- My Forums
- Tiger Rant
- LSU Recruiting
- SEC Rant
- Saints Talk
- Pelicans Talk
- More Sports Board
- Fantasy Sports
- Golf Board
- Soccer Board
- O-T Lounge
- Tech Board
- Home/Garden Board
- Outdoor Board
- Health/Fitness Board
- Movie/TV Board
- Book Board
- Music Board
- Political Talk
- Money Talk
- Fark Board
- Gaming Board
- Travel Board
- Food/Drink Board
- Ticket Exchange
- TD Help Board
Customize My Forums- View All Forums
- Show Left Links
- Topic Sort Options
- Trending Topics
- Recent Topics
- Active Topics
Started By
Message
Need tomato help! What's wrong with them?
Posted on 5/21/17 at 8:29 am
Posted on 5/21/17 at 8:29 am
First time growing tomatos - ever-, so I'm a complete newbie.
They are growing in 5 gallon buckets, creole tomato, only one plant.
Noticed yesterday that this is happening to a few of them. What is it, and how do I fix it? I've got more pictures, but I'm on my phone and it'll take some time.
They are growing in 5 gallon buckets, creole tomato, only one plant.
Noticed yesterday that this is happening to a few of them. What is it, and how do I fix it? I've got more pictures, but I'm on my phone and it'll take some time.
This post was edited on 5/21/17 at 8:32 am
12
Posted on 5/21/17 at 8:55 am to FalseProphet
Too much water or not enough calcium
Posted on 5/21/17 at 9:02 am to Tigerpaw123
How do I know which? I water them pretty much every day, so that's the like,lay culprit if it is too much water.
Is there a name for this that I can research?
Is there a name for this that I can research?
Posted on 5/21/17 at 9:04 am to FalseProphet
Blossum end rot.
Posted on 5/21/17 at 9:06 am to FalseProphet
How's your drainage?
I'm not a big fan of the buckets, but they usually work best with a layer of gravel st the bottom and plenty of drill holes.
I'm not a big fan of the buckets, but they usually work best with a layer of gravel st the bottom and plenty of drill holes.
Posted on 5/21/17 at 9:07 am to FalseProphet
Looks like blossom end rot. Lay off the water, and add calcium and copper.
Remember: stress in a plant encourages it to set fruit. So lots of water and fertilizer as the plant is growing. And you should consider pinching off the first flowers and fruit.
Then, when your plant is big enough to your liking, pull back on the water. It will think it's dying and it will make a big fruit set. Then just give it enough to keep it going. Fruit will be firmer and sweeter too.
Remember: stress in a plant encourages it to set fruit. So lots of water and fertilizer as the plant is growing. And you should consider pinching off the first flowers and fruit.
Then, when your plant is big enough to your liking, pull back on the water. It will think it's dying and it will make a big fruit set. Then just give it enough to keep it going. Fruit will be firmer and sweeter too.
Posted on 5/21/17 at 9:07 am to Tigerpaw123
quote:
Too much water
My dad had the same problem with his tomatoes, and we couldn't figure it out. I took several soil samples from various area of his garden (2 acres) to the LSU Ag department. Their results were that the levels were all good. They recommended watering less.
He stopped watering except when needed, and it got better. Never did get "perfect"...
Posted on 5/21/17 at 9:10 am to LSUfan20005
quote:
I'm not a big fan of the buckets, but they usually work best with a layer of gravel st the bottom and plenty of drill holes.
I have about 20 drill holes per bucket and 2 inches of gravel. That isn't the problem.
I'm reading that blossom end rot is the exact opposite of over watering, so which I should it
Posted on 5/21/17 at 9:25 am to FalseProphet
What time do you water? Morning or night? Do you fertilize?
Watering tomatoes everyday is not recommended. Even container tomatoes which dry out faster would be better served with a drink every other day or possibly 3 days.
Just stick your finger in the dirt. If its wet past your 2nd knuckle don't water.
Also when tomatoes get that size, if you over water, they will start to split.
Watering tomatoes everyday is not recommended. Even container tomatoes which dry out faster would be better served with a drink every other day or possibly 3 days.
Just stick your finger in the dirt. If its wet past your 2nd knuckle don't water.
Also when tomatoes get that size, if you over water, they will start to split.
Posted on 5/21/17 at 9:25 am to FalseProphet
quote:
'm reading that blossom end rot is the exact opposite of over watering, so which I should it
Keep reading. Periods of wet followed by periods of dry...periods of dry followed by periods wet ...either one can cause the plant to struggle with uptake of calcium causing blossom end rot. Adding calcium nitrate in small amounts helps. There are some sprays but in my experience do little to nothing. Once it starts it's hard to stop it. In your case over watering could be the problem.
Posted on 5/21/17 at 9:27 am to Hog Zealot
I water right at dusk, I give them miracle grow every 7 days per the instructions on the miracle gromcontainer. The liquid kind.
Posted on 5/21/17 at 9:33 am to LSU Tiger Bob
Overwatering definitely seems to be my issue, but the plant is otherwise healthy as can be.
Is it salvageable, or should I get some more plants now while I still can?
Is it salvageable, or should I get some more plants now while I still can?
This post was edited on 5/21/17 at 9:34 am
Posted on 5/21/17 at 9:35 am to Hog Zealot
Maybe that's my problem with mine. I have them in containers that are well drained but i water 2x a day for 30 min at 4am and 4pm.
Posted on 5/21/17 at 9:38 am to FalseProphet
Give them two Tums each, reduce your watering, and call me in two weeks.
Posted on 5/21/17 at 9:40 am to Hog Zealot
quote:
Also when tomatoes get that size, if you over water, they will start to split.
I may have watered my tomatoes 2 or 3 times this season. I usually let Mother Nature do that, unless we have a real bad dry spell. Mulch helps with the dirt retaining water. But with the drenching rain showers we've been getting, some of my tomatoes still split. Some more severe than others. It almost seems unavoidable. They're still edible, so I don't sweat it too much.
ETA: I use bone meal for calcium. But that is a slower release. If you need a quick release, you could try to find some calcium chloride powder. Powdered milk, antacid tablets, etc. might do some good also.
And yes, ease up on the watering like everyone else has said.
This post was edited on 5/21/17 at 9:48 am
Posted on 5/21/17 at 9:45 am to FalseProphet
Watering at dusk can have its own set of problems. Especially if you are watering daily, err nightly. If that's your only time to water I would definitely back off. When a a plant stays wet like that and cannot dry out before dark it can/will encourage mold growth and open the plant up to all sorts of fungus and rot.
This is especially true if you are sloppy with the hose and get the whole plant wet. Only water the roots and keep splashing to a minimum. Give me a picture of your whole plant if you can.
NOLAGT - If you raise 'maters in a container like 5 gallon buckets a pretty good rule of thumb is to add 1" of water quickly to the dirt. I'd say 32 oz cup or so would do. Let gravity and the power of the soil do the work and let it draw and soak that water as it pleases.
If you are watering until your bucket leaks all you are doing is flushing the nutrients, organisms, and fertilizers out of your growing medium. Do that often and you may as well grow in sand.
Watch your plants. They will tell you when they want a drink. I water when I see first signs of limb droop. Stress that plant a little and make it work.
This is especially true if you are sloppy with the hose and get the whole plant wet. Only water the roots and keep splashing to a minimum. Give me a picture of your whole plant if you can.
NOLAGT - If you raise 'maters in a container like 5 gallon buckets a pretty good rule of thumb is to add 1" of water quickly to the dirt. I'd say 32 oz cup or so would do. Let gravity and the power of the soil do the work and let it draw and soak that water as it pleases.
If you are watering until your bucket leaks all you are doing is flushing the nutrients, organisms, and fertilizers out of your growing medium. Do that often and you may as well grow in sand.
Watch your plants. They will tell you when they want a drink. I water when I see first signs of limb droop. Stress that plant a little and make it work.
This post was edited on 5/21/17 at 9:57 am
Posted on 5/21/17 at 9:46 am to Tdot_RiverDawg
I'm going to try the tums (just read the online as well). I won't water this week at all. We are projected to get a good bit of rain the next two days, but it's our first in a while.
Im just going to let nature take its course for a while.
My peppers, which are 9 different varieties, are growing like champions weight the same watering/fertilizing. Guess they are just hardier than the tomatoes. I have read that I'm probably overdoing them as well, so Even though they appear fine, I'm backing off them too.
Since a container will dry out faster than a bed, what does everyone think is a good watering schedule? Once a week? 2x a week? Less?
Im just going to let nature take its course for a while.
My peppers, which are 9 different varieties, are growing like champions weight the same watering/fertilizing. Guess they are just hardier than the tomatoes. I have read that I'm probably overdoing them as well, so Even though they appear fine, I'm backing off them too.
Since a container will dry out faster than a bed, what does everyone think is a good watering schedule? Once a week? 2x a week? Less?
Posted on 5/21/17 at 9:51 am to Hog Zealot
This post was edited on 5/21/17 at 9:53 am
Posted on 5/21/17 at 10:01 am to FalseProphet
Your plants are ok. Get rid of some of some of the suckers to open air flow and sunlight. Just pinch them off. Don't water this week at all if you are expecting rain.
Posted on 5/21/17 at 10:07 am to FalseProphet
Blossom Rot. Like others have said, it's either lack of calcium or irregular watering. You can buy blossom rot spray at Lowes.
Page 1 of 3
Back to top
Follow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News