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Tomatoes and temperatures

ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
in Fruit & veg
For the first time in years, I am growing lots of tomato plants here and some already planted outside tho I've been covering them at night and on cooler days.   Some are getting a bit too big for the tunnel cloches now tho.

What's the minimum night time temperature please?

Planning to plant the rest in the polyT just in case there's any blight around as we're actually growing spuds this year.  Is there a maximum temperature?  PolyT is shaded but can get pretty hot.
Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
"The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
Plato

Posts

  • raisingirlraisingirl Posts: 7,093
    It says 13C minimum here https://www.gardenersworld.com/how-to/solve-problems/tomato-cold-weather-damage/

    I've always worked to about 15C so am clearly over cautious. They seem to wilt when it gets into the high 20s but then I grow the ones that are 'suitable for the UK' which probably dislike heat more - I should think if you grow some of the Italian varieties they'll be more heat tolerant.
    Gardening on the edge of Exmoor, in Devon

    “It's still magic even if you know how it's done.” 
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    The forecast reckons 13C as the lowest tonight (5am) but then getting cooler towards the weekend so I'll just have to find a way of raising the cloches.  They're those rigid plastic ones that can be slotted to make long tunnels though I just use one across the beds .   

    The varieties are French, mostly, and old varieties apart from San Marzano.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • floraliesfloralies Posts: 2,718
    My tomatoes are still in my polycarbonate GH. The temperatures have fluctuated over the last three weeks, down to well under 10c at night and I didn't fleece them and they were fine. I don't usually put them out until after the "Saints de Glace" Obelixx, 11-14 May, but of course this can all change!
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    Thanks.   We'll be keeping the outdoor ones covered at night for a while longer.  I never have trusted those saints.  Utter hogwash when applied to Belgian gardens and no reason to think they're any better here.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • floraliesfloralies Posts: 2,718
    I couldn't agree more Obelixx, sometimes I have put mine out in middle of May and other years have had to wait, just depends on the weather!
  • SkandiSkandi Posts: 1,723
    Mine have been out in the greenhouse since the begging of May, much earlier than normal! But the weather has been warm, hitting 25-30 in there before i get the door open in the morning, and down to 5 OUTSIDE so probably around 7C or so inside at night, I was a little worried about them but they are doing very well. soon they can be moved into the pollytunnel where it gets colder at night
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