Following is an experiment that I will be conducting this year. The experiment will compare the differential growth rates of manalucie tomatoes planted three different ways:
- From transplants started in doors 8 weeks prior to average last frost date and planted out on the day of the average frost date
- From germinated seeds started 5 days prior to last frost date and planted out on last frost date or as close to that date as possible
- Direct seeding on the last frost date.
Results will be recorded via electronic scales to determine the total amount of fruit produced per vine and results tabulated. The intent is to turn this into an quasi-scientific exercise for the benefit of the permsteading community.
The null hypothesis being tested: there is no difference between the amount of fruit produced by manalucie tomatoes regardless of the planting method used.
This page is intended to be a rough draft/record keeping journal and ultimately, via the edit feature, where the final paper will be posted.
Feb 6
- Fifteen planting cups were made from newspaper using 10.75 ounce campbell's soup can as a guide
- Each cup was filled with 1 1/8 to 1 1/4 cups of Black Kow compost
- A single seed was placed in roughly the center of each cup and enough compost was added to cover each tomato seed to a depth of ~ 1/16",
- Approximately 1/16th cup of water was sprinkled into each pot
- All pots were then placed into a plastic covered environment and left to germinate in a room with a relatively constant ambient temperature of 72 degrees.
Feb 10 - Four of the fifteen tomatoes have sprouted.
Feb 13 - Ten of the fifteen have sprouted
Comparing differential growth rates among manalucie tomatoes