Yes, the container is too small, which will stunt the growth. It will put out some fruit, which may or may not get full-sized.

For maximum mileage, I would get a container that is at least 5 gallons (preferably larger) with drainage holes, some good potting mix (not topsoil), and gently and carefully put the plant in the new, larger pot.

Sounds like your watering regimen is okay...make sure the soil is dry a few inches down before watering.

Janelee,

In addition to moving your plant to a bigger container, you'll want to make sure you fertilize your tomatoes in pots. Regular watering (usually each day) for container tomatoes means nutrients leach out easily. I usually water my container tomatoes every 7-14 days.

Here is a link that might be useful: Tomato fertilizer for growing tomatoes in pots

I have fertilized it before with a fish emulsion and also my pot does have drainage holes. Actually, the 1 1/2 inch tomato I have came after I was out of town and my boyfriend severly over watered the plant. Is it possible I am not giving it enough water? I will try to shimmy the plant out of the pot and into a bigger pot. If that fails, any other ideas?

Thanks

"If that fails, any other ideas?"

Yes, fire your boyfriend immediately. :-)

Only kidding. You should be able to successfully transplant; tomato plants are quite robust, even if you rough them up a little.

Of course, you want to try hard to keep all the parts intact, especially the fruits and flowers, while you're transplanting...simply because none of us in the cold zones want to lose those long-awaited fruits. But don't take it too hard if it loses some fruit or flowers or leaves; it will replace them after a bit.

After you transplant, make sure you water well so that the potting mix is damp. Sometimes the tomato plants pout for a few hours or a day when they are transplanted. Don't let its drama queen act fool you. If it does wilt a bit, move it to a mostly shaded spot for a day or two until it stops sulking.

Really, it should be okay, and you are better off going with this plant, since it is reasonably mature. Once it settles into its new home and gets to spread its roots it will take off.

You're either in USDA zone 5 or 6, depending on where in MA you live. It's too late in our short season to start over.

The only other alternative is to obtain another rather mature plant from someone who is growing in containers. Maybe a generous gardener will share. You might be able to guilt your boyfriend into taking on the project of procuring mature, well-established tomato plants [shameless gardener speaking here].

Lionheart

Thanks for all the info. I have decided not to fire my boyfriend yet, but we will have to see how my plant fairs after the transplant ;)

It was rough work, but we got the plant out...mostly intact, the root ball was in good shape and the only real issue was some of the roots got torn, which I assume is just going to happen when you have a plant of that size. It is now resting comfortably in a 5 gallon container. I put a stick in to help the plant adjust because it was leaning a bit afterwards. None of the leaves, flowers or tiny tomatoes were injured in the process. I put a gallon of water in the plant. Do you think I should add more?

Thanks again!

No more water; let it get dry a few inches down before you water again. Just so long as the mix was damp for the transplant process.

Did the little darlin' pout at all? Don't worry if it does. Sometimes they wilt a bit after being transplanted; sometimes they don't. That usually corrects in a day or two.

In a week or two feed it, then feed it every couple of weeks. Get an all-purpose water soluble fertilizer, such as MiracleGro, Peter's, Schultz's -- there are a number out there and they contain the micronutrients, as well as the NPK, your plant needs and doesn't get from potting mix.

Follow the package instructions for feeding potted plants (not the instructions for feeding in-ground plants, which is a stronger solution). Most of the fertilizers that you buy in a package (like bone meal, for example) are slow-release fertilizers and not usually suitable for container plants.

Good job on the transplant! The plant should start growing soon. I've had pretty good luck growing in 5 gallon containers -- which is what I use for those leftover plants that I can't stand to toss out.

I've even used good-sized cardboard boxes with potting mix. Eventually, if the boxes are on the ground, they start decomposing and the roots will grow through the bottom and go into the ground. For me that's okay. Of course, by the end of the season the cardboard box is decaying so you can't use it next year. But we have a short season, so the cardboard usually usually holds up for those few months. :-)

This is a good experience for you, although lots of work. But I bet you're already planning for next year. :-)

Next year you might want to consider an even bigger container if you can't plant in the ground. There's a great container gardening forum here and they have lots of experience in the trials and tribulations of growing in containers. Link below.

All the best.

Here is a link that might be useful: Container Gardening Forum

I never have problems here using 4 gallon square containers about 9x9x12'' deep or so, watered daily, or at the very least, every other day. Isn't it amazing how you got that tomato from your BF overwatering?

This year, I reused last year's contents and I used about 40-50% compost in the mix, as well as some cheap granular fertilizer and some time release Miracle-Gro for Roses Shake N Feed (9-18-9) and about a half cup of cornmeal per container, mixed in. Oh, I also added about a half cup of oyster shell meal (I think that's what it was, a chicken feed.) I mix everything in a cheap cement mixer.

Fish fertilizer is more nitrogen than any other nutrient unless it's fish & seaweed, but it's still a very weak fertilizer. If you insist on using a fish fert with containers, feed at least weekly, if not every few days. The best fish fert for tomatoes is the Neptune's Harvest with seaweed blend, I think 2-4-1.

Hope this helps.

I am also having the same problem that janelee81 has. Lots of tiny (about 1-2mm diameter tomatoes) one 1.5 inch diameter tomato with no noticeable growth in them. I live in Champaign, Illinois. I got 2 better boy saplings about a month ago, it had a tomato on it. I planted them together in a 3 gal bucket.

The bigger tomato grew initially after I planted it in my container. I pruned the plant and in a few days a lot of buds came up. I got flowers, which pollinated and dried and now have tiny tomatoes. I have since then not pruned much.

I read this thread and concluded that mine might be root bound too. When I removed the plant to check this, I found that the roots hadn't grown that much really. It certainly wasn't root bound. It had received ample water - almost daily and weekly 18-18-21 fertilizer. It produces huge foliage but just doesn't grow its tiny tomatoes.

Since pruning worked earlier, I am inclined to prune. But I don't know if it is wise to prune at this stage when my tiny tomatoes are in need of photosynthesis. Any suggestions? Or is pruning not even the issue here. Any help will be greatly appreciated!

kulkarniankur, you may be overfertilizing your tomatoes. Excessive foliage are sure signs. The plant is devoting resources to the foliage and not to the tomatoes. Tomato plants really only need to be fertilized in the beginning and once again when fruit starts. Fertilizing should be halted thereafter.

Also, 2 plants in a 3 gallon pot may be too overcrowded and other issues may present itself down the line.

Wow - my better boy tomato which is about 1.5 inches in diameter today turned pale yellow in the morning and by evening it has turned a deep yellow. Its not grown anywhere close to its full potential but has already started ripening and that too rather quickly.

Any comments or suggestions for what I may be doing wrong?

You've fried your roots with way too much fertilizer.

Hey everyone! As an update my plant seems to be fairing well although it does look like the tomatoes have gotten any bigger, but its only been 5 days. So from what I understand it is best to go with a potassium fertilizer rather than a nitrogen fertilizer now? I am still getting lots of flowers including new flowers. Should I be pruning the branches that aren't producing flowers?

Thanks, Jane