Have a container garden. They flowered , but the flowers fell off. they are reflowering but no fuit as of yet. Witht he rains and the hot weather is there anything I can do to get fruit fromt hese plants?
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Tip of the Week: What to do with all these leaves?
Click here for gardening help from Dennis Patton, Horticulture Agent.
Oct. 1: October Garden Calendar
container tomatoes
Submitted by hydenroy on June 28, 2009 - 2:37pm.
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There are many varieties
There are many varieties which do well in containers. These are varieties which arent produced and promoted by larger seed companies so you dont see them in gardening magazines or extension info. Some are finding that some of the large fruited heirloom varieties actually produce better in pots than in the ground.
If you want to know more about these try lurking in the tomatoes or containers forums at GardenWeb. Check out the specialized EarthBox self-watering containers people are building (instead of paying $40 each).
The foil is to wrap around the pot (not necessarily the soil surface). This reflects the sun and reduces the soil mass and pot from heating up as much.
Hot roots will drop more flowers. Cooler roots set fruit better. There is research that came out of the south behind this reasoning.
As for a bad year for tomatoes? I am not seeing that at all. In fact it's one of the better years I have seen. I was at the Farms tour and the Kurlbaum's field looked outstanding and way ahead of schedule. Their plants were loaded with fruit (they planted 5/10). They picked a few large Italian Heirloom fruits that morning.
I planted 5/11. I picked my first fruits yesterday. 49 days from setting out! I have never got fruits to come in that early.
Except for last week's heat I have had good set and great growth. I have several hundred plants out in 4 different areas within 100 miles of KC. All are doing very well. I don't spray and so far I only have seen a little bit of early blight and septoria. (I saw some fusarium wilt and a virus in a growers field over the weekend).
We must be the overachievers...
I've picked many a cherry tomato thus far and have BW's, amish paste and nebraska wedding that will be picked within days. I also have belgium and german giants that may be a week or two out, oddly my hybrids in the ground (celebrity, big boy, better boy) are the ones struggling.
I agree that there are plenty of heirloom varieties that do better in containers but it's anecdotal for me thus far. First year for the nebraska wedding and I'm very happy with the results. The taste will decide if it gets another go but it seems very adapted to this area.
Tomato Problems
In general it has not been a very good tomato year whether in the ground or a pot. It was cool, then wet, then hot.... Container gardens feel the effects of these changes more than a buffered soil condition.
When growing tomatoes the larger the container the better. The old half whiskey barrel is a good size. Five gallons is getting pretty small.
Provide even moisture, water as needed. I would keep the water off the foliage to reduce leaf diseases. I don't quite understand the use of foil. A layer of wood chips, leaves or grass clippings would be better over the exposed soil.
Fertilize as recommended by the product.
Variety also makes a big difference. Not all varieties are created equal and maybe yours is not one that tolerates our climate.
Just keep going like you are expecting a bumper crop and fruit should start setting.
Dennis - Johnson County Extension
small containers
Are indeed too much work except for tumbling toms and the like, I think next year I'll sacrifice the sweet corn for more in-ground tomato space.
Can you elaborate on which leaf diseases could be caused by watering the foliage? Again this isn't common practice for me, just something to give them a break when it's ridiculous hot.
Leaf Diseases and Other Stuff
You are right there are a few varieties that are bred for a container. They are normally cherry type tomatoes. I think most people want a big tomato to slice and eat fresh or on a summer hamburger. The bigger slicing type tomatoes do produce a larger vine and need a larger container. Craig also makes a good point, if you have the space the ground culture makes growing tomatoes easier.
There are two leaf diseases of tomato, Septoria Leaf Spot and Early Blight. They are bad this year with all the rain. I have attached a link to a fact sheet for more information on identification and control.
Tomato Leaf Diseases Information
Hope this helps. Some lucky people might be starting to pick the first tomato very soon, and I am sure some over achiever already has. For me it will be a few more weeks!
Dennis - Johnson County Extension
I gave up
I tried an heirloom tomato in a large container last season, which wasn't as persnickety as this year, and I still had problems. This year my tomatoes are in the ground. Keeping the drainage right, watering evenly, staking -- it's all harder with containers. On the other hand, if that's your only choice, it can be done. I eventually got some decent tomatoes last year but there was a steep learning cycle. - Craig
Not sure if it's the best method...
But my containers haven't had this problem. over the last week of real heat I've watered the foliage in the heat of the day when I can, and water heavily at night every night.
My containers are small however so they require water more often, 3 gal versus the 5-10 gal that I should be using.
I haven't made any changes to my fertilization schedule and everything seems to be doing fine (fingers crossed).
I'm having the same problem.
I'm having the same problem. I tried giving them Miracle Grow for Tomatoes today. I'm hoping that helps.
It's the hot
It's the hot weather (and humidity).
Hopefully this week will make up for last.
If you want, you can try cooling the soil ball some by covering the pot with aluminum foil. That wont be a major difference but can help some.
Dont go to crazy with the fert because too much nitrogen can make flowers drop too.