Tomato Growing Thread 2012

All of my Maskotkas ( planted outdoors) are in rude health. Its getting a bit junglelike under the kitchen window as they seem to have aspirations of jumping ship. Loadsa little toms but none ripening. They are on a diet of Tomorite every other day. They rather liked the last two days of sunshine.
I'd better go out and break the bad news gently......

 

I don't remove any foliage unless/until it becomes manky

 

I don't know what others think, but it seems to be a bit of a 'funny' year, so far. A bit cold, I reckon...

 

Its another 1977 Freddy.

 

Another '77 eh? I remember it well, was between '76 and '78, yes?

 

Leaf undersides turn purple, topside of leaves are super dark jade green perhaps with a definite tinge of blue? Its the cold weather affecting phosphorus availability. If the discoloration its more on the red side of purple then magnesium is taking a knock and that can lead to yellow as the magnesium affects the nitrogen. Once things warm up you`ll find most of the issues will vanish.

Mine looked like this until the weather warmed up a tad. They dont have any soil to keep the roots warm

 

Lawd!11 It's worse than rearing KIDS ,trying to keep the ****** toms happy.
The 3 that I have in a pot, nicely staked and gently tied were comfortable and happily ticking over...... waiting for the summer sun......
Then, yesterday afternoon, a gust blew them over and they reamain on their side until the winds abates. I can't bear to force them to endure a day upright. I just might go down the buckets and spades shop to buy them a stripey windbreak.

 

Have you tried cucumbers yet Jenny? If you haven't, don't go there.

 

That's for the warning Sheal; don't think me nerves could stand it!!

 

Putting them on their side is a good way to generate more sideshoots if you need more plants in a hurry

 

Cue piccie please FC. I know its a tomato thread but we're allowed I think:WINK1:

 

as far as I have noticed with my locals its all down to personal preferance with leaf's, some keep them on, some cut them half way, me as soon as the tom's have grown to a good size I remove all the leaf's, heck one year I did not pinch any side shoots, sure it was a jungle in there but the results were the same.