From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Oak Grove, Mn

Has anyone done this. If so, I am curious lab did you send it to? What procedure did you use to collect the sample, new growth, old growth, or suckers that were pruned etc. How big of a sample is needed. What were the results and did you have a baseline to compare with.

Thanks, thinking might have to pick things up a notch next year...

3/6/2020 7:38:44 PM

Norfolk, UK

I've not done it, but have been interested in the idea. I've did it once when doing giant pumpkins, a few years ago. It was interesting.

Normally it's with young, fully unrolled leaves as these give 'current' conditions. When I've thought do doing so with tomatoes, I've thought that you have to stop any foliar feed g near leaves you might test - and additionally, you have to let some growth go (vs stopping all growth) to get fresh new leaves on an ongoing basis.

If I had a whopper on - i'd struggle to let myself do the two things above as it might cut weight, even tho the tissue test would probably be the best long term way of identifying shortages for weight gains down the line.

Interested to hear thoughts from others

3/7/2020 3:39:34 AM

Team Canuckle Heads

I've done it a couple times now but grew a sacrificial plant so the sample had new and old leaves and shoots.

3/7/2020 9:03:35 AM

On top of Brush Mountain, Pa.

I did it once last year. The results did not affect my decisions about what to do regarding fertilizers. I sent in one new leaf that had not received foliar feed. I used Western Labs. The whole thing was easy enough to do. They were happy with the sample I sent them. They wanted to receive it within 5 days of picking as I recall. I talked with them before I sent the sample. They send you a container with instructions on the outside. Pretty easy to do.

3/7/2020 9:24:28 AM

Central NY

What series of tests and at what times would have been useful to gather info on Wilson’s plant?....tests won’t change what I’m going to do this season but I feel like it would be nice to know why what we are doing is growing a bunch of 10lb tomatoes. This is the next step. Tomato Numbers...it’s obvious to me in our gardens Domingo and BZ’s have different numbers. I’ll test soil and maybe could swing 2 tissue in season if that info could help.

3/7/2020 9:41:38 AM

Central NY

Where the hell is materdoc?

3/7/2020 9:42:41 AM

On top of Brush Mountain, Pa.

It is more complicated than just tissue testing. We do soil tests and this gives an idea of what is attached to the soil aggregates, the clay and the humus. Then we do tissue testing to see what is in the plant. There is also a test to see what is in the soil water. These three all have to be considered as a part of the picture. Soil testing is not all that accurate in that a lot depends on the sample you took and where you took it. The answer you get does not apply to your entire garden. It only applies to the sample you took. Complicated. The tests are better than nothing, but not the perfect answer you might like.

3/7/2020 10:32:51 AM

Norfolk, UK

@Porkchop - my (loose) understanding of tissue tests is that prior to fruit set they don't often show much deficiency (unless stuff is really really out).

However once loaded (and set) the demands on the plant rocket, and it's after that that you'll see deficiency start to show as the fruit starts to draw.

Above was from memory - but I can't remember remember where from. Or if true given I've never tested my tomatoes!

3/7/2020 3:34:41 PM

Oak Grove, Mn

From the response I have seen, it appears to me that tissue testing on tomatoes is still in its infancy. Thanks Marv, for suggesting western labs. I use them for soil testing. I know you have talked with them before. I will try to contact them, and see if can arrange something for soil tests+tissue tests for at least one tomato plant. Stage of growth yet to be determined. I know they offer something similar for pumpkin plants but it is expensive. The knowledge gained for future years might be worth it.

3/7/2020 5:34:58 PM

Central NY

How bout we start a go fund me if someone hooks into one this year?...tissue test those last few weeks anyway...maybe a few places on the plant like eddy did?...just trying to do some forward thinking like bob. The guys and gals growing 15lbers will thank us in a decade or so.

3/7/2020 5:41:58 PM

Central NY

...and potentially solve world hunger...but whatever...

3/7/2020 5:43:20 PM

Bloomington, IN USA

Very interesting idea, tissue testing for tomatoes!
No, I haven't done it.
But I would definitely consider it if it could potentially solve world hunger or help me to produce a 15 pounder!

3/16/2020 9:04:10 PM