complete novice - what do I do with tomato plants?

daphne_descends

A colleague has just given me six potted tomato plants as she says she has too many.

They are each around a foot high with their own pot - what do I do now with them and how do I look after them?

Excited but clueless :j

Zazen999

Firstly, welcome to the world of veg growing.

Instructions:
a - nip out all leaves that grow between the main stem and any side stems - they usually sneak up in between and you need to keep them well groomed; or the energy will go to growing those and not the toms.
b - feed weekly with Tomato food diluted in water [Tomorite is fine]
c - keep watered - daily or twice daily in really hot weather - just make sure the compost doesn't dry out. If you water TOO much though they split, so keep it nice and steady on the water front.
d - if they get top heavy [any they probably will], stake with a cane; just slide it into the compost vertically as near the main stem as possible, and using a few ties or some garden twine, gently tie the main stem to the cane - use a figure of 8 rather than a 0 method [so cross the twine over in between the cane and the main stem], so allow for growth.
e - once you have 4 to 5 levels of flowers [which will grow into toms], you can pinch the top of the main stem out, to keep the plant bushy - i DON'T do this, but others recommend it.
f - google 'growing tomatoes' regularly, as there is loads of advice on t'internet
g - enjoy those toms when nice and red [or yellow, or black, or purple depending on variety - but probably red].
Andrea

aaroncaz

I used to "nip" them leaves out on a moshav in Israel, many years ago!! The farmer used to call them"pigs"lol!

Farway

fac73 wrote: »

A colleague has just given me six potted tomato plants as she says she has too many.

They are each around a foot high with their own pot - what do I do now with them and how do I look after them?

Excited but clueless :j

What size pot are they in now? If only small, say 6 inches across or less then you would need to either repot into larger pots, grow bags or easier still the open ground

Then treat as previous poster suggested

good luck and you will enjoy the taste of lovely sun warmed fresh toms

mattytun

hi I'm sure some of you hear have grown tomatoes gardeners delight Ive bought 3 plants today I'm planning to grow in a sunny spot on my patio it gets sun all day will this be OK

noonesperfect

Sure it will.

mjr600

Remember to nip out the side shoots when they are about an inch long or you will have a unruly bush and fewer fruit.

They are Americans but then never mind....


http://www.5min.com/Video/How-to-Grow-Tomatoes-in-Containers-18630212

Gardeners Delight should be planted in the same way but are a 'cordon' variety which means that they will grow tall on a single stalk.

Lotus-eater

I grow gardeners delight as a bush and have more fruit, not less. But I do pinch out alot when its reached the max size I want. And take off the flower trusses I don't want.

alanobrien

If the weather turns hot and its south facing be very careful to water well. Last year i fried three plants that were in full sun and demanded more watering than i could supply (being at work all day). I now grow my toms in a slightly shady area and that works well for me.

mattytun

thanks for the info ill sort of move them about if it gets well hot and ill mind about the side shoots it was Monty don on the BBC gardeners show last month said if you going try growing toms try Gardner's delight so hear goes

elantan

so to take over matty but can i ask a question about tomatoes as well ...i have some have had them for about a month or so now they are huge (approx 15 inches high) i have loosely tied them to a stick to stop them from collapsing ...can i ask when approx should i expect some fruit?