Is it really necessary to repot then transplant or can I just transplant my babies? I know some people just throw down seeds but I don't know if they lose any that way.
My seedlings are on their first true set of leaves. I would really like to just plant them, I have like 40-50 of the things and don't have that many pots.
Tomatoes in Texas Question
You can plant them in the ground - just be careful of cutworms and strong rains. I have grown them till their first leaves and also I have planted them in the ground. Yes you lose a few but they are stronger if you can plant them in the ground. Less transplant shock - so they dont waste time getting over the shock and have more time for leaves.
Witch,
When you plant them, bury as much of the stem as possible. New roots will grow out of the buried stem giving your tomato plants a larger root system. If your plants are that small, you may want to provide overhead protection during rainstorms.
BettyDee
Does anybody else besides me have a problem with rust on their tomatoes(and beans)? I'm pretty sure it was rust, it was orangey thingies on the undersides of the leaves.
It is best to transplant three times. Each time you transplant deeper than before and each time the plant gets stockier and stronger being sure to snip off the bottom leaves and plant to that debt. If you set out before the plant is ready it will be to weak to withstand the elements and will die or become diseased and die. A little patience and proper planting will bring great dividends in the way of tomatos and healthy plants.
I will keep that in mind, Tplant!
John
Witch I'd plant them, and protect them with 2liter soda bottles with the bottom cut off, stuck into the soil a couple of inches......this will protect them from any cool nights, & from bugs until they become a little stronger.......you can take the lid off on to vent the mini greenhouse. I'd also follow Betty's advice by planting the stem deep...what type of tomato did you plant?? I'd love to find one that loves this SE Texas heat and humidity! anyone have any tomato suggestions?? Debra~
I don't think there is any advantage to planting up several times because you have to that the plant will suffer some transplant shock every time you distrub the roots. I like Early Girl and the indeterminate varieties. I like to experiment with different varieties. It's too late to start seed for spring planting, but there is still time to buy seed for fall planting. Totally Tomatoes has almost all the varieties you would ever want.
For the greatest chance of success, TAMU suggests tomatoes that produce smaller tomatoes, but early. Usually beefsteak type tomatoes take too long to mature and tomato plants will not set new fruit during in hot weather. We really have two short tomato seasons.
BettyDee
I like 'Merced,' 'Sweet 100, 'and 'Early Girl'. Merced handles the heat & humidity well. Early Girl I like for double cropping. Sweet 100 just keeps going for me and is my favorite.
John
Yellow Pear & Garden Peach have done very well for me.
I for one...am making a list of the tomatoes you suggested....I won't start tomatoes from seed this year, with the exception of the yellow pear tomatoes....I'll keep my out for those you all mentioned, try to buy one or 2 plants of each, to see which does the best here in the Jasper county area~ thanks! Debra~
Since tomatoes are difficult to grow in Texas I would like to compile a list of 'favorite tomatoe varieties' and why. Maybe Debra would start a new thread? Like maybe our top three? Hint, hint. ;-)
John
Good idea John! so be it....Debra~
I just got seeds to start a fall tomato garden. Am I too late?
Larry
I've been told now is the time to start seeds for fall tomatos, you're right on time!
Larry,
TAMU recommends short season tomatoes for Texas. You might find this website useful.
http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/
The following website lists their recommended vegetables for North Central Texas.
http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/plantanswers/publications/ncveglist.html
Veronica
I just took cuttings off my old plants about a week and a half ago. I will get those in by the end of the month.