Transplanting Tomatoes

[tim]

A bit early for next season, but I'm still trying to understand this one.

Transplant when first flowers have opened.

I never get flowers at the 8-10" set-out time - & then not until they are a foot or more high.

I start them in a lean-to, so any taller at set-out time & they would lean too!!

[tim]

[PurpleHeather]

Possibly the instructions are for growing in a controlled environment where the temperature is constant.

I suppose that growing in the lean-to they are actually getting 'forced' it will get pretty hot in there at certain times of the day. That would account for the height.

Is there any reason why you should not support them in the pot with a cane and transplant with the cane still attached?

[tim]

See what I mean? The pot plant is just making flowers. The bag plant has them half way up. No sunshine, no heat.

After germination - in the Spring - I give constant bottom heat to 60F.

I'll try a few in the big greenhouse next year - but they won't have heat.

[Barnowl]

Nutrient levels.  Grow bags usually have better water retention as well.

[growmore]

Tim you can get flowers on say a 8ins or 10ins plant..  Transplant the seedlings  into 3 inch pots  in low nitrogen compost . Treat em mean with water, leave them in the 3 inch pots longer than you would normally do till they get a root build up. .They will then flower...Then transplant them out into their final quarters...
It's not a method that You or I would use I think .  But maybe worth a try on a couple next year  ;)

[tim]

In a nutshell - leave them, as in Garden Centres, till they're dying!!

[tonybloke]

bury 'em deep!

[Baccy Man]

I wait until they are 10"-12" then when I transplant I strip off all lower leaves & plant very deep just leaving 2" above ground. This way they end up with a stronger root system & need less watering & support.