Cathy, I don't know if it's a good idea to turn the pots so that each side gets direct sun, but I guess it might give a nicer looking plant shape? I don't turn mine - too many to worry about, and I figure that plants in the garden manage fine without turning. They just change the angle of their leaves to follow the sun instead.

Certainly plants in containers need fertilising more often. I'm thinking about giving them some every second watering this season (not full strength tho). I use seasol on the young plants occasionally for their root development, but I also want to buy an organic fertiliser that I can't recall the name of right now. Previously I only gave them something every couple weeks and it's just not enough. Potting mix tends to have its nutrients leached out rather quickly I think.

PP

I feed everything with organic Powerfeed. It is compost and fish fertilizer, does it help PP? I buy 4l a $36, turns out to be the cheapest way.

Not PP but Powerfeed is pretty good. Use as directed and all should be well.
And ditto what PP said about nutrient loss in pots. I feed potted tomatoes regularly because it just gets washed out of the pot.

I have planted in pots with potting mix plus half by volume last year's well rotted mushroom compost. This helps to retain moisture and provides some nutrient. I feed with foliar seaweed liquid every third day. Dilute it well, it doesn't need a lot. I collect seaweed and keep a barrel of it soaking. I've used this on my garden ( along with worm juice) for years and only occasionally have to buy the Charlie Carp stuff.
Cheers
Cosmic

Thanks for your tips everyone......Powerfeed I have (came as an add on with some Seasol I bought) so thats what they will get.

Now excuse this question but knowing the dilution ratio is by the bucket (9 litres) would I use a whole bucket full each time or would they just need about half a bucket.......or even less?

Also should I water the pot first to the point of it coming out the bottom before I give them the feed or just feed without watering first?

Is it me or is it more complicated these days to grow Tomatoes as years ago all I seemed to do was put them in the ground and water occassionally. I realise with the pressure of working long hours and not having the time or inclination its about 10 years since the last lot but we always seemed to get good crops.

Maybe retirement makes one not want to be a failure.........oh the shame of not being able to produce a ton of totally tantilising terrific tasty Tomatoes :))

Cathy

All my life I just made a hole and shoved them in with a stick to tied them to. Then I found the Cornucopia Clan and discovered a whole new level of complication!

Linda

I stick my finger in as far as I can. If it feels cool and damp, I don't water. I do this for both pots and those in the ground. I also mulch pots. However you do it, I'm sure it will be okay. Some people water till it runs through, others don't. Since pots don't have the moisture buffering capacity of ground, the water requirements become very weather dependent. As for feeding, you just need to put in enough so that you're pretty sure it got to the root zone. The amount then just depends on the size of the pot.
The basic rule is, there are no rules. Do it in a manner that suits you.

I like to keep the pots cool. Shadecloth or other pots clustered so the sun doesn't beat on the pot itself. This give a cool root-run and I think that benefits the plants.