Topic: Tomatoes

[shirlton]

 I read somewhere on here the other day that tomatoes should be transplanted lower than they have been growing. I wonder if some of you could advise about this as I always thought that you should never do this. I do know that you do it with fucshia's.

[triffid]

Tomatoes are one of a handful of exceptions to the 'keep the soil level the same when transplanting' rule.

Tomatoes will root from any part of their stalk that is underground, so basically you're allowing your tom to grow a better, stronger root structure. It'll be more stable when it's heavy with toms, as well as better able to draw up water etc.

If you ever end up with leggy tomatoes because they've been left too long before transplanting, you can plant them several inches deeper than their original soil depth and hide/ remedy the problem to a large degree. :D

[Hyacinth]

Shirl, after growing mine in their original small jiffys, I routinely pot them on into a larger jiffy, then when they go into their final pot for growing permanently they get buried again...

And remember you can bury leggy toms horizontally before gently turning up their first leaves, like this....

       (stem)   (leaves)   
        _________Y

 ???  or something like that - you need imagination ;D

[shirlton]

I'm an expert at horizontal Lish lol

[Hyacinth]

I'm an expert at horizontal Lish lol

So YOU're who Bunjy takes after ::) ;D

[shirlton]

 ::)

[flowerlady]

Shirlton, I'm sure you know there are two types of roots on a tom plant  :o ;D

The stem roots that you create by burying the stem up to the first set of true leaves take in the food.   The roots dot the water !!

Hence tom growing rings / double grow bags and such ... I have some infor I could look out for you if required ??

[shirlton]

Thankyou so much I really believe that one can always learn something new however old you are.

[flowerlady]

Here is the link ...

http://www.rootrainers.co.uk/guide/growingtomatoes

it has a very useful illustration for feeding toms  ;D ;)

[tim]

Yes, Shirl - even at my age!!

[MrsKP]

oh ...nice idea about the garlic clove.

may try that !

 8)

[Biscombe]

I always plant my toms deep, once when they are potted on and then in the ground.
Missed the bit about garlic! Is it on the link somewhere?
Just re potted loads of tomatoes yesterday, I put a sprinkle of eggshells in the planting hole for extra calcium, they looked a little sorry for themselves. I´m sure they´ll perk up.

[MrsKP]

right down at the bottom !   ;D

"Another tip when planting tomatoes into their final position is to push a single clove of garlic into the soil about 3” away from the stem just leaving the tip showing.  The garlic will grow but does not develop further and the tomato has a better flavour and is far less likely to suffer insect damage."

[Hyacinth]

Time for a taste trial then 8) I'll do 2 tubs of the same variety...one with the garlic, 1 without. Hey, if I planted basil round the garlicky one it'll be a ready-made meal ;D

[Biscombe]

Brilliant idea!!!! Carrots are good with tomatoes too! that salad is getting bigger!!

[Barnowl]

Basil is also recommended for planting with tomatoes.

BTW - chillis can be planted deeper - I usually transplant seedlings almost up to the first true leaves.