Tomato Plants Growth

[joe645]

My tomato plants are growing out of the light source. Although the main part of the plant remains within the grow lights, branches are growing so long that they are out of the stream of light. Is this okay?

i.vgy.me/RacV4T.jpg

I was going to suggest a roll of velcro gardening tape to string trough the white tubes, but I see you are using twine and some other type of tape already. I find that this works for me, though it can be  tough on the eyes as far as beauty is concerned. I think you will need it once the weight of the tomatoes start pulling, though. I have had toms off to the sides and they grew fine. Ever consider a clamp on shade with a bulb? Tat is another good help.

www.lowes.com/pd/VELCRO-Brand-0-5-in-Green-Strap-Fastener/4764354?cm_mmc=shp-_-c-_-prd-_-hdw-_-google-_-lia-_-126-_-fasteners-_-4764354-_-0&store_code=2372&placeholder=null&gclid=CjwKCAiAlajvBRB_EiwA4vAqiNQXBkFiwDFA3JIL1l1LIZ1LpMs5DFKBtGlqEuE_Aj3IwAZ2KuY5LxoCwiIQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

[Shawn]

They are looking good Joe

[thegrindre]

WOW! Really nice.

I never knew this was available for sale, Corinne? Thanks.

Here's some on Amazon, too;

www.amazon.com/s?k=VELCRO+Brand+0.5-in+Green+Strap+Fastener&s=price-asc-rank&qid=1575675480&ref=sr_st_price-asc-rank

I use AG's ties;

www.aerogarden.com/soft-tie-for-plants.html

AG says to trim them back to keep everything within/under the lights. I was unable to accomplish that with a well growing aggressive plant so had to use the ties.

As Corinne said, you will need to do something when those toms start weighing the branches down.

Whatever you're doin', keep doin' it! Wonderful plants, Joe.

I use them outside too and like the fact that they are reusable from year to year

[joe645]

I have found some plastic clips that will do just fine. I also will use J hooks to hold the fruit limbs. One question since I have transplanted to 3 gal buckets and soil. If I mix plant nutrient with water just how much should be a good rule of feeding. 1 cup or 2 or 3? My moisture meter indicates the plants have sufficient moisture but unlike hydroponic (PPM) I don't know how much nutrient each plant has or needs.

If memory serves me, I think soil measurement is on the bottle . Here is the info in a pdf..read the last paragraph for soil:

www.aerogarden.com/media/knowledgebase/Other_Guides_and_Docs/usingaerogrowbulkliquidnutrients.pdf

for toms: 4 ml mixed with 1 gallon of water. Feed only 1x month.

 I don't add AG liquid to soil plants any more. I use supermarket bought Mir Gro granules for housepants. No guessing!(I burn plants)

[joe645]

Thanks. Have you ever used Miracle Gro Plant Food? Isn't a gallon of water and food a lot for a 3 gal plant? It is sure to run out the bottom.

Dec 23, 2019 18:25:27 GMT -5 joe645 said:

Thanks. Have you ever used Miracle Gro Plant Food? Isn't a gallon of water and food a lot for a 3 gal plant? It is sure to run out the bottom.

You do not feed it the entire gallon. You water the plants with a portion of the mix like any ordinary plant and use the reserve in the jug for other plants or for the next feeding time.  You could soak the plant and let it run out the bottom, but that is a great way to drown the plant, allow mold and other uglies, and worse, get an infestation of gnats which love overwatered soil.

If the plant  gets dry and looks thirsty, rather than feeding it out of the reserve, you would use plain water and not the nutrient water until the month is up and it is due for a feeding. Hope this helps..

[joe645]

That's what I figured. I read somewhere that a cup per gallon mix is sufficient. I'll give that a try and see how they respond. The 8 plants were transplanted the 1st and 2nd week of this month. The soil at the top is just starting to dry but the meter shows the center moist (over 3/4 of meter). I think it will be safe to wait until after the new year to water and feed. Thanks again and Merry Christmas.

[joe645]

What would cause one of two tomatoes to grow at a faster rate than the other on the same branch?

[Shawn]

I have had similar with peppers.  I think it is the energy going to them.  One might have a faster uptake of nutrients.  Or it could just be that the larger one started first. 

You may also want to wait and see what someone who has grown tomatoes more then once has to say.

[thegrindre]

It's just the way our maker planed it. It's normal. Happens to apples and pears and avocados too. Actual scientific reason is unknown. It's just how plants grow.

[joe645]

Thank you all.

Same with puppies...always a runt of the litter!

[joe645]

Well the runt has taken off and is growing....guess it was a late bloomer!

[thegrindre]

There ya go.

[Shawn]

That does happen.  Glad it is coming along.