Tomato Growing Thread 2012

Discussion in 'Edible Gardening' started by JWK, Mar 1, 2012.

  1. Fat Controller

    Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

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    Thanks - next time I am in there, I'll give it a chop. :)
     
  2. HarveyMoon

    HarveyMoon Apprentice Gardener

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    just out of curiosity, but does anyone know what it means when a leaf curls upwards? this happens every year for me and I'm curious as to what it means
     
  3. Freddy

    Freddy Miserable git, well known for it

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    Hi chums.

    Mine are looking quite spindly, at around 3ft tall, probably the worst I've grown at this stage:sad: I noticed that on one of the seed packets, it said that soil based compost produces bushier plants. I've always used a peat based compost, but am now considering using a JI compost next year. Anyone here tried both to compare?
     
  4. Sheal

    Sheal Total Gardener

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    Freddy, I don't think it's the compost. All my annuals in the garden are tall and green and the toms in the greenhouse likewise with very few flowers. I think it's the lack of sun. They all need some sunshine to get the flower heads going.
     
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    • JWK

      JWK Gardener Staff Member

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      I had thought about using JI but it is quite expensive, I'm using the peat-free compost from Wyevale as it was on special offer.

      I'm using I'd be interested to hear if anyone is using JI for their toms.

      I think Sheal has a good point though, they need sunshine. Mine are getting very leggy now.
       
    • Kristen

      Kristen Under gardener

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      Mine look dreadful - tall, yellow leaves, now reached the roof and only 4 trusses ... neither enough light nor heat I think.

      I gave up growing them in containers years ago, too much trouble watering them ... mine are in the greenhouse border - which I replace every year - its 50% compost-heap and 50% well rotted muck - so the "soil" is light and easy to work, so its not a big deal to replace the soil. The rough compost, once passed through the greenhouse for a season, is "bootiful" by the end, and most weed seeds have been cooked and given up the ghost!
       
    • Jack McHammocklashing

      Jack McHammocklashing Sludgemariner

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      I planted mine deep, they now are about 2' high with two trusses on, and the stems are about 15-22mm thick at the base

      The first leaves are damaged, from outside to centre yellow purple, dark green
      The rest are strong and dark green

      That is in the Greenhouse

      Outside, they are strong with thick stems, but only 18" high and just the one truss

      I have never ever tried outside before, first go as Fife is so cold
      Actually only my second year,
      Last year was Greenhouse only. planted late, and too late to crop other than mostly green

      Kristens Shirley are doing very well, strike four out of four, one dropped with no roots
      (snapped off in my fall)
      I stripped the next two branches off and replanted deep, it has now recovered and has one truss

      Jack McH
       
    • Kristen

      Kristen Under gardener

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      Can you post a photo? might be Magnesium deficiency (common when you first start feeding with Tomato fertilizer (high potash) and easily rectified with Epsom Salts)
       
    • Freddy

      Freddy Miserable git, well known for it

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      Hi folks.

      I should have said (in case there is any confusion) that I was talking about the potting on stages.
       
    • Vince

      Vince Not so well known for it.

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      My greenhouse toms are healthy and producing flowers, I'm knocking the **** out of them every lunchtime but still just the one fruit.... BUT, it's a delicious so might still be in with a chance on the biggest tomato comp?

      I think we're all hoping for some warmer, sunnier days?
       
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      • Jack McHammocklashing

        Jack McHammocklashing Sludgemariner

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        [​IMG]

        The what was distinct purple is now almost black, rest of the plan above that branch are nice dark green leaves

        Jack McH
         
      • Jenny namaste

        Jenny namaste Total Gardener

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        Er Jack,
        can I have that in plain English please?
         
      • Fat Controller

        Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

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        I'm starting to wonder what on earth is going on with mine now - I seem to be constantly pulling bits of foliage off (almost all lower), that has withered and gone rotten or even mouldy. The tops of the plants are looking healthy, and I have now got a decent dose of flowers appearing, and even fruits appearing.

        Is this lower foliage problem something to worry about? Could it be a humidity issue due to being in the polytunnel?
         
      • Jack McHammocklashing

        Jack McHammocklashing Sludgemariner

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        Discussion is about the leaves on my Tomato plants
        The picture taken recently shows the leaves yellow then black then green
        Previous about a week before, the leaves were yellow, Purple, then green

        The leaves and plant above these "damaged" leaves are normal and rich green
        and each plant has at the moment three trusses

        Jack McH
         
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        • HarveyMoon

          HarveyMoon Apprentice Gardener

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          I always remove the lower leafs to about 6-8 inches up the plant, as soon as the plant is strong enough i.e. when it begins to flower and so I do not get this problem
           
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