calling Kirsten

Hi Kirsten

I was about to ask about potting on my Toms when I spotted your advice to Big Bird and all the info I needed was there. One question though, I have already potted my seedlings on into 3" pots and from what I've read I think they're now ready for 5". However I didn't replant up to first seed leaves (didn't know that bit) so should I do that when I pot on today or is it too late???

Regards Sheelagh :cnfs:

 

I'm sure Kristen will b e along shortly Sheelagh, but no it isn't too late. I have seen them being sunk when they are quite big plants before.

 

Good morning lolipop!

Thanks for prompt reply, I'll give it a whirl.

Sheelagh :luv:

 

Yup, as Clarie says.

When you pot-on Tomatoes to their final pots (if you are going to grow them in pots) leave more space at the top of the pot than usual. The stem will produce root nodules at the base, and there will be a mass of roots very near the surface of the compost, and about a month after potting on to final pot size you can top dress the pot with an inch or two more compost.

Turn the 3" pot upside down onto your your hand - i.e. your hand is plam-upwwards - and with the stem of the plant between your fingers.

i.e. you are supprting the pot in your hand, and if the plant falls out you it can go no further than your fingers.

Knock the edge of the pot sharply on the edge of a table or similar. Might need to do that a couple of times, you may well need quite a sharp tap.

The plant will fall out of the pot into your hand (just to be clear, the plant is only going to fall an inch or so!!)

Take the pot off with your other hand and see how much root you have around the outside of the root ball. If it is well established its time to pot-on. If there are hardly any roots to be seen push the pot back on, turn the plant/pot the right way up, tap the bottom down on the table to re-seat the plant, and check again in a week :thumb:

I recommend putting a carefully phrased question in the subject. I only open threads where the subject looks to be something I am either interested in, or think I can help. I'm sure others do the same, so you are likely to get more readers / answers with a subject of "Need help with potting on my Tomatoes" :thumb:

Also, folk searching on Google are more likely to find the thread

Note that if you are also growing Cucumbers you should NOT plant them deep. (Probably applies to Melons, Courgetts, etc. too, but IME to a lesser extent). I can't think of other exceptions, so in general plants can be pricked out, or potted on, up to their seed leaves.

Brassicas are the worst culprints. They just keep stretching their stem up to the seed leaves ... so every time you pot on, and again when you plant out, you have to bury them deeper and deeper!! - or maybe its just the way I neglect them whilst in my care ... I think I can hear the Plant Protection Agency kocking at my door ... :D

 

Thanks for all your advice will go and do some deep potting on right now.

Regards Sheelagh :gnthb:

 

"I keep meaning to watch that episode on iplayer to confirm, but thats a new one on me"

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00kc79b/Gardeners_World_2009_Episode_5/

51 minutes in.

Don't think its any different to leaving a space at the top of the final pot, and then top dressing with an inch or two of compost at end of June