Thanks! I just got a timer for my lights, so I’ll set it for that. I think some of them are cherries, but my memory keeps playing tricks on me so I’m not sure anymore.
Unfortunately this house only has one south-facing window, and its taken up by the dining room table. That, and my bedroom is the only place that’s out of kitty reach.
The outdoor plants should do fine, but I’m determined to get these indoor ones to produce!
Late catching up, here, but I think you need to check the type of tomato plant you are trying to grow indoors. Even with timed lights and staking, the indeterminate, full size plants just don’t do well indoors unless you have a 5-gallon container and really high head room. Also, a full size indeterminate WILL fall over and crack off the branch from the weight of the fruit unless it is extremely well staked, making sure to stake securely every bearing branch.
For a 3”-4” tomato, try the Patio Hybrids (some are called Patio Princess). They reach 24” in height and are determinate, meaning they only grow so many branches, and, therefore, so many tomatoes. I like these started inside and then moved outside, in the pot. Mine on the deck are full of green tomatoes up here in zone 4. I started them from seed in March, first under lights, then in a south window.
However, the best cherry-type tomato I have grown indoors, under lights, is the Red Robin. It is a miniature/dwarf and takes 4+ months from seed to end of harvest. Perhaps 30+ cherry tomatoes with good flavor/plant. Use a 12” pot or, as I did, grow it hydroponically. It only grows to about 18”-20”, is very strong, but still needs staking and is bushy, so only one plant to a container is best, IMO.
I am experimenting right now with 2 other dwarf miniatures: Silvery Fern, which has lovely, airy foliage, is about 2 feet high or a bit less and is bred for cold climates. I started mine in April and they are just now full of flowers. It needs staking and a 12” pot. It is outside, now, but if I like the fruit, I will start some for indoors.The other cultivar is Tiny Tim. 16” or less, compact and looks quite strong. It, too, is just at the flower stage.
Seeds are available at containerseeds.com. I am fairly sure that all except the Patios are open pollinated.
My goal is to start hydroponic plantings every month, so I have some sort of indoor or patio tomato from October-August, when my garden bears. I also have been doing lettuce hydroponically. I am using full sized regular garden seeds and I have a low fan on them for an hour or so each day as soon as they have several real leaves. That makes them less limp and with more crunch. I like the red lettuces. I just started some spinach, but the one I chose is very slow to sprout (up to 2 weeks) and grows very slowly. Hubby hates it, so I may not plant it again.
About those lights: I use compact florescent grow lights. The more lumens, the better. 2 equal about 60-65 watts, so they are economical. My hydroponic plantings are in an AeroGarden. I use the Pro200 for tomatoes because the lights are stronger, it has a trellis support system that is quite ingenious and the lamp arm goes up to 24”. For lettuce, I use a regular 7-pod AeroGarden. They are spendy, but they have regular sales and I found a reconditioned one for my son for about 1/3 off last month. I have purchased mine slowly, over a few years and will get one more so I can do my sequential tomato plantings.
Good luck! I find it quite challenging and a lot of fun, plus, we love tomatoes with flavor.