Tomato plant flower problem

Gardeninggirl36

I am very keen to grow vegetables in my uk garden this year with my little one, but am a real beginner.  I realise I may have been to eager and have bought tumbling Tom tomato plants from the garden centre, and grew them on the windowsill . Now they are over 30cm tall and flowering. I have read a previous post and realise I need to buy them much later next year. What can I do now as I don’t have a greenhouse and it’s too early to put them in a hanging basket outside to develop the tomatoes further. 

treehugger80

i haven't even sown my tomatoes yet! so yes you're a  little early, you'll have to wait until Mid-May before you can put it outside, if you can move it to a cooler (not cold) place with plenty of sun it'll slow down growing.

purplerallim

Any open flowers can be pollinated by hand with a childs paint brush, just a gentle brush from one flower to the next. They need to stay in bright light and can go outside on warm days, but can't stay out till end of May. If roots come out of the bottom of the pot they are in then repot into a pot about 5cm bigger. Tom's are tough and will grow almost anywhere given heat, light, feed and water.  As last resort plant into hanging basket and stand over a bucket until its warm enough. Best of luck.

Gardeninggirl36

Great, thank you both for your comments, i have taken on both of your suggestions.
purplerallim how often would you suggest brushing the flowers to pollinate? 

edhelka

You don't need to brush them or transfer the pollen from one flower to another. Tomatoes are self-pollinating, an individual flower contains both male and female parts. You only need to gently tap the flowers or the plant to dislodge the pollen.
I grew tomatoes over winter last year (dwarf variety not too sensitive to light levels), sowing in autumn and getting tomatoes in May. They don't need too much attention, I did the tapping every day or maybe every other day.

purplerallim

If you use a brush you ensure a transfer of pollen from one flower to another. Two days is all it needs. Tapping a flower only works if there is plentiful pollen, brushing gives a better percentage of fruit. Just keep watch for new flowers every other day and re dust  those that are still fresh looking. I do this in the greenhouse and last year had 400 fruit from 17 plants, and yes I do count to keep track of the cost to produce ratio.😃

purplerallim

It's not just the cost of seed to off set but compost, feed, tubs, canes and sundries.  I split cherry and regular sized and group into how you buy them ( eg. 16 cherries or 6 regular per purchase) cost for both regular and organic . Last year covered more than the cost to produce (even buying cheap) so am happy, plus the bonus of better tasting and healthier fruit. I don't think this year will cover as have invested in building new veg beds. Not everyone will want to know how they have financially fared @ImpatientGardener but I do.

GardenGrower11

edhelka said:

You don't need to brush them or transfer the pollen from one flower to another. Tomatoes are self-pollinating, an individual flower contains both male and female parts. You only need to gently tap the flowers or the plant to dislodge the pollen.

@edhelka Completely agreed in terms of my understanding of the biology and practical experience too. Unless you're actively trying to cross pollinate to create a new variety, can't see any need for cotton buds or paint brushes that some tomato and chilli growers seem to think is necessary.

purplerallim

In a greenhouse with no access for pollinators or breeze , pollen does not get distributed as readily so to ensure fruit you hand pollinate. As mine start early fruiting before the heat levels are up to be able to open the door I hand pollinate the early fruit.  It never hurts to make sure and it would be a waste of time and energy to leave it to chance.

GardenGrower11

purplerallim said:

In a greenhouse with no access for pollinators or breeze , pollen does not get distributed as readily so to ensure fruit you hand pollinate. As mine start early fruiting before the heat levels are up to be able to open the door I hand pollinate the early fruit.  It never hurts to make sure and it would be a waste of time and energy to leave it to chance.

Up to you if you have the time and energy but it's not needed, as already explained by @edhelka.

Things like tomatoes and chillies are largely self pollinating especially tomatoes. They don't even need pollinating insects, just a breeze or an occasionally gentle tap or shake or vibration of the stem.

In the case of many tomato varieties, insects couldn't even pollinate them if they tried because of the flower structure.

purplerallim

It might not be needed, but why take the risk in early season.