Re: [tomato] An interesting question....at least for me...
Orchid (Tomato@GlobalGarden.com)
Thu, 11 Mar 1999 10:06:24 -0500
>If we can slow down the plant's metabolism by keeping it cool, we can
>thwart the tendency toward spindly growth
Ahhhh, so what you are saying is, that the tomato plant doesn't require
lower temperatures, the lower temps are suggested as a way to prevent leggy
plants. But if we immediately put the seedlings under grow lights, do we
still need to lower temperatures?
Pete, Zone 10, South Florida
-----Original Message-----
From: ChuckWyatt/Md/Z7 <ChuckWyatt@compuserve.com>
To: INTERNET:Tomato@GlobalGarden.com <Tomato@GlobalGarden.com>
Date: Thursday, March 11, 1999 3:13 AM
Subject: Re: [tomato] An interesting question....at least for me...
>The native tomato is a tiny berry that would hardly be recognized as a
>tomato. It is native to Central America and there are still cultivars
>there that are a different family although they are notorious for crossing
>with modern varieties. Modern varieties are Lycopersicon Lycopersicum
>while the native Brazilians are Lycopersicon Pimpinelifolium and I won't
>even try to grow them for fear of crossing with my heirlooms. These
>landraces are far removed from the Lycopersicum.
>
>The seed needs temps of about 70 to 85 degrees for germination and if it
>were grown in full sunlight for 10- 12 hours per day, as it would in open
>fields of Central America, it would undoubtedly do well under those
>conditions. We are starting seedlings under considerable less light than
>that and as a result the plant tends to stretch toward the light it does
>get, just as it would try to escape the undergrowth under jungle
>conditions.
>
>If we can slow down the plant's metabolism by keeping it cool, we can
>thwart the tendency toward spindly growth. Holding back on the water is
>also helpful. It's not such an oxymoron, is it?
>
>Chuck Wyatt
>