Tomatoes. What next?

Lotus-eater

Stick a photo up, easier to see what's going on.

dizziblonde

I've got some that are about 5 inches high from my later batch - and the first batch that shouldn't have lived at all (planted out waaaaaay too early but seem to have thrived on it - our garden's nice and sheltered though) are like day of the triffids now!

I have one minor technical issue though... hubby (who as a general rule will eat ANYTHING)... hates tomatoes!

CommitedToChange

here's a couple of pics, the stems are half the size of the ones I've seen in supermarkets





Sorry that they are giant pictures

thanks

daz501

Have they had any draft at all? Place them somewhere that gets strong light, open a window now and again, and perhaps pot up so you can bury the stem a bit. I have plants on my bedroom window sill that aren't tomatoes but are pretty spindly. I've been letting air and draughts get to them to strengthen the stem.

CommitedToChange

Ah - no drafts at all - they are sat in front of a window that gets sun almost all day (south facing) it's only against a wall in the photo so you can see the stem - will try the draft business - thanks

Lotus-eater

I will be absolutely straight with you, they are awful
Gardeners delight shouldn't need stalking until it gets as high as yours (I mean you can and it will help them, but you know what I mean, they should be strong and bushy.) It should also have about 2 or 3 flower trusses on by this size.

What have you done wrong. Well they haven't had enough light and have been grown too warm probably. Too close together? With tomatoes you need to start as you go on. Sturdy little plants right from the off, is needed. You can just about cope with a 10 inch leggy plant by burying it up to a set of leaves.

But what to do with yours? Where are you growing them when they go out? Garden, greenhouse?
They need to get outside in a VERY sheltered spot, in good light, they need to be tied VERY carefully/well to strong canes. If you are putting them in the ground, I would bury as much as you think you can get away with and put some fleece round them.
In pots? I don't know, these are going to struggle to support any fruit, you need to get them hardened off asap, but be really careful of the wind.

Someone else might think it's not as dire as I do. If you had a greenhouse, they would survive, so maybe a very sheltered sunny spot and very well supported, they might bush up a bit and start growing properly.

Edit
Sorry.

CommitedToChange

Thanks for the honesty - I was very worried when I saw the ones in the shops!

They have been by bright sunlight almost everyday - right by a nice big window - and my flat is normally too cold! but maybe with all the extra sun in April they did end up too warm. I actually have only just staked them - they weren't falling over, I just thought they they would start to need support. They could well have been too close together.

I will try and think on what you've said on how to save them - its my first year growing anything so I'm not hugely worried, it's annoying but hey - it's all a learning curve. I should be able to get my greenhouse set up before these go out - will make that a priority.

Thanks

I'll focus on my mini bell - which are looking so much healthier

CommitedToChange

Do you think I should just cut my losses with the tallest one and focus on growing a fewer number of healthy plants?

Lotus-eater

Difficult to say, if you have more than you need, then yes, if you have the space to grow them all properly, then no, tomatoes do come back from the dead often and surprise people.

CommitedToChange

I have loads - totally overestimated how many would survive, I'll pick the shortest healthest ones and repot as deep as I can. As its my first year growing I'm going for a few success amd I'll be happy. It's a steep learning curve

Many thanks for the advice - I thought I was doing so well too!