Tomato Growing Thread 2023

Not really, I used to experiment with straight fertilisers but I dont think it really works unless you have a know deficiency, which if using a proper feed you wont.
I use Chempak high potash these days and I think its as good as anything really, and still contains some nitrogen and phosphate.

 

Just my thoughts but I think, if you are growing directly into the ground as I think you are, sulphate of potash would be applied during soil preparation rather than a feed after planting.

 

The other thing is I suspect it's not very fast acting, it never seemed very soluble to me.
Well the plants need all three main elements plus trace elements, it's just a higher percentage of potash for fruit formation.

 

Wow crazy fast. Grow then. Do you know then that if I live in UK where growing season is not the longest. Should I cut off tops of my indeterminate tomatoes to let them finish fruits before end of season? If so when should I do it? Some seeds companies saying to cut the top after having 6-8 trusses, would this be about right?

 

I see, makes sense JWK. I live in East Midlands and my plants are outside. So taking this under consideration should I consider topping them now if I have 6 trusses? I made some mistakes, didn't water them for a week once, letting side shoots to grow and probably some more mistakes that I am not aware. I just want to make sure that I will have some fruits even if not many, instead of having lots of flowers and not many or not at all ripen fruits. Most of my plants have around 8-10 trusses with about 8 flowers/buds on each. These are mostly beef tomatoes. Seems like to me around 70 tomatoes per plant assuming all buds/ flowers will turn into tomatoes. Does it seem to be realistic that in my climate plant will have enough time till September to ripe so many fruits? If no then I would rather cut the top now, watch the weather and pinch off more flowers towards the end of the season if need to be. Does it make sense?

 

Hi all,

I was wondering if I could pick your brains.
Lots of my tomatoes this year have low trusses (far lower than I normally get), yet then have considerable distance (2-3 feet) until the next truss. Compared to previous years this seems quite a lot.

I am wondering why this may be?
I am thinking I may have over-fertilized with chicken manure pellets on re-potting - could this be a cause? Or perhaps the compost I used this year is high in nitrogen.

That said, much of the growth seems to have happened in the last 10 days - since I fertilised with a high Potassium feed. From what I understand though, this should help flowering/fruit production, not mass growth - and so could just be coincidence.

Some of my plants are very tall now - 6 foot plus. so probably beyond help, but I still have some small-ish ones, that can hopefully still be encouraged to flower.

Any tips would be much appreciated.

 

I'd guess it was the chicken pellets they seem to promote leafy growth in most things.
Don't feed until the first truss sets is the usual advice.
And then you use a high potash feed.

 

Thanks for the reply Pete.

Yes, I mixed them with the compost when repotting. Will put in less.none next time.
Would standard manure be better do you think ? Or not necessary?

Weird thing is that many of my aubergines, which have the same pellets, are doing particularly well, lots of flowers and fruits.

 

Just experimenting here with spare plants.
Pot of Gardeners delight toms.and pot of Cucumbers……with Nasturtiums ……..outside.

 

@THFC Most potting compost has enough nutrients for a few weeks so adding the pellets at potting stage could be a bit of overload, probably better nothing at all at that stage.
I've been potting mine with room for extra compost to be added as the plants grow, its kind of working as the plants tend to put new roots out from the stems.

I've never grown Aubergines so cant really comment but there are obviously certain plants that will really enjoy that extra boost from day one, courgettes and cucumbers come to mind.