Forum home› Fruit & veg
This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.

Tips about Trailing Tomatoes

Ferdinand2000Ferdinand2000 Posts: 537
edited August 2021 in Fruit & veg
Last year I obtained about 3 tomatoes from my Trailing Tomatoe plant.

This year I have a hanging plant-pot outside the front door, facing south, and it seems that I will get a few dozen fruit from one plant. I'm keen for any further hints.

Lessons so far:

- The position seems good.
- The plant-pot is too small and I should have had something to keep it more moist - such as a cut plastic bag liner or a dish. It has needed daily watering.
- The knot has worked really well (four legged barrel sling).
- I think I need about 3 plants in a bigger pot, and probably to make it 2 tiers.

Any others hints would be very welcome.

Piccies below:


“Rivers know this ... we will get there in the end.”

Posts

  • bcpathomebcpathome Posts: 1,313
    Hints about what ? You’re doing it 
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    They seem to be doing well @Ferdinand2000  :)
    The only thing I'd suggest is - as it's at your front door, perhaps a proper container - ie hanging basket, would be better aesthetically, and also would give you more room - maybe you'd get two plants in that? 
    Certainly - using a liner of some kind to prevent evaporation could be useful, and would save a bit of water, although most toms do better with a bit of 'stress' as they get a more rapid shift into flowering/fruiting   :)
    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
    To me they look like peardrop cherry toms, which is a bush,  not usually a trailing variety. You have as much fruit as that small pot could produce,  so bigger and a really good trailing variety will improve numbers next year. One big pot, not multiple small ones. And yes you probably will have to water it daily. 
  • Ferdinand2000Ferdinand2000 Posts: 537
    edited August 2021
    purplerallim said:
    To me they look like peardrop cherry toms, which is a bush,  not usually a trailing variety. You have as much fruit as that small pot could produce,  so bigger and a really good trailing variety will improve numbers next year. One big pot, not multiple small ones. And yes you probably will have to water it daily. 
    It was a nursery plant, and the label has vanished.

    They are plum shaped, yes. And yellow.

    It could quite possibly be a downward bush.

    I also had a similar plant in my (not very sunny) conservatory and that has been very slow by comparison. I was wondering if that would extend the season, but i was so slow it is now the other side of the door.
    “Rivers know this ... we will get there in the end.”
  • purplerallimpurplerallim Posts: 5,287
    Yes Peardrops are yellow. Toms do need light as well as heat,  so putting it out in the sun will help to finish it off for the season.
  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    There are some types of tom that are designed to trail, like Tumbling Tom. Small cherries are good as they ripen sooner. Feed weekly. A big, deep hanging basket gives more room to store water and nutrient. The more full sun you can give the better.
  • Ferdinand2000Ferdinand2000 Posts: 537
    Thanks all.

    F
    “Rivers know this ... we will get there in the end.”
Sign In or Register to comment.