Young tomato plants falling over ?

JamieMcD

Hi everyone just looking for some advice again.

My tomato plants are about 5 weeks old and have been on thw windoe ledge from the start. I have started taking them outside on nice days for an hour or so to gradually harden them off.

I started watering them mayne once a week but now thinking about once every few days.

I last watered them 3 days ago and they were looking okay.

I took them outside to water them and it was very windy and now some of the plants are almost drooped over ?

I will try and attach a picture but yes basically they are falling over. Any ideas on potential problems ?

Thank you.

Jamie 

JamieMcD

Lyn

You have to stake them.

Dovefromabove

They'll get tall and the trusses of tomatoes will (hopefully) be heavy, so get some good tomato canes and tie them in with soft twine or raffia.

Or you can buy special tomato supports at the garden centre.  

Fairygirl

I've posted on your duplicate thread Jamie. Whereabouts are you? Those are very small plants to be thinking about hardening them off. 

Ceres

Hi Jamie13. You will certainly have to stake your baby tomato plants but obviously you can't use a hefty bamboo cane at this stage. Bamboo skewers are great for small plants and you can go for something more robust as the plants grow. Its not warm enough to harden them off yet.

JamieMcD

Thanks everyone for the advice again. After i posted i remember at the beginning i knocked a plant over by accident and it bent. So perhaps its damaged inside. 

Wasnt aware i had to stake these wee plants but i appreciate that advice and ill get on it. 

Fairy, do you mean where am i location wise? If so, east kilbride.

Was just gradually hardening them off because i thought about putting them in the greenhouse maybe mid may but perhaps thats too early ?

Thanks very much.

Jamie

P.s wasnt aware about the duplicate thread. I know i posted about scorched leaves before but thought a different topic warranted a different threas. If not then apologies. First few times posting so still getting the hang of it

Thanks again

Fairygirl

Ah - you're just down the road from me then  

No need to apologise about duplicating a thread. It can sometimes be tricky!

Don't be in a hurry to harden them off. If you have a greenhouse - that's great, and you should be able to get them out there before too long. They won't do well outside up here! Keep them supported, and when they outgrow the pots they're in, pot them on again, burying them up to the first pair of leaves. That should probably be the last time you'll need to pot on, depending on how you're going to grow them. They look fine just now. 

Get some supports organised  before you need to put them in the greenhouse too. It's surprising how quickly they grow once they get going, and it's really hard to tie them in if they get a bit top heavy. 

Don't be frightened to keep asking - it's how we all learn - and we're still doing that!

JamieMcD

Thanks very much fairygirl. I really appreciate the help.

I am wondering if you ever use comfrey tea to fertilize the plants ? I am trying to make some at the moment but not sure how itll work!

Jamie

Lily Pilly

HeLo jamie

I am about the same distance down from you as fairy is up

I have only once had a tomate plant outside and it was a mistake, I forgot about it, onot one tomato 

keep them in the greenhouse and you wont go wrong. They do need supporting, especially as they fruit!

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