[swaine]

I've grown Gardeners Delight tomatoes in growbags in a greenhouse for a few years now. Always with good results. The only problem I've had in past years has been a bit of yellowing of the lower leaves and a teaspoon of Epsoms Salts sorted that out.

This year I am having all sorts of problems. It started with a bit of yellowing of the lowest pair of leaves, so I gave them a teaspoon of Epsom Salts as in past years.  This doesn't seem to have worked. The plants are not growing well, and arent as vigorous as i would expect. The plants are paler than usual. Also some dont seem to be taking up water (I use a meter). The latest thing is that the topmost  leaves are now yellowing as well.

The only thing different this year is that I  have used a different make of growbag. Its a well known brand not a cheapo.

Apart from the change in growbag, does anyone know what might be going on here? Any feedback appreciated!

[mumofstig]

Have you been feeding them? Compost/growbags seem to run out of nutrients after about 5 weeks nowadays, I'd give them a liquid feed, regularly, if possible one with added trace elements to cover all bases - I tend to buy seaweed ones faced with this kind of thing.

[Salmo]

Sound like they need a feed but it may be that some of the compost has dried out. Give them a really good soaking. Alternatively they could be waterlogged. Have you made holes in the bottoms of the bags to let them drain.

[Growster...]

Sorry if this is a given, but toms in grow bags need drinking water from the bottom, and feed from the top.

Our toms in large pots in trays are the same Swaine, but that's just the greenhouse ones, and a few just outside the GH in a 'microclimate' are the same, and quite small at the moment. We have some like tree trunks down on the Patch though, and similar in other spots where they've managed to keep out of some of the recent heat. I popped four plants per extra-large grow bag into two different spots, and the shaded ones just motored, while the others in brilliant sunshine still struggle a bit...

I suppose that sums it up, really, but after last night's rain, the balance returns..;0)

[swaine]

Thanks Growster, Salmo and mumofstig for your replies. From what you posted, I think that the hot weather and the smaller size of growbag I've used this year are the culprits.

Next year its either individual pots or significantly bigger growbags.

In the meantime, I'll try TLC and Tomorite!

[snowdrops]

Could you construct some sort of ring around the stems & fill with more compost similar to a bottomless pot?

[Growster...]

Thanks Growster, Salmo and mumofstig for your replies. From what you posted, I think that the hot weather and the smaller size of growbag I've used this year are the culprits.

Next year its either individual pots or significantly bigger growbags.

In the meantime, I'll try TLC and Tomorite!

Best answer, Swaine, you'll be fine doing that!

After all, how many toms per plant did you actually think you might get? Thirty - fifty?

It all depends, and you're dong the right thing! We often get just a dozen per plant, and cherish them as babes - or thugs depending on the type...

Lots of water helps too, but wait awhile before you pick them, as apparently, according to Sarah Raven, they 'dilute' a bit on flavour... (Read her book - it's magical for people who garden allotments)!

As for me, so what, they'll all be chopped with garlic and basil etc. for a bruschetta so there you go...