Need guidance on re-burying tomatoes

11 years ago

I have a container garden on my patio. I transplanted 5 San Marzano tomato plants from 2" tray to large containers. On the last container I ran out of soil about 3 - 4 inches from the top. I said to heck with it and planted anyway.

When planting I buried up past the seed leaves to the bottom of the first true leaves. Now, 3-4 weeks later, I'd like to go ahead and fill up the container. The plant is over a foot tall. The first "branch" (petiole) is about the diameter of a pencil now.

How should I proceed (or should I proceed at all) ? I'm thinking I'm supposed to trim off the "branches" (petioles) because only the main stem grows new roots. Or, will that allow disease in better than just letting them rot under dirt would? Or am I wrong and the petioles will grow roots?

Any advice would be appreciated.

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Comments (4)

PupillaCharites
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
Hi Vince,

LOL, that's more common than you think, at least here. Here is what I'd suggest:

On a fairly dry day, cut one petiole say at 9AM. Wait another week and repeat with the second one if that is the right length of stem you need. The purpose of cutting them early is to give the plant all day to form scar tissue which it does naturally and fine over the wounds and prevent humidity from maintaining an environment that breeds pathogens. BTW, do not leave any stumps and snapping the petiole at the base, if you can do it right is the best idea since this is a natural area of detachment that heals more readily.

The purpose of waiting is to give your plant time to heal from the shock and take advantage of those principal solar collectors you are stripping off. One at a time.

After a few days, you can neck your tomatoes, meaning bury them nearly up to their new first petiole, which in the same manner you'll eventually remove as it likely will be in contact with the soil. Never a rush on healthy plants IMO, take your time, slowly and gradually change the plant from one situation to the other.

You definitely remove the petioles though as if you don't they will decay as in the worst of your fears.

Just a note that many starting mixes are treated or composed to be sterile, so less risk is there for that situation than if you did it right in the ground, as when rooting suckers, for example, too, same considerations. However with suckers, the damage tends to stimulate root generation so there is a benefit in that case, but not as much when you've already got roots below. Just thought I'd add this!

Hope that helps ...

PC
Vince M thanked PupillaCharites
Seysonn_ 8a-NC/HZ-7
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
Vince, depending on the conditions, you can bury tomato plant as deep as you want. I often plant mine as deep as to the second set of true leaves.

Bu in container (that is not very deep) maybe up to/just under first true leaf should be enough. You want the main root ball to be somewhere in the center.

Sey
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drmbear
11 years ago
I actually pinch off lower leaves and branches, planting them as deep as possible,
organic-nut
11 years ago
I leave the leaves on the plant and allow them to see the sunshine above ground with everything else below soil level so that roots can grow and the leaf can still contribute to growth. there is no need to do anything. just bury the plant as deep as you want and walk away and forget about it.