Tomato Garden Perl where to plant out.

[littlemoney]

I was given a Garden Perl tomato seed. Not a variety I have grown before. The instructions says it is good for hanging baskets, tubs etc. Can I grow this in open ground the same as my other tomatoes or does the stems and fruit hang down and would benefit being in a pot to given ground clearance to the fruit.

What size pot should I use if I choose this option. It seems a compact plant and not as vigorous as Sungold and Sweet Million tomato plants. I don't have a greenhouse. Thanks.

[Nicos]

I’ve grown them a few times outside.
I hadn’t realised they were tumbling tomatoes - I just planted them in the open beds along with my other varieties and staked them as usual!
They were compact plants so that might explain why.
I can’t see any problem growing them in tubs either.

I really enjoyed their flavour and they are an unusual shade of red.

(Just watch out for blight as they were my first variety to show signs. )

[Bren In Pots]

I grew them once in a pot on the window sill before I got my GH from what I remember they were small tasty toms.

[littlemoney]

Thanks for the information.I have planted it in a 3 litre pot and will keep it away from my other tomato plants in case it gets blight.

Is a 3 litre pot big enough?

[Bren In Pots]

I grew mine in a flower bucket and it was fine.

[littlemoney]

I grew mine in a flower bucket and it was fine.

How big is a flower bucket please?

[Nicos]

They range from 10-14 litres over here so I imagine about the same?

[Bren In Pots]

How big is a flower bucket please?

Just measured one and they're 10 inch high and 10 inch across the top.

hope this helps.

[littlemoney]

Just measured one and they're 10 inch high and 10 inch across the top.

hope this helps.

Thanks. I haven't got anything that big. What is the effect of growing the plant in a smaller pot?

[ameno]

Thanks. I haven't got anything that big. What is the effect of growing the plant in a smaller pot?

They need a lot more watering and feeding, especially if you are just growing them in compost (growing them in a soil-based mix helps to alleviate the problem to some extent).
If you grow in a smaller pot then you'll likely need to water twice a day, and feed every 5 days or so.

[littlemoney]

They need a lot more watering and feeding, especially if you are just growing them in compost (growing them in a soil-based mix helps to alleviate the problem to some extent).
If you grow in a smaller pot then you'll likely need to water twice a day, and feed every 5 days or so.

Thank you. I have found a pot 9" across and 7" high (5 litre pot) and have moved it this pot. I will keep looking for a bigger pot and be prepared for a lot of watering as the planting mixture is compost only. If I moved it from full sun to a shadier location will I still get tomatoes?

[quanglewangle]

If a 'compost only' planting medium ever dries out completely it is very hard to get it wet all through again. Mixing in some soil or even sand helps.