WATERING TOMATOES

geeftee588

i have grown tomatoes for  two years this is the third. i grow them in my greenhouse ,
in containers, but i am always unsure about watering. i put two large pots in a grow bag,
tray and fill that up. when needed. but is this ok .is there a better way of doing it.

Fairygirl

If it's working for you, there's no need to change. I did something similar when growing them in a conservatory. Seed tray under each pot. It gave the roots  room to spread as well
Keeping a consistent regime  is more important than anything. I like to let mine dry out slightly in between waterings. Toms are happier on the dry side rather than the opposite. It does them no good to be in soggy soil/compost.
Watering in the morning is also better than watering at night, as it means the water is taken up readily, and the plants aren't sitting in it overnight when temps can drop a fair bit, as they do here even in summer. 

Obviously, being vigilant is key, as is good air ventialtion round them when they're in a greenhouse.

barry island

Fairygirl you are right I heard an interesting article on BBC Radio four Inside Science programme yesterday afternoon from Wisley,the RHS first garden water scientist has been studying the question of the best way to water plants, little and often or more but less often, they said that tomatoes should be left to dry between watering which encourages the plant to produce deeper root growth.

geeftee588

Thanks fairygirl i real appreciate your reply. that helps me a lot.

Dovefromabove

barry island said:

Fairygirl you are right I heard an interesting article on BBC Radio four Inside Science programme yesterday afternoon from Wisley,the RHS first garden water scientist has been studying the question of the best way to water plants, little and often or more but less often, they said that tomatoes should be left to dry between watering which encourages the plant to produce deeper root growth.

That’s interesting ... it’s exactly what I do, following the advice often given on this forum by @Italophile, and it certainly works for my tomatoes whether they’re in big pots or planted in the ground.  

Italophile

Yep. A few years ago I completely forgot about a couple of tom seedlings in 3" pots. Found them a couple of months later. The only water they'd had was whatever rain had fallen, which is never a lot here in summer. They'd grown and produced fruit before they finally expired.

In my experience, toms thrive - ie, produce well - when treated with "controlled neglect". Less is better in terms of water and fertiliser, especially fertiliser. Toms will tell you when they need water. If they appear to be drooping on a hot day, wait till after the sun has gone down and have another look. If they're still drooping, water. As often as not they will have perked up again. 

purplerallim

Just a thought on the other hand. 

Do we really want such alot of root growth? If under watering makes roots grow does that mean it deprives the plant so less upper growth? That would be detrimental to fruit production or retard fruit , making them later fruiters risking unripe fruit at years end. For us with a shorter growing season that wouldn't be helpful.

 As I water once in the morning about a litre per plant and feed once a week after fruit appear I can't see the point in making them wait for water as I have high yields with that system.  Is it that they never get stressed or over watered that keeps them productive? The taste of my toms are always good, never washed out and I dont suffer much with blossom rot or splitting.