16,949 Garden Web Discussions | Growing Tomatoes

Thank you for reporting this comment. Undo
digdirt2(6b-7a No.Cent. AR HZ8 Sun-35)

But if your native soil pH is already leaning toward the alkaline side then adding wood ash can really screw things up.

In other words you need to know your pH to begin with and you should also know if you soil actually needs additional potassium. Most soils don't. Only way to have that info is by getting a pro soil test done from your local county ag extension office.

Excess potassium blocks the uptake of magnesium, manganese, zinc and iron all of which are equally important to the plant..

Dave

    Bookmark     May 30, 2015 at 5:12PM
Thank you for reporting this comment. Undo
James Terry

Thanks for all the comments...

    Bookmark     May 30, 2015 at 5:54PM
Sign Up to comment
Thank you for reporting this comment. Undo
john11840(z6/CT)

I guess I'm old fashioned! I use general 10-10-10 garden fert. The caution is to use it sparingly and not get it directly on the plant. I put it in the ground about 2 weeks after planting and again in about a month - that's enough.

John A

    Bookmark     May 30, 2015 at 8:56AM
Thank you for reporting this comment. Undo
Seysonn_ 7b-WA/HZ1

John, I think for most established gardens 10-10-10,, 13-13-13-, 16-16-16 .. are just enough. and the cost is reasonable. Then you have to be able to read your plants lips. Do they flower/ set fruits,? Wow does the foliage look like ? how is the growth rate ? Plants mirror the condition of the soil.

Sey

    Bookmark     May 30, 2015 at 5:03PM
Sign Up to comment
Thank you for reporting this comment. Undo
goodground(z6 NJ)

I agree with Dave. I do it the hard way using one 1" pvc pipe per plant. Then I add shorter stakes to the branches that grow out. Not easy but I manage to keep all the tomatoes off the ground.

    Bookmark     May 30, 2015 at 12:13PM
Thank you for reporting this comment. Undo
Seysonn_ 7b-WA/HZ1

I agree with Dave. One stake per plant is hardly enough. I use like 3 stakes for 2 plants and do some weaving in addition to tying.
One steak per plant is ok when you prune to a single stem. NOT enough. I let at least 2 - 3 stems per plant. That takes more stakes and weaving to support.. With just one stem production will be way too low.

Sey

    Bookmark     May 30, 2015 at 4:51PM
Sign Up to comment
Thank you for reporting this comment. Undo
lindalana(z5 IL)

grown Azochka many years, love the flavor and reliability.

    Bookmark     May 11, 2015 at 7:45AM
Thank you for reporting this comment. Undo
Seysonn_ 7b-WA/HZ1

It has been a while.
My Azoychka plant is doing great. It is one of the strongest . It has few bud clusters and flowers are opening. I guesstimate to have some ripes around mid July or so. My other yellow/gold Kelloggs Breakfast plants are NOT doing as well so far. So I am betting on Azoychka...
C'mone girl ! hehe

Sey

    Bookmark     May 30, 2015 at 12:24AM
Sign Up to comment
Thank you for reporting this comment. Undo
marcantonio

no need for bulb food now, I found the dry Alaska fish fertilizer containing fish bone ,meal and kelp. I used it years ago with good success then I no longer saw it again. found it at home depot so I bought two bags. i'm experimenting on trying just organics this year. just to see if it works out. I've always prepared the soil with manure and humus, but always had success with small side dressings of either 10-10 - 10 or 5-10 -5. if it doesn't work out I go back to my old system. trying to stay away from the blue water also. I can see the denefit of bone meal on my fall planted garlic. I added a lot of bone meal compost and a little milorganite when I prepared the ground last year. nice thick stems meaning large heads this july

    Bookmark     May 29, 2015 at 8:43PM
Thank you for reporting this comment. Undo
Seysonn_ 7b-WA/HZ1

I have also some Alaska fish fert 0-10-10. I will add a some ammonium sulfate to it , to make roughly a 5-10-10 water soluble. I believe my garden beds are fairy rich after amending over last 3 years with all kinds of compost and manures.

Sey

    Bookmark     May 29, 2015 at 10:50PM
Sign Up to comment
Thank you for reporting this comment. Undo
digdirt2(6b-7a No.Cent. AR HZ8 Sun-35)

I assume you want a source in Australia? If so Australianseed.com

sell Big Boy that is VF and likely a couple of others too. Problem is they don't list the disease resistance in their descriptions so you have to look up the variety on another website (like tomatogrowers.com) to find out its resistance.

I don't know what the shipping costs would be for seeds but you can order all of them from US vendors IF they have the ag permits to ship into AU given the seed import restrictions your country has.

Dave

    Bookmark     May 29, 2015 at 3:34PM Thanked by archades
Thank you for reporting this comment. Undo
archades

Thanks, will look into it. Also considering grafting onto some cherry tomatos that grow like weeds here. They've been growing every year for 20+ years and randomly popup all around the house and don't seem to get smashed by wilt at all. I am hoping they will make good root stock?

    Bookmark     May 29, 2015 at 7:53PM
Sign Up to comment
Thank you for reporting this comment. Undo
daniel_nyc(7a)

Nice Hudson.

I had Rose last year.

Big, tasty, not very productive,

1 lb. 5 oz.

    Bookmark     May 29, 2015 at 8:52AM
Thank you for reporting this comment. Undo
hudson___wy(3)

Wow - I didn't realize Rose got that large Daniel. Did you like it enough to plant it again? I don't think Jersey Boy will get that large. So far - I like the JB plant better but neither plant is large enough to set fruit - yet.

    Bookmark     May 29, 2015 at 7:43PM
Sign Up to comment
Thank you for reporting this comment. Undo
catherinet(5 IN)

I appreciate everyone's suggestions. We'll see how it goes. The stakes on the outside of the tank is a good idea. This is all an experiment, so we'll see how the 6 of them do. I grow that variety because they are so easy to freeze (easy to clean/skin) and I use them in soups and stews. I do grow 3 San Marzanos too....but they are in the ground. I also grow Rutgers in the ground. I'll let you all know how it turns out. I have other stock tanks that are mostly for onions/kale/broccoli/lettuces/beans. Last year, I had a couple volunteer tomatoes grow out of one of the stocktanks for beans and kale, and they did great. So we'll see.

    Bookmark     May 27, 2015 at 8:53AM
Thank you for reporting this comment. Undo
Seysonn_ 7b-WA/HZ1

Depend on how wide the tank is . Never seen one.
If it is like 2ft wide, 4 plants (staggered) should be fine.
In my raised beds I give my plants about 2.5 - 3 sq-ft. But I do systematic pruning.

Sey

    Bookmark     May 29, 2015 at 7:01PM
Sign Up to comment
Thank you for reporting this comment. Undo
Seysonn_ 7b-WA/HZ1

Also, too much rain water can wash down and dilute the nutrients.
I would feed them with water soluble ferts for fast action.

Sey

    Bookmark     May 29, 2015 at 5:16PM
Thank you for reporting this comment. Undo
Brent Buss

Thanks, Sey! I'll try that too. :)

Danielle

    Bookmark     May 29, 2015 at 5:41PM
Sign Up to comment
Thank you for reporting this comment. Undo
Ohiofem(6a Ohio)

I suggest you start a new thread and give us more details about how you have been growing your plants and when the wilting started. This discussion started in 2010 so many people are likely to ignore it before seeing your question.

    Bookmark     May 29, 2015 at 2:20PM
Thank you for reporting this comment. Undo
Seysonn_ 7b-WA/HZ1

Yeah. start a new thread . Your problem can be different from the op.
The OP had a serious problem , growing in 2 1/2 gallon pots.

Sey

    Bookmark     May 29, 2015 at 5:21PM
Sign Up to comment
Thank you for reporting this comment. Undo
ncrealestateguy

Maybe Pythium.

    Bookmark     May 29, 2015 at 4:10AM
Thank you for reporting this comment. Undo
jaycount

Almost looks like a zinc deficiency, but the stems are also showing symptoms which doesn't quite fit.

I can't find good pictures of pythium-infected plants (other than seedlings) but the plant looked pretty healthy when it went into the ground.

I think I'll play it safe and trash it, I have 7 others and even 1 more of this same variety, so I will live. Thanks everyone for the input

    Bookmark     May 29, 2015 at 4:45PM
Sign Up to comment
Thank you for reporting this comment. Undo
theniele6

Is this okay? Thank you! (White is the flash.)

    Bookmark     May 28, 2015 at 6:26PM
Thank you for reporting this comment. Undo
edweather(Zone 5a/b Central NY)

I think you forgot the pic. I've done it haha

    Bookmark     May 29, 2015 at 10:50AM
Sign Up to comment
Thank you for reporting this comment. Undo
Seysonn_ 7b-WA/HZ1

Marc,
No need to compost fall leaves before adding to the beds. It would be better to shred them by running over with the mower or using a shredder if you have one. The worm will do the job of converting them into casting.

Sey

    Bookmark     May 29, 2015 at 4:58AM
Thank you for reporting this comment. Undo
mister_caledon(7a - Maryland)

Marc -- I can second Sey's advice. I have one of those lawn blower/vac things which chips up leaves and twigs into small shreds as it vacuums them up. In years past I had two friends who would place an "order" with me two big bags of chopped oak leaves every October (they lived downtown; ain't no trees). When I asked why - for the veggie beds, they said. So I think chopping and shredding is the way to go.

    Bookmark     May 29, 2015 at 6:51AM
Sign Up to comment
Thank you for reporting this comment. Undo
Lee Tovey

Ooh another question, I have another plant (I can't remember what it is, as again I've forgotten what I actually planted.) I'll remember to actually make a note of what plant is what next year.

Anyway, I think it's a cucumber or courgette.

It seems healthy ish but the new growth in between stems has got brown/black tips and has stopped growing. Current leaves are getting bigger, but nothing else.

I know it must be so anoting having a newbie asking so many stupid questions.

Sorry guys x

    Bookmark     May 28, 2015 at 4:58AM
Thank you for reporting this comment. Undo
Lee Tovey

    Bookmark     May 28, 2015 at 4:59AM
Sign Up to comment
© 2015 Houzz Inc. Houzz® The new way to design your home™