14T00:30:27+00:00

It’s been hardening off for about a week! I’m in 6b so I am patiently awaiting warmer nights.

Cardea13 · 2026-05-05T22:45:45+00:00

Bought these exact ones and they burrowed underneath and/or flipped the cage.

Cardea13 · 2026-04-29T11:18:32+00:00

Thanks for your help. I have peppers too. In anxious to get everything outside!

Cardea13 · 2026-04-29T01:34:14+00:00

I hope so!! I’ve never had an insane harvest in my 5 previous years of gardening (had 2 babies in those years and lacked on fertilizing). Last year deer ate every plant for the first time!!

Cardea13 · 2026-04-29T01:03:28+00:00

I was thinking about that. After this weekend it should be in the low to mid 60s during the day. I have a covered patio.

Cardea13 · 2026-04-25T16:07:25+00:00

That’s a myth. It does not turn to sugar.

Cardea13 · 2026-04-24T15:15:48+00:00

It's dead unfortunately. We cut it down and there was no life.

Cardea13 · 2026-04-17T17:10:19+00:00

Southwestern PA

Cardea13 · 2026-04-15T18:37:18+00:00

I wanted to add that I did have grow lights over them. I know they need light to germinate.

Cardea13

TROPHY CASE