Million bells tomato...

Discussion in 'Edible Gardening' started by Markymark, Aug 14, 2013.

  1. Markymark

    Markymark Gardener

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    Here are my two pot grown tomato plants. It doesn't really give much instructions on the back as to how to grow these small tomatoes. Can someone advise? Do I just stake them and let them grow or should I be pinching out at some point :-) thanks
     

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  2. Fat Controller

    Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

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  3. Markymark

    Markymark Gardener

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    Yes... I took it about two hours ago
     
  4. Fat Controller

    Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

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    I could be wrong, but I have a feeling you might struggle to get any ripe fruit from them given the time of year - however, you really need one of the experts like @JWK to confirm.

    I'd suggest getting them into a position where they get as much sunlight as possible, water them daily, and give them some nourishment to get them going - chicken manure pellets would be my pick to get them started, and then as soon as they set a truss switch to tomato food.
     
  5. Markymark

    Markymark Gardener

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    Oh dear... Is it because I started them too late? I have got some chicken manure pellets so will give it a go! I am now determined. When you say 'when a truss has set' do you mean flowers? Sorry...but I have never grown tomatoes before (because I hate to eat them ) but wanted to try a small variety to try and convince myself that they are tasty.
     
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    • Fat Controller

      Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

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      Yeah, its a bit late in the year to start tomatoes - they will grow, and will probably set fruit, but whether the fruit will ripen before the temperatures and light levels drop, I am not so sure. A truss is the flowers, which subsequently turn to fruit - once the flowers appear, its a good idea to give them a wee tap daily when watering to help the pollination along, and once the flowers change to fruit, that is the time to start feeding them at least weekly.

      You might get lucky and get a few edible ones ripe, as they are so small. If any tomatoes are going to change your mind, it will be home grown, as the ones in supermarkets are utter rubbish by comparison. Homegrown cucumbers are a world apart too if you like them?
       
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      • Markymark

        Markymark Gardener

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        I love cucumber and have already set my mind on growing one next year... It's just a shame that the time goes so quickly during the growing season! Thanks for your response...will let you know how I get on . :-)
         
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        • Sheal

          Sheal Total Gardener

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          Yes Markymark you will need to stake them as they get taller as they will need to support the weight of any tomatoes they produce. :)
           
        • Fat Controller

          Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

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          Try and keep in touch with us all here on the forum, even through the winter months, and you will soon find out when we are all sowing seeds (I know I tend to be itching to start by the end of January, and usually have seeds sown left, right and centre by the end of Feb :snork:)
           
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          • JWK

            JWK Gardener Staff Member

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            Mark, sorry but they are too far behind to produce anything this year. Really they would need to have some flowers and a small fruit forming to stand any chance of growing and ripening before it gets too cold. Most of us sow them in March/April and plant them out in May/June - at least you have had some practise in getting them to that stage.
             
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