As for the "a layer of rocks and pebbles at the bottom to help" drainage -- that's a commonly held belief that doesn't hold up.

So, for future reference, no more "drainage" layer in the bottom. It's a matter of soil physics.

Well staring at the pool of rain was a good indication that the "drainage layer" was all for naught. Thanks for responding, jean001!

I water every day in the morning and have huge pots with great draining and my plants are very happy 10 miles from you. Use compost on the tops and mulch to help keep the soil wet below. Water every day till flooded and make sure they drain in min's. Otherwise poke holes until it flows out or get root rot. Prune the suckers and watch them grow.

Hi glitterglass - got your email but couldn't reply to it so will post here, ok?

Good advice above - proper drainage is vital in containers, even more than size of the pot. Likely the one plant already has some root rot but if not too damaged it should bounce back with a bit of time. It is getting awfully late in the season but you may still get some production. Why were they planted so late in your zone?

I wouldn't worry about the fertilizer that was in the watering can. It was only a small amount anyway - many use much more than that as fertilizers rapidly drain out of containers whenever you water. Too late to do anything about it anyway. ;)

You may want to browse the FAQ's here on 'blossom drop' and how air temps can affect fruit set. If possible moving the pots to a semi-shaded area for a couple of days may help.

Hope this helps. Good luck with your plants.

Dave

frankie, thank you! Any specific pointers on pruning? And I can do that now, as I hope against all hope for some production?

Dave, thank you! The only reason for late planting was my negligence/lack of time. I tend to have eyes bigger than my stomach when it comes to plant purchases. I don't know why they aren't producing, but I think watering is part of it. I think I may try moving the pots as you said... they are getting lots of sun right now and have no shade beside the shadow of the house when the sun is in that part of its arc.

Thanks for the responses!

Jessie

Hi, My husband and I have been using Gardens Alive organic products for about 3 years. They have fertilizer,insecticides etc.. that are 100% organic. Our tomato plants grow up to 7 feet tall(no kidding)and we have hundreds of tomatoes every year(I do a lot of canning)I would give it a try next season. We are sold on it! This might help some of your problems.

Hi mom53,

Wow, that sounds like a winner to me! I think organic is best, so thanks for the recommendation. What zone are you in?

Jessie

Hi, My husband and I have been using Gardens Alive organic products for about 3 years. They have fertilizer,insecticides etc.. that are 100% organic. Our tomato plants grow up to 7 feet tall(no kidding)and we have hundreds of tomatoes every year(I do a lot of canning)I would give it a try next season. We are sold on it! This might help some of your problems.

*****

It's not just my opinion that most of the Garden's Alive products are way overpriced and many of them do not have any info at all about the contents.

May I gently suggest Peaceful Valley Farms in CA which has an excellent range of all organic products and prices are lower and ingredients for products are stated at the website for each product.

And service is great besides. And they offer lots of associated organic products as well/

Carolyn

Here is a link that might be useful: Peacful Valley

Carolyn, thanks so much for the Peaceful Valley link! I'll be sure to check it out!

Jessie

HELP! I was examining my last remaining healthy tomato plant and checking the yellow blossoms and accidentally knocked one off (it was a little dry and shriveled looking, so I barely touched it and it came off very easily). The entire bud didn't go---just the yellow petaled flower itself---and what remains is the green "bracket" (not sure what term you use for the green "fingers" that hold the blossom) and a tiny pale green ridged bump. Is that the tomato or is it just part of the bud?

If the flower came off but not the whole bud, does that mean the tomato that would have formed there is doomed?

Flowers fall off by themselves when they finished their life cycle. Don't worry about it. I also noticed that the flowers that have fallen off of my German Queen tomato during the hot Summer months were all pollinated but kept back the tomato production till cooler weather arrived. Now, I have several tomatoes bumping up in places on the plant where flower has not been for very long time. What a surprise. So don't give up!

Hi soultan,

Thanks so much for your reply. That's great that you are having an "October surprise" with your tomatoes. As it happens, I am too: after reading your post this afternoon I went out to check on my plant and, lo and behold, I have not one but *two* tomatoes! All I wanted was one, and now I have two. There are a ton of blossoms on the plant and we are in the midst of an unseasonably warm spell, despite the fact that mid-October is the avarage frost time for my area. Every extra day of warm air is a blessing and I am thrilled. Thanks for your words of encouragement!

Jessie