The ups, the downs and the insides out of growing your own in 2025!

carinjo

So a couple of questions regarding greenhouse grown tomatoes.
Any chance flowers will still make fruit? 
I am worried not enough bees are getting into greenhouse to pollinate. Shall i leave the door open? The window is slightly open.
The tigerella tomatoes about the right size, everything else small. Only a handful cherries tomatoes picked so far, but i did plant a month later than everyone else.

Here is the courgette and cheddar loaf recipe i promised, made one this morning in my new silicone loaf pan. 
https:// www.bbcgoodfood.com/ user/85435/recipe/courgette-and-cheese-loaf#rating

droopsnoot

carinjo said:

Any chance flowers will still make fruit? 

Why, because of the time of year? I hope so - I've got lots of flowers on mine, but only four or five have actually become tomatoes so far. I've left plenty of access for bees, and have some of the plants outside, though I've brought them in today so they don't get blown over if this named storm turns up.

Silvertabby

droopsnoot said:

carinjo said:

Any chance flowers will still make fruit? 

Why, because of the time of year? I hope so - I've got lots of flowers on mine, but only four or five have actually become tomatoes so far. I've left plenty of access for bees, and have some of the plants outside, though I've brought them in today so they don't get blown over if this named storm turns up.

Tomato (and chilli etc) flowers are both male and female, so you just need to give the open blooms a little jiggle.

On the subject of greenhouses, if the wind is as strong as it is getting here, do disconnect your auto opening roof vents.  A few minutes of fiddling saves an expensive regret!  My greenhouse is a Rhino, and so one of the tougher ones - but the fitter still recommended securing the vents in very strong winds.

carinjo

Thank you @Silvertabby, i'll be jiggling away after work! And having had my poly greenhouse come down twice last year, i definately make sure everything secure! 

Farway

carinjo said:

So a couple of questions regarding greenhouse grown tomatoes.
Any chance flowers will still make fruit? 
I am worried not enough bees are getting into greenhouse to pollinate. Shall i leave the door open? The window is slightly open.

You can help by tapping / brushing / wobbling the plants every time you go by them, the pollen will transfer readily

fionaandphil

Ours normally start turnjng red mid August but we've had a handful ready every day for about 2 weeks and at least one mini cucumber every day. I don't think we have as many tomatoes this year but certainly have less blight so they are looking a lot healthier. Make sure you keep feeding them to keep them healthy. 

Wind has been a bit strong here - blew some lettuce leaves off the plants 😀

peewhyeff

My greenhouse toms are also  very poor yield this year. I suspect too high temperature in the greenhouse May/June time.  Also, my rhubarb, in large pots outdoors, was also very poor. Then 'died off' and now looking very healthy again....New growth has emerged. Asking, if this develops into decent sticks, is it too late to pick?

Farway

peewhyeff said:

My greenhouse toms are also  very poor yield this year. I suspect too high temperature in the greenhouse May/June time.  Also, my rhubarb, in large pots outdoors, was also very poor. Then 'died off' and now looking very healthy again....New growth has emerged. Asking, if this develops into decent sticks, is it too late to pick?

Yes, it will weaken the plant, but if it's big plant temptation may allow a crumble 

Suffolk_lass

peewhyeff said:

My greenhouse toms are also  very poor yield this year. I suspect too high temperature in the greenhouse May/June time.  Also, my rhubarb, in large pots outdoors, was also very poor. Then 'died off' and now looking very healthy again....New growth has emerged. Asking, if this develops into decent sticks, is it too late to pick?

If there are red lines vertically in the sticks that grow, don't eat it but otherwise, I might. Although don't weaken the crown too much as you want it to be strong over winter. In a normal year, the old mantra was only eat Rhubarb when there is no Rhubarb in the month (May-August) but who knows now!? The red line in the stick is an indicator of oxalic acid accumulation. Even with citric acid (or lemon) and sugar added, it is not like spring rhubarb

carinjo

Done a lovely tidy over a few days. Niece and nephew helped harvesting and filling raised beds this morning, payment in milkshakes. Doing my best to help the squashes/pumpkins along, feeding and watering. 
The advice on jiggling the tomatoes i believe have helped, swear there more this week than last! 
I have my seeds for autumn planting ready, just need the time.