Advice, re Tom, please

[Dorothy rouse]

I am looking after neighbours cat this week whilst they are away, also been asked to 'water' their tomato plant. Well, this poor tomato plant, is in a pot about 7/8 inches across, in hard baked solid soil like a brick, and it's about 6/7 ft tall, with a few leaves and unbelievably, 2 little trusses with about 4/5 fruits. It's never been fed.

Can I do anything to improve it without seeming to interfere? ( I did pull off a couple of little side shoots), don't think I could 'repot it', cos that wud appear too rude.

They have grown it to show their little girl how things grow.

Any nice ideas?

[Bill HH]

Certainly give it a feed and I think they would be pleased if you re-potted it but I suppose at that height you could easily break it. How about making some holes in the side and then standing it in a washing up bowl of compost? Is there a society for cruelty to tomatoes?

[Nicos]

Yeh...I'd feed it and stand it in a pot of water twice a day for an hour is so initially at least!

[Hans Mum]

I'd be tempted to accidentally break the pot and go to the trouble of potting it on for them

[Dorothy rouse]

Think you are right Bill, cud easily break, then I'd feel dreadful.

Accidentally breaking the pot, good thinking,but the actual 'stem' might break.

I'll feed it like you say, and make sure it's watered.

I cud take a photo to show you, poor thing.

[Hans Mum]

could you not repot it before accidentally breaking the original pot....??