Tomato Growing Thread 2022

Sheps,

I've just been in chili greenhouse adding the support frames to the pots. I thought I would take some photos to better illustrate the method I use. Wine bottle is for scaling (not my idea but a very good one).


1. Plastic covered aluminium poles spaced by plastic clips


2. Smaller plants so you can see more of the spacers


3. Spacer are the adjustable length type


4. Closeup of spacers.

Sorry to post pictures of chilis on the Tomato forum but the frame system is the same for both and the tomatoes are not quite big enough yet.

The larger Wilma system I have is too big for this technique and so I've ordered some different type clips and I'll post a picture of them when they arrive.

Best regards

Ademission

 

That frame system looks very sturdy, mine are plastic coated metal poles fastened to the greenhouse frame via some plastic coated wire.

One thing I will say, I'm very envious of the power supply in your greenhouse, I think this is going to be a job for over the winter.

 

Sheps,

Yes, the mains power system in the greenhouses is very useful. I have 5 x timer and dual mains points in the larger greenhouse and 3 x in the smaller greenhouse. The boxes are IP rated and so can be sprayed with jeyes etc when closed. They all link back to a consumer unit with overload and 30mA RCD.



1. Mains on timer
2 2 x mains

This is repeated 5 times around the greenhouse.

Both box types can be bought from CPC on the net (cheapest prices I found).

Regards

Ademission

 

Excellent...what are the sockets fastened to?

 

Sheps,

The boxes are screwed to a piece of fence kickboard (150mm × 20mm) which has been primed and painted to match the colour of the greenhouse frame. I think I used 6 x 1.8m pieces and joined them with some 3D printed junction pieces. The wood was from our local sawmill (cheapest). The compression glands are necessary to maintain the IP rating and prevent water ingress. They are extra to the boxes but very cheap.

Hope this helps.

Ademission

 

Cheers pal...very helpful.

 

I found the same sort of thing happened to quite a few tomato plants on the allotment as well! No idea what cause it but I just pinched them out & the plants didn't seem any worse for it.

 

That's my undercover toms in now, greenhouse ones have a rope buried beneath them to climb up once I attach it to the roof. For the converted shed I will probably just tie them to bamboo canes

 

Hello again,

In my last message I said I would post details of a new connector I was trying. The connectors tie together the poles so no string is necessary for making the support frame. Anyway, here are a few pictures to show them in use......


1. Connectors showing how they can be rotated


2. Frame built in minutes with the connectors.


3. Close up showing how I have extended the length of the cane using the connectors.

They were bought from Amazon at £12 for 50off.

Best regards

Ademission

 

Planted out 6 toms on the allotment,
Not sure I need any more than that tbh.might fit in a couple more, but I don't want to overcrowd them.

So I have to get rid of the rest somewhere.

 

You are brave Pete, are the Toms under cover overnight?

I may start to plant mine out in the Blow-away houses soon, most are still in small pots.

 

No, no cover at night but at a push I could come up with something.
The overnight lows are mostly for very short periods now.

The worst weather I tend to think is prolonged wet with only small rises over the day and heavy cloud cover.