TOMATO PLANTS - advice please.............

[looneytune]

Hi

I have recently collected 3 tomato plants from someone on Freecycle. They've done a great job of them so far and they are in plastic cups atm. They are pretty much ready to be transferred to something bigger. I'm new to all this so please can you answer the following for me:

1. Would they be best transferred into one of those grow bag things with canes aside them? If not, what should I do?
   
   
2. Where are they best placed?
   
   
3. Should they be getting special food or just watered daily?
   
   Anything else to help keep these alive?
   
   TIA

[fruittea]

You don't pot them into grow bags until the first flower opens, so maybe just pot them up again for now if they need it. Don't need to feed til the first tomato sets. Just keep them warm - sunny windowsill?

[BarefootDancer]

I put mine straight into growbags (3 per bag) in a sunny spot and keep the compost damp. Support them with canes and string when big enough. As much sun as possible.

[MrsWho]

I have put them into grow bags at about a foot tall before, just pot onto bigger pots for now , need to be in a sunny place (though mine do ok in a place that is light but not direct sun IYSWIM) Keep them damp and feed when the toms are forming.

Put canes in fairly early on so that you don't damage the roots when you put it in.

Oh and join the tomato thread needs bumping up !

[looneytune]

Thanks everyone. If I am potting them and doing grow bags later, are they ok outdoors in sunny area or best indoors? i have problem with where i can put them indoors near light - no proper windowcills

will look at that thread Mrswho - thanks

[powder28]

Ive got a mini greenhouse that i put my tomato plants in at night. Its a 4-tiered shelf one with a plastic cover over it. It's really handy. You can put your plants out in the sun during the day and then put them in the greenhouse at night.

[dingolimpet]

another thing i started doing last year, as soon as all the flowers are out, cut off any branches and foliage without flowers. This way you get much better tomatoes. It worked for me anyway

[kiskidee]

i prefer plastic tubs as growbags are ugly and clay ones dry out too quickly.

best placed in a sunny location and out of wind if possible.

don't allow them to dry out or waterlogged

they are feed hungry so get some tomato feed and follow instructions.

that's what i htink anyway. i'm an expert beginner. see link to tomato thread.

[Nbg]

Ooo can I just ask, am I too late to plant some tomatoes?

[kiskidee]

the packets say sow up to mid-may. or get down the garden centre. can still get titchy ones for 85p but much bigger than what they'll be in a month's time if you plant now.

[bozza]

Is there a reason why you can't plant them directly into the ground? I have six plants in pots that are going out on the patio in the daytime and coming into the dining room at night which is OK for now but eventually they will need a permanent home.

[lucyellensmum]

i was planning on planting some of mine straight into the ground, should i not then?

[bozza]

I don't know! It just doesn't seem to be the thing to do, but I don't know why.

[MrsWho]

What do you mean?Plant the seedlings into the ground or the seeds?
I have planted my seedlings in the allotment before and they were fine

[bozza]

I mean the seedlings. I am currently bringing them under cover at night until the danger of frost has gone. But what to do then?

[MrsWho]

What ever you want!

I have done pots/growbags and allotment and theonly differenc was that te allotment ones weren't as looked after because I actually had to go rather than just out of my back door.

[bozza]

MrsWho how many tumbling toms would you put in a 14" basket?

thanks

[Pixel]

I've got some to go in a grow-bag at home and some straight in the ground on the allotment. I don't think it matters much as long as they are well fed. If you are using bags it's a good idea to cut the bottoms off some plastic drinks bottles and stick them in upside-down like a funnel at the base of the plants. That way if you fill the bottle and let the water seep in gradually you can give them a decent amount of water without the compost all running out.

[MrsWho]

I have one in a half basket so 2 ?

[fishie]

three would prob be ok, how many have you got? i've found you really have to keep an eye on teh watering in a basket as you have to factor in wind drying as well as normal evaporation.

[MrsWho]

Thats why I don't put many in as they dry so quickly

[bozza]

Thanks. I will dig the basket out.

[scampadoodle]

I've put my seedlings in those little compost pots prior to putting them in big pots or gro-bags. The thing is, I've been leaving them outside, uncovered, for a week or so now (I'm in London). I figured they'd be okay as it's been so warm & I don't think there'll be frost now, but they're not doing so well - I've kept a few plants indoors & they're storming ahead. Should I bring the others back indoors? I haven't got much room though. & if I do, when should they go back outside????!