2013 Tomato Growing

I wonder if they ever fully recover?

 

Dunno, but I suspect no lasting damage ... but I go out of my way to avoid such setbacks "just in case". If nothing else I think setbacks can weaken the plant's immune system, and then they can be (more) susceptible to disease.

I can understand planting things out early if you are given an ultimatum "Either they go, or you do" or greenhouse space is at a premium and something has to go out, but every Spring I see a rush to "Can I plant out now" and wonder why people want the risk it? Its a race I definitely want to lose ... I'm happy being the last to plant out, provided I can house them and they are not pot bound and hating not being planted out.

 

Jack McHammocklashing

If you've invested in a greenhouse and haven't got any plants that will be ready in time then invest in some bought in plants. I was at a car boot sale yesterday (took nearly £200!) and there were sturdy tomato plants selling for 50 - 60p each, much better than garden centre plants that have been left out on cold nights, suffered from lack of water, general neglect, etc.

If you're going to sow seeds then consider some mini-bush varieties such as Red Robin that can be grown in smaller pots and brought indoors to finish cropping. I sent some of these seeds to Jenny namaste - how are your plants doing? Jack, if you want some seeds PM me and I'll send some.

 

Hiya Scrungee,
these were pricked out into 1" cells ( grown on the bathroom windowledge) on 7/4/2013 and potted on last week,
Jenny
they are lovely strong chunky little chappies - love 'em,
Jenny

 

How are they growing in comparison to your other toms?

 

They are squatter and appear more healthy than the Maskotkas which have grown lankier I think. This is the second batch of sowing TBH and I think that both varieties would have been better, had I not rushed into it like everyone else. But it was a gamble cos we didn't know it was gonna be Springless did we? The earlier batch are both showing signs of a first truss and they are destined for the kitchen window box tomorrow and will have to be laid sideways on,
Jenny

 

Excellent idea FC. Treat yourself to something as a reward,
Jenny

 

Well here's my batch newly potted on today, there's an assortment here and some are doing better than others. 'Tamina' the potato leafed ones are looking very healthy. The compost looks dry but I was waiting for the sun to go before I watered.



'Tamina'

 

Oh dear, I sowed my Toms on 7 March and they've enjoyed looking out of the bedroom window ever since. They have grown a bit leggy and are desperately in need of more root growing space.
Problem 1) If I pot on to 5" pots, there won't be enough room for them all on the windowledge
Problem 2) They are destined for the kitchen window boxes - sou/souwest facing but blowing a small gale outside now and the forcast is not too special for quite a few days with 6C at night and strong winds. I can lay them on their sides - it worked out OK last year.
Problem 3) They are starting to flower and will need feeding.
Why did I sow them so soon? Anyone else got a dilemma?
Jenny

 

'Cos FC, we were both enticed into that b******y box - along with the other GC frogs

Jenny

 

FC,

Now's the perfect time for boot sales, get 'em out there and they'll be gone in no time!

 

Put outside on warm days? Brighter light will help them and stop them getting more leggy, cooler temps will slow down their growth rate I reckon.

They'll need more water though as breeze will make them transpire more. Particularly if in small pots (feeding them will help with that, might as well start Tom Food now at low concentration).

Bonus is that they will already be hardened off / mostly hardened off when you need them to go into window boxes