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Tomato Q

nicd38nicd38 Posts: 23
in Fruit & veg
Hi. 
growing toms for the 1st time ever ( along with my cukes) 
and the bottoms of my beef steak ones look odd. 
Is this anything i should be worried about ?


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Posts

  • herbaceousherbaceous Posts: 2,318
    That could be blossom end rot nicd38, caused by irregular watering leading to calcium deficiency. Can't see how big your pots are but confined space for the roots will contribute, also the leaves get first grabs. Water lots and regularly, remove a few leaves at the bottom and make sure the pots can drain adequately.
    "The trouble with having an open mind, of course, is that people will insist on coming along and trying to put things in it."  Sir Terry Pratchett
  • nicd38nicd38 Posts: 23
    I do water daily ( may have forgot the very odd day) 
    pot has drainage.  Maybe not enough ? 
    Should I remove them ones or leave them on ?
    will it effect the rest of the plant ? 

    I have new new pots for next year. The self watering ones as I work early til late. Thought that might help 


  • herbaceousherbaceous Posts: 2,318
    The fruit are no good nicd38 so remove them, if it is blossom end rot this might help
    https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=395
    I would remove quite a few leaves as well to reduce the water loss, this is just from personal experience - I'm no expert! Trouble with this hot weather its difficult to judge watering, I tend to drench mine and make sure there is proper drainage so they're not standing in water, but what do I know?
    "The trouble with having an open mind, of course, is that people will insist on coming along and trying to put things in it."  Sir Terry Pratchett
  • nicd38nicd38 Posts: 23
    Thank you 
    I will get chipping when I’m home from work 

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    In addition nicd - most people overwater tomatoes [and overfeed them]. If you've always watered every day, then do that throughout the season. I prefer not to water them until they droop slightly. It's about the consistency of watering, not the amount. They shouldn't be constantly damp. It's also better to water earlier in the day and not late at night, to prevent them sitting in cold water overnight. Treat 'em a bit mean  :)
    It also looks like you have saucers under the pots. That can be an issue with drainage, the roots could be sitting in water, possibly without you realising it. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • herbaceousherbaceous Posts: 2,318
    How I wish I had your sharp eyes @Fairygirl :(  didn't spot the tray under the pot. Also should have said @nicd38 I only drench mine every three days in this weather, usually just a couple of times a week when we have a 'normal' summer but as Fairygirl says its about the consistency.

    Here's hoping you can get them back and enjoy a good crop  :)
    "The trouble with having an open mind, of course, is that people will insist on coming along and trying to put things in it."  Sir Terry Pratchett
  • nicd38nicd38 Posts: 23
    ok, home, and done some cropping. 
    removed the tray from under the pot. 
    heres hoping all goes well now

    tbh, i dont even like big toms, just fancied growing them lol 

    i am enjoying plenty of cukes tho ! 

  • herbaceousherbaceous Posts: 2,318
    I like to experiment too @nicd38 and always try one new variety each year, have to grow my favourites though as the 'experiments' often disappoint. I'm not keen on beefsteaks but I know lots of people love them as sandwich tomatoes. Me I like Pomodoro for my pasta sauce and Sweet Million which I eat like sweets while I'm messing about in the garden. Nothing like a homegrown salad sandwich though  ;)
    "The trouble with having an open mind, of course, is that people will insist on coming along and trying to put things in it."  Sir Terry Pratchett
  • nicd38nicd38 Posts: 23
    I have sweet millions growing, and gardeners delight.  

    Thinking of trying some spring onions. Probably too late this year ?  

  • herbaceousherbaceous Posts: 2,318
    Not at all! They only take a couple of months to mature but you can eat them when they are tiny as well. It seems the fashion is for micro-greens these days, just an excuse for a lack of patience I reckon.
    "The trouble with having an open mind, of course, is that people will insist on coming along and trying to put things in it."  Sir Terry Pratchett
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