by Elizabeth
Wuerslin
Colorado State University Cooperative Extension
Master Gardener
Larimer County
Q: I am bewildered with all the abbreviations and strange names on my tomato plants—what do they mean?
Through hybridization, growers have successfully found
resistant varieties to common soilborne fungal diseases. VFN is an abbreviation
which indicates resistance to Verticillium and Fusarium wilt
as well as resistance to nematodes, a type of microscopic roundworm. VFN varieties
are recommended for the Colorado gardener. Other abbreviations include T, resistance
to the Tobacco mosaic virus and A, resistance to Alternaria solani the fungus
of early tomato blight.
The designations indeterminate and determinate tell how tomatoes
are produced in the growing season. Indeterminate tomato plants will produce
in successive waves through the summer, whereas determinate vines will produce
their fruit all at once. Most gardeners plant some of each type.
Q. What is an heirloom tomato, and why the current interest in this type of plant?
Heirloom tomatoes are varieties cultivated prior to 1940 when open pollination, not hybridization, was the selection process. These tomatoes are generally sweeter, lumpier looking and better tasting. Reward your taste buds this summer with a BLT sandwich made from a Brandywine or Pineapple heirloom tomato.
Q. My rhubarb plant has produced a strange-looking growth. What is it?
It is the flower of the rhubarb plant. Remove it, as it will draw strength from the plant and diminish leaf and stalk production. Now is also a great time to harvest your rhubarb. Chose stalks ½ to 1 inch in diameter and avoid thick stems—they tend to be woody. Do not eat the leaves, as they are poisonous. If you do not have time to process all of the stems now, harvest them, wash them, cut into sections and freeze for later.
Q. I am a new homeowner with an ugly fence to
cover. What vines can I use?
An inexpensive and quick fix are annual vines. Quick growing vines include morning
glories and sweet peas, both easily grown from seeds. A real standout is the
Ruby Moon Hyacinth Bean Vine (Dolichos lablab ‘Ruby Moon’),
a 2006 Plant Select® mounding vine which produces purple to white flower
clusters and distinctive purple bean pods. It does best in full sun.
Gardening and Insect Fact Sheets are available on-line by clicking HERE.
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