Tomato plants

Hello everyone

I'm after a little advice, please.

I'm new to gardening and so on a steep learning curve (two steps forward, three steps back at the moment!) Earlier in the year, I took up a a special offer in the paper for five mini tomato plants. I potted them in big containers when they arrived, but unforuntately my inexperience let me down as I put three in one container and that, coupled with finding out too late about nipping off the side shoots, meant that the tomatoes never really flourished.

I had lots of flowers but the fruit stayed really small - smaller than cherry tomatoes and they were supposed to be normal sized ones!

So after that long rambling introduction, my question is, now that it's time to dispose of them, is there anything I can do to recycle them for next year? Can I keep some of the seeds and if so, do I need to do anything special with them? Or does the fact that they were a bit of a disaster mean they won't be great next year either?

Thanks in advance :-)

 

Tomatoes are closely related to potatoes (they are both in the nightshade family) which means they are vulnerable to potato blight and other fungal diseases. Best to compost their remains and get fresh ones (in fresh compost too) next year I reckon.

 

Hi Greengardener
Ok.. here we go. Before we start let me say I am in no way an expert. I, like you have learnt from many mistakes!
Tomato seeds can be saved, but I understand theres and issue if they are F1.
It is possible that during the growing season they are crossed pollinated by another type and the strain is lost.
I succesfully saved loads of small tumbler seeds last year and I managed to grow dozens of plants this year which many where given away in our street and have produced loads of fruit.
This year I have grown some large armish toms and I am using the same process as I did last year.
I simple pick out the seeds from the fruit and spread them on some kitchen paper given space between them.
Leave them to dry and store until next spring.
When its time to sow just place a piece of the paper with the seeds on top of a pot with your chosen compost and cover the paper with more compost.
It worked a real treat for me last year.
The paper rots down as the seedlings start to develop.
I think maybe the best thing for you to do is wait til next spring and then pop the "help me" question on the forum.
There is always loads of chat and help when it comes to growing toms
If you follow this link it will show you how I managed my saved seeds last year.
http://www.gardenerscorner.co.uk/forum/tomato-experiment-t19794.html?t=19794
Good luck
robert

 

Well your first year hasn't been all negative. You've learned two things - that you need to nip out side shoots and that tomatoes need root space.
A few suggestions -
Get rid of your old stems and either burn them or consign to your council bin.
Next year grow one plant in each (bucket sized) pot.
Either grow from fresh seed or buy plug or potted seedlings, but don't be afraid to try Capney's suggestion about saving seed too - you could get a good crop.

 

Don't compost the old plants.

In the past I have done this then find tom plants springing up where you've used the compost.

You can save seeds as detailed above, but with prices as cheap as they are I opt to buy them fresh each year.

However, this year a friend of mine bought some Italian Plum tomatoes from Aldi, took some seeds from them and grew loads of Plum toms. Maybe this is a better idea than trying to save them now / keep them dry / etc ?

Good luck whatever you try - the joy of growing - is trying!

TTFN