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Topsy Turvey Update- It's been 3 weeks

By
Real Estate Agent with Donna Homes, powered by JPAR - TexasRealEstateMediationServices.com 0480809

Many of you saw my previous blog about the Topsy Turvey and you asked to keep you posted on the progress.

Well, it's now been three weeks!!  This is the LONGEST that I've ever kept a tomato plant alive!!  My thumb is so green right now!!

I still only have the two tomatoes, but look at the size of them compared to three weeks ago in the above link.  There is also a small one that has been budding all week, but it's still smaller than a petite pea.

Topsy Turvey

Topsy Turvey

There are several other places where it looks like the beginnings of new tomatoes are starting.

Topsy Turvey  Topsy Turvey

The weird thing is that the plant is not actually growing down as it hangs upside down.  Look back up at the picture and see how the leaves are touching the bottom of the holder?  The main "branches" are growing upwards.  My husband says this is because it's growing towards the sun, but the sun circles around it all day. 

Does anyone else have any theories as to why it's growing "up" instead of "down"?

Three weeks and it's alive, so I'm a firm believer... for now.

Lori Isaacson
Credit Restoration Consultants - Plantation, FL

I have no idea why it us growing as it is,however I would love to know how good these taste when you get a chance to taste them...There is nothing like a home grown tomato!! I used to grow them in N.Y. when I was growing up. When I moved to Fla. we used to go to the tomato fields and pick them fresh. The fields are all built over now. so sad!!

Happy Tuesday!!

Lori

May 26, 2009 02:26 AM
Craig Rutman
Helping people in transition - Cary, NC
Raleigh, Cary, Apex area Realtor

Your hubby is right that the plant is trying to grow towards the sun. The weight of the branches and gravity will keep them growing towards the ground, but that will only make them stronger as they try to defy gravity.

Thanks for the update!

Keep us in the loop my green thumb friend!!!

May 26, 2009 02:48 AM
Brian Lee Burke
Kenna Real Estate - Lone Tree, CO
Broker & Advising Expert-Kenna Luxury Real Estate

Yay Donna - it's working. I too will be interested to find out how they will taste. ~Rita

May 26, 2009 03:07 AM
Robert Rauf
CMG Home Loans - Toms River, NJ

and it works!  AS SEEN ON TV!  Could it be working because you are more attentive to the new fad vs the old stick it in the ground and wait?

It grows up because it knows which way is up! 

May 26, 2009 03:23 AM
Richard Weeks
Dallas, TX
REALTOR®, Broker

Donna,

I was wondering how this was working out.  Thanks for the update. 

May 26, 2009 03:50 AM
Michael Setunsky
Woodbridge, VA
Your Commercial Real Estate Link to Northern VA

Donna, I saw these advertised on TV. What keeps the weight of it from falling out of the container? I think your Husband is right, plants always have a tendency to lean towards the Sun.

May 26, 2009 05:40 AM
Donna Harris
Donna Homes, powered by JPAR - TexasRealEstateMediationServices.com - Austin, TX
Realtor,Mediator,Ombudsman,Property Tax Arbitrator

Lori, I'll keep everyone posted as they grow, and I eat them!

Craig, Interesting theory you have... even though the sun encircles the plant all day?

Rita, I'll let you know.

Robert, No, because the previous ones were started in the house as I wanted them to be good and strong before planting outside in the heat... but it never worked.

Richard, Stay tuned in a couple of weeks.

Michael, There is a foam insert that covers the opening and it has a slit in it to hold the stem.  Other than that, nothing.

May 26, 2009 06:19 AM
Scott Larson
First Weber Hedeman Group - Monroe, WI
SRES

Why not just plant it in a pot and let the rain and sun do the rest? Don't you have to water all the time?

Scott

May 26, 2009 06:44 AM
Shirley Parks
Sands Realty 210-414-0966 - San Antonio, TX
Broker, 210-414-0966, San Antonio TX Real Estate

Sorry but your husband wins this one!  Plants always grow toward the sun.  The effect of the sun is strongest when it is most directly overhead.  You probably won't get a suntan or sunburn at 9a.m. although the sun is shining but you will get one during the hours when the sun is most directly overhead.

May 26, 2009 06:57 AM
Al & Peggy Cunningham, Brokers
RE/MAX West Realty Inc., Brokerage - Brampton, ON
Our Family Wants To Help Your Family!

Hi Donna!  Shirley above is 100% correct and her example perfect.  We too have the topsy turvey in the yard! Ours is just a week old, now we are excited to see tomatoes like yours! 

Al is creative, so made up his own concoctions as well!  We'll let you know how those ones do.  Maybe we will get them on as seen on tv too! :0)  

May 26, 2009 01:39 PM
Teresa Harris
Lake Real Estate, LLC - Denver, NC
Denver . Lake Norman . Charlotte

Hi Donna, Thanks for the update and I am glad to see this is working for you. I bet they will taste the best too!! Do you like tomato sandwiches??

May 26, 2009 01:51 PM
Steve Shatsky
Dallas, TX

Hi Donna... I agree with Lori... there is nothing like a homegrown tomato!  Growing up in NJ we had literally hundreds of tomatoes each summer and they had more flavor than any tomato I have bought since at any store.  Enjoy them! 

May 26, 2009 07:11 PM
Donna Harris
Donna Homes, powered by JPAR - TexasRealEstateMediationServices.com - Austin, TX
Realtor,Mediator,Ombudsman,Property Tax Arbitrator

Scott, Apparently you didn't read part 1.  I've tried that SEVERAL times. Didn't work!  No, you don't water it all the time.  Same amount as if it were rightside up.

Shirley, Thanks for the science lesson!

Peggy, I look forward to see how yours does!

Teresa, "Working" might not be the right word since it's still only 2, but they're growing and the plant isn't dead!

Steve, I wonder why they would taste different... except for all the pesticides the big growers would use.

May 28, 2009 07:24 AM
Kathleen Cooper
Kathleen Cooper, Sposato Realty Group - Worcester, MA
Sposato Realty Group - Broker Owner

ROFL  I always wondered if these things worked!  Too many times I've bought stuff on TV and wasted my money and when I saw this commercial I was intrigued by it too, but I haven't bought one...maybe I should!  LOL  Thanks for sharing!

How's the baby doing?

Sincerely,

Kathleen

May 29, 2009 05:46 AM
Donna Harris
Donna Homes, powered by JPAR - TexasRealEstateMediationServices.com - Austin, TX
Realtor,Mediator,Ombudsman,Property Tax Arbitrator

Just wanted to let you know that 2 of the tomatoes are now red, and there are 2 more growing, for a total of 5!

Jun 04, 2009 02:05 AM
Connie Betz
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Ambassador Real Estate - Omaha, NE
Top Omaha Realtor - Omaha Homes for Sale

Hi Donna, I gave up trying to grow tomatoes from seed and bought the small plants from my local nursery.  I haven't had a garden the past few years because tilling the soil is so difficult  And this year - DUH, I disovered I could grow tomatoes in pots!  Whoo Hooo! 

Jun 07, 2009 02:40 PM