Tomato problems

Hi

I am a first time gardener and trying to grow tomatoes for the first time.

Started with 10 seeds and they germinated and grew beautifully. Once they were 6-8 inches i transplanted them to bigger containers. Thats when my problems started.

Soon after i transplanted, the next day all were dull and withered. I thought its transplanting shock (Although i took maximum care) so left it.

Some plants eventually recovered, but 3-4 plants are still withered. I watered them, it rained etc but still they become normal sometime but again wither.

Then after a week, i unplanted one plant and put that in water. What i discovered was that the soil is very sticky and soggy.

On more inspection, its not draining very well and may be thats the problem. But still need your advice here.

Facts of potting soil: I used one part of Cocopeat and one part of black soil. The cocopeat came in compressed blocks and the black soil came in a 50kg bag. The black soil bag has composted manure written on it and is certified as a soil enhancer by reputable institutions.

I really thought this would drain very nicely but i turned out to be so wrong!

As you can see in the pics, almost all the plants are cursing me. The last 2 pics are from the small cups where there are 4 plants and that's how I stated all of them. They have so little space, little water and yet so happy.

 

I stay in Southern part of India if that helps.

This is what I used.

 

They don't sell by that name due to low awareness. This guy gave me this when I asked for vermicompost! He said it's the same lol.

I originally intended to use a 1:1 ration of vermi with cocopeat. Would that also have been a bad idea?

 

Am definitely doing a lot of things wrongly here. Can I add some sand as a quick fix for drainage now? Assuming that's the problem? I really can't see them struggling or withering.

 

Tomato plants drying out can cause permanent damage to the plant which will then continue to grow narrow deformed leaves, giving a withered appearance.

 

If you can get normal potting soil then get that. Pool filter sand may help as a mix for draining.

 

Do the plants in the first pictures really look that bad?

I'd be inclined. to be careful not to overwater, keep the plants out of direct sunshine if the weather is hot, and hope to see them get moving, at that point you can water more freely.

How hot is it there?

 

It's pretty hot but since I transplanted it's been cloudy and occasional sunlight and rains.

By the way I forgot to mention one very important thing.

The day I transplanted into pots, I kept saucer below the pots. I watered the pots and let the excess water sit in the saucer for days thinking that the plant will wick how much ever it needs. Guess I was wrong to do that, or was it ok?

 

Sounds like you might have overwatered.
It happens here quite a lot, but then we are usually potting on when it quite cool, so the plants sit in cold wet compost.

Even so, if the compost you are using is fairly water retentive, even in hot conditions, a saucer of water under a newly repotted plant is not a good idea.