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| Hello everyone, I've transplanted a brandywine tomato to a fabric 5 gallon container with pure compost . It's been 5 days since I transplanted the tomato and it still doesnt have any evidence of new growth. The plant looks perfectly fine. There are no signs of transplant shock whatsoever. In your experience, how long did your tomato showed signs of new growth after transplant? Any suggestions on how I could manage my tomatoes? |
Follow-Up Postings:
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| How long has lots of variables and since your method of transplanting it (5 gallon pot of pure compost) is very unusual I can't say how long it might take. Compost in a great in-ground soil amendment for gardens but not a recommended growing medium for containers. Normally when plants are transplanted into containers only one of the many container soil-less mixes are used. Otherwise, soil compaction, drainage, nutrient use, and root development are compromised. IME the plant should begin to show new growth with 5-7 days assuming the roots are developing well, the soil is warm enough, and nutrients are available to the plant. What have you fed the plant, how much and how often? Dave |
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| Thanks for your reply dave. I tried a different method as an experiment. I only placed 2 inches of compost at the bottom of the container. After that, i transplanted the tomato and buried it deep. So far, the buried part of the stem is showing signs of root development... a lot of it. However, the foliage remained pretty much the same. For feeding, i used jobees fertilizer spike (6-18-6). |
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| Fertilizer spikes are a gyp because you are paying to have granular fertilizer compacted into a spike when it would be more effective to apply the fertilizer to the entire soil surface, as a dust. If the top is not growing maybe the air around it is too cool, tomato plants need hot conditions to do well. If you mixed a mineral source such as sand with your compost you would probably get better results, during the life of the plant. |
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| Sand is not a recommended amendment to container mixes. It can compound the issues of compaction. Generally, container mixes are recommended in the ratio of 5:1:1 fine pine bark, peat, and perlite, although that ratio may be adjusted a bit. Since this mix can dry out quickly on top, a thin dressing of compost on top may help preserve some moisture between waterings...but not more than an inch. This type of soilless mix requires fertilizer and minerals. Check out the Container Forum for more details. -Bruce |
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| Thank you all for follow ups. As for the temperature, we are getting between low to mid 70's Fahrenheit and mid 50's for night temperature. I think changing the medium structure would be too late because like i said, there are already root growth development on the buried part of the stem. What do you guys recommend for liquid fertilizer? |
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| First off, It take plants a while to get acclimated and grab the soil. This is not a transplant shock, IMO. Second, It is the soil temperature that make plants grow faster not air temps alone. In containers, early spring, soil can cool of much faster during the night. Third, Pure compost is questionable. Potted plants do better in SOIL LESS medium. |
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| Heres one of the picture of the tomato: |
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| Heres one of the picture of the tomato: |
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| Heres one of the picture of the tomato: |
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| I'm confused. First you said it was planted in pure compost. Then you said there was only 2 inches of compost. So what else is the container filled with? First you said no signs of growth but then said that somehow you know the roots are growing well. How? Have you grown tomatoes before and this is just an unusual experiment you wanted to try? Or are you new to growing tomatoes and asking if this will work or not? Are you concerned that this is an awfully small container for a Brandywine which is a huge plant? Are you asking if it can still be transplanted into a bigger container with a better growing mix? Do you plan to switch to a more beneficial fertilizer or not? What is the plan? It is difficult to answer questions without more details if possible. Dave PS: only 1 picture is viewable |
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| Hi dave. Theres only 2 inches of compost between the plant's rootball and the bottom of the container. However, i buried the bottom half of the lower stem with compost. The reason why I know that theres a root growth is because i peeked inside the compost and saw that the buried part of the stem is starting to develop root. Im new at growing tomatoes. The method that im trying to replicate is from a youtube personality named praxxus. You can check out some of his videos. |
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| You can check out some of his videos. Been there, done that since he seems to love posting links all over the forums here. But no thank you. So as your problems develop you'll have to consult with him for assistance. Most tomato growers won't be able to help you because his methods are just way too off from the norm and well-proven common practice. Dave |
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| Praaxus, woodoo Gardener ! haha He is an interesting guy. I have seen few of his videos. AND have seen views of his garden too. NOTHING SPECIAL. |
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