Tomatoes

I have been growing tomatoes for over 40 years. I do not consider myself to be anything more than an enthusiastic amatuer. I have grown as many as 25 plants in a season but now have settled on 8. I usually do okay for crop. My set-up is a 13'x 8' Dutch type cedar Alton. I use 10" pots and good quality compost. I grow from seed. I am retired so I have the time to spend looking after the plants. I confess that despite all my experiance I water by trial and error, by that I mean I do not have a set formula, I have never found in any book on tomatoes a specific amount of water to give to a plant. The last 3 years I have had B.E.R. and blamed it on my watering method, however, reading some of the posts on a number of websites it would appear that another factor in the equasion is the variety. I have noticed that certain toms are less troubled than others. I should be grateful if anyone could recommend any that they have found trouble-free, and also is their an ultimate Tomato Book?

 

Hi Stannolly.Everything I have read about B.E.R. on tomatoes says it is caused by a lack of Calcium being taken up by the plants due to being watered after a long period of insufficient watering,mainly leaving the plants to go very dry at the roots, and then suddenly being watered after they have become stressed.

We had the problem once on Greenhouse Toms whilst on Holiday,due to them not being watered until midday,after having the sun on them for hours in the greenhouse.

The Variety was Moneymaker, and the problem didn't show it's self until a few weeks later as the toms were developing.

Since then we have given up with greenhouse Toms and just concentrated on growing them outside.

We water everyday, so that they never go short of moisture,usually done in the morning, but if it's been a hot day, then we water in the evening as well.

I don't know of any good Tomato Books--Sorry

Kandy--Happy Gardening

 

Stannolly, I am at the other end of the scale, only been growing tomatoes for about 5 years. For what it is worth I have a kind of system which so far seems satisfactory and reliable (for me anyway).

I place my 10 inch pots in dishes just larger than the pots and water only into these about quarter of an inch deep. I check 2, sometimes 3 times a day and water again only when dried up. Of course tomato feed goes into top of pot once a week after first truss is set. This way you are always in control as it gives you immediate indications of the plants requirements. Even though the same conditions are provided for all the pots, each plant varies in its water consumption which is immediately obvious.

Of course this system would be no good for high performance show tomatoes, but seems fine for normal use.

 

What does "the first truss is set" mean? I noticed it on my tomato feed, but wasn't quite sure whether it meant flowers, fruit or something else.

 

Hi Deserter, when the first tomato fruits are just visible, at least that's my interpretation!

 

Hi everyone,I usually grow my tomatoes in a greenhouse. This year trying outdoors, wondered if anyone has grown tomatoes in hanging baskets ? I have G/delight, Golden Sunrise, Tigerella & Marmande. Not very adventurous but have seen lots more exciting ones for next year.

 

Hi startiger, yeap no problem, not tried your varieties, I am in my second year of Gartenperle and balcony red/yellow.

I am retired so mid-day watering is no problem when occasionally necessary.

Try to train them as evenly as possible, otherwise difficult to handle with weight of tomatoes all on one side. Also encourage the lowest branches to grow over the side and not into the compost area where they may rot.

All this is for small bush varieties only of course.

 

Hi Startiger, I'm a relative newbie to tomato growing, but last year I grew some cherry toms quite successfully outdoors. In fact, I had more toms of that one plant than the ones in the greenhouse !!! Give it a go in a basket, just dont let it dry out !

 

For extra toms.
I leave a few side shoots to get to 6ins, pull them off at the stem and put them in the pot/bag or container(as a cutting) they usually root in a week or so and give some extra toms later

 

I am growing tomatoes for the first time this year. A friend gave me moneymaker, g/delight,alicante,red plum and F1 tomatoe. all as young seedlings. i have them in pots in my plastic greenhouse. what is the best food to feed them with once trusses have set.

 

Forgot to also ask will i need to stake these varieties.

 

Yes to staking, I think you need that with all toms - even the cherry ones can pull the plant over I think. Not sure on best food, I just get standard tomato food from the garden centre which seems to do the job and costs about �£2 for a seasons supply.

 

I have gardeners delight and money maker couple in my hanging baskets they are growing but doing nothing at present the others i have staked ,fed them with tomato feed but i blame our weather here in the north east it has been windy and dull, we have had a couple of warm sunny days but i reckon not enough good weather.
from rosa