Problems growing tomatoes

[Dinamight]

Every time I try growing tomatoes here I run into trouble before too long. I did a search on this forum but wasn't able to find the answers to my problems - sorry if this has been covered:

1. I have just tried some U of H seeds from Garden Exchange and only about 20% of them sprouted. I'm new at this, maybe my soil mix was wrong (I found my recipe on the web but maybe it's not good for this environment - lower HPP). I'd welcome some advice or comments!

2. When I do get leaves they turn white. Is this a disease or bug? I have bought bug resistent U of H seeds, so maybe I'm doing something wrong?

3. I just bought the upside down tomato planter from Walmart, has anyone used it with success?

Thank you.

[jade]

I have found that growing tomatoes in containers works the best. I grown them in barrels. Cherry tomatoes is the easiest.

I believe the white stuff is either powdery mildew or aphids.

Use half cinder, half soil. You can add lime to the soil to condition it. You will need to fertilize.

I have not used the Topsy turvy planter so I can't help you there.

I spray insecticidal soap once a month.

Hope this helps.

[asly]

I have used the topsy turvy or upside down tomatoe planter, and I just want to say, think about the placement of it. We had to move ours 2 times before it was happy. Too much wind in both previous locations. I've also seen buckes with holes cut in the bottom and strapped up high on a support used in place of the move expensive topsy turvys and they work pretty darn good!

Enjoy the day! Ann

Back to blogging at
http://crazypineappledream.blogspot.com

[DickWilson]

I grow my tomatoes in a screen house. I am currently using Burpee's better boy, an indeterminate that produces baseball to softball size fruit as well as Juliette hybrids a football shaped tomato that produces fruit about 1 to 1 1/2" long. both do extremely well here, The vines in my greenhouse here in Nanawale have been producing fruit since june 09 and are still going strong. I have two raised beds approx. 4'x16' by 5". used soil from Glenwood and added 3 bags of gromulch per bed. I use 2gph drip emitters and water for 15 minutes every 3 days. Made the screen house from a portable garage enclosure from Costco. Screened the sides with screen from greenhouse specialist in Keaau and put 4 mill poly film on the roof. Hope this helps, it really works for us, have kept the neighbors and friends in tomatoes since June.

dick wilson
"Nothing is idiot proof,because idiots are so ingenious!"

[Peter Epperson]

Tomatoes are a hassle. I think most of the problem lies in the soil although fruit flies are frequently a problem too. Containers are essential and fresh sterile soil between plantings also seems to be required. Our best tomato success has been ongoing for the last two months. I planted an experimental tomato start in an aquaponic garden. It came from a seed that I got out of a locally grown tomato from the farmers market. We have been harvesting many fat tomatoes for weeks now. I am hoping that the aquaponics technique will get around the soil critter problem. So far so good.

[asly]

Both great ideas Peter and Dick! I would love to experiment with aquaponics, but probably wouldn't be able to do it in the part-time rotation that we will be on for the next few years.

Dick a question? How long is the life of a tomatoe plant? You say you've had your same plants for a least 7 months now. Will they keep going as long as you keep harvesting? Just curious.

And still really want to come by to take a look at your setup - maybe our next trip in April.

Enjoy the day! Ann

Back to blogging at
http://crazypineappledream.blogspot.com

[DickWilson]

Ann, I'm really not sure about vine life. From what I'm seeing, I think probably about 9 mo to 1 year. I just planted new tomatoes, to replace what is currently growing. Plan is to rotate beds, to make sure we have a continuous supply. You're more than welcome to come by when you're on BI in the spring. Vines continue to produce, but volume drops off a little with age, flavor remains good, as well as size. Will have a better idea in a couple of months as we reach the one year mark.

dick wilson
"Nothing is idiot proof,because idiots are so ingenious!"

[Devany]

I agree with others here on containers. I grow my herbs and tomatoes in huge pots. We have deep soil here, and I have planted a few directly in the soil and they did OK, but the ones in pots do better. Powdery mildew is just something we have to deal with here. I just trim off the leaves when they get it. I think I heard Dick Wilson say that he uses a spray of milk to get rid of it. Is that so Dick?

I used the topsy turvy tomato planters 7 years ago in Chicago, with minimal success. There the ones in my raised beds produced many more tomatoes. If you just look a the actual size of the thing, it is like planting in a deep 1 gallon pot. I don't think that there is really enough room for the roots to expand and produce a bumper crop.

I grow mostly Roma & Jueliette tomatoes here and have a few plants of pineapple tomatoes that are just getting going. Asly, because we have no winter, tomatoes can thrive here for a long time (years even), but most of my neighbors tell me that they tear out the plants after about 18 months and plant new ones.

I use 50/50 organic potting mix and cinders in my pots with a layer of packing peanuts at the bottom for better drainage. The peanuts are free and make the container lighter to move around. Because tomatoes love full sun, they also need frequent watering, so keep that in mind during this drought. A drip system is a great way to keep them watered, though I do mine by hand. I actually like watering by hand, and usually mother nature does most of it for me.

Aloha au i Hawai`i,
devany

www.myhawaiianhome.blogspot.com
www.eastbaypotters.blogspot.com

[robguz]

I've done the UH tomatoes and they grow just fine in the ground with some supersoil. The problem is that fruit flies get to them, so I have to pick them green and keep them covered and safe from flies in the house. I also grow Romas and have much more success with less hassle. The thicker skins seem to make a big difference. And of course, the volunteer cherries are effortless.

[DickWilson]

That's right Devany, I use a 50/50 milk &water solution for mildew control. works great.

dick wilson
"Nothing is idiot proof,because idiots are so ingenious!"