2017 Tomato Growing

Discussion in 'Edible Gardening' started by wiseowl, Jan 9, 2017.

Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. Scrungee

    Scrungee Well known for it

    Joined:
    Dec 5, 2010
    Messages:
    16,524
    Location:
    Central England on heavy clay soil
    Ratings:
    +28,996
    I've not heard that before, but I've often seen bargain reduced compost at the end of season, only to discover it's Ericaceous compost so haven't bothered buying any.

    But now I wonder why not, surely gardeners living in area with acidic soil can grow tomatoes in the open ground? I'm sure we'd have heard about it if they had to grow them in containers of standard MPC.

    It would be interesting if you also grew a tomato in ordinary MPC for comparison and kept us updated.
     
    • Like Like x 1
    • Agree Agree x 1
    • john558

      john558 Total Gardener

      Joined:
      Feb 14, 2015
      Messages:
      2,359
      Gender:
      Male
      Occupation:
      Retired
      Location:
      Ramsgate, Kent
      Ratings:
      +8,188
      Well I will give a go this season as long as I remember to label each pot and will post the results. I will also give each one the same amount of water/feed.
      roll on the summer please:ThankYou:
       
      • Like Like x 3
      • ARMANDII

        ARMANDII Low Flying Administrator Staff Member

        Joined:
        Jan 12, 2019
        Messages:
        48,096
        Gender:
        Male
        Ratings:
        +100,834
        I don't think you want your compost too acidic, John. The RHS reckons that a ph of 6.0 to 6.8 is right for Tomatoes, so since Ericaceous compost averages below around 5.0 you might find the plants might not to take up all the nutrients and might suffer in growth and fruit development.
         
        • Agree Agree x 1
        • john558

          john558 Total Gardener

          Joined:
          Feb 14, 2015
          Messages:
          2,359
          Gender:
          Male
          Occupation:
          Retired
          Location:
          Ramsgate, Kent
          Ratings:
          +8,188
          Thanks for that info Armandii, my own compost is just over 5 although this does alter but I'll keep checking. Think I will try a couple of plants and see what happens to the taste (if they grow)
           
          • Like Like x 2
          • Friendly Friendly x 1
          • ARMANDII

            ARMANDII Low Flying Administrator Staff Member

            Joined:
            Jan 12, 2019
            Messages:
            48,096
            Gender:
            Male
            Ratings:
            +100,834
            If you don't try, you'll never know:dunno::snorky:
            [​IMG]
             
            • Agree Agree x 2
            • Like Like x 1
            • Snorky85

              Snorky85 Total Gardener

              Joined:
              Jul 7, 2013
              Messages:
              3,064
              Gender:
              Female
              Occupation:
              Accountant
              Location:
              Lincolnshire
              Ratings:
              +10,844
              Just transplanting toms that I'm growing from seed for the first time....is this wilting normal or have i boo booed?
               

              Attached Files:

            • blacktulip

              blacktulip Gardener

              Joined:
              Aug 27, 2014
              Messages:
              144
              Gender:
              Male
              Location:
              Blean, Canterbury
              Ratings:
              +228
              The seedlings seem a bit too leggy. I would have removed the cotyledons and buried them to the necks.
               
              • Agree Agree x 2
              • Like Like x 1
              • Snorky85

                Snorky85 Total Gardener

                Joined:
                Jul 7, 2013
                Messages:
                3,064
                Gender:
                Female
                Occupation:
                Accountant
                Location:
                Lincolnshire
                Ratings:
                +10,844
                Thanks @blacktulip just consulted my grandma who said the same! Got plenty more so will do as you advise :)
                 
                • Like Like x 1
                • Friendly Friendly x 1
                • Carllennon

                  Carllennon Gardener

                  Joined:
                  May 23, 2014
                  Messages:
                  144
                  Gender:
                  Male
                  Occupation:
                  Techie
                  Location:
                  Milton Keynes
                  Ratings:
                  +246
                  Mine are a bit leggy too, but I just put them in bigger pots so only the very tops are poking out. Tomato plants are very resilient so should be fine.
                  Last year I pulled out one of the side shoot of a plant and left it on the soil on its side, and it grew and rooted..
                  Also one of my cherry tomato plants snapped in half under its weight while I was at work in my conservatory. I staked it up right and taped round the bit that snapped, it grew as normal and produced fruit without any issues.
                   
                  • Like Like x 2
                  • Informative Informative x 1
                  • Snorky85

                    Snorky85 Total Gardener

                    Joined:
                    Jul 7, 2013
                    Messages:
                    3,064
                    Gender:
                    Female
                    Occupation:
                    Accountant
                    Location:
                    Lincolnshire
                    Ratings:
                    +10,844
                    • Friendly Friendly x 1
                    • Loofah

                      Loofah Admin Staff Member

                      Joined:
                      Feb 20, 2008
                      Messages:
                      12,381
                      Gender:
                      Male
                      Location:
                      Guildford
                      Ratings:
                      +21,132
                      It's very common to happen in transplanted toms but fret not they adjust and perk up very quickly.
                       
                      • Like Like x 4
                      • Linz

                        Linz Total Gardener

                        Joined:
                        Oct 7, 2015
                        Messages:
                        2,511
                        Gender:
                        Female
                        Occupation:
                        Prosperous Peasant
                        Location:
                        S.Wales
                        Ratings:
                        +6,224
                        Still not sown any, been quite disciplined up till now I think... Will sow some the weekend but not the weirdly named ones :blue thumb:
                         
                        • Like Like x 2
                        • Agree Agree x 1
                        • "M"

                          "M" Total Gardener

                          Joined:
                          Aug 11, 2012
                          Messages:
                          18,607
                          Location:
                          The Garden of England
                          Ratings:
                          +31,885
                          I heard that part of the programme too. I believe that was Steve Bradley? His advice is usually quite sound, in my experience.
                          Still, I haven't sown mine yet ... but that is because I have misplaced my seeds :redface: :heehee:
                           
                          • Like Like x 2
                          • pete

                            pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

                            Joined:
                            Jan 9, 2005
                            Messages:
                            47,693
                            Gender:
                            Male
                            Occupation:
                            Retired
                            Location:
                            Mid Kent
                            Ratings:
                            +84,310
                            Usual reason for leggy plants is not enough light along with too high a temperature.
                            Toms are no different.
                            So without lighting early sowings are likely to be leggy whatever you do.

                            Lower the temperature and they will check and go purple.

                            I just think that unless you have the right conditions everyone sows the seed too early.:smile:
                             
                            • Like Like x 1
                            • Agree Agree x 1
                            • Informative Informative x 1
                            • Friendly Friendly x 1
                            • Scrungee

                              Scrungee Well known for it

                              Joined:
                              Dec 5, 2010
                              Messages:
                              16,524
                              Location:
                              Central England on heavy clay soil
                              Ratings:
                              +28,996
                              Another reason can be sowing too close then leaving too long before transplanting producing spindly plants that get damaged roots when separating.

                              But if you follow that advice, keep them moist and out of hot sunlight then there's every chance they'll turn out strong and healthy and nobody would suspect the plants were once spindly seedlings.
                               
                              • Like Like x 3
                              • Agree Agree x 2
                                Last edited: Mar 9, 2017
                              Loading...
                              Thread Status:
                              Not open for further replies.

                              Share This Page

                              1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
                                By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
                                Dismiss Notice