Repotting tomorrow! Is there anything I should do to not make the plant give up since it's already produced buds?
Thank you for the valuable input Garf!
Transplant shock is unavoidable, but can be minimized. Place some soil in the new pot, carefully remove the old pot without disturbing the roots more than necessary, Place the root ball in the new pot and fill in around the root ball. Finish with a thorough watering. Protect from direct sun for a few days. You will most likely lose most of the buds, but you will get more.
thanks for the tips!
So I'm buying more potting soil and I have a feeling it'll have gnats or other insects. should I treat the soil before planting my tomato? and with what?
I think It'll be Miracle gro moisture control, or the regular one. (Its my first time using Miracle gro, I always read about people getting gnats in their bags)
So I'm buying more potting soil and I have a feeling it'll have gnats or other insects. should I treat the soil before planting my tomato? and with what?
I think It'll be Miracle gro moisture control, or the regular one. (Its my first time using Miracle gro, I always read about people getting gnats in their bags)
-
applestar
- Mod
- Posts: 30551
- Joined: Thu May 01, 2008 7:21 pm
- Location: Zone 6, NJ (3/M)4/E ~ 10/M(11/B)
You need to be careful with pre-fertilized potting soil as the NPK ratio may not be the best for growing tomatoes. You may also have read about many people getting lush green growth without any flowers or fruits.
My current favorite bagged potting mixes are Pro-Mix ultimate Organic and Gardeners Gold Organic Potting Soil (make sure it says potting soil --they sell compost/soil amendment in bags with very similar packaging). I don't know if you can find those where you are, but I thought I'd mention it.
Personally, I wouldn't "treat" the soil, but that's because I believe in living soilfoodweb in the soil. When you have a complete community living in the soil, fungus gnats, as well as other pest bugs are minimized, and I put at least one earthworm in every container --more for larger ones -- my living soil gardeners to condition and keep the container soil from getting compacted and keep the plants fertilized.
I suppose if it's fungus gnats alone that you are concerned with, in sterilized potting mix, then adding gnat controlling Bt to the initial moistening water (you do moisten your potting mix before using, don't you?
) might be the way to go.
To repot, lay the planted pot on it's side on a sheet of cardboard or --even bette for multiple uppotting-- flexible plexiglass or other waterproof stiff but bendable flat panel. Slide the plant and potting mix onto the panel. Put sufficient moistened soil mix in the bottom and one side of the larger container, then, rolling the sides of the panel to fit, gently slide the plant and soil into it, and while supporting it with the panel, add more potting mix on the other side. The plant should be sitting slightly higher than you want at this point. Now pull out the panel. Fill in and add more mix to the sides as necessary, then pick up the container slightly and drop it on the ground to thump and settle the mix. You may need to top with more mix.
When up potting tomatoes, I always barely line the bottom of the new pot and drop the plant and soil ball in so that at least some of the lower stem is buried. Clip off the lower leaves that will be buried or will touch the soil surface. I drop them in the bottom of the container to be buried and break down but you can throw them out or put them in the compost if you prefer (note that tomato leaves can be used to make pest repellant as well). Tomatoes will grow roots from the buried stem, establishing a larger root system. Be aware that this doesn't work with all plants and some plants are very sensitive to being buried above the original soil line.
My current favorite bagged potting mixes are Pro-Mix ultimate Organic and Gardeners Gold Organic Potting Soil (make sure it says potting soil --they sell compost/soil amendment in bags with very similar packaging). I don't know if you can find those where you are, but I thought I'd mention it.
Personally, I wouldn't "treat" the soil, but that's because I believe in living soilfoodweb in the soil. When you have a complete community living in the soil, fungus gnats, as well as other pest bugs are minimized, and I put at least one earthworm in every container --more for larger ones -- my living soil gardeners to condition and keep the container soil from getting compacted and keep the plants fertilized.
I suppose if it's fungus gnats alone that you are concerned with, in sterilized potting mix, then adding gnat controlling Bt to the initial moistening water (you do moisten your potting mix before using, don't you?
) might be the way to go.To repot, lay the planted pot on it's side on a sheet of cardboard or --even bette for multiple uppotting-- flexible plexiglass or other waterproof stiff but bendable flat panel. Slide the plant and potting mix onto the panel. Put sufficient moistened soil mix in the bottom and one side of the larger container, then, rolling the sides of the panel to fit, gently slide the plant and soil into it, and while supporting it with the panel, add more potting mix on the other side. The plant should be sitting slightly higher than you want at this point. Now pull out the panel. Fill in and add more mix to the sides as necessary, then pick up the container slightly and drop it on the ground to thump and settle the mix. You may need to top with more mix.
When up potting tomatoes, I always barely line the bottom of the new pot and drop the plant and soil ball in so that at least some of the lower stem is buried. Clip off the lower leaves that will be buried or will touch the soil surface. I drop them in the bottom of the container to be buried and break down but you can throw them out or put them in the compost if you prefer (note that tomato leaves can be used to make pest repellant as well). Tomatoes will grow roots from the buried stem, establishing a larger root system. Be aware that this doesn't work with all plants and some plants are very sensitive to being buried above the original soil line.
Oops!
I already repotted 5 plants in miracle gro (moisture control+original potting mix). I also added a little bone meal to each (I have no idea how it works though
) I should've waited to read this!
Miracle gro cant be that bad can it? my original soil is in there too, I think thats why my plants didn't wilt at all. The transplanting method I used is very similar to what you advised @ applestar, I'm really glad about that.
I will post photos of how my plants are doing in a while. I just hope I didnt do too many things wrong!
-Oh and the 'keeping the plants outdoors' thing isnt working out. I found bird bite marks all over the leaves, I think I'll keep planting indoors as if I'm in a greenhouse with a pool in it. This is my first time growing anything so I'd like to play it safe.. for now.
I already repotted 5 plants in miracle gro (moisture control+original potting mix). I also added a little bone meal to each (I have no idea how it works though
) I should've waited to read this!Miracle gro cant be that bad can it?
my original soil is in there too, I think thats why my plants didn't wilt at all. The transplanting method I used is very similar to what you advised @ applestar, I'm really glad about that.I will post photos of how my plants are doing in a while. I just hope I didnt do too many things wrong!
-Oh and the 'keeping the plants outdoors' thing isnt working out. I found bird bite marks all over the leaves, I think I'll keep planting indoors as if I'm in a greenhouse with a pool in it. This is my first time growing anything so I'd like to play it safe.. for now.
so an update on my tomatoes! (I'm learning so much!)
They are two types :
San marzano 3 (indeterminant) and Principe Borghese (determinant)
I cant tell which is which but I have a feeling that the light green, tall ones with thin leaves are the cherry principe borghese and the low dark wide ones with thicker leaves are the san marzanos.
They are doing great and most of them started producing buds. I did a lot of research on whether to keep buds of tomatoes this young or not. So I ended up pinching some and leaving some; most of the plants had two sets of buds. (I removed the larger set so the plant can focus on getting bigger)
[img]https://i56.tinypic.com/1e5a2e.jpg[/img]
[img]https://i56.tinypic.com/122hn2e.jpg[/img] [img]https://i52.tinypic.com/34epx7t.jpg[/img]
San Marzanos?
[img]https://i55.tinypic.com/2ilbqtc.jpg[/img] [img]https://i52.tinypic.com/1tpxdi.jpg[/img]
They are two types :
San marzano 3 (indeterminant) and Principe Borghese (determinant)
I cant tell which is which but I have a feeling that the light green, tall ones with thin leaves are the cherry principe borghese and the low dark wide ones with thicker leaves are the san marzanos.
They are doing great and most of them started producing buds. I did a lot of research on whether to keep buds of tomatoes this young or not. So I ended up pinching some and leaving some; most of the plants had two sets of buds. (I removed the larger set so the plant can focus on getting bigger)
[img]https://i56.tinypic.com/1e5a2e.jpg[/img]
[img]https://i56.tinypic.com/122hn2e.jpg[/img] [img]https://i52.tinypic.com/34epx7t.jpg[/img]
San Marzanos?
[img]https://i55.tinypic.com/2ilbqtc.jpg[/img] [img]https://i52.tinypic.com/1tpxdi.jpg[/img]
Sani,
You are doing wonderful. I'm envious. You should have happy and content tomato plants. I bet they are the only tomatoes in the world growing in a greenhouse with a swimming pool in the middle.
I am curious. I don't think the environment in Kuwait would be conducive to growing tomatoes outside. Are they typically grown in greenhouses commercially? Is tomato a common item in the daily diet of kuwaiti citizens?
Ted
You are doing wonderful. I'm envious. You should have happy and content tomato plants. I bet they are the only tomatoes in the world growing in a greenhouse with a swimming pool in the middle.
I am curious. I don't think the environment in Kuwait would be conducive to growing tomatoes outside. Are they typically grown in greenhouses commercially? Is tomato a common item in the daily diet of kuwaiti citizens?
Ted
@ tedln Thank you so much! thats so encouraging!
Tomatoes are very common here and are grown in large industrial greenhouses in big farms along with most other veggies. but most commercial tomatoes that people buy are imported from neighboring countries with slightly better climates.
Most authentic Kuwaiti dishes include tomatoes in the dish itself like stews/tomato rice, or a tomato side sauce called daqoos (Made everyday for lunch in most homes)
[img]https://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YWzv7MwII3U/TJIAOCHCQnI/AAAAAAAAEIs/O6Pm48xagd0/s1600/Taal+Restaurant-+Kuwait-+BNDQ8.jpg[/img]
@ applestar I always wondered if your avatar was a tomato! I'ts a beautiful photo! I'll definitely search for your threads! thanks!
Can you guys tell which leaves from my photos make which plants? ( If I'm right I'm growing a lot more cherries than san marzanos)
Tomatoes are very common here and are grown in large industrial greenhouses in big farms along with most other veggies. but most commercial tomatoes that people buy are imported from neighboring countries with slightly better climates.
Most authentic Kuwaiti dishes include tomatoes in the dish itself like stews/tomato rice, or a tomato side sauce called daqoos (Made everyday for lunch in most homes)
[img]https://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YWzv7MwII3U/TJIAOCHCQnI/AAAAAAAAEIs/O6Pm48xagd0/s1600/Taal+Restaurant-+Kuwait-+BNDQ8.jpg[/img]
@ applestar I always wondered if your avatar was a tomato! I'ts a beautiful photo! I'll definitely search for your threads! thanks!
Can you guys tell which leaves from my photos make which plants? ( If I'm right I'm growing a lot more cherries than san marzanos)
an update on my indoor garden!
everything is growing nicely, I had a minor setback the past two days as my toms got a mild leaf miner infestation. I picked out about two handfuls of leaves (with a heavy heart).
I do find a couple of leaves with squiggles now but nothing like what I had the first time.
My plants are recovering from the damage and look even better than before imo. I now have about 6 plants with flower buds.
[img]https://img535.imageshack.us/img535/4255/img2139h.jpg[/img] [img]https://img828.imageshack.us/img828/9969/img2142g.jpg[/img]
[img]https://img576.imageshack.us/img576/8809/img2146o.jpg[/img] [img]https://img63.imageshack.us/img63/1719/img2149x.jpg[/img]
Do you have any tips for me ?
everything is growing nicely, I had a minor setback the past two days as my toms got a mild leaf miner infestation. I picked out about two handfuls of leaves (with a heavy heart).
I do find a couple of leaves with squiggles now but nothing like what I had the first time.
My plants are recovering from the damage and look even better than before imo. I now have about 6 plants with flower buds.
[img]https://img535.imageshack.us/img535/4255/img2139h.jpg[/img] [img]https://img828.imageshack.us/img828/9969/img2142g.jpg[/img]
[img]https://img576.imageshack.us/img576/8809/img2146o.jpg[/img] [img]https://img63.imageshack.us/img63/1719/img2149x.jpg[/img]
Do you have any tips for me ?
Sani,
Your tomato plants are looking good. I am curious about your soil in the pots. In the photos it looks like the plants are in a traditional potting soil with sand around the edges and maybe over the top of the soil. What is the sand for?
Now for the most important question. How do you prepare the dagoos sauce and how do you use it? Do you spoon it over other dishes or do you scoop it with a flat bread?
Ted
Your tomato plants are looking good. I am curious about your soil in the pots. In the photos it looks like the plants are in a traditional potting soil with sand around the edges and maybe over the top of the soil. What is the sand for?
Now for the most important question. How do you prepare the dagoos sauce and how do you use it? Do you spoon it over other dishes or do you scoop it with a flat bread?
Ted
Its just a thin sandy potting soil mix on the top for protection/water conservation. under that lies my regular dark brown soil.
and about the daqoos, I'm not sure about an exact recipe, everyone does it slightly different but it'll always include these ingredients: -red tomatoes -green chili peper - a black citrus fruit we call loumi - tomato paste - a dash of oil -garlic -salt and pepper with seasonings that differ from home to home.
Its spooned over rice dishes usually. It tastes good with everything!
and about the daqoos, I'm not sure about an exact recipe, everyone does it slightly different but it'll always include these ingredients: -red tomatoes -green chili peper - a black citrus fruit we call loumi - tomato paste - a dash of oil -garlic -salt and pepper with seasonings that differ from home to home.
Its spooned over rice dishes usually. It tastes good with everything!
-
applestar
- Mod
- Posts: 30551
- Joined: Thu May 01, 2008 7:21 pm
- Location: Zone 6, NJ (3/M)4/E ~ 10/M(11/B)
I'm intrigued too. Can you post a generalized recipe -- maybe in the Recipe Forum for easier future retrieval? I work well with basic description for what to do with the tomatoes -- sliced, 1/2'd quartered, approx. 1 loumi/lime per 1 qt of tomatoes, etc. for example. Do you add the loumi whole? I assume chili peppers, salt, peppers, garlic (is it typically garlicky? the way you described didn't sound like it), could be to taste. What other seasonings could we consider adding?
about loumi, I learned that its usually not a main component in our kuwaiti daqoos, maybe a little powdered loumi for acidity but I was surprised that its not needed.
daqoos does taste garlicy+a little sour+spicy.
a generalized recipe would be something like this:
4 or three large tomatoes chopped
3 cloves garlic -Water almost 2 cups
black pepper and salt -1 teaspoon oil
a bit of tomato paste -1 green chilli used whole.
here are photos I found online of random daqoos recipes
[img]https://up.arab-x.com/Aug09/AAV41518.jpg[/img] [img]https://forum.hawahome.com/nupload/98765_1242639635.jpg[/img]
Its usually served with rice dishes like this one, Machboos; 'The Kuwaiti dish' its served in my home every other day.
[img]https://i52.tinypic.com/wc0go8.jpg[/img]
I hope that answered your question.
daqoos does taste garlicy+a little sour+spicy.
a generalized recipe would be something like this:
4 or three large tomatoes chopped
3 cloves garlic -Water almost 2 cups
black pepper and salt -1 teaspoon oil
a bit of tomato paste -1 green chilli used whole.
here are photos I found online of random daqoos recipes
[img]https://up.arab-x.com/Aug09/AAV41518.jpg[/img] [img]https://forum.hawahome.com/nupload/98765_1242639635.jpg[/img]
Its usually served with rice dishes like this one, Machboos; 'The Kuwaiti dish' its served in my home every other day.
[img]https://i52.tinypic.com/wc0go8.jpg[/img]
I hope that answered your question.
I've posted a recipe for the Machboos at the following link.
https://www.helpfulgardener.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=173812#173812
It looks like a wonderful dish. I will probably try it once with grocery store tomatoes. I will try it again in the summer when some of my "Black" tomatoes ripen. I can't even imagine how good the dish will taste with the smoky flavor of the blacks or possibly the fruity flavor of orange tomatoes from my KBX or Sungold plants. The possibilities are endless.
Suni,
In one of the photos you furnished, the rice color seems to indicate saffron was added. Do you know if saffron is ever used in the rice?
Thanks
Ted
https://www.helpfulgardener.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=173812#173812
It looks like a wonderful dish. I will probably try it once with grocery store tomatoes. I will try it again in the summer when some of my "Black" tomatoes ripen. I can't even imagine how good the dish will taste with the smoky flavor of the blacks or possibly the fruity flavor of orange tomatoes from my KBX or Sungold plants. The possibilities are endless.
Suni,
In one of the photos you furnished, the rice color seems to indicate saffron was added. Do you know if saffron is ever used in the rice?
Thanks
Ted
Ted, Saffron is always used! Machboos is never done with just plain white rice!
Maybe I can post a recipe of another yummy Kuwaiti dish that goes beautifully with daqoos. It's called "immawash"
back to my tomatoes, I'm uppotting 10 tomatoes to 5 gallon pots, I've been dreading it because I know the nursery where I'm getting my soil mix+pots is ripping me off a little. I've spent too much in the past.
Maybe I can post a recipe of another yummy Kuwaiti dish that goes beautifully with daqoos. It's called "immawash"
back to my tomatoes, I'm uppotting 10 tomatoes to 5 gallon pots, I've been dreading it because I know the nursery where I'm getting my soil mix+pots is ripping me off a little. I've spent too much in the past.
Sani'Sani wrote:Ted, Saffron is always used! Machboos is never done with just plain white rice!
Maybe I can post a recipe of another yummy Kuwaiti dish that goes beautifully with daqoos. It's called "immawash"
back to my tomatoes, I'm uppotting 10 tomatoes to 5 gallon pots, I've been dreading it because I know the nursery where I'm getting my soil mix+pots is ripping me off a little. I've spent too much in the past.
Getting ripped off is just one of the feelings most gardeners probably feel. If someone had told me a few years ago, I would be paying $3.50 for bags of "dirt", I would have laughed at them. Someone once posted a thread asking what people use to mark/identify their seedlings and plants in the garden. The replies ranged from broken window blind slats to Popsicle sticks. If you buy the small white plastic markers sold for the purpose, they are outrageously priced for what you get. We always look to the future and say "the reward is worth it".
Ted
ted,
you're absolutely right, I always try to remind myself that its worth it. (I'm having a blast anyway)
$3.50 a bag!!
wow I filled my 10 new 5 gallon pots with $35.5 worth soil. and I'm not sure I even like it! its a mixture of a sandy potting soil+manure+peatmoss. I think the mix is too sandy for my liking.
I'm trying to make this first gardening experience almost like an experiment to find the best soil provider for me, thats why I'm trying a bunch of mixes.
I just finished up-potting 10 tomato plants; a lot of effort for a 5'2 girl.
you're absolutely right, I always try to remind myself that its worth it. (I'm having a blast anyway)
$3.50 a bag!!
wow I filled my 10 new 5 gallon pots with $35.5 worth soil. and I'm not sure I even like it! its a mixture of a sandy potting soil+manure+peatmoss. I think the mix is too sandy for my liking. I'm trying to make this first gardening experience almost like an experiment to find the best soil provider for me, thats why I'm trying a bunch of mixes.
I just finished up-potting 10 tomato plants; a lot of effort for a 5'2 girl.
I'm back!
and I got my first Principe Borghese tomato!
[img]https://img522.imageshack.us/img522/7438/zna8401.jpg[/img]
Since my last update I had a brief whitefly 'attack' on the leaves of my larger plants, that caused some chlorosis and cuts, so I dusted them all with Diotemacious Earth and I've been regularly spraying Neem Oil.
I am pruning most suckers. I also added mulch to all pots.
[img]https://img258.imageshack.us/img258/8631/zna8388.jpg[/img]
All my plants are flowering nicely
[img]https://img228.imageshack.us/img228/6805/zna8406.jpg[/img]
The determinant Principe Borghese much ahead of the indeterminant San Marzanos (they're the short ones)
[img]https://img87.imageshack.us/img87/8297/zna8390.jpg[/img]
I have one concern, the stems of the larger plants have these purplish/dark dots. Here is the stem with a close-up next to it.
[img]https://img138.imageshack.us/img138/2928/zna8410.jpg[/img]
and I got my first Principe Borghese tomato!
[img]https://img522.imageshack.us/img522/7438/zna8401.jpg[/img]
Since my last update I had a brief whitefly 'attack' on the leaves of my larger plants, that caused some chlorosis and cuts, so I dusted them all with Diotemacious Earth and I've been regularly spraying Neem Oil.
I am pruning most suckers. I also added mulch to all pots.
[img]https://img258.imageshack.us/img258/8631/zna8388.jpg[/img]
All my plants are flowering nicely
[img]https://img228.imageshack.us/img228/6805/zna8406.jpg[/img]
The determinant Principe Borghese much ahead of the indeterminant San Marzanos (they're the short ones)
[img]https://img87.imageshack.us/img87/8297/zna8390.jpg[/img]
I have one concern, the stems of the larger plants have these purplish/dark dots. Here is the stem with a close-up next to it.
[img]https://img138.imageshack.us/img138/2928/zna8410.jpg[/img]
Oh, I'm planning to give cute gift baskets to family and friends with my tomatoes and basil, If the principe borghese tastes fine I'll give it out fresh, If not then driedGarf wrote:At the rate you're going, soon you will have more than you know what to do with. That happened to me my first year.
@ applestar thank you! I cant believe how much I learned in the past 3 months. I owe a lot to you guys.
Because of the environment in which you are growing these, Sani, you may have some problems not usually experienced in an open garden.
Next season, you may want to think about "indoor" varieties and if they might be best for you. [url=https://www.johnnyseeds.com/c-414-greenhousepoly-tunnel.aspx]Here is a page from Johnny's (click)[/url]that may give you some ideas.
I have no experience here altho' I kept a couple tomato plants in my greenhouse thru the summer in 2010. It wasn't the best environment for them but it was wonderful to have fruit after frost had killed the outdoor plants!
Now, if I just had a swimming pool in that greenhouse . . . .
Steve
Here is Wishing You Continuing Good Growing, Sani!
Next season, you may want to think about "indoor" varieties and if they might be best for you. [url=https://www.johnnyseeds.com/c-414-greenhousepoly-tunnel.aspx]Here is a page from Johnny's (click)[/url]that may give you some ideas.
I have no experience here altho' I kept a couple tomato plants in my greenhouse thru the summer in 2010. It wasn't the best environment for them but it was wonderful to have fruit after frost had killed the outdoor plants!
Now, if I just had a swimming pool in that greenhouse . . . .
Steve
Here is Wishing You Continuing Good Growing, Sani!
@ digitS' Thank you!
Those plants I put out grew and flowered but they constantly have leaf miners and the adults that lay the eggs swarm around them all day, so they're not in the best of shape. While the toms in the pool are 3 times bigger in size, It couldn't be that bad in there?
I don't know what I'm going to do in the summer when my family want to use the pool again; shutting the cool air conditioner off.Now, if I just had a swimming pool in that greenhouse . . . .
I transfered two tom plants outside in our yard which already has a grass lawn,4 very large palm trees (+25 yrs old) and a lot of other plants, I don't know what it is about our yard that attracts so many insects.Because of the environment in which you are growing these, Sani, you may have some problems not usually experienced in an open garden.
Those plants I put out grew and flowered but they constantly have leaf miners and the adults that lay the eggs swarm around them all day, so they're not in the best of shape. While the toms in the pool are 3 times bigger in size, It couldn't be that bad in there?