TOMATO TRIAGE

I received a sorrowful tomato tale from a tomato growing friend.  In the process of planting in a complicated area, the main stem had broken.  It was a variety she was looking forward to trying--her lament was that it was probably a "goner".  Not necessarily said the lady who believes in the cup always being half full.

When we moved here in '78, I had the good fortune of being introduced to a lady who had a large greenhouse and was developing a fresh tomato market to serve a Mexican restaurant and hopefully develop accounts with the assisted living facilities.  I helped Marge whenever I could, she was still working full time, but we were also establishing 80 acres that hadn't been previously farmed.  I valued the growing experience with her and all I was learning but I really wanted to help her develop the marketing.

As the market developed and as the plants started reaching maturity Marge realized she needed back-up plants and to start again from seed would take too long.  She decided that as the plants started to wane, she would cut about 5 inches off the top, remove the leaves at the bottom of the cutting and propagate the stem in seeding mix.  The operation was pretty low-key with little technical knowledge but roots did develop.  Her love of tomato growing and the challenge of a harvest late in the year kept her going.  The late harvest never came to fruition mainly due to lack of sunshine and heat.  The thought was also discussed that you could pinch out the suckers earlier than topping the plant and root them.  The Master Plan was a day late and a dollar short and the following spring Marge retired and moved out of state to be closer to family.

I shared the possibility of rooting the broken top of the plant with my friend.  The remaining plant that is in the ground, if trimmed down to the next leaf bud will probably develop a new main stem.  It is early enough in the season that all should go well and she will get two plants for the price of one!

Here's a thought and a challenge.  For those who have a greenhouse or hot house,  take a 5 inch cutting from a tomato plant and root it either in seed starting mix or in water using a dark bottle .  At least 2 inches of stem needs to be submerged in water.  Put the bottle in indirect sunlight and before long you should see roots emerging.

Maybe with some good management and luck, we could extend our tomato season in a controlled  atmosphere.  Cherry tomatoes and early maturing varieties like Early Girl or Siletz, an OSU variety might be worth a try.

If the recent high winds whipped your plants around enough to cause breakage, you might think of the rooting  method.

Don't forget to check out the Gardening: Get Good At It --Colchicum: the Autumn Crocus segment Tuesday June 25 on KPOV 88.9 FM "The Point" between 9-9:30 am