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Slow tomato & cucumber growth... potato advice

stevek_bathstevek_bath Posts: 51
in Fruit & veg
Hey folks,

As our allotment digging and de-weeding continues we've planted some cucumbers and tomatoes at home in our small greenhouse 5 or so weeks ago.

We started the in propagation trays and they've sprouted quite nicely up to about an inch or so in height. We then carefully replanted into larger pots and popped them back in the greenhouse about 10 days ago. Growth has slowed right down (admittedly weather has been less warm/sunny the last week). They feel a bit behind where I'd expect for May... but maybe I'm being impatient?

Also, we went ahead and planted some first early tubers in bags and pots on our decking. These have grown well and we've kept on covering the foliage with more compost until they've reached the top of the sack/pots. Any tips on how we should look after them now they greenery is up above the pots? (photo attached shows the first earlies).

Thanks,

Steve


Posts

  • SkandiSkandi Posts: 1,723
    It's to cold, mine are still in the house and will be until 1st June tomatoes don't like going under 10C at night and cucumbers like it even warmer a unheated greenhouse goes right down to ambient temperatures at night (it can even go lower) They will speed up as it warms up outside.
    The potatoes, just keep them moist but not wet and keep an eye on the weather forcast for any late frosts.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    My tomatoes are about two inches high, at most, and in the house, just potted 2 days ago into 3 inch pots of their own. 
    @Skandi is right - they need decent temps overnight.  Fluctuating temps cause more problems than anything at this stage too. 
    I can't advise on the others as I don't grow them, but cucumbers certainly need decent temps. 
    I think people have been fooled into thinking it's summer with the recent weather  ;)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • purplerallimpurplerallim Posts: 5,287
    I may well get caught out as the temps at night are 7° here. But I usually put them in the greenhouse in April, ahead of the outside toms at end of May. Mine were sown in March in the conservatory,  so are 12" tall, and one is in flower, so we put them in the greenhouse this weekend. We do this every year, in fact we are a bit late this year. This way the greenhouse starts producing at the end of July and the outside ones in August. This gives me time to process things as they are staggered in ripening.
    Yours are still a little young to be in the garden yet, I wouldn't put them out until they have been re-potted twice , about 9 to 12" tall. Hope this helps.
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