Topsy Turvy tomato planter

[biguy732]

I used something like that last year on my deck - it was the perfect height for the deer. Did not get one tomato.

 

[Joshua_me]

Soon you shall have a bountiful harvest, young Piglet...

 

[chatolandia]

I planted mine with paste tomatoes, I hope I am successful

using planters was hit or miss

 

[meandamedeos]

We now have some tomatoes. We have 3 about the size of cue balls. I usually water ours with 1 gallon every 2 days and fertilize about once a week. Haven't had to water lately though with all the rain here in Florida.......

 

[seven_sins]

It is said, the tomatoes will ripen faster because it's upside down. The water, nutrients, etc. will get to the plant.

It seems to me that the water and nutrients would run down the stem and out of the container, leaving the roots high and dry.

 

[Joshua_me]

An update please, young Piglet.

 

[JasunStrikesBack]

Ok.. this is how it works.. the flowers will dry up and appear to fall off. The buds will then start to bulge just a little bit.... after a few days of that you'll see green fruits about the size of a grape... THOSE are your tomatoes.

So don't pick off, clip off or remove the flowers even after they look like they're dead.

That's where your tomatoes will form.

I've got three huge plants in my garden right now... the tomatoes are about the size of crab apples right now and there are about 30 of them. Which means in about a month I'll be having more tomatoes than I know what to do with. We're going to make and freeze lots of sauce and soup... have them with every meal including breakfast... give them way to the neighbors, I guess.

 

[Yooper]

The flowers falling off is normal; also a few yellow leaves. Are you fertilizing? 'Maters like the stuff.

A few things about Yellow Leaves:
Yellow or pale colored leaves: This could be caused by a nutrient deficiency. Here are some common symptoms:

Yellow with green veins = lack of iron
Yellow with dark spots and small, narrow leaves = lack of zinc
Yellow with green veins, turning bronze = potassium deficiency.
Yellow patches on leaves that contain brown concentrically ringed spots: This could be a sign of early blight. Spray copper or bordeaux mixture and repeat every 7-10 days.

Older leaves yellow; shoots (or whole plant) wilts: This could be Fusarium or Verticillium wilt. These two fungal diseases both begin with the wilting of lower leaves. The plants are stunted and do not recover when watered. When cut open, stems and shoots will show some internal discoloration. Toss affected plant and replace them with disease resistant varieties and new soil.

Leaves are yellow (may contain brown spots); leaves are also distorted and sticky: This could be a possible aphid or white fly infestation. Look for small sap-sucking insects (green, black, white, or pink in color) on the undersides of leaves and traces of honeydew on the leaves (sticky substance). Insects may also fly away when disturbed. Spray plants with a strong jet of water or insecticidal soap to remove.

Leaves are yellow; the plant is stunted and eventually wilts in hot weather: This could be a sign of Root Knot Nematode damage. Plants will have swollen galls on roots and eventually die. This is not as common in plants grown in new commercial potting soil.

Leaves mottled yellow; young growth appears narrow and twisted: This is most likely tobacco virus. Plants should be destroyed and replaced with a disease resistant variety planted in new soil.

Leaves speckled with yellow dots; fine webbing on leaves: Most likely spider mites. Spray them off with a strong stream of water from the garden hose, or use insecticidal soap.

 

[elvnguardian]

Ok.. this is how it works.. the flowers will dry up and appear to fall off. The buds will then start to bulge just a little bit.... after a few days of that you'll see green fruits about the size of a grape... THOSE are your tomatoes.

So don't pick off, clip off or remove the flowers even after they look like they're dead.

That's where your tomatoes will form.

I've got three huge plants in my garden right now... the tomatoes are about the size of crab apples right now and there are about 30 of them. Which means in about a month I'll be having more tomatoes than I know what to do with. We're going to make and freeze lots of sauce and soup... have them with every meal including breakfast... give them way to the neighbors, I guess.

mmmm.... tomatoe & mayonaise sandwiches.... on a nice ciabatta... I want my tomatoes to grow faster now.

Pics of the tomato plant

One of the leaf changing yellow.

The flowers are dying.

the flowers look like they've been pollinated, but the leaves look like it's not absorbing enough water... the ice cube trick sounded like a good idea, I'd probably say to fill the top 2" (that space they said to leave in the direction) with ice cubes, so it absorbs more slowly

 

[star-warrior]

The leaf has a creature eating through it, leaving a trail between the two outer layers of the leaf.

According to Dr. Hessayon's The Vegetable Expert, ISBN 0-903505-20-7, if the flowers haven't been polinated and are breaking off at the knuckle joint behind it, then the air or root is too dry. He suggests watering regularly and spraying the flowers in the morning, and "tap plants to aid pollination'.

 

[star-warrior]

Tomato growing tips, there are special tomato plant feed solutions available that may help better cropping.

 

[spencer]

"tap plants to aid pollination'.

finger rape them now!

 

[star-warrior]

finger rape them now!

So bee pollination is animal and vegetable sex?

 

[gmoney]

With any luck Piggy, the plant might turn out like this.

As suggested, an eye hook in the ceiling is a good idea. Just use a piece of chain to lower it to your desired height.

 

[biguy732]

He obviously had figured out a way to keep the critters out of his yard and eating the tomato plants. Fuck those things are big!

 

[Ranchman]

Good luck Piggy with your plant!! I hope you have a good harvest. Nothing better than a tomato sandwich with plenty of mayonnaise!!