Kitchen Garden Forum

Although I'm a little late with my tomatoes this year, they're all doing well in the greenouse. They are roughly 4" high planted in 3" pots. Is it ok to repot again into larger pots before ultimately going into growbags. We are going on holiday in a couple of weeks and I am worried that they may dry out in their small pots particularly if the weather turns out hot.

Thanks. Helen.

Hi Helen

No problem at all with repotting. Mine have gone from seed pot to 4" pot to 8" pots and will be planted out in a couple of weeks.

Hi Chantal

Thanks for the advice.

Helen

Mine have been in pots 3 ins in diameter but deeper than the normal ones. I'm amazed how long it is taking them to begin feeling the pinch. However, I have read that it is a good idea to constrict the roots rather, as that will bring on the first truss.

But if you are going away, it might be wiser to pot on. Or get someone to water the plants for you.

mike

Hi Mike

I agree that that being constricted doesn't seem to bother them for a while, but I haven't noticed any difference with appearance of the first truss. All my potted on tomatoes and the two or three that haven't yet been done have their first truss appearing.

I usually pot on because of the watering; the 3" pots can dry out in hours and I'm at work all day.

My experience exactly, Chantal. Today I have planted out some of the earlier ones I sowed [beginning of March] and I am surprised to find the roots in the 3-inch pots are not at all constrained. But the plants look rather leggy, so I'm for getting them into the soil.

But there's no sign of the first truss on mine yet. They are such a tease!

mike

Dear Mike, your tomatoes sound like at lot of things in life, being such a tease, that is.