planted toms from pots to outside

[Normans Mum]

Hi all

I had intended to leave my toms which have been grown from seed and potted on in the greenhouse, but because of holiday and the fact that I have noone reliable enough to water them whilst I am away, have resorted to drastic measures. Most are bush tomatoes, some cordon, and all have either fruit or flowers on them..
Has anyone out there had to do this? I couldn't bear the thought of just leaving them to die over the 10 days we are away, so thought would risk planting outside. Success?
Thoughts please

[esbo]

All my tomato plants are out side, they seem to like the extra space judging by the jungle they have grown into

So I don't think there is a problem moving them outside.

But it is unclear, are they in pots now? Will they stay in pots outside? Or will you put them
in the ground (I expect not).

Also there may be some sort of irrigation you can give to them, I am thinking of something like large bottles, ie plastic milk cartons filled with water with a small hole in so it drips out over several days.

But I guess tomato's need a lot of water.

I bet there are a few crazy watering idea around, there may be some sort of kit you can get.


I should have a look on youtube for some ideas, I just has a quick look and here are some that might interest.


Early Update on My Self Watering Tomato Container Garden - YouTube

Watering tomato plants: how to use a drip hose irrigation system.wmv - YouTube

search or youtube for "tomato irrigation system" "tomato watering system" etc...

[esbo]

I mean basically I was thinking of say a hose laid out with a small in it for each plant, then you need that connected to a timer and valve.

Or maybe something like this which might be idea as I think it may be battery powered (unsure) mains power and water are not a good mix really.

So basically you would connect it to a water tap which is on, the timer then controls the outlet to another hose. Ideally the other hose would be blocked at one end but would have a small hole ion it for each plant. Then you would set the timer so that it delivered the amount of water you wanted
on a daily basis or every few days as you wished.

That is a USA product but I bet there are similar things for sale in the UK.


The other idea is to like have buckets of water and something like a rag and the water is sucked up the rag by osmosis from a resevoir of water.

Here is another system

Self-Watering Container Gardening System: Richard's Garden - YouTube

There are lots of other systems in the suggested video listed on the right of the youtube page you can look at.

[Speed Gardener]

I wouldn't worry about any watering devices, just make sure the ground that they're going into is well watered and you water them in well. You're only away for ten days and with the temperatures falling, the ground won't be baked dry in that short space of time. In any case, tomatoes can take quite dry conditions.
In my experience, it was blight caused by too much rain in August that finished them off, not a lack of water!

[Normans Mum]

Thanks guys.
Esbo- I planted them straight in to the ground from pots and then staked them well as it's sometimes windy on our site.
SG- Just gave them a good watering. Figured I have nothing to loose, really. They will either continue growing and fruiting or will die.... if they do ok, then I think I might continue to grow them outside. Think my GH isn't really big enough for toms anyway, cos I like to have at least 10 or so plants. Now it's done it leaves plenty of room for the chillies.