My tomato plant

[cielbleu]

My first tomato plant (Harzfeuer, cordon) finally comes to flowering. therefore, I have few questions to ask.

I have yet to water the plant since it was transplanted from pot about a month ago. (yes, 26 days to be exact, there were some raining days in between)
The tub is still heavy and I even brought a tester from ebay to verify the moisture level.

1. Am I doing the right thing watering it only when it needs to? or it is best to watering it every week or every other two weeks? as it is coming to fruit soon I am worried that it might get underwater.

2. Any recommendation for the support which suit my setup? (not too expensive)

3. Can someone tell me from the last image whether the branch is a sucker where the allow indicates.

4. How is my plant? i guess it is healthy, isn't it? , when I can expect to see my first tiny tomato?

thank you again in advance.....

[rustylady]

Your tomato plant looks fine - have you got any drainage holes in that tub?

[Two_Sheds]

What you call suckers, we tend to call elbows, on here at least.



You can remove them, or maybe not. You'll still get tomatoes either way. I tend to remove them early in the season because I'm remembering to, and then forget a few, which then grow into great big tomato branches

[cielbleu]

Rusty Lady, Yes, I made several holes at the bottom and it sits on a little plinth to avoid blockage.

thanks Two Sheds, learn something new from you again.

[Newton]

Maybe a general purpose feed weekly and a tomato feed once the first tiny tomato has formed. You can stake the main stem to a cane for support. Then sit back and wait for the taste sensation that is coming.

Is it your first time growing tomatoes?

[cielbleu]

hi Newton, Yes indeed it is my first time growing tomatoes, I hope it will go well and I am already thinking to plant few cherry tomatoes along with traditional tomatoes for the next year... Already tomatoes addicted

When you said a cane, would a long bamboo stick fit the purpose? Do those trusses need any support?

[Two_Sheds]

When you said a cane, would a long bamboo stick fit the purpose?

Yep, that is a cane

[cielbleu]

Thanks, I am ordering few sticks from ebay, would 6ft a ideal height?

[Two_Sheds]

Thanks, I am ordering few sticks from ebay

You're in London: you must be able to pick some up locally. They're about 30p a cane (if you get 6ft you can use them to grow beans too)

[cielbleu]

oh thanks for the info, Two SHeds, it is much cheaper than ebay. Will I find those in local Gardening centers? or more specific shops?

ha... Most of the things I buy are online nowadays apart from groceries.

[rustylady]

Have you got a Wilkinsons or Wilko near you cielbleu?

[cielbleu]

Not really near, The nearest Wilkinsons to me is about 30mins away by tube. I might try the local garden centers first.

[veggiechicken]

Do you have any straight branches that you can cut from a bush - like a hazel? That's what I use!!

[cielbleu]

Unfortunately no. Tried the local, all sold out. Going to pay my first wilkinsons visit now, let's hope I won't come back with more than a pack of canes.

[darcyvuqua]

Unfortunately no. Tried the local, all sold out. Going to pay my first wilkinsons visit now, let's hope I won't come back with more than a pack of canes.

You so will