EarthBox Forum
EarthBox Chat => Questions and Answers => Topic started by: EarthBoxAdmin on July 13, 2017, 11:49:12 am
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Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Jr. Member, jenny168. This was originally posted on March 13, 2013.
Hi,
Grafted tomatoes, peppers an eggplant by this Mighty Mato is getting a lot of press just in the last couple days in Los Angeles. They are going to be sold at many of the major gardens centers around town. I wondered if anyone has tried them in the Earthbox and what your experience has been? I am always open to trying new things, especially when they say production is 4 to 5 times greater. Also, I wondered if the rootball is much bigger so that two tomatoes in an Earthbox might be too much?
Any thoughts on the matter would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
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Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Full Member, Wildcat. This user is located in Western KY, Zone 6. This was originally posted on March 18, 2013.
This year I'm trying grafted tomatoes for the first time. I have never heard of Mighty Mato but I ordered mine from Gurney's. I saw a couple more members say they might try them.
I guess welll see how they all turn out later this summer.
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Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Full Member, LaurainFL. This user is located in Zone 8b/9a, NW Florida. This was originally posted on March 18, 2013.
I am trying a few this year that I grafted onto Maxifort rootstock. Maxifort is a rootstock commonly used for commercial tomato grafting, but I don't know if it is the same one that Mighty Mato uses.
Some of the grafted plants are going into the ground to test nematode resistance. Others are going into EBs. One has a box to itself. Two others are sharing EBs with non-grafted indeterminate tomatoes. I planted them this way because I am wondering the same thing: whether two grafted tomatoes might be too much for one box. (Not to mention whether they live up to their claims of increased production.) I'll post back as the season goes on.
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Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, EEPPS. This user is located in Zone 9, Brandon, FL. This was originally posted on March 18, 2013.
I planted my tomatoes Feb 7th and could not find anyone that shipped that early.
As hot as it has been think I would be pushing my luck to plant this late (planting guide says Feb-March)
Would like to try some in the fall but also will have problems finding a source.
Don't have enough courage to try grafting on my own.
ED
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Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Full Member, LaurainFL. This user is located in Zone 8b/9a, NW Florida. This was originally posted on Marhc 18, 2013.
The timing problem is why I grafted mine.
However, after I got started grafting, I found an outfit in California that will ship grafted tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants as early as late January: http://www.gardenlife.com/store/SuperNaturals-Grafted-Vegetables/
Right now they are only showing shipping dates of March 25 or later, but I guess that is becuase the earlier dates have passed already. When I was there looking in early January, they had the earlier shipping dates posted. So maybe bookmark them and check over the winter for next year?
Disclaimer: I have NO EXPERIENCE ordering from these folks. I just found them on a web search. Do your own research on them/order at your own risk.
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As to grafting your own, it takes a steady hand and you cannot rush the healing process, but it's definitely something a home gardener can do. Since this year was my first time, I planted some cheapo seeds to practice on: I grafted cheapo seedlings onto other cheapo seedlings and took them through the healing process before using the expensive rootstock seeds. Even with some practice, plant some extras, just in case. And plant the seeds earlier than usual since you will lose a couple of weeks to grafting shock and healing.
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Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, superjono. This user is located in Dallas, Texas Zone 8a. This was originally posted on March 18, 2013.
I have been reading about the Mighty Mato everywhere on the net. Haven't planted that variety yet. Tomatoes don't like me I guess, because they refuse to fruit in Texas heat. I planted 2 sweet 100 tomatoes in one of my EBs and I am determined to succeed in getting tomatoes this year.
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Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, EEPPS. This user is located in Zone 9, Brandon, FL. This was originally posted on March 19, 2013.
Thanks LaurainFL I will bookmark the link.
May get enough courage to graft in the fall
ED
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Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Full Member, BK. This user is located in North Houston - Zone 9. This was originally posted on April 14, 2013.
I bought two of them and put them in separate Earthboxes about 2 weeks ago. One was a mortgage Lifter and the other was a black Krim. Also have many other toms in different boxes. The Might Matos were a little larger than the other tomato plants when I bought them . I was careful to plant them with the grafted section above the soil line as per instructions that came with them.
They are going crazy.Huge, full , green and lush.And growing MUCH faster than any of the others. Lots of blooms on the Black Krim and average amount of blooms on the Mortage lifter. So far, looks like a big winner.
If you haven't planted yet, I'd suggest you give them a shot.
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Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Full Member, GreenMtn. This user is located in Southern CA - Inland Empire / Zone 9. This was originally posted on April 15, 2013.
I haven't found Mighty Mato anywhere other than Sunshine Nursery in Ontario , CA. I recall they were about $10 each. I didn't buy ( though it was so tempting) because I thought that was a bit pricey.
Question : Once the plank tuckers out can you save the root base and regraft next season ?
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Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Jr. Member, grandpa. This user is located in Northeast Missouri -- Zone 5. This was originally posted on April 16, 2013.
I haven't received my grafted tomato plants yet, but are most users planting one plant per box or two like the instructions say? Thanks
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Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Full Member, BK. This user is located in North Houston - Zone 9. This was originally posted on April 17, 2013.
Grandpa,
I have bdanks double pea fences on my tomato boxes. I had no idea someone suggested only one grafted tomato per box. We need a "don't do this, dummy" category.
So I put one indeterminate yellow pear in one box with the grafted Mortage Lifter and a grape tomato in the other box with the grafted Black Krim.
I have made a BIG mistake. The grafted plants (planted only a few weeks ago) are now already halfway up the pea fences. Inside, they're so thick there could not possibly be any air circulation. Both now loaded with blooms and small toms starting.
These suckers are on steroids. Not quite sure what to do about it. But it's clear it's not gonna work. The other plants will be choked to death, that's for sure. Any ideas on what I should do?
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Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, mjb8743. This user is located in Zone 7, South NJ, Garden State. This was originally posted on April 17, 2017.
I would wait and see... the non-grafted toms are cherry types which, in the beginning, are slower to develop than regular ones... however once they take hold, look out!
You can prune away the non-productive lower growth of the grafted plants to give some ventilation and allow the cherries to breathe. Pruning will also allow you to monitor the graft point for unwanted suckers growing beneath it.
Mickie
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Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Full Member, BK. This user is located in North Houston - Zone 9. This was originally posted on April 17, 2013.
Mickie,
I'm not real clear on what you're saying here.
"You can prune away the non-productive lower growth of the grafted plants to give some ventilation and allow the cherries to breathe. Pruning will also allow you to monitor the graft point for unwanted suckers growing beneath it."
I've already removed (as much as I can) the suckers. But these plants don't seem to have any nonproductive lower growth. There are blooms from bottom to top.
I can barely find the cherries already. In two weeks. The graft point is just above the shower cap level, so there's nothing underneath. Can you explain in idiot language?
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Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Jr. Member, grandpa. This user is located in Northeast Missouri -- Zone 5. This was originally posted on April 16, 2013.
So should I stay with just one grafted tomato or one grafted and another regular tomato plant per box?
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Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Full Member, LaurainFL. This user is located in Zone 8b/9a, NW Florida. This was originally posted on April 17, 2013.
I'll report back later in the season regarding 1 vs. 2 grafted plants per box.
I have a grafted tomato all by itself in one box. I also have two more grafted tomatoes, each of which has a regular tomato for a box-mate. My grafted tomatoes (I grafted them myself) are a couple of weeks behind the others as a result of the grafting process, but they are taking off and starting to catch up now.
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Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Full Member, BK. This user is located in North Houston - Zone 9. This was originally posted on April 17, 2013.
If we can't put one grafted and one regular mate in one box, that's getting to be some pricey real estate.
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Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Full Member, Wildcat. This user is located in Western KY, Zone 6. This was originally posted on April 20, 2013.
Now what do I do. I have 4 grafted tomato plats on order and had planed to put two in each Earthbox like my regular tomatoes but after reading this I might have to rethink everything. They have not been shipped yet so I still have time.
I too have the pea fences that I use for cages so I have more than enough support for any size of tomato plants.
BK please keep us updated on here, I hope to get as much info as I can before it's time for me to plant.
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Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Full Member, BK. This user is located in North Houston - Zone 9. This was originally posted on April 20, 2013.
Wildcat,
Mine are now exploding. If mine are any example, don't even think about putting 2 in one box.
Now I'm just relating my experiences here, and I'm no pro.
Tomatoes are starting to form like crazy, and they are heading for the top third of the pea fences. The foliage has also stuffed the fences and spreading outside them. I use Jungle growth and the Earthbox replant kit.
Don 't do it. I can't imagine what these are going to look like in a month. Or three?
These is one thing I do know. I think I'll be spending the money and planting nothing but grafted from now on.
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Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Jr. Member, grandpa. This user is located in Northeast Missouri -- Zone 5. This was originally posted on April 20, 2013.
My grafted tomatoes have not arrived yet either, so guess I will try one box with just one grafted and the other with one grafted and one regular tomato plant. I'm going to put the fertilizer strip in the middle short side to short side.
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Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Full Member, Wildcat. This user is located in Western KY, Zone 6. This was originally posted on April 21, 2013.
Now I'm worried. I need to change my plans because I was going to put out the regular tomato plants out this coming Friday but now I'll try one grafted and one regular to start. If the grafted starts to take over then I'll simply pull up the regular and go with one plant.
Everybody with grafted plants please keep us updated the next few weeks.
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Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Full Member, BK. This user is located in North Houston - Zone 9. This was originally posted on April 21, 2013.
Ok, I'll update on mine. I just measured them. The Black Krim is 32 inches tall and the Mortgage lifter is 36 inches, showercap to top, and if you stand really still, you can watch them get taller. Tomatoes forming, and lot of blooms.
The largest tom so far is almost golf ball size.
And I bought mine at a family owned nursery. $9.99. I was all over that day but I'm pretty sure I also saw them at Lowes or Walmart too.
Now I have a question. Does anyone know how tall they'll finally get? I've done no research on grafted plants and I'm a complete novice, so I thought they would just possibly be healthier.
I had no idea they would also be fuller and larger. Assumed they would be normal size. I'm wondering if the final plants will slow down when they reach normal height for that variety. Or not...
Does anyone know?
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Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, gardendoc. This user is located in Ocean Springs, MS Zone 9a. This was originally posted on April 21, 2013.
The growth of the grafted tomatoes many times is dictated on the rootstock used. Maxifort is a commonly used rootstock and has been noted to enhance vegetative scion (the grafted desired variety) growth. For heirlooms tomatoes Beaufort may be a better choice for rootstock as it tend to slow down the vegetative growth of the scion while showing some enhancement of reproductive growth (the tomato fruit).
I grafted some Orange Blossom onto Celebrity rootstock. Celebrity exhibits some of the same rootstock characteristics as Beaufort for heirlooms. Transplanted yesterday, will up date as the season progresses.
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Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Full Member, BK. This user is located in North Houston - Zone 9. This was originally posted on April 21, 2013.
Somebody's nuts. I went on to the Burpee site and pulled up this info on their grafted tomatoes
Grafted Tomato, Mortgage LifterHEIRLOOM. Legendary, huge beefsteak consistently wins taste-...
Product Details
Sun: Full Sun
Sowing Method: Indoor Sow
Days to Maturity: 80 days
Height: 36-40 inches-----------------
Umm, 36-40 Inches?? Mine are 36 inches today and have only been in the box a few weeks..
It had the same height listed for the Black Krim. Yeah, right.
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Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, movrshakr. This user is located in Zone 10a - near Cape Canaveral. This was originally posted on April 21,
2013.
Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Full Member, BK. This user is located in North Houston - Zone 9. This was originally posted on April 21, 2013.
Somebody's nuts. I went on to the Burpee site and pulled up this info on their grafted tomatoes
Grafted Tomato, Mortgage LifterHEIRLOOM. Legendary, huge beefsteak consistently wins taste-...
Product Details
Sun: Full Sun
Sowing Method: Indoor Sow
Say, whaaaaat?
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Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Full Member, BK. This user is located in North Houston - Zone 9. This was originally posted on April 21, 2013.
Dang! I missed that part. I was busy laughing about the height part.
How DO you indoor sow a grafted plant? Hee-Hee.
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Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Full Member, Wildcat. This user is located in Western KY, Zone 6. This was originally posted on April 21, 2013.
Last year all my tomato plants hit 9 feet high and all I did was water them.
Now I'm worried about what these grafted plants will do.
I was going to post a picture but my photobucket is giving me nothing but trouble.
I'm going to go ahead and plant the regular tomato plants this week, I will put in one single plant in 4 earthboxes and save the space for the grafter plants. I have never done this before.
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Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Full Member, paulw. This user is located in Gibsonton, FL Zone 9. This was originally posted on April 24, 2013.
Well after reading this thread I decided to take a chance on a few of these Tomato plants, When I ordered (4/20/13) it said ship date of May 24.
Well I figured I had time to set up a couple earthboxes for these plants.......WRONG they showed up today 4/24/13
Ordered Ashleig and Tangerine
. And got a Homestead 24 .
These plants must grow super fast as they are twice as big as the shipping container, folded over in it. They have a couple blooms already.
Dang it people, I have to quit reading the forum./ I only have so much space, earthboxes, and not to mention money.
Paul from Riverview Fl
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Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Full Member, BK. This user is located in North Houston - Zone 9. This was originally posted on April 24, 2013.
I have a feeling this thread is going to get downright funny in a few months.
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Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Jr. Member, jenny168. This was originally posted on April 25, 2013.
Here is what I am reading having now done a lot of research on grafted tomatoes (have not grown any personally yet). The root ball is about 3 to 4 times bigger which still leaves plenty of room for lots of roots for 2 tomato plants to grow in one earthbox. It's above ground that gets tricky. To alleviate the massive green growth one only needs to prune off the suckers and keep the plant to one or two leaders and train them vertically. We don't need to get hysterical yet!
This is what I am planning on doing. I will have 16 tomato plants in total. Half grafted, half regular. I am even going to keep the non-grafted tomato plants to 2 or 3 leaders since I live so close to the beach and it stays cool and it takes forever for my tomatoes to ripen even though I grow almost exclusively cherry or grape tomatoes.
I will take pictures and video and will keep everyone posted on what happens. My tomatoes have not been planted yet. It's been unseasonably cold here in Santa Monica, CA. I am waiting until Mid-May to plant. Here is what I ordered from Garden Life:
Single Graft - NEW! Bumblebee? Purple 2" Pot
Single Graft - Sun Sugar - World's Sweetest Tomato 2" pot
Single Graft - Blush 2" Pot
Single Graft - Carmello 2" Pot Single Graft - Juliet 2" Pot
Single Graft - Pachino - World's Most Expensive Tomato 2" pot
Single Graft - Sweet Million 2" Pot
Single Graft - Pink Berkeley Tie-Dye 2" Pot
Grafted Eggplant - Dusky 2" Pot
Grafted Pepper - Golden Bell 2" Pot
Grafted Pepper - Chocolate Beauty 2" Pot
From Laurel's Heirloom Tomatoes Non- Grafted:
Black Cherry
Isis Candy
Amy's Sugar Gems
Snow White
Sungold
Sweet Baby Girl
Gardener's Delight
Flamme
Every year is an experiment and this year will be a big one indeed. You might have noticed that I am also going to try growing grafted eggplant and peppers as well for the first time. It should be very interesting. Now come on sun. Come out, come out wherever you are.
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Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Full Member, linear249. This was originally posted on April 25, 2013.
Has anyone tried to root the tomato plant suckers to make new plants?
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Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Jr. Member, czfl_jo. This user is located in Zone 9, East Cost Central Florida. This was originally posted on April 25, 2013.
Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Full Member, paulw. This user is located in Gibsonton, FL Zone 9. This was originally posted on April 24, 2013.
These plants must grow super fast as they are twice as big as the shipping container, folded over in it. They have a couple blooms already.
Dang it people, I have to quit reading the forum./ I only have so much space, earthboxes, and not to mention money.
Paul from Riverview Fl
Great Paul...thanks! NOT! Now I just had to order 2. My husband is going to kill me!
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Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Full Member, BK. This user is located in North Houston - Zone 9. This was originally posted on April 25, 2013.
Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Full Member, linear249. This was originally posted on April 25, 2013.
Has anyone tried to root the tomato plant suckers to make new plants?
Nope, we have no place to plant them
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Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Full Member, paulw. This user is located in Gibsonton, FL Zone 9. This was originally posted on April 25, 2013.
Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Full Member, linear249. This was originally posted on April 25, 2013.
Has anyone tried to root the tomato plant suckers to make new plants?
I think you would just get a plant as the original grafted part and nothing like a hybrid or super plant.
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Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Full Member, BK. This user is located in North Houston - Zone 9. This was originally posted on April 25, 2013.
Update-. I just went outside and really inspected them. Hard to do as the inside of those pea fences are seriously stuffed.
That Black Krim is frickin' loaded with tomatoes.
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Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, bdank. This user is located in Zone 7 - Northern Virginia (Fredericksburg). This was originally posted on April 25, 2013.
I am also trying grafted tomatoes this year for the first time. I ordered mine from Burpee.
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Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Full Member, BK. This user is located in North Houston - Zone 9. This was originally posted on April 25, 2013.
Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, bdank. This user is located in Zone 7 - Northern Virginia (Fredericksburg). This was originally posted on April 25, 2013.
I am also trying grafted tomatoes this year for the first time. I ordered mine from Burpee.
Just get yourself out there and find us some bigger pea fences
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Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Full Member, paulw. This user is located in Gibsonton, FL Zone 9. This was originally posted on April 25, 2013.
Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Full Member, BK. This user is located in North Houston - Zone 9. This was originally posted on April 25, 2013.
Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, bdank. This user is located in Zone 7 - Northern Virginia (Fredericksburg). This was originally posted on April 25, 2013.
I am also trying grafted tomatoes this year for the first time. I ordered mine from Burpee.
Just get yourself out there and find us some bigger pea fences
2 sets (4 Pieces) clamped together with guy wires on each corner
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Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, bdank. This user is located in Zone 7 - Northern Virginia (Fredericksburg). This was originally posted on April 25, 2013.
Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Full Member, paulw. This user is located in Gibsonton, FL Zone 9. This was originally posted on April 25, 2013.
Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Full Member, BK. This user is located in North Houston - Zone 9. This was originally posted on April 25, 2013.
Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, bdank. This user is located in Zone 7 - Northern Virginia (Fredericksburg). This was originally posted on April 25, 2013.
I am also trying grafted tomatoes this year for the first time. I ordered mine from Burpee.
Just get yourself out there and find us some bigger pea fences
2 sets (4 Pieces) clamped together with guy wires on each corner
You guys are funny.
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Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Full Member, BK. This user is located in North Houston - Zone 9. This was originally posted on April 25, 2013.
Watch Earthbox come out next year with a box the size of a bathtub.
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Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Full Member, BK. This user is located in North Houston - Zone 9. This was originally posted on April 25, 2013.
2 sets (4 Pieces) clamped together with guy wires on each corner
Then stinkbugs wouldn't ruin our tomatoes. Lightning and low flying aircraft would.
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Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, EEPPS. This user is located in Zone 9, Brandon, FL. This was originally posted on April 27, 2013.
I ran across this on youtube, hope you can play it.
Has anyone tried this method? If yes does it work.
Too late for us down here so I plan to try it in the fall
Ed Epps
Brandon FL
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Bc6TnSYK2o
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Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Full Member, linear249. This was originally posted on April 28, 2013.
I ran across this video on utube and it gives a lot of detail. I think I might try it for the late crop.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHnOYcI6B44
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Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Full Member, BK. This user is located in North Houston - Zone 9. This was originally posted on May 7, 2013.
For those wanting an update, mine have now reached the top of the pea fences. Loaded with tomatoes and blooms too. Some are big enough to pick if they weren't green as can be
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Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, bdank. This user is located in Zone 7 - Northern Virginia (Fredericksburg). This was originally posted on May 7, 2013.
Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Full Member, BK. This user is located in North Houston - Zone 9. This was originally posted on May 7, 2013.
For those wanting an update, mine have now reached the top of the pea fences. Loaded with tomatoes and blooms too. Some are big enough to pick if they weren't green as can be
I'm still waiting for Burpee to ship mine. They won't be here until mid May. I hope they do as well as yours are.
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Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, Donald1800. This user is located in Fontana, CA Zone 8. This was originally posted on May 7, 2013.
For those who have trialed the 'Mighty Mato' and would like to experiment with thier own grafting of preferred tomato varieties using the 'Supernatural Rootstock' used with the 'Mighty Mato' product line, you can purchase rootstock seeds from:
http://www.territorialseed.com/product/14338/603
https://awhaley.com/seeds/root-stocks/supernatural-tomato-rootstock
Don't forget to set up one 'Supernatural Rootstock' plant for seed collection at the end of the season - you will then have a perpetual no-cost source for this valuable tomato rootstock. And if you collect seeds from your other tomato varieties, it would be a good idea to keep your 'Supernatural Rootstock' plant as far away from your other tomato varieties as possible to reduce the chance of cross pollination/DNA contamination.
Donald1800
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Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, bdank. This user is located in Zone 7 - Northern Virginia (Fredericksburg). This was originally posted on May 7, 2013.
Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, Donald1800. This user is located in Fontana, CA Zone 8. This was originally posted on May 7, 2013.
For those who have trialed the 'Mighty Mato' and would like to experiment with thier own grafting of preferred tomato varieties using the 'Supernatural Rootstock' used with the 'Mighty Mato' product line, you can purchase rootstock seeds from:
http://www.territorialseed.com/product/14338/603
https://awhaley.com/seeds/root-stocks/supernatural-tomato-rootstock
Don't forget to set up one 'Supernatural Rootstock' plant for seed collection at the end of the season - you will then have a perpetual no-cost source for this valuable tomato rootstock. And if you collect seeds from your other tomato varieties, it would be a good idea to keep your 'Supernatural Rootstock' plant as far away from your other tomato varieties as possible to reduce the chance of cross pollination/DNA contamination.
Donald1800
So the Supernatural stock isn't a hybrid?
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Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, Donald1800. This user is located in Fontana, CA Zone 8. This was originally posted on May 7, 2013.
No. From what I understand, it is a 'Wild' tomato variety that produces non-tasty fruit, but has a robust root system. So, you get the benefits of both by grafting. This from their promo site http://www.gardenmediagroup.com/archived-articles/155-supernaturals-grafted-vegetables
"...Growing tried and true tomatoes on wild tomato stock has created a super-natural tomato plant that produces huge harvests of healthier, heartier tomatoes, whether hybrid or heirloom,? says horticulturalist John Bagnasco..."
Donald1800
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Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, bdank. This user is located in Zone 7 - Northern Virginia (Fredericksburg). This was originally posted on May 8, 2013.
Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, Donald1800. This user is located in Fontana, CA Zone 8. This was originally posted on May 7, 2013.
No. From what I understand, it is a 'Wild' tomato variety that produces non-tasty fruit, but has a robust root system. So, you get the benefits of both by grafting. This from their promo site http://www.gardenmediagroup.com/archived-articles/155-supernaturals-grafted-vegetables
"...Growing tried and true tomatoes on wild tomato stock has created a super-natural tomato plant that produces huge harvests of healthier, heartier tomatoes, whether hybrid or heirloom,? says horticulturalist John Bagnasco..."
Donald1800
Interesting, Territorial seed has it listed as a hybrid. Maybe that's a mistake. I'm very interested to see how grafted tomatoes do in my garden and might be interested in grafting my own someday. I love experimenting.
Something I'm really interested in is the possibility that grafted tomatoes might be less prone to blossom rot. I can't grow paste varieties in my earthboxes because, even in the old previously dolomited mix, I loose most of them to blossom rot.
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Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, Donald1800. This user is located in Fontana, CA Zone 8. This was originally posted on May 7, 2013.
One item you should be aware of is that you have to read carefully the product description because some writers mistakenly consider a 'grafted' product as a 'hybrid'. Further examination of web information on the 'SuperNatural' rootstock clearly indicates that the rootstock is a wild tomato relative with non-eatable fruit, although the scion (top) CAN be a hybrid plant. So:
1. A grafted product is NOT a hybrid by virtue of the graft
2. Either rootstock or scion CAN be from a hybrid plant
3. A hybrid plant is a plant with DNA modified through either cross pollination of two different varieties OR direct genetic modification of DNA (GMO) by gene splicing.
Donald1800
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Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, bdank. This user is located in Zone 7 - Northern Virginia (Fredericksburg). This was originally posted on May 9, 2013.
Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, Donald1800. This user is located in Fontana, CA Zone 8. This was originally posted on May 7, 2013.
One item you should be aware of is that you have to read carefully the product description because some writers mistakenly consider a 'grafted' product as a 'hybrid'. Further examination of web information on the 'SuperNatural' rootstock clearly indicates that the rootstock is a wild tomato relative with non-eatable fruit, although the scion (top) CAN be a hybrid plant. So:
1. A grafted product is NOT a hybrid by virtue of the graft
2. Either rootstock or scion CAN be from a hybrid plant
3. A hybrid plant is a plant with DNA modified through either cross pollination of two different varieties OR direct genetic modification of DNA (GMO) by gene splicing.
Donald1800
This is good to know, since the seed for the rootstock is very expensive.
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Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Full Member, LaurainFL. This user is located in Zone 8b/9a, NW Florida. This was originally posted on May 9, 2013.
This is interesting about the SuperNaturals rootstock, because most of the tomato rootstocks out there are F1 hybrids of tomatoes and wild tomato relatives. You can't count on Maxifort, Colossus, etc., to breed true.
I did do some searching on the SuperNaturals rootstock, and I couldn't find any other sites which specifically addressed whether or not SuperNaturals is a hybrid. So we are left with the quote Donald posted and the hybrid notation at Territorial.
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Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Full Member, Wildcat. This user is located in Western KY, Zone 6. This was originally posted on May 10, 2013.
Well I just found out I never did make the order for some grafted tomato plants. I ordered the pea fences at the time and was going to add the grafted tomato plants but never did.
I wonder if it's too late since I can't find any listed on their web page like before. Oh well, I'll just get some regular plants locally and order the grafted plants next year.
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Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, bdank. This user is located in Zone 7 - Northern Virginia (Fredericksburg). This was originally posted on May 9, 2013.
Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Full Member, Wildcat. This user is located in Western KY, Zone 6. This was originally posted on May 10, 2013.
Well I just found out I never did make the order for some grafted tomato plants. I ordered the pea fences at the time and was going to add the grafted tomato plants but never did.
I wonder if it's too late since I can't find any listed on their web page like before. Oh well, I'll just get some regular plants locally and order the grafted plants next year.
You might be able to find grafted plants locally. Check some nurseries.
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Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, gardendoc. This user is located in Ocean Springs, MS Zone 9a. This was originally posted on May 10, 2013.
Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Full Member, LaurainFL. This user is located in Zone 8b/9a, NW Florida. This was originally posted on May 9, 2013.
This is interesting about the SuperNaturals rootstock, because most of the tomato rootstocks out there are F1 hybrids of tomatoes and wild tomato relatives. You can't count on Maxifort, Colossus, etc., to breed true.
I did do some searching on the SuperNaturals rootstock, and I couldn't find any other sites which specifically addressed whether or not SuperNaturals is a hybrid. So we are left with the quote Donald posted and the hybrid notation at Territorial.
I'll bet the Supernatural rootstock is a hybrid. If it was truly open pollinated there would be degrees of variation. Would be interesting to grow one to fruit, collect the seed, and see what grows from those collected seed
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Disclaimer: This post was originally posed by Newbie, nsdjohn. This was originally posted on May 10, 2013.
Since this quote is from me, I should try and clear the confusion. Our original grafting trials were with wild species. Each species had it's own set of positives and negatives. We then began testing the hybrid rootstocks and found similar difficulties. It seems that most hybrid rootstock has been developed for greenhouse culture and attempts have been made to adapt them to outdoor use. We have trialed over 30 of the world's 60-some rootstocks. Our current choice of the SuperNatural rootstock for the Mighty 'Mato program is the result of best performance in outdoor gardens. It is also one of the few rootstocks that adapts to containers and is compatible with determinate varieties.
The description on the Territorial website is correct and it is truly a hybrid. The Garden Media quote was from a couple years ago and this is the first year we have offered plants on the SuperNatural rootstock. BTW the last shipping date for grafted plants from GardenLife is Monday and they are taking orders through Sunday on their website-- about 40 varieties of grafted veggies, including eggplants and peppers.
...John Bagnasco
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Disclaimer: This post was originally psoted by Hero Member, movrshakr. This user is located in Zone 10a - near cape Canaveral. This was originally posted on May 10,
2013.
Hey that's pretty neat. Thanks John for jumping in here and giving us the scoop straight from the horse's mouth. WAIT. That didn't sound right!
May I ask how you detected the conversation was happening here? Web search engine?
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Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Full Member, BK. This user is located in North Houston - Zone 9. This was originally posted on May 10, 2013.
And My 2 Mighty Matoes have left the top of the pea fences.
Still so young that none that have even ripened yet. Whoo boy, this is gonna be a ride.!
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Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, bdank. This user is located in Zone 7 - Northern Virginia (Fredericksburg). This was originally posted on May 9, 2013.
Thanks for the information, John. I bought my grafted tomatoes from Burpee, but now I'm interested in Mighty Mato and the SuperNatural root stock. I will look into having some of these in my garden next year.
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Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Full Member, BK. This user is located in North Houston - Zone 9. This was originally posted on May 10, 2013.
Sorry, posting error. Here's my full post.
Ok, here's my update on the 2 Mighty Matoes I planted for those who asked for updates as my season is earlier in Texas.. Bought them on a whim.
Simply, I'm astounded. One Mortage Lifter with another tomato, different box has a Black Krim with a partner.
Both are to the top of their pea fences.
I just walked in after counting. The fences are so stuffed I'm concerned about bugs and ventilation but I'll worry about that later.
Black Krim.One beauty half ripened. I counted 57 tomatoes on that one plant. About 1/3 are almost full size. 1/3 halfway there, and the rest cherry sized and growing. That's ballpark. And this plant is LOADED with blooms. I'm sure there are dozens I could not see.
The Mortage lifter isn't quite as loaded, but I counted a least 40-50 at different stages.
I'm just a third year newbie here, but in the future I'm planting nothing but grafted plants if I can find them.
If you haven't planted yet, get them. Be warned . They drink water like a drunken sailor drinks rum. I'm filling those 2 boxes 3 times a day.
Get some.
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Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Full Member, BK. This user is located in North Houston - Zone 9. This was originally posted on May 14, 2013.
Something I'm really interested in is the possibility that grafted tomatoes might be less prone to blossom rot. I can't grow paste varieties in my earthboxes because, even in the old previously dolomited mix, I loose most of them to blossom rot.
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Bdank, FYI I did have BER last year, but I used a spray and now I use the snack. No sign of it on the grafted toms. But they aren't the paste type. Last year my San Marzanos produced nothing edible and I gave up on them. And maybe it's my imagination,, but I think the stinkbugs gravitated to those damaged tomatoes first.
Never again unless I find a grafted version that might work. I'm too new at this to bother with looking at a full plant of diseased bug ridden fruit. I want tomato paste, I'll buy it in a can. At least for now.
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Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Full Member, linear249. This was originally posted on May 14, 2013.
BK - AWS will take care of the watering for you. It's a good investment.
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Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Full Member, BK. This user is located in North Houston - Zone 9. This was originally posted on May 16, 2013.
Am I one of the first here to grow these grafted tomatoes?
I have a question. I just picked my first ripe Black Krim.
I also grew several of them last year from regular nursery purchased plants.
We've all discussed the growth of the plants, but this first tomato was considerably larger than my previous ones.
I see numerous ones on this plant that are still green as can be,but are already as big as my largest last year and don't seem to be finished growing.
I found this on a website, then I just paused this email and decided to weigh just so we'd all know.
"Black Krim tomato originated from the Isle of Krim in the black sea off the peninsula of Russia. It is a heirloom /heritage tomato . Mid season , medium sized beefsteak tomato usually the tomato have an average weight of 8oz.
Mine was a hair over 14 ounces.
An aberration, or to be expected?
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Disclaimer: This post was originally psoted by Hero Member, movrshakr. This user is located in Zone 10a - near cape Canaveral. This was originally posted on May 16, 2013.
"Average of 8 oz."
Unfortunately, that does not tell you anything about the NORMAL variations in size (the standard deviation or variance of the distribution of sizes.
Still, that seems to be pretty far out on whatever the distribution curve looks like. IOW, improbable.
But grafted is a whole different environment--I doubt the 8oz average was determined on grafted tomatoes, and especially grafted tomatoes in EarthBoxes!
In short, I don't know.
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Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Full Member, BK. This user is located in North Houston - Zone 9. This was originally posted on May 16, 2013.
Just to make myself clear, my previous Krims were not grafted.
And I know under ideal conditions anything can get bigger. Including regular plants.
Just wondering if 14oz . is out of the ordinary for a non-grafted, or not unusual .
In either case, there's going to be one heck of a BLT in front of me within the hour.
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Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Full Member, BK. This user is located in North Houston - Zone 9. This was originally posted on May 16, 2013.
I forgot, but just to be clear.. I Googled Black Krims to find out their average size on a normal non grafted plant.
It said 8 oz. I just got curious. I'm thinking that was about right for the ones I grew last year.
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Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, mjb8743. This user is located in Zone 7, South NJ, Garden State. This was originally posted on May 16, 2013.
Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Full Member, BK. This user is located in North Houston - Zone 9. This was originally posted on May 16, 2013.
I forgot, but just to be clear.. I Googled Black Krims to find out their average size on a normal non grafted plant.
It said 8 oz. I just got curious. I'm thinking that was about right for the ones I grew last year.
Giving an average weight is deceptive... suppose you had one that weighed 2 oz and another that weighed 14 oz. The average weight would be 8 oz.
so, you can see that the average really doesn't tell you what to expect.
Mickie
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Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Full Member, BK. This user is located in North Houston - Zone 9. This was originally posted on May 19, 2013.
Thanks guys. I was just curious about what to expect.
I'm now picking about 4 ripe per day. The plants are absolutely loaded.
Most are in the average size range but a few still on the vine are huge. There's one I found that I can't wait to weigh.
It dwarfs that 14 ouncer I picked the other day.
It is so good to have real tomatoes again. I hate that tasteless supermarket junk.
I had a laugh a few minutes ago. The neighbor behind me was fixing a fence board that fell.
I saw him out the window.
He had a clear view of the Earthboxes and was just standing there staring, mouth agape.
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Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Jr. Member, jenny168. This was originally posted on May 19, 2013.
BK,
Please post some pictures or video of your grafted tomato. I just planted mine last week and can hardly wait. It's so exciting to know yours are doing so well.
Thanks!!
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Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Full Member, linear249. This was originally posted on May 20, 2013.
I'm going to the garden center tomorrow to pick mine up.
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Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Full Member, linear249. This was originally posted on May 20, 2013.
I picked up my grafted tomato today. The selection wasn't great (end of season - half price), so I got a Big Rainbow Heirloom. 1st time trying these, so I hope the're good.
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Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Full Member, BK. This user is located in North Houston - Zone 9. This was originally posted on May 20, 2013.
Jenny,
No pics, sorry. No camera and I'm the only person I know who refuses to buy a cell phone.
Here's what I can say for sure at this moment. I grew regular Mortgage Lifters and Black Krims for the two previous years when I got my first Earthboxes. Let's not count the first year as I was a beginner. So I'm comparing these grafted to last year.
I'd have to say there are easily twice if not 3 times the number of fruit on these plants. Closer too 3X is my guess.
They are definitely larger tomatoes. I have no idea how much of that is the grafted plants,weather,blind luck or anything else.
I happened to buy these 2 varieties as they were the only ones the nursery had.
Good in a way as now I can compare.
They only thing that worries me is rather funny. Some of these toms are in clumps of 4-5 and they are getting huge. I keep thinking some of these stems are going to break at any minute Shocked
I'm just reporting my experiences as I'm in a warmer climate and I know many of you are anxiously waiting to try their own.I paid 10 bucks each for these two plants. Best 20 bucks I ever spent.
I hope all of you are as happy with yours as I am.
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Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, mjb8743. This user is located in Zone 7, South NJ, Garden State. This was originally posted on May 20, 2013.
I'd be interested in reports of disease tolerances as the seasons progress. We all are familiar with the typical diseases that attack in our own gardens... it would be nice to compare with the grafted plants.
Same goes as far as pest problems. Some years ago, Organic Gardening had articles stating that healthy plants aren't bothered as much by pests. Evidently, distressed plants emit signals that the bugs can sense, thus are attracted to those plants. So, it would be interesting if you would make note of any occurrence or lack of pest activity.
Mickie
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Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Full Member, BK. This user is located in North Houston - Zone 9. This was originally posted on May 26, 2013.
Update from Houston. My 2 grafted Mighty Matoes did finally stop growing in height but continue to spread.
I finally had to use Ultimato supports all around the pea fences..
It looks pretty little goofy (and it's annoying my work-adverse weedeater crazy lawn guy) but whatever works. They are producing lots of beautiful tomatoes.
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Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, bdank. This user is located in Zone 7 - Northern Virginia (Fredericksburg). This was originally posted on June 8, 2013.
Here's my grafted tomato observation so far: I'm growing 10 different varieties of regular tomatoes (20 plants total) that I started from seed back on February. I ordered 3 varieties of grafted tomato from Burpee (6 plants total). When I received the grafted tomatoes, they were small and scraggly. I had my doubts that these stragglers could catch up to my other plants that were already at least 3 feet tall with blossoms. It's now about 4 weeks later, and even though the grafted tomatoes still aren't as big as my other plants, they seem to be putting out more blossoms and are setting small fruit already, my other non-grafted plants (except for the Sungold cherry plants) don't have any fruit set yet.