When to stop feeding tomatoes

**Potstubsdustbins** · 11-08-2013, 09:33 PM

I usually stop after I have picked the last of the fruit.

Potty

**Wren** · 13-08-2013, 09:54 PM

Thanks Pots. Wondered if it might be ok to back off now and just supply water to grow the masses of fruits. I don't want to trash the ones I have though.

**Nes** · 13-08-2013, 10:55 PM

I never really thought about that. I use organic slow release stuff that's meant to last for about 8 weeks, so I bung some in when planting out, and sprinkle some more around about halfway through the season (did so a couple of weeks ago), and then don't do any more. Tomatoes going great guns, and really tasty too

**Potstubsdustbins** · 14-08-2013, 02:24 PM

Originally posted by Wren View Post

Thanks Pots. Wondered if it might be ok to back off now and just supply water to grow the masses of fruits. I don't want to trash the ones I have though.

Wren, when my plants are in full production I up my feed rate to twice normal. May not be necessary but I have done it for years and always get a good crop of toms.

Potty

**Florence Fennel** · 14-08-2013, 03:51 PM

Note to self: Start feeding twice a week, it's good advice, thank you.

**Vixen218** · 14-08-2013, 07:36 PM

What do you all feed with... I haven't fed mine anything... Oooops... I have some quite good looking toms atm just not ripened yet

**Bren In Pots** · 14-08-2013, 07:43 PM

Originally posted by Vixen218 View Post

What do you all feed with... I haven't fed mine anything... Oooops... I have some quite good looking toms atm just not ripened yet

Have a read at this thread lots of info about feeding your toms :-

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...ime_73260.html

**WilliamD** · 14-08-2013, 08:51 PM

I'm sure I've heard more than once recently the idea of deliberately stopping feeding once all the fruit have started to appear. Think it was something along the lines of continuing feeding encourages more flowers whose eventual fruit won't have time to fully develop, while taking energy away from those that are trying to swell.

Sorry, I've explained that badly, but for what it's worth there's an item in the new September GYO (p.68) advising us to: 'ratchet back on feeding and watering regimes for tomatoes ... now the season is coming to a close. Any flowers left on the plants are unlikely to turn into ripe fruit now and growth is slowing down markedly now the weather is cooler, so their demands are lessening by the day'.

Then again, some people get great results by feeding right through so everyone's probably right :-)

**Potstubsdustbins** · 14-08-2013, 09:11 PM

William I have already started taking of any flowers that have appeared in the last week even in the GH.

This will probably be the precursor to a wonderful Indian summer and all those that have left their flowers on will get masses of toms when mine have finished.

Potty

**WilliamD** · 14-08-2013, 09:16 PM

Aha - take off the last flowers .. excellent idea Potty. Will have a go at that myself.

**zazen999** · 14-08-2013, 10:28 PM

Hmm..I have still been harvesting mine in November for the last 2 years...Can't do that if there are no flowers now!

**veggiechicken** · 14-08-2013, 10:38 PM

I don't give up on my toms while there are still flowers - even just one! - keep them going for as long as possible, just in case there should be more fruit. The eternal tomato optimist

**esbo** · 14-08-2013, 11:21 PM

Originally posted by zazen999 View Post

Hmm..I have still been harvesting mine in November for the last 2 years...Can't do that if there are no flowers now!

Yes this is the problem you do not know how long the season is going to be.
I was cutting bits off but now I have decided to leave stuff on.
I can always remove flowers and tomatoes which will not make it later
then I will have more green to capture light and less tomatoes for them to feed.

Of course the Sun is getting weaker and the days shorter now so you may need two
or threes days to capture the same amount of energy.

**Potstubsdustbins** · 15-08-2013, 02:25 PM

Don't worry peeps with my actions this year you are ensured of that Indian Summer.

Potty

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