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Allotment Stuff => The Basics => Topic started by: Phased on September 02, 2011, 14:24:18

Title: Lots of leaves but few tomatoes
Post by: Phased on September 02, 2011, 14:24:18
For the second year running, lots of leaves and quite a few flowers but very little fruit. Did I plant them too late? Am I not feeding them enough? (no sign of blight and very healthy leaves)
Title: Re: Lots of leaves but few tomatoes
Post by: Melbourne12 on September 02, 2011, 14:35:29
Perhaps you fed them too early?  You should leave it until a couple of trusses have set, otherwise you may indeed get lots of luxuriant growth, but not much fruit.

But when did you plant them, and into what sort of soil?
Title: Re: Lots of leaves but few tomatoes
Post by: Phased on September 02, 2011, 15:13:19
Thanks Melbourne12

I started them in a cold frame in pots in April (I'm oop North on a north-facing plot)  before transferring them to a grow bag which is outside but next to a south-facing wall.

Greenhouse next year...
Title: Re: Lots of leaves but few tomatoes
Post by: chriscross1966 on September 06, 2011, 22:25:59
Too much nitrogen early on? TOmatoes are mostly perrennial plants in the wild, if they get an easy life of it in their first year they just get big adn don't bother flowering.... Although I put a lot of compost adn manure in where I'm growing them I don't add any fertiliser after the pinch of BFB they get when they go up to their 6-8" pots. After they're planted out into the GH border they'll get some potash  and a dash of epsom salts occasionally or tomato food (or chilli food if it's cheap) once they start setting fruit...
Title: Re: Lots of leaves but few tomatoes
Post by: sunloving on September 07, 2011, 18:21:32
Hi Just double check that youve been keeping on top of pinching out the side shoots. If you miss them it can make a spidery leafy plant with no energy to make fruit.

Good luck for next year.
x sunloving