[Raven81]

This is our first attempt at growing anything at all. Ever. 

Mr Raven planted the cherry tomato seeds over Easter sometime (I didn't expect them to grow so didn't take any notice!)  They are in small pots on our kitchen table with tinfoil behind.  They are roughly 5 inches tall.

My question is when should we feed them? Apparently the soil feeds them for 4 months but Mr Raven wasn't sure and wants to give them the best chance, so figured this was the best place to ask. 

Another question: they are turned a couple of times a day as they are in a real sun trap and will obviously grow toward the light, when should we start to support them and what with? 

Thanks in advance.

[DD.]

Stick a cane in the pot! 

There is no need to feed until the first tomato has "set", otherwise you can encourage leaf growth rather than fruit growth.

[angelavdavis]

What variety are they?  I ask because they could be bush, tumbling bush or another type so this changes what type of support they might need.  As for feeding, if the plants are still nice and green, you don't need to start until they produce the first truss of fruit.

[Raven81]

Thank you very much both of you. 

I shall try to find the seed packet that I "tidied away" somewhere and let you know the type! 

[Raven81]

Still haven't found the packet so I'm afraid I can't answer the question as to the type! 

They are, however, suppported now (loosely tied to canes) and in larger pots.

My next question is as to why the leaves seem to wilt in the evenings.  They definately have enough water, I wondered if this is just to do with the sun going down, or if we are doing something wrong.  Any ideas?

[Poolman]

Mine looked to do the same, (kind of a sad look) and was advised it was the warmth in a night (could have been one cold night), so I move it in on a iChat and it's picking up. Where is it kept?

[Raven81]

Thank you Poolman for your reply.

They are kept on my kitchen table in front of the window.  The window is double glazed and it is lovely and warm in the daytime.  It doesn't get overly cold at night but maybe at the moment its that bit too chilly for them!

Hmm now I wish we hadn't planted eleven of them - its an awful lot to move every night!

[Poolman]

I would say where I kept the sulking one (rather large) was colder than your kitchen. If you look at the pics in my grow diary thing then you will see the little ones I did from seed and the grafted b & q which is the one which was giving me grief

[Poolman]

Take a look here

http://chat.allotment-garden.org/index.php?topic=93917.msg1046909#msg1046909

And here

http://chat.allotment-garden.org/index.php?topic=93858.msg1046643#msg1046643

[Raven81]

Thank you poolman.  They do have that same look, tho are rather smaller than yours!  Hopefully as the weather starts to warm up they will improve.

[Poolman]

They say they need 10c at least to do ok. Good luck

[Raven81]

Ok so, a few weeks on and they are called "Gardeners delight" tomatoes.

The smallest is around 6 inches tall and the largest is around 11 inches.  No signs of any flowers yet, tho I wouldn't expect this yet!  They are always at a minimum of 15 degrees c.

I am finding it difficult to find any information on how long they take for each stage to develop.  ie how tall they should be now and when they should start to flower and then when they should go on to bear fruit.

Please can anyone either advise me or let me know where I can find this information.

Thank you.

Edited as I forgot to say please and thankyou!!

[andyw]

I know what you mean, I planted over 100 from seed!

Thank you Poolman for your reply.

They are kept on my kitchen table in front of the window.  The window is double glazed and it is lovely and warm in the daytime.  It doesn't get overly cold at night but maybe at the moment its that bit too chilly for them!

Hmm now I wish we hadn't planted eleven of them - its an awful lot to move every night!

[mumofstig]

I am finding it difficult to find any information on how long they take for each stage to develop.  ie how tall they should be now and when they should start to flower and then when they should go on to bear fruit.

You won't find that info it depends on light temperature and soil; most people have tomatoes ready in July, but this year appears a bit slower than usual because of the cold/dark weather in April.

Just carry on growing them and they'll get there when they're ready, same as any growing thing

[Raven81]

Thank you MoS.  I was worried we may be doing something wrong as everyone else's seem to doing better! 

We will just keep going with it - and hopefully eventually get them outside so I can have my dining table back  !