My Garden

1st time tomato gardner seeking advice!

Last post 10-07-2009 3:45 PM by snailsarepests34. 9 replies.

• 26/06/2009 05:11 PM
  snailsarepests34 Location: Berkshire Joined on: 23 Jun 2009 Posts: 10	Reply | Contact Hello!  I have planted tomato plants for the first time this year, from seeds, in a grow-bag in my green house.  They have grown quite well up until now, but now they are beginning to look a bit limp and pathetic - could this be because I have planted too many in one patch of the grow bag?  I have been watering them regularly.  Any help on this would be great - thanks!  J

• 26/06/2009 05:17 PM	In reply to
  miranda Location: Oxfordshire Joined on: 17 Nov 2004 Posts: 2,976	Reply | Contact  How many plants have you got in each bag?

• 26/06/2009 05:23 PM	In reply to
  snailsarepests34 Location: Berkshire Joined on: 23 Jun 2009 Posts: 10	Reply | Contact Hi Miranda - i planted 6 in one large square of the grow bag, and have pea plants in the other section of the grow bag

• 26/06/2009 05:32 PM

  In reply to

  miranda Location: Oxfordshire Joined on: 17 Nov 2004 Posts: 2,976

  Reply | Contact That sounds like overcrowding, snails. Growbags are generally suitable for only two to three tomato plants. If they aren't established, remove them and put them into new bags. If they are established, then the best option might be to sacrifice all the but the strongest looking one by cutting them down to the base of the stem. You could try and separate them but it might just damage them too much to make it worth while.

• 26/06/2009 05:41 PM	In reply to
  snailsarepests34 Location: Berkshire Joined on: 23 Jun 2009 Posts: 10	Reply | Contact Thanks very much - I will try that this weekend.  Thanks for your help

• 26/06/2009 08:40 PM	In reply to
  Phot's-Moll Location: The sunny South coast. Joined on: 06 Jan 2007 Posts: 3,347	Reply | Contact  Also make sure you water the bag well without letting it become waterlogged and give regular liquid feed. Whether you think you can do a thing, or think you cannot, you are right.

• 27/06/2009 02:23 PM

  In reply to

  hydropiper Location: Cardiff Joined on: 23 Jun 2009 Posts: 60

  Reply | Contact I agree with miranda. It sounds like you've planted too many things in one grow bag. Although it's normal for the leaves to look a little limp in very hot weather, such as we've been having lately. A plants natural reaction when faced with dessication (drying out) is to wilt. This action reduces the total surface area of leaves facing the sun so less water can evaporate from their surface, and temporarily concerves the plant's limited water supplies.  However I would expect the plant to have recoved by the evening if it is being well watered.  So water the growbags regularly during hot weather and damp down the path inside the greenhouse by liberally hoseing with water. This will create a humid environment which the tomato plants favour, it's also good for discouraging red spider mite which can be a problem in glasshouse environments.    Chris

• 02/07/2009 08:02 PM	In reply to
  Callum Saunders Location: London Joined on: 08 Apr 2009 Posts: 18	Reply | Contact  Hi J,  I'm a first-time tomato grower too!  I have recorded everything that I've done to get them growing - on my balcony! - up to now on my blog - have a look to see what I've been doing and hopefully it'll help you.  Callum

• 10/07/2009 03:44 PM	In reply to
  snailsarepests34 Location: Berkshire Joined on: 23 Jun 2009 Posts: 10	Reply | Contact Callum - thanks!  I will definately go and read your blog.  My parents live in a flat, and have no garden, and my Mum used to do wonders with her balcony!   J

• 10/07/2009 03:45 PM	In reply to
  snailsarepests34 Location: Berkshire Joined on: 23 Jun 2009 Posts: 10	Reply | Contact Thanks Chris, that's really helpful, I wouldn't have thought about watering the green house floor !  J