Ummmm 2021

[Barmaley]

Does somebody grow dwarf tomatoes in this year? This is first time I decided to try few and I am excited to see what will happen!

[Rockoe10]

I tried germinating some seeds I received in a trade. None of them were viable......

But i did start some seeds a saved last year from a dwarf plant i saved from the Lowe's store late in the season. Already had red tomatoes on it, so i figured the $5 for the plant was worth the seeds alone!

I don't know the variety. It was labeled as a "Cocktail Cherry". That could be anything.

The plant is doing very well in its 4.5inch pot at the window. 6 little flower buds have shown up on a leaf stem (very odd). The grow tip has terminated, but a sucker has formed at the top crotch, so all is well.

20210512_100359.jpg

[PlainJane]

I’m going to try a few this year to see if I can squeak in a fall tomato season.
Got seeds for Minibel, Orange Hat and Little Red Riding Hood from Renaissance Farms.

[bobrarian]

I'm growing an almost micro dwarf - Premus - that I received in the last MMMM swap. Growing great so far in a 3-gallon pot. Lots of small tomatoes. None ripe yet, but hopefully soon!

Also growing Dwarf Pink Passion, from the dwarf project. In a 5-gal HD bucket. Again, none ripe yet, but making a lot of small heart-shaped tomatoes. Compact at about 2 feet tall, and very productive.

I want to do a write up to share at the end of the season.

Bobby

[Barmaley]

What is MMMM swap?

[Shule]

@Barmaley
The MMMM Swap is a group seed swap regularly hosted by Tormato. If you participate, you can expect a really great surprise coming back at you. It'll probably happen again in the fall/winter or so.

The link above takes you to the MMMM Swap forum, which is the place to go if you have questions.

As I understand it, people send Tormato seeds; Tormato compiles and sends the seeds (along with his own seeds) to MMMM Swap participants.

[MissS]

What is MMMM swap?

What is the MMMM swap? The Mostly Mystery Mater Mailing. It is the most amazing seed swap that I know of. You have to participate just once to fully appreciate it. Look at the link that Shule provided. Ferment some of your tomato seeds and have them ready to send them in to the swap this fall. Start making your Wish List now and you will be set. The rewards for participating are incredible. This swap is not limited to tomatoes but has other veggies and flowers too.

There will be lots of seeds and swaps/trades available on the forum come fall. So make notes as you read the forum on what plants that you think are ones that you would like to get seeds of and grow. Many people post their descriptions of their plants and their results. Some have taste tests and others report on disease resiliency. All of these things are good to keep in mind.

[Rockoe10]

You absolutely must participate in the MMMM this Fall/Winter [mention]Barmaley[/mention] ! It's fun and rewarding, both as a seed provider and as a receiver of the package. I was blown away this past Winter! I'm so glad I participated, and I've dedicated this year to expanding my tomato experience, as well as preparing for this next MMMM.

[Toomanymatoes]

First year growing dwarf project tomatoes. I selected 12 different varieties to try. All growing in 5 gallon self-irrigating buckets. So far, they are looking fantastic. Most are just starting to fruit (Zone 6b, Ontario, Canada).

These are the varieties for this year:

• Adelaide Festival

• Boronia

• BrandyFred

• Chocolate Champion

• Lemon Ice

• Rosella Purple

• Sweet Scarlet Dwarf

• Tasmanian Chocolate

• Uluru Ochre

• Wherokowhai

• Willa's Cariboo Rose

• Wilpena

Really looking forward to tasting all of these!

[Tormahto]

The MMMM repository of Dwarf Project varieties is virtually empty.

Nudge. Nudge. Wink. Wink. Say no more.

[Toomanymatoes]

The MMMM repository of Dwarf Project varieties is virtually empty.

Nudge. Nudge. Wink. Wink. Say no more.

I have never participated in any swap before. I am hoping to do so this year, if one happens. I only have 1 plant of each variety. I will save as many seeds as I can. I have bagged some blooms and will continue to bag as much as I can. Although, that doesn't seem to be a requirement of the MMMM? Of course, if my seed source didn't isolate it seems almost pointless anyway. I also live in Canada, if that makes any difference. Our import law exemption for small seed lots for home gardeners is pretty good (<500g of seeds or about 200,000 tomato seeds).

I also saved seeds from a variety I grew last season called Frau Hager Klein. Seeds were from a local vendor here in Ontario obtained from a family from Austria. It turned out to be a dwarf/rugose variety. Tomatoes were tasty. I did not bag the blooms though.

https://matchboxgarden.ca/shop/index.ph ... cts_id=502

[Tormahto]

Toomanymatoes,

I like your username.

Participate in the MMMM, and you'll find out the true meaning of that username.

No requirement to bag blossoms for the swap. For peppers, it would be nice to have bagged seed, but it is still not a requirement. Does living in Canada make a difference? I wouldn't know. Ask the Canadian participants. Higher postage for bubble mailers, and filling out custom forms is a difference, if going that route. But, mailing a "greeting card" (or three) back, avoids those potential problems, for me. Frau Hager Klien has not been in any past swaps, so would likely be most welcome. The MMMM is supposed to be mostly a mystery, so perhaps we should keep most potential send-ins a secret.

[MissS]

The MMMM is one of the best seed swaps ever!!! Everyone has to participate at least once. The rewards are amazing. The Mostly Mystery Mater Mailing is so popular that we have given it it's own forum. You can read about last years swap here: viewforum.php?f=117

[Amateurinawe]

Yes, "I send back overstuffed bubble mailer, wreck your 2021 growing plans".

Yup, seventy two plants later and still counting. But I wouldn't want it any other way....

[Toomanymatoes]

Well, I will certainly participate to the best of my ability.

I am growing about 50 different peppers as well. I already bagged some blooms on most of them and will continue to do so.

[jmsieglaff]

I have participated once. Why only once? I had to go out and buy a new binder and sheets just for the swap package I received. It will be many years before I even get to half the seed I got. It’s incredible. Some fall soon I’ll have to do it again, if nothing else to freshen my stash and because like many I am a tomato seed junkie. But in all seriousness I have gotten to try some varieties that have become new favorites because of the swap. The hardest part will be figuring out what to try year 1 post swap.

[HL2601]

I love the MMMM swap. Tormato is infinitely patient trying to fill the stash and making suggestions you could save seed for for future swaps. It is a pretty big production. And getting your package back is like Christmas Day- so many varieties...so little space. The more participants, the better the swap is. I hope many new people will join in. It is so fun!

[Tormahto]

Yes, "I send back overstuffed bubble mailer, wreck your 2021 growing plans".

Yup, seventy two plants later and still counting. But I wouldn't want it any other way....

Call me what I am, a home wrecker. I only take it as far as wrecking home gardens, though.

This year, I finally wrecked my own garden. I had to go and trial about 40 potential lines of an unknown Granny's Heart cross. Expecting a few of them to produce both PL and RL seedlings, more than 30 of them did. The newly dug bed for zinnias, nope, more tomatoes. The bed for beans, nope more tomatoes. Murphy's Law also kicks in, where I have more seedlings than in any other year. Like all past years, I expected to lose one or more young transplants to varmints or severe weather. But no, this year not a lost one.

[Tormahto]

Well, I will certainly participate to the best of my ability.

I am growing about 50 different peppers as well. I already bagged some blooms on most of them and will continue to do so.

If you don't already know, let those peppers (for seed saving) overripen as much as possible before harvesting. They will have the most mature and viable seed.

[Tormahto]

I have participated once. Why only once? I had to go out and buy a new binder and sheets just for the swap package I received. It will be many years before I even get to half the seed I got. It’s incredible. Some fall soon I’ll have to do it again, if nothing else to freshen my stash and because like many I am a tomato seed junkie. But in all seriousness I have gotten to try some varieties that have become new favorites because of the swap. The hardest part will be figuring out what to try year 1 post swap.

Names on a dartboard, or names drawn out of a hat is the easy way out.