First Time Growing Tomatoes

10 years ago

Hi tomatoes growers, this is my first post in the forum and my first time growing tomatoes. I did not prepare well for my tomatoes plants. I have grown tomatoes in 40lt grow bag. one bag 2 tomatoes and one chili. My tomatoes are growing very well. I have some minor problems of watering, the soil dries so fast, at least I water twice a day otherwise the leaves are drooping. Is there any simple and easiest way to solve this problem.

Black Turfle:

I did not prepare cage for my tomatoes, when problem started I use Florida Weave a tips from Teyo.

40 lt grow bag with three plants as I mentioned.

Thanks in advance.

Caelian

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Comments (6)

seysonn
10 years ago
Welcome to the tomato world, Caelian !

As an experienced pepper grower, you will learn very quickly about tomatoes.

good luck !
joeorganictomatoes
10 years ago
Hi Caelian!
Enjoyed your post and the pictures. I've never used grow bags before but plan to next year. I purchased two 25 gallon ones in which I will plant one plant per bag. Now regarding the issue of your soil drying out quickly. What type of soil did you use, potting or garden? Potting soil is recommended when using containers and my choice is organic because I don't enjoy eating the chemicals that are found in Miracle Gro, not to mention the fact that non-organic fertilizers destroy your soil. (Check out the information available on the net on this subject.) Happy tomato growing. This season has been so different from last year. However in spite of all the challenges it has been fun and a definitely a learning one for me.
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Hi. It's always a good idea to go to the FAQs for lots of great beginning grower info. As long as you got all the critters, the tip has not been damaged, and no sign of disease (like fungus) on affected leaves, leave em. The plant will naturally dispose of those leaves as it grows. Try not to splash water , or soil and water (worse), onto the leaves. Happy gardening.
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ajsmama - I know right! I have to break out the ladder if I want to do anything with them. Drew51 - Wow! All of that looks good, so what you are doing works! I doubt I will ever get that ambitious, but that is a spread to aspire to. Daniel_NY - I trimmed branches and leaves near the bottom but I doubt it is 18" from the soil. They are also mulched to stop some of the soil splashing up. It is cypress mulch and I have heard the lecture, so you can save the keystrokes. : ) I read where someone here rotated between copper fungicide, neem oil, and serenade on a weekly basis. I couldn't find the serenade, so I started rotating the copper and neem when I transplanted. Once the plants got so big and was going through the copper and neem, I stopped. I haven't used either in 6+ weeks. The plant in the pic is the Mortgage Lifter that I have not cut out the yellow so I could post the problem here. The Lemon Boy was the one where I cut the yellow out and sprayed with copper and about a week after that with neem, but it steadily yellowed and died. I believe I was still spraying weekly at that point. I just watered for the first month since the potting mix had compost (and peat and coir-peat), then in May I fertilized with a full dose of MG 10-10-10 weekly. When fruit started to set in late May I switched to MG Tomato Food 27-27-27 weekly. I used MG since I had the 10-10-10 on hand and it was something that I was familiar with. I may use organics next season. I didn't weigh any of the fruit so I do not know how many pounds per plant, but I have ate myself silly, have about 12 pints frozen and have given lots away to several family, friends, and neighbors.
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chilliwin
Original Author
10 years ago
Hi Seysonn and JoeOrganicTomatoes, I am very glad to read both of your posts and thank you for your nice words.

My background of gardening is completely zero. I believe I can learn a lot from here, I trust you all.

The soil is potting soil, ( information from the grow bag: Sphagnum 35%, Tree fiber 35%, composted plants 30%, lime and ammonium nitrat added, pH is 6.2 to 7). I followed the instruction of the grow bags, it says 3 plants for one bag. I think three plants in one grow bag is too little from my experience, one plant for one grow bag would be much better.

I like organic food too and would like to use environmental friendly materials for my containers.

Happy growing

Caelian
seysonn
10 years ago
Hi Caelian ,

Your soil mix and chemistry looks fine, as evidence by the plant and the amount of fruits on them. Th only thing is that most tomato plants (indeterminants) can grow HUGE foliage. That foliage needs to be supported, by cage, stakes or combination.

Another problem with your set up (as I see it) is that the medium is TOO SHALLOW for the root system, though the volume is adequate. So you would be much better off with a 5gal. bucket (per plant) than those bags.
fireduck
10 years ago
Container growing has been good to me this season...but it is certainly different than in-ground. Grow bags seem to work for many....but sure dry out quickly. This means lots of work. Larger is generally better. Fast-draining mixes is important. Feed regularly.
dickiefickle
10 years ago
The bags you are using are too shallow,... the large bag opening allows to for rapid evaporation ....., and you have two to many plants in each bag........check around the web for different bag/container ideas .....

First Time Growing Tomatoes

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