The worse the news gets, the more I focus on my homestead.
Today I took cuttings from each of the tomato varieties in the garden, and planted them inside. I’ve found I have better luck growing from cuttings than from seed, and tomato cuttings root at the drop of a hat. They won’t bear fruit indoors because the light is wrong, but they will provide nice long vines to take cuttings from next spring. Wish I could do that with all my plants but I don’t have room.
Will that even work with the hybrids?
Sometimes new growth comes before it's fully rooted. If you don't use potting soil, what medium do you use?
I'm fascinated because I've been looking at and talking to people who use cloners. They're expensive to buy, you can make your own, but it's just another bother and something to keep clean.
I'm not an expert but know a little about cuttings from rooting roses from cuttings I've collected (with permission except on vacant property) around town.
I've got two banks of shop lights on a pvc pipe stand I made and want to get both going this winter. I've also got a nice sunroom with southern exposure so I do have room but don't want to bite off more than I can chew. After puttering around all summer, I get tired of minding and watering plants all winter indoors.
Why not just save the seeds out of a choice tomato from a good plant and start new plants early?