Straggly Looking Tomatoes & What Kind of Fertilizer?

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Permalink Reply by Michael B on May 16, 2009 at 10:14pm

Upload some pics so we might determine what is wrong.

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Permalink Reply by TCarmichael on May 17, 2009 at 9:15am

Do need pics.

Water depends on where they are planted, what they're in, etc.

I have four plants... all planted in the same potting soil in different containers. Three look fabulous. One looks awful. Same soil, same pot, same fertilizer. Only difference is in tomato type. This one apparently needs 2x the amount of fertilizer.

Just keep trying til you get it right.

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Permalink Reply by grrlscout on May 17, 2009 at 10:07am

Mine are going the same way. Scrawny and browning. Not blooming. Just one variety though - Italian heirlooms. I'm thinking they're just not suited for the heat :(

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Permalink Reply by Doreen Pollack on May 17, 2009 at 7:38pm

Mine are finicky as well. The heriloom starts I bought at the market are struggling most - and the ones that sprouted from the under-cooked composed I use to amend the beds are the best! The cherry tomoaoes are doing the best - have the most fruit on them.....
I got an organic veg fert at Bakers and applied it last week - too soon to tell.

I am hoping the cooler weather this week helps everything!

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Permalink Reply by Diann Peart on May 18, 2009 at 5:59pm

I have never done well with heirlooms here in the Valley. And like Doreen, I do best with the cherry varieties. If I fuss, they croak. If it's a volunteer, however, it thrives. I bought an old field heirloom called "Mortgage Lifter" that's really doing well in a wine cask, in potting soil and compost on the northside of the hose. It is on a drip system and does as it chooses, no cages. It's a free-range tomato--Some of the best-looking tomatoes I've seen have been growing wild in alleys and by roadsides-and they've been tasty. I think we pamper what would grow wild.
Diann

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Permalink Reply by Judy on May 19, 2009 at 11:38am

When did you plant them and how are you growing them? In pots, in the ground, and do you have shade cloth over them? It has been so hot these last 2 weeks they really should have shade on them. I don't know that you can overwater them when they are still small and you may want to try a little fish emulsion.

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Permalink Reply by Janine on May 21, 2009 at 4:23pm

We have ours in the planters Steve builds. In premium organic potting soil from Gro-well downtown Phx.
They are doing excellently. We water about every other day. There are not even ANY peck holes in them and I think it's because the birds are feeding on the seeds in the straw. Black caspian has been producing for about 3 weeks now. The others, the early boys and girls are orange red, turning to red. They are sooooo good. We have the blk caspian in the planter with walla walla onions, h. basil, nasturiums and cukes. two others are in a planter in front of that, cukes in corners and one tom is in front yard in bed with glads behind. [poor glads] I am ecstatic they look so good. One one bush has some of the cracking on the top of the tomatos.
We don't fertilize. but the water goes thru the whole house filter we have. so there's no salts in it, no chlorine.

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Permalink Reply by Michael and Lylah Ledner on May 21, 2009 at 5:00pm

I'm impressed....thanks Janine for all the scoop!

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Permalink Reply by Brad Norgaard on May 22, 2009 at 8:00am

Our tomatoes are doing quite well and some have been ready for picking for about a week now. They are soooo good. We have a raised bed garden with soil from Pioneer mixed with bat guano and Miracle Grow. Everything in the garden is doing well. It is also shaded from the midday and afternoon sun. We water about every other day with a soaker hose.

Hope your tomatoes bear you some nice fruit.

Brad
Sunburst Farms Area

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Permalink Reply by Michael and Lylah Ledner on May 22, 2009 at 10:20am

thanks brad for sharing what you do......sounds great

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