Anyone have Experience with Dwarf Tomatos in Earthbox or Senior?

[EarthBoxAdmin]

Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, baileyj. This user is located in Zone 7A --- Annapolis, Maryland. This was originally posted on April 21, 2013.

I am wondering if anyone is growing Dwarfs in the EB jr. 

I am getting ready to harden off my dwarfs and am thinking I may try to grow them in Juniors.  I am setting up EB jr. boxes for my son who has limited space on a balcony and it would be great if I could plant more than 1 in each box.

The planting guidelines for the EB jr. list "Patio" types...and list 2 in each one.
Anyone have any experience with growing the Dwarfs?

I would like to "save" my regular "Senior" EBs for my indeterminates ...
Thoughts ??

Thanks,
Judi

[EarthBoxAdmin]

Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, Sun City Linda. This user is located in SoCal Inland 9A. This was originally posted April 21, 2013.

Are you talking about the new Dwarfs from the Dwarf Project?  Raybo from another forum grew them last year in his larger SWC and they went over 6 feet!

[EarthBoxAdmin]

Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, baileyj. This user is located in Zone 7A --- Annapolis, Maryland. This was originally posted on April 21, 2013.

Linda,
I am involved in the Dwarf trial and have not used the EBs for it.  This year I am growing 4 varieties of the Dwarfs that have been released from the project and are available to the public...
 
I was hoping to use an EB jr. for them since they are supposed to grow to 3-4 feet...

If Raybo grew them to 6 feet, were they trial dwarfs or the released dwarfs?
I will check it out on the other site..

Thanks for the info before I move forward.
Judi

[EarthBoxAdmin]

Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, Sun City Linda. This user is located in SoCal Inland 9A. This was originally posted April 22, 2013.

They were released dwarfs.  I think it was last year.

[EarthBoxAdmin]

Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Active Member, mdvpc. This was originally posted on April 22, 2013.

The released varieties from the Dwarf Project definitely should not get taller than about 3.5 feet.  Which varieties are you growing?  I have grown all the the released varieties in 5 gallon grow bags or swc's and they were true to type.

[EarthBoxAdmin]

Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Sr. Member, jccarter. This user is located in Zone 6/7B. This was originally posted on April 22, 2013.

Morning!

Last year I grew a "Patio Cherry" in the junior. It did really, really well. After reading a few threads I only planted one in the box (in the middle/back) and was glad of it because it sucked up water like no one's business.

YMMV!!

Cheers,
J.C.

[EarthBoxAdmin]

Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, baileyj. This user is located in Zone 7A --- Annapolis, Maryland. This was originally posted on April 22, 2013.

I am growing Summertime Gold, Rosella Purple, Wild Fred, Sweet Sue and Iditarod Red....

I was planning on using a few 5 gallon planters, and EBs, and have never used a junior EB--I was hoping it may save me space in the regular EBs...and since I am planting for my son, I thought I would try it if it possible...

3 feet seems reasonable...much more, not so much.
thanks,
Judi

[EarthBoxAdmin]

Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Newbie, grobug. This was originally posted on April 22, 2013.

Everyone writes good messages but I note one factor all seem to miss.  Tall plants are good for EB marketing but in reality the taller the plant the less fruit there will be on the plant.  The increase in height means less fruit yield and therefore you must trim off the tops of the plant to increase your fruit yield in the body of the plant. If the plant is Six feet then reduce or prune it to Four feet in height for increase fruit yield per plant.  What is required is farming smarter not harder! Grobug.

[EarthBoxAdmin]

Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, Sun City Linda. This user is located in SoCal Inland 9A. This was originally posted April 22, 2013.

Grobug - If only that were true! 

Judi- Raybo has very large SWC and typically uses supplimental feeding in addition to strips. He has invested years into optimum performance.  I doubt 6 feet is typical performance for any of the new dwarves.  I grow dwarves in 5 gallon buckets  although they are not SWC.  Some of the ones with heavy Rugose leaves do require a lot of water however. 

[EarthBoxAdmin]

Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, baileyj. This user is located in Zone 7A --- Annapolis, Maryland. This was originally posted on April 22, 2013.

Good to know !!  Thanks Sue...it sounds like I will be headed for regular EB boxes and 5 gallon global buckets!

[EarthBoxAdmin]

Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, alwayslearning. This user is located in SF Bay Area near SJ Zone 8b. This was originally posted on April 22, 2013.

I grew two varieties last summer, Dwarf Summertime Gold and Dwarf Mr. Snow. EBs were set up per standard instructions, nothing else added. Similar climate.

The ones in EBs grew a foot taller than their respective product descriptions, which pretty much matched traditional containers.  Very stocky plants did get heavy when laden with fruit - don't think for a minute that you don't have to stake them firmly. 

Summertime Gold was sweeter but more bland; but Mr. Snow had a better, more complex flavor - I'd grow Mr. Snow again.

[EarthBoxAdmin]

Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, linear249. This user is located in Zone 8b. This was originally posted on April 23, 2013.

I've grown patio tomatoes and have done very well.  Last year the plants produced a summer and fall crop.  Bought the plants from the local "Lowes".

[EarthBoxAdmin]

Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Newbie, grobug. This was originally posted on April 25, 2013.

Ok you win!  My posting is something I learned long ago and is still true today even though you failed to understand its import.  But remember that any time you strive for larger plants you give up production of fruit> You cannot have both as it violates natures ways and rules!
grobug

[EarthBoxAdmin]

Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, baileyj. This user is located in Zone 7A --- Annapolis, Maryland. This was originally posted on April 25, 2013.

Thanks, Grobug,
I am not interested in tall, did that. 

With the dwarfs I just want to be sure I start them in the right box and was hopeful I could use the Juniors....seems like no....

thanks for your comment...I have also found that to be true the taller, the less fruit since the plant is putting so much energy into leaf/stem production.
Judi

[shrinkrap]

I have been growing  dwarf project tomatoes in my Earthboxes for several years! I will try to post pictures and details if I can figure it out.