SP>TA>So far they have been rather disappointing; with only one medium
SP>TA>fruit each on five and three on the sixth plant. I use Mircle-gro
SP>TA>every other week and water each day to make up for the drought
SP>TA>we have had the past two months here in the Boston suburbs.
SP>  Hmmm, how much foliage do these plants carry, Ack? My recollection is
SP>  that they are fairly sparse in the leaf. If you have real bushes, I'd
SP>  look at my fertilizing methods first. And cut it out!
The main stalks are at least 50% less tal then previous plantings in
this area and very minimal relative foliage. (Argiculturist, Thomas
Crockett, made me well aware of the maxim to not over fertilize and
produce more foliage then required to support the heaviest possible
fruiting, quite some while ago.)
SP>TA>Is this normal for Jet Stars (or could it be because I cut back
SP>TA>to three tablespoons of epson salt instead of cup per gallon ?-(
SP>  It could be normal for a poor tomato year. Maybe in your rush to urge
SP>  stalled plants along in the cool spring, you stunted their growth and/
SP>  or fruiting ability with too much of a good thing.
Part of my problem was I had another heart attack and was prevented
from purchasing some good big boy and or girls, etc. during the normal
last week in May planting period here abouts; rather then rushing the
season.
SP> As an experiment, remove a healthy branch and root it in sand.
Then plant it in the same  area in the same soil, but not where
you've been fertilizing, and  watch what happens. The branch can
root in less than a week, so you  have a bit of leeway before frost.
You may not get any ripe tomatoes, (you can cover it on frosty
nights and see), but it may give you  insight as to the real cause
of such disappointing results.
I have never heard of that test; but as a retired engineer that appeals
to my natural inclination to test and gather, test and gather data (til
we are often so totally confused as what was the problem we were first
concerned about we can't adequetely address it 8-).
SP>   And ask any tomato-growing neighbours how their plants are doing.
They are doing ok (I don't want to suggest that is due to their well
known Italian green thumbs 8-)
SP>   mice slurping my almost ripe tomatoes for moisture. Again. They do
SP>   prefer Brandywine and Pruden's Purple, my top tasty ones. :-(
Do you find Brandywine or Pruden's Purple are best for cutting up
for a green salad, or possibly served with a little olive oil and
a touch of garlic, for lunch?
Ciao, Ack.
---
 * SLMR 2.1a * Mozart:God's way of making the rest of us feel insignific
101/580)
--- PCBoard (R) v15.4 (OS/2) 5 Beta
---------------