Tomatoes. What next?

[Deleted User]

I have 18 under cover and 10 outside. I am using several different methods from growbags to rolled down potato bags to haxnicks 6 cane planters to 3 in growtubs. Most are in growpots on top of the compost and all look very healthy

All the inside ones are on their second truss and the outside ones have one truss plus a little second one appearing

Any experts out there re watering and feeding? Is there any sort of formula for watering to avoid split fruits and the like?

The little shoots in leaf axils are being removed as soon as they are big enough and all plants are tied to canes

I give the open truss a little shake on the inside ones but do I need to do that for fertilisation? So far the dropped flowers are leaving little baby tomatoes so something is working

Any hints and tips are appreciated

HariboJunkie

Sounds like you are doing everything right. Just keep the watering regular and don't ever let them dry out. Keeping the indoor ones well ventilated should ensure natural fertilisation and also help prevent botrytis. Don't nip the leaf axils off too early or you may damage the stem and pinch out the top of cordon plants when they have set 6 or seven trusses for the indoor ones and 4 or 5 for the outdoor ones.
I also thin out the leaves on my greenhouse toms to allow light and air to get to the plant. You can either feed weekly or as I do, reduce the dose and feed on alternate days.

HTH

jim22

Yes, as haribo has written the important point about watering is to keep compost moist at all times. Never let it dry out. It is sudden watering that splits the fruit. As to fertilisation I mist my plants also tap and lightly shake the stems.

SailorSam

Did you watch Gardeners World tonight, Monte Don built a sort of scaffold out of canes inside his greenhouse 'cos of how important he said it was to give them support.

CFC

Now I hate you all because my tomato plants are 3 inches high

Lotus-eater

SailorSam wrote: »

Did you watch Gardeners World tonight, Monte Don built a sort of scaffold out of canes inside his greenhouse 'cos of how important he said it was to give them support.

I didn't see it, sounds the same as I do, I'll have a look on watch again, it might be worth it this week

pinkcandyflossprincess

A question for you all- I have a bought tomato plant thats in a large pot and growing ok although not particulary amazing but not dead either so just leaving it to it .
I have however several pots on windowsill full of tomato seedings that came out of a packet mix of courgettes tomatoes and basil from wilkos. i think they are a italian plum type .
the seedlings are plentifull but tiny- what are the chances of them actually growing into a real plant:o
I have a grow bag to put 2 or 3 in when they are big but it seems like this may not happen-again they are healthy enough -should i bother with them at all or what?
Ive never grown veg at all so unsure what to do with them all- the wilko pot claim of a italian garden windowsill was obviously based on a windowsill the size of a house as the courgettes grew literally overnight and i had to repot them all in 3 days as they went mental:eek:

[Deleted User]

Excellent tips. The ones that I need to take up are misting and not taking the leaf axils off too early. Thank you

daz501

SailorSam wrote: »

Did you watch Gardeners World tonight, Monte Don built a sort of scaffold out of canes inside his greenhouse 'cos of how important he said it was to give them support.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b011d9k4/Gardeners_World_2011_2012_Episode_10/

Lotus-eater

pinkcandyflossprincess wrote: »

A question for you all- I have a bought tomato plant thats in a large pot and growing ok although not particulary amazing but not dead either so just leaving it to it .
I have however several pots on windowsill full of tomato seedings that came out of a packet mix of courgettes tomatoes and basil from wilkos. i think they are a italian plum type .
the seedlings are plentifull but tiny- what are the chances of them actually growing into a real plant:o
I have a grow bag to put 2 or 3 in when they are big but it seems like this may not happen-again they are healthy enough -should i bother with them at all or what?
Ive never grown veg at all so unsure what to do with them all- the wilko pot claim of a italian garden windowsill was obviously based on a windowsill the size of a house as the courgettes grew literally overnight and i had to repot them all in 3 days as they went mental:eek:

Yes, courgettes get huge, you can grow them in large pots, but for the best harvest, you want them in the ground.
You need to give your toms every help, lets put it that way. Pot them on into pots that are about 10cm diameter, better to get rid of a load and only really keep the ones you have space for. They need lots of light and warmth atm. You need to grow them fast, you can worry about hardening them off later when it's warmer outside.

spandles

kittie wrote: »

Excellent tips. The ones that I need to take up are misting and not taking the leaf axils off too early. Thank you

What are the leaf axils,and why do I need to remove them?