Allotments 4 All

Produce => Edible Plants => Topic started by: Roy Bham UK on May 31, 2005, 07:22:55

Title: Sorry Tommies again
Post by: Roy Bham UK on May 31, 2005, 07:22:55
;D Are these Cherry Toms ready to go out?
Is it warm enough? Lowest temp over the last two weeks 4°C (39°F)
Can they go straight in the ground? Well manured?
What's the advantage of a growbag?
How close together do you plant em?
My plot is very open and can be very windy ???

(http://img271.echo.cx/img271/2209/tommies2kt.jpg) (http://www.imageshack.us)
Title: Re: Sorry Tommies again
Post by: tim on May 31, 2005, 08:24:54
Roy - are you trying to grow them to match your banana plants, or whatever??

YES - overdue!  But, if they've been in a warm house, I would give them a couple of days outside - well supported - to acclimatise. Keep them well watered, because there's a lot of plant there.

No need for a bag if you've got nice soil. 18" apart? Whether they are bush or cordon, they'll need staking well.

Title: Re: Sorry Tommies again
Post by: David R on May 31, 2005, 09:03:36
Roy,

they look a bit etiolated, have you had them in shade? If so, dont put them straight into full sun, they might get the plant equivalent of sunstroke. Acclimatize them slowly to full sun.


Title: Re: Sorry Tommies again
Post by: teresa on May 31, 2005, 09:37:51
I would plant half the stalk in the ground. Remove the lower leaves this will give you more roots and make the plant stronger. Give them a good drink each evening. As well as hardening them off.
Title: Re: Sorry Tommies again
Post by: Robert_Brenchley on May 31, 2005, 09:53:04
Mine are smaller than that, and are already out. Whereabouts in Brum are you, by the way?
Title: Re: Sorry Tommies again
Post by: Roy Bham UK on May 31, 2005, 11:33:07
;) Thank you all for the advice, that was quick :o ;D I have plenty more growing a lot slower (less than ½ that size) in my plastic greenhouse so maybe I will leave them out to harden off too. ;D

My wife heard that the tops need pinching off at some stage, is this correct, if so when?

Hi Robert I'm on Wychbury Allotments close by the green belt M5 Frankley Services where are you? ;D
Title: Re: Sorry Tommies again
Post by: cleo on May 31, 2005, 11:37:39
They should be out anytime now-but the forecast for tomorrow is not good.

Are they `sweet million`?-they often look like that early on but grow into superb plants.

Stephan
Title: Re: Sorry Tommies again
Post by: Mrs Ava on May 31, 2005, 11:45:12
Don't pinch the tops out Roy, unless you are growing them as bushes.  You grow them straight up as cordons, the only pinching you do is removing all the little side shoots, but not the flowers!
Title: Re: Sorry Tommies again
Post by: Robert_Brenchley on May 31, 2005, 12:03:55
You're well out of my patch then! I know vaguely where you are. I'm in the Guinea Gardens behind the Botanical Gardens.
Title: Re: Sorry Tommies again
Post by: Roy Bham UK on May 31, 2005, 21:35:27
Quote from: cleo on May 31, 2005, 11:37:39
They should be out anytime now-but the forecast for tomorrow is not good.

Are they `sweet million`?-they often look like that early on but grow into superb plants.

Stephan

;) Hi Stephan, Only had two varieties, not sure if they are Sweet Million or Sweet Olive as this particular tray wasn't labelled ::) ;D
Title: Re: Sorry Tommies again
Post by: campanula on June 01, 2005, 00:37:06
if you plant them deep, the stems will put out roots - might be a good idea as they are a bit tall so plant up to the lower leaves if you can. I put a polythene windbreak around my toms - it works wonders, they are enormous, sturdy and vigorous (although i discovered this as a result of our home-made polytunnel structure blowing away before we got a front on - all the curved roof went, leaving us with 4ft high walls....but the tomatoes were terrific. I will certainly be giving them some shelter this year.