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Tomato temperature

bookmonsterbookmonster Posts: 399
in Fruit & veg
What minimum temperature would you suggest for tomatoes to get a bit of outside time? They're stupice if it makes any difference. 

Posts

  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    Stupice are a lovely tomato and they will take more cold than most, but none like temperatures below about 12c.
    I grew them for the first time last year and was impressed also they don't have as many leaves a most tomato plants. I'm growing them again this year - they're about 2" atm.
    So keep them warm for the time being and not outside until it warms up a bit.

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I'd agree with @Pete.8 - they won't be happy if they get cold now. 

    There's really no rush. They'll just stall if temps aren't suitable. 
    I've just sown my tomatoes. Whether I'll be able to grow them on will depend on getting compost at some point before they go in their final pots too, although I once grew loads of cherry toms very successfully in a conservatory in small pots with a seed tray underneath with compost in it. They can't be grown outside here. 

    That might be the way this year's will be done too, with some garden soil in the trays.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • bookmonsterbookmonster Posts: 399
    Thanks @Pete.8 and @Fairygirl! I was just looking for a guide as to when I can give them an afternoon on the patio to get a bit more light, they won't be outside til may or June on a permanent basis. They're showing some signs of thrips damage inside, I've just wiped them down with a washing up liquid mixture 
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Try and keep up the ventilation and that will also help.
    It's a fine balance between warmth and air flow, so you'll have to play it by ear a bit. You could space them further apart if you can, which will help  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • bookmonsterbookmonster Posts: 399
    Thanks!
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    Round this neck of the woods the temp is forecast to be 18-20c mid next week :)
    They can go outside while the outside temp is greater than 12c measured in the shade

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • bookmonsterbookmonster Posts: 399
    Thanks!
  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    Friends with south facing gardens in London have put out their toms as for the last two or three weeks -  we have had daytime temps 20-24oC and night time over 10oC. I imagine the growth will be slow but 8-10oC night time temps this week shouldn't hurt the plants. No frost is forecast....  Would they need fleecing or will they just toughen up?
  • bookmonsterbookmonster Posts: 399
    Have they been hardened off?
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