Tomato issues!

Mrs.Choo

Hi there,

I am pretty new to growing flowers and veg, but in January I planted some tomatoes seeds that were bought as a cheap pack from Wilkos.

Since doing so I have had to transfer from the orignial pot to a larger ceramic pot but the plant is growing so tall.

I have tried checking the internet for some good advice on how to stop it growing massively tall but unfortunately have been a little unsuccessful. My grandad said about trimming it but I really have no idea what Iam meant to trim without killing it. I am currently supporting it via bamboo sticks.

I really would like it to flower and produce some lovely tomatoes but am worried about popping it outside with this ever changing weather!

Anyone offer any advice please

chrisaj

Hiya
What size roughly is your ceramic pot? I usually plant mine into grow bags, or use grow bag contents to fill 10" pots then plant one per pot. You'll have to support them, like you're doing, but I wouldn't put it outside just yet, unless it's gong in a heated greenhouse. When you've got three trusses set on the plant(this is when i start feeding with tom fertiliser), you can then stop the plant by taking out the top part of the plant.
Hope this helps

RAS

Hi

it sounds like

1. You planted it too early
2. The light levels are still really quite low but it is being kept somewhere too warm, so it is growing very long and fleshy (etiolated).
3. it is a cordon variety, which will grow to 8 foot easily anyway, and beyond if you facilitate that.

It really cannot go outside until after the last frost - mid -may in my area.

if the weather improves at bit over the weekend, you could try putting it outside during the day time to toughen it up and reduce the growth but you need to make sure it is at least 7-8 degrees.

Mrs.Choo

I think I have made such an error, because when I planted the seeds I just made a little hole and put them today, so now its just one giant plant instead of being spread out.


I am not really sure what to do because I could put it outside at the end of April but I'd prefer it not to get any bigger.

When you say the top part of the plant do you mean trimming the stems?? Sorry I am such a complete novice!

On the upside my sweet peas are doing well!

foreign_correspondent

it sounds like you have more than one plant in there - is there more than one central stem? Your plant should look something like this (without flowers or fruit, yet though!) if it is a single plant...