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Tomatoes- what's happened ??

graeme.roygraeme.roy Posts: 5
in Fruit & veg
Hi, I started to grow tomatoes with Monty when he encouraged us to do so and said he would provide a step by step guide. But it has been at least 4 weeks since the last installment , and there was very little before that. As a beginner, I feel a bit abandoned !!!
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  • Jason-3Jason-3 Posts: 391
    edited July 2020
    He has done two instalments from what I've seen. Their realy isn't that much to tomato growning to show. Sowing-germination-potting on-pinching out, staking if required and feeding. I would guess He will show you the next stage soon enough. There is minimal action to be taken in the first six-8 weeks. Other than ensuring you have a watering regime, as the plant is establishing a root system. 
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    Hi Graeme if you post a photo of your plants as they are now I'm sure we can offer some guidance if needed
    Welcome to the forum :)

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • FireFire Posts: 19,096

  • graeme.roygraeme.roy Posts: 5
    Thanks for the replies. I should stress that I really enjoy the programme :-). Just that as a beginner at tomatoes I thought there would have been more regular guidance. I've realised too late that I've made the elementary mistake of giving my plants Tomorite too early in the process so I have lovely green leaves with few flowers and no sign of tomatoes yet. I started the seeds a week after Monty's first programme. Am I being impatient or am I unlikely to get fruit do you think ? Thanks! Graeme
  • strelitzia32strelitzia32 Posts: 758
    As Pete.8 says, post a photo and we can give you some help based on how your plants look. Early feeding with Tomorite won't do you any damage or stop tomatoes forming, just hold off until the fruit sets (flowers drop off and a tiny little green bump of a nascent tomato is left behind).
  • graeme.roygraeme.roy Posts: 5
    Thanks very much , I haven't got the technology to post a photo , but that is reassuring. I won't feed any more for now ! I should have asked earlier. I have some in the ground and some in large pots so it will be interesting to see which ones do best.
  • GemmaJFGemmaJF Posts: 2,286
    If it helps, I rather thought there was less delivered than promised for new tomato growers, though I did miss an episode, so not sure if Monty covered it then. 

    If you ever see a copy of the Royal Horticultural Society's Step-by-step Gardening Techniques in a second-hand shop or online, well worth buying. It covers a lot fruit and veg. It's my go to book when I simply don't have a clue about growing something new to me, I usually feel vaguely confident afterwards.
  • graeme.roygraeme.roy Posts: 5
    Thanks GemmaJF, that's helpful. I haven't previously grown much fruit and veg but with lockdown and Monty's encouragement to beginners I gave the tomatoes a try. In truth I'd expected an update perhaps every fortnight even if only to say " they should now look like that " but there have only been two references in total and nothing over the past 4 episodes. I realise tomatoes are not very exciting and pretty basic but he does seem just to have moved on .... Anyway I don't mean to be controversial as I do like the programmes and I appreciate the responses I've had here so fingers crossed ! :-)
  • GemmaJFGemmaJF Posts: 2,286
    graeme.roy said:
    Thanks GemmaJF, that's helpful. I haven't previously grown much fruit and veg but with lockdown and Monty's encouragement to beginners I gave the tomatoes a try. In truth I'd expected an update perhaps every fortnight even if only to say " they should now look like that " but there have only been two references in total and nothing over the past 4 episodes. I realise tomatoes are not very exciting and pretty basic but he does seem just to have moved on .... Anyway I don't mean to be controversial as I do like the programmes and I appreciate the responses I've had here so fingers crossed ! :-)
    I like the show too, though it did take some time to really get my head around growing tomatoes the first year I did them, lots of terms used, lots of does and don'ts.

    So I can see there could have been more updates, if only to discuss the next stage and some of the terms used.

    To be fair though the show is weathering difficult times like all of us, it's been pretty good of late considering. 

    I was just one of those people who thought the show could be picking-up on all the new people growing veg for the first time, so was pleased when Monty said he would take beginners through growing tomatoes. A bit disappointing there wasn't a lot of time given to it so far.
  • BenCottoBenCotto Posts: 4,718
    I’ve just bought the RHS book recommended by @GemmaJF on eBay. The seller had a buy one get the second at half price offer so I also picked up a book on Italian grammar though there were hundreds of options. The two books, inclusive of p&p, came to £5.33. Thanks for the tip.
    Rutland, England
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