Purchased Tomato Plants

13 years ago

Hi All,

I have read alot on this board about different varieties having different flavors, so, although I started 3 varieties from seed, I wanted to try some more types.

I was at Orcheln last week and saw some really sad looking tomatoes - Mr Stripey, Black Prince and Sunsweet, among others. On an impulse, I decided to try those three. They were only $1 for a four pack, so I picked the best I could find. I repotted them at home and put them under lights, but there has been no change. They aren't declining, but they aren't improving either. Yesterday, I moved them outside, maybe that will help?
They are stong enough, I think, just a very dark green and on the small side with small leaves. Is there anything I can do to help them recover and grow?

When I repotted them, should I have washed off the old potting mix so they could start fresh in the new mix? Should I give up on the pots and just put them in the ground? Are they a waste of my time altogether? I sure would appreciate any and all advice.

Lynn

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Comments (6)

edweather USDA 9a, HZ 9, Sunset 28
13 years ago
Definitely not a waste of time. Containers are fine if they are big enough, approx. container size of 10 gallons per plant. Ground is even better IMO. Plant them, give them room, feed them with fertilizer,and water them, and they will grow fine. No problem not washing off old potting mix. They need to be outside in the sun.
digdirt2
13 years ago
What potting mix did you use when you repotted them? What and how often have you fed them?

Dave
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LynnMarie_
Original Author
13 years ago
edweather,
I am going to plant them in the ground, but I didn't want to waste space on them if they aren't going to be productive. I did move the pots outside so they can get sun rather than sitting under my lights. Thanks for pointing that out :)
They were outside at the store, so I'm sure they are hardened off.

Dave,
I used ferti-lome ultimate potting mix. I haven't fed them anything yet. I've had them a little over a week. I was concerned that they may be over fertilized because of the dark color of the plants. I don't know what causes that, so I wanted some guidance before I did anything.

Lynn
edweather USDA 9a, HZ 9, Sunset 28
13 years ago
There's no reason that they shouldn't be productive. The sooner that they go into the ground the better, and give them some kind of fertilizer.
tdscpa
13 years ago
Ferti-lome potting mix has fertilizer in it. I like it and use it myself. They should not need anything else until you plant them outside.

You are south of me and should be able to plant them now, unless you have severe storms in your near-term forecast. I have not put mine out yet only because I had too much cleaning up work to do on last year's garden, and it was freezing two weeks ago.
LynnMarie_
Original Author
13 years ago
We finally had a nice thunderstorm last night. It has been a long time coming! I don't have a rain gauge, but I bet we got at least half an inch. Generally the rain goes around us, so I'm pretty happy this morning.

It was my mom's birthday this weekend so I didn't get the tomatoes planted. I cooked lunch, baked cake and froze ice cream instead. I'll be raking out bermuda grass roots this evening after work- just a few feet left (I spent two hours on it Saturday). Then the tomatoes are going in.

I will look at walmart for fertilizer this week.

Lynn