I'd like to say that this is all my own work but that would be telling porkies. After several attempts I've thrown in the towel with my own efforts and resorted to buying in a few plants. After no less than three attempts at growing a bush tomato from seed, I have been forced to admit defeat. Oh the seeds germinated alright and grew strong and upright until the tiny first proper leaves appeared. The next morning, just a stem. Or a half eaten leaf. I persevered and nurtured but night after night mysterious munchings carried on until there were only stems. I tried again - twice. But this is the current state of my third attempt:
Really just too frustrating! I've since discovered from Emma Cooper's blog that this could be the work of Fungus Gnats - those irritating little flies that hop swiftly around when you water indoor plants. Their eggs hatch just under the soil and the maggoty larvae munch through roots or whatever vegetation is available. A suggested solution is to let the soil dry out between waterings, a better one is apparently yellow sticky traps. (I might check that one out!)
So, during a visit to a well-known home'n'garden centre to pick up more potting soil, I found myself examining the labels in the tomato section ... and picking up a couple of sturdy, leafy plants to bring home. (Nice to see that said emporium has embraced Heritage toms.) I
But how could I resist a tomato that was called "Cherriettes of Fire"? I've had the soundtrack to that movie running through my head ever since. It's not a heritage variety but given the abundant flowers already forming, at last I have hopes of a tomato crop this summer. (Fingers crossed against blight, that is!)