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Started By
Message
Gardeners: Need tomato help
Posted on 4/22/12 at 11:28 am
Posted on 4/22/12 at 11:28 am
I'm growing tomatoes from seed for the first time. So, the basic plan... take 20 seeds, put 2 in each small pot (I don't have 20 pots). The pots are 3 inch cube. Next step, transfer them to larger pots ...about 10 inches wide and 10 deep. Finally, transfer them to large pots..about 2 feet by 2 feet.
I am ready to make the first transfer. The problem. When I took them out a few minutes ago I noticed that the pairs' roots were totally enmeshed.
The question... Should I transplant the 'twins' into the larger pots? Or, should I take a pair of scissors and cut the roots to separate them?
If a pair of tomato plants can eventually thrive and produce in a 2 foot x 2 foot pot I'd rather not damage the roots.
I am ready to make the first transfer. The problem. When I took them out a few minutes ago I noticed that the pairs' roots were totally enmeshed.
The question... Should I transplant the 'twins' into the larger pots? Or, should I take a pair of scissors and cut the roots to separate them?
If a pair of tomato plants can eventually thrive and produce in a 2 foot x 2 foot pot I'd rather not damage the roots.
2
Posted on 4/22/12 at 11:33 am to Zach
Place the seeds into a moistened paper towel and keep it moist for a few days(3-7) in order to germinate the seeds, then transfer to those little cardboard like containers and keep there for a week or so to grow and attain some foliage, then into the garden.
Posted on 4/22/12 at 11:37 am to CITWTT
Cit, I already did that. The plants are 6 inches tall in their first small containers. Their roots have outgrown the container as I expected and need to go into the larger container with new compost. But I had no idea that the two root systems would be so enmeshed. Don't know whether to keep the twins together or do surgery.
I'm not gonna plant them in the ground. My property is too heavily wooded. I need containers so I can move them as the sun moves.
I'm not gonna plant them in the ground. My property is too heavily wooded. I need containers so I can move them as the sun moves.
Posted on 4/22/12 at 11:38 am to CITWTT
I would take them apart, tomato plants grow like a beast. They would not do well together like that.
Posted on 4/22/12 at 11:41 am to CITWTT
Did you even read the original post? 
Posted on 4/22/12 at 11:43 am to Zach
Hold the trunk of each plant, and shake the plants, this will separate them gently enough to get them in separate pots or the ground.
Posted on 4/22/12 at 11:48 am to CITWTT
I think you are visualizing larger roots. These things are like tiny threads of gossamer (Wow, I think I'm the first person to use that word up in here). The only way to separate them is scissors.
Here is another idea. Suppose I allow them to stay twins in stage 2... the medium size pots. And then shake them down like you advise before going into step 3, the final big pots?
Here is another idea. Suppose I allow them to stay twins in stage 2... the medium size pots. And then shake them down like you advise before going into step 3, the final big pots?
Posted on 4/22/12 at 11:55 am to Zach
quote:
Here is another idea. Suppose I allow them to stay twins in stage 2... the medium size pots. And then shake them down like you advise before going into step 3, the final big pots?
I like that idea better, I would avoid cutting them apart with scissors.
Posted on 4/22/12 at 11:59 am to Zach
That method would work as it is going to do a minimal amount to damage to the roots of them over the scissors .
Posted on 4/22/12 at 12:01 pm to CITWTT
Thanks. Gonna go with that while I put on my headphones to listen to the LSU game right now! 
Posted on 4/22/12 at 1:28 pm to Zach
Isn't it too late for tomatoes? Mine are 4' tall and have formed little green tomatoes already.
Posted on 4/22/12 at 3:21 pm to Zappas Stache
Time to cut the weaker of the two plants at the base and let the stronger grow. Keeping two of them will just produce two smaller less fruitfull plants
Posted on 4/22/12 at 3:41 pm to Zappas Stache
quote:
Isn't it too late for tomatoes? Mine are 4' tall and have formed little green tomatoes already.
Did you grow them from seed?
Posted on 4/22/12 at 3:45 pm to Tigerpaw123
quote:
Time to cut the weaker of the two plants at the base and let the stronger grow. Keeping two of them will just produce two smaller less fruitfull plants
I've already replanted into medium pot. But when they get ready for the last big pot I'll do some culling of the slackers because I don't have 20 big pots.
BTW, this composting thing is great. My first year doing it. I've got big fat earth worms 7 inches long crawling all through the pile.
Posted on 4/22/12 at 3:52 pm to Zach
quote:
Did you grow them from seed?
No, 4" transplants. Planted at end of February.
Posted on 4/22/12 at 4:08 pm to Zappas Stache
I planted the seeds in Feb. Maybe I should have planted in Jan. Just went out to check height and they are between 7 and 9 inches.
Also planted bell peppers from seed and they are about 5 inches now.
Also planted a new crop of tomatoes from seed and they are only 3 inches.
Besides the fun of experimentation and the low cost of seed, I'm also interested in overwintering more plants since the jalapenos did so well. I put some on the kabobs today. I've got more jalapenos than I know what to do with...all from plants I overwintered in the garage.
Also planted bell peppers from seed and they are about 5 inches now.
Also planted a new crop of tomatoes from seed and they are only 3 inches.
Besides the fun of experimentation and the low cost of seed, I'm also interested in overwintering more plants since the jalapenos did so well. I put some on the kabobs today. I've got more jalapenos than I know what to do with...all from plants I overwintered in the garage.
Posted on 4/22/12 at 4:12 pm to Tigerpaw123
quote:
Time to cut the weaker of the two plants at the base and let the stronger grow. Keeping two of them will just produce two smaller less fruitfull plants
This is the right answer. Messing around with separating them will probably stunt both of them.
Pick the strong one and snip it. The fine roots of the dead one should not be a problem for the remaining one.
Kudos for growing them from seed. We've grow all our peppers and tomatoes from seed for several years now.
I recommend keeping a journal of dates. When you planted the seeds, moved them and eventually when you plant them. I also suggest you get Dan Gill's book Month by Month Gardening in Louisiana
You should have some success, but it does seem like you are running a little late. Next year, I'd suggest timing it so your plants are ready to go out in early March.
Our system (unsolicited advice)
1- start seeds in wet paper towels placed in loosely closed ziplock bags on top of the fridge
2- Transfer to 16/20oz styrofoam cups with holes punched in the bottoms and seed starting medium filling them. Place under grow lights
3- Move outdoors when weather is warmer. First under the patio and slowly moved out into the light to "harden off" the plants
4- Plug into our garden once the weather is right (reasonable chance of frost has passed) This differs each year and is why the journal of dates helps. We track the last frost each year.
Posted on 4/22/12 at 4:14 pm to Zach
quote:
esides the fun of experimentation and the low cost of seed, I'm also interested in overwintering more plants
If you can keep the tomatoes going over the winter, I'd guess you'll have a great crop next year. For this year, my guess is the heat will hit before they start producing. Once the heat hits (above 75 at night) its usually lights out for tomato production. I've got cabbage. romaine, carrots,zuchini and poblano peppers coming up from seed. Everything is doing well except the poblano. Second time seeding and still nothing.
Posted on 4/22/12 at 4:19 pm to Zappas Stache
quote:
Everything is doing well except the poblano.
I've had very little success with poblanos myself. I suspect it has to do with our humidity. I think they like a drier heat. Most of the "New Mexico" style chilies are under producers for me.
We grew some Pasilla Bajio peppers last year. They'd grow great, but when they ripened and darkened, the tips would "rot" (for lack of a better term) Great raisiny dark pepper that made amazing dried powder.
Posted on 4/22/12 at 4:56 pm to Zappas Stache
Just remembered. I did try something from seed last spring. Okra. Started them in small pots. The only piece of yard I have with full sun is inside the front yard iron fence. So, I replanted them there. They grew to about 3 feet and started putting out okra. Then one night deer came and stuck their heads between the iron rails of the fence and ate them all right down to the nub.
I've replanted that line with roses because the deer don't like the thorns.
I've replanted that line with roses because the deer don't like the thorns.
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