Lemonade bottles

Robert Whiting

Friend grew toms from seed using  lemonade bottles as bell propergator  but she won't have it to  remove the bottle when plants is  max 3" or they bolt with thin stalk. Her's died off mine she gave me, one of 5 lost,  others look sick. Who is right me at 3" or her letting them grow up to bottle neck(bolt). Large 
Thanks

Dovefromabove

To continue with the same action and expect a different result is said to be a sign of madness ...

If keeping them covered is causing problems then try removing the cover ... but if they're outside they'll need some protection from low temperatures for a few weeks yet.  

Robert Whiting

Dovefromabove said:

To continue with the same action and expect a different result is said to be a sign of madness ...

sorry should have said.  She grows them in her conservatory doesn't cover them has them in catering opaque and clear large plastic drinking cups.  It can get quite hot with C.E. and sun. She thinks its the right way to grow them to reach top of bottle(no lids).
The stems are almost little more than cocktail stick size. I've given up telling her, last year's came to nothing too.
 
If keeping them covered is causing problems then try removing the cover ... but if they're outside they'll need some protection from low temperatures for a few weeks yet.  

Robert Whiting

philippa smith2 said:

I'd imagine your friend will soon learn what works and what doesn't.

Most gardeners love to give advice - it is in our nature

Best evidence will be which of you produce a decent crop and then you can argue about how you did it until the cows come home.

Well, I have given her advice on growing but its been ignored she will let them grow to the top of large lemonade/water/cocacola bottles so they are thin spindely and week. I said stop at 3/4" then remove the bottle to continue slower growth. I don't grow from seed

philippa smith2 said:

I'd imagine your friend will soon learn what works and what doesn't.

Most gardeners love to give advice - it is in our nature

Best evidence will be which of you produce a decent crop and then you can argue about how you did it until the cows come home.

philippa smith2 said:

I'd imagine your friend will soon learn what works and what doesn't.

Most gardeners love to give advice - it is in our nature

Best evidence will be which of you produce a decent crop and then you can argue about how you did it until the cows come home.

philippa smith2 said:

I'd imagine your friend will soon learn what works and what doesn't.

Most gardeners love to give advice - it is in our nature

Best evidence will be which of you produce a decent crop and then you can argue about how you did it until the cows come home

Me, because I buy ready plants and take hers so as not to upset her.

But she will not take advice and take the bottles off when plant reaches 3-4".

The main trouble is being so hot in conservatory they bolt. Had another look at ones she gave me  today and phoned the local Dr Greengrocer he suggested milde mix grow more might thicken the stems.Ha! Ha!