Collapsing tomato plants.

[womble]

Why do some tomato plants suddenly collapse? I've had a couple recently, they just go for no reason I can see.
They always stand up again, so I can't work out what's going on.

[Flummery]

I suspect it's to do with the water levels. They get turgid (ooo-er!) then dry out a bit and go flaccid (she's at it again!). I don't know how you regulate it but it does always seem to balance up doesn't it?

[womble]

Thanks, I think they need to be repotted, but I have too many plants and not enough space. Besides they will be going out in the greenhouse soon. But not yet still way too cold in there.
I think you must be right, water is the key.

[SarzWix]

I have the same problem Womble, some of mine are desperate to be potted on now. I've moved the ones suffering the most out of full sun to try and alleviate it a bit. Perhaps you could pot them up and just put them in the greenhouse during the day? Or put them out and fleece them overnight?
Hopefully my OH will go and get a gas refill at the weekend and i can start getting everything into the big greenhouse!

[gojiberry]

If you hold back to long on potting on you defeat the object of sowing early to get an earlier crop. Pot them on get them into the greenhouse and fleece at night, even if you have to put a double layer of fleece when frost is forecast.

Ian

[PAULW]

Tie the little buggers to a cane that will stop em floppin

[womble]

I'm hardening them off atm, by taking them out to the greenhouse in the daytime and bringing them into a cold room at night. I expect in a week they will go out into the border soil in the greenhouse, not worth potting them on for a week I think?

[Demeter]

They go floppy when they lose more moisture through their leaves than they can take up through their roots. They then recover overnight or in the shade because transpiration from the leaves slows right down and they can catch up with themselves! Being confined to a small pot will obviously exacerbate the problem, as it means their roots have less scope for taking up water - but keeping them out of direct sunlight will help by reducing transpiration through the leaves. If it were me I would not bother potting on just for the sake of a few days - just keep them in the shade while they are outside hardening off.

[HayleyB]

Crikes Aunty Flum you been reading that dictionary again

Mine went all "oh my God it's cold" and then Mummy told them to get a grip and they are doing a bit better