Ugh, what should I do now?

15 years ago

This is my first time starting tomatoes at this time of year. These transplants looked very healthy going in, but are distinctly yellow now. They were planted about a week ago in homemade earthbox type containers. The soil mix was thoroughly wetted before planting. I didn't mulch for 2 days though. I also forgot to set the transplants extra deep, as I normally would. I just loosened the roots a bit and set them in at the same height as they were in the 4" pot. The soil temperature in the box is now 105F. The plants are a Celebrity and 444. I'm tempted to dig these plants up and replant them as deeply as possible. But I've no idea if that would hurt or help! I've even thought of adding ice cubes to the water reservoir, which might cool the soil temp a bit. Is this yellowing normal for plants set out this time of year, or is something wrong?

This box, with two Solar Fires, was planted a few days later. The tomatoes were set as deeply as possible and mulched immediately. (They were taller transplants to begin with.) The soil temp in this box is 100F.

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Comments (6)

digdirt2
15 years ago
All four of them look like they could be planted much deeper. Just strip off those lower branches and go deep as possible. They are still small enough that they will tolerate transplanting. With soil temps that high you are likely going to have to insulate the containers somehow or provide some partial shade for the plants until the temps fall.

Dave
rnewste
15 years ago
Liz,

Nice looking 'Tainers!!

Something is definitely wrong for you plants to be turning yellow so rapidly. As Dave says, you need to shelter them either in shade until they take hold, or wrap the 'Tainers in Reflectix (Lowes) to keep them at a lower temperature. I fear you are cooking the roots. Planting them deeper won't help much.

How much fertilizer, and how close to the plants is it?

Raybo
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liz_h
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks Dave, would believe that the 2nd planter is already planted as deeply as possible?

Ray - we have some alumafoil that will go on the planters tomorrow. I think we can arrange some temporary shade as well. If these plants were established before this hot weather, would they still be in such distress?

Would it hurt anything to pour ice cubes on the mulch? Or directly on the plastic cover underneath the mulch? The goal would be to lower the soil temp.

As for fertilizer, the first box has the two plants in the middle, and the fertilizer strip around the edge. The 2nd (healthy) planter has the fertilizer strip right down the middle (left to right) with the plants set in the back third of the box.

When I started my own tomatoes, I always grew very strong roots - and still planted them deep. I knew this was overkill for spring planting, but if I ever start them for summer planting, I think I'll do this again!
liz_h
Original Author
15 years ago
This morning, the first 2 plants were pretty crispy, so I have given up on this box. For the 2nd one, we wrapped it in reflective insulation, topped the bin with ice and ice packs, and set up shade. The soil temp dropped to 95F in about an hour, though now it's back to 100 at 5:45 pm.

Since my main concern is keeping the soil temps down, I'll move this discussion to the ContainerGardening Forum.
rnewste
15 years ago
Liz,

Some of my best producing plants are on the covered redwood deck where they only get partial sun. They are out-producing the plants in the full sun. I highly recommend you keep yours under shade cloth or similar protection at this time of year.

Raybo
elkwc
15 years ago
Liz,
I had some similar problems when I had my containers in full sun. I moved them where they have full sun till around 2 then get partial to full shade as the day progresses. i also moved the containers off the cement and onto soil. My soil temps have dropped and looking great now. JD

Ugh, what should I do now?

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Ugh, what should I do now?

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