I'm brand new to outdoor gardening as I've recently moved into a new apt with a lovely, sunny, west-facing balcony. In my enthusiasm I bought some cherry tomato plants back in late March, and realising (according to the books) that it was still too cold to put them outside, I transplanted them into a 12" pot, and kept them indoors, beside a large sunny west-facing window. They've grown well - they're now about 3 feet tall! - but I think they might have become a bit too stretched out - there's about 2" to 3" between side branches off the main stems, 1 of the 3 plants is less stretched out than the others. (They're 3 different varieties.) Also, about 10 days ago, there were a few tiny yellow flowers which lasted a few days, then fell off. This week, with the weather getting a little warmer, I've started putting them outside during the day, and taking them in at night. Now for my questions: 1. When is the right time to start putting my tomato plants outside? When can they stay out overnight? 2. Should I have kept them in the little 4" pots until they were ready to go outside? Is the fact that I transplanted them, but kept them indoors the reason they've become so stretched out? 3. Are they too stretched out, will this matter in the long run, will I still get tomatoes?? I've put bamboo canes beside them & tied them with nylons - very sexy! 4. What about those flowers - were they early? Is that it - or will I get more flowers? 5. Last question - does fertiliser have a "best before" date? I have a box of soluble fertiliser that I use for my indoor plants that's about 4 years old. Can I use this for my outdoor ones? Many thanks in advance for any replies!
Hi Marjan, Congratulations on your new home! So glad to hear you've been bitten by the gardening bug too. ;) After all danger of frost if you plan to leave them out overnight. As long as it's about 65* F you can leave them out during the day. Get them used to direct sun slowly so the leaves don't get sunburned. http://www.explore.cornell.edu/scene.cfm?scene=home gardening&stop=HG - Find a Vegetable Average last frost dates for Canada http://www.almanac.com/garden/frostcanada.php First part is no, it's much better that you transplanted them. If they had become root bound in the small pots they could have been permanently damaged and not done well ever. Second part is - sort of! They are stretched out because they want more sunlight and they're reaching for it. If you can put a flourescent lamp about 6" to 12" from the plants, preferably above the plants, that will help when they're in the house. If they become too stretched out the stems can become weak and not be able to support the fruit. You should still get tomatoes. Nylons are one of the best things to use. I use my old pantyhose all the time to tie up plants. They have elasticity and don't damage tender stems. Smart move. Gosh, you sound like a pro already! Your flowers were probably early and may not have gotten fertilized. They do fall off and then you should see tiny green tomatoes where the flowers had been. Give it a couple of weeks. Since the plants have been inside, you could give them a gentle shake to make sure the flowers get fertilized. You should get more flowers as long as the plants stay healty. Good question. I don't use synthetic fertilizers and most organic ones don't expire. I would suggest you look on the container or box. If you can't find anything, call the manufacturer. If you don't find info on how to contact them try a google search. You have done great! Here's some sites that should be helpful. For this first one scroll down to 'Spindly plants'. http://extension.missouri.edu/nwregion/ExtNews/March 04/hHort0304.htm http://nctomatoman.topcities.com/Off_The_Vine_ByCraig/OTV4SEED.htm Btw, if you still have the plant labels, check to see if they are determinate or indeterminate. Determinate means that they will get to a specific height and stop growing. They will keep producing, but not get taller. Indeterminate means that they will continue to get taller and taller and, well you get the point. Keep up the good work! it sounds like you have a natural flare for growing plants. Newt
If they are too stretched out just repot them in a bigger deeper pot, and plant the stretched out stem under the ground. Tomatoes have the ability to produce roots anywhere where the stem touches the dirt. So if you bury lanky stretched out tomato plants deep, it will create a strong deep root system. No harm done! :)
Thank you both for all your helpful advice!! I remain hopeful that my plants will be strong enough to carry the mountains of tomatoes I have in my dreams..... As for planting the stems underground - they're already 3 feet tall, and the branches are pretty evenly spaced, so I'm not sure if it's worth my while.... I'll let you know how it goes. Thanks again! Marjan
How did your tomatoes go last year? My beginner planting skills failed last year. But I also didn't try too hard - living with deer in the neighborhood is discouraging! But no, I, like you, live in an apartment with a NW patio. Trouble is, the patio is rather small though I'd still like to try and grow a cherry tomato sized fruit plant in a container. Can some of you guide me in the right direction to find out timing of when to get a seed going here in the bay area of CA and how to go about it? I get too distracted when searching for this on the net!
Hi Gisele, Here's some sites that should be most helpful. http://nctomatoman.topcities.com/Off_The_Vine_ByCraig/OTV4SEED.htm http://www.gardenhive.com/fruit/tomatoes/grow/ http://www.ourgardengang.com/containerveggies.htm http://faq.gardenweb.com/faq/lists/cornucop/2000074323014514.html http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/VH032 Newt
Hi Marjan; I would keep up the good work sounds like they are doing fine if you are worried about the spreading just use a bambo rod and tie them up this will help as they get heavy with fruit also.As far as when they go out depends on when your last frost is,as soon as there is no chance of frost it's ok.Watch for sunburn but they do like heat.If you put them out and are worried about light frost at night just cover them up with paper or plastic we have even used tarps.Just be sure that the plastic does'nt touch the plant or it may frost threw it.1 thing my Dad has good luck with is for a light frost is water all the frost off the plant and leaves before the sun comes up and burns the plant.Sorry this got so long.Have fun and good luck and good eating.We also grow cuke's in pots as we have moved off the farm and in to an apt.
