Waterlogged, can they be saved

[LORRIE]

The drain screen on my container pot of tomatoes plugged up by the time I noticed the pot was full of standing water. Is there any hope of saving them ?

[rnewste]

Lorrie,

Any idea of how long they were in standing water?

When I build my own containers, I ALWAYS drill 2 overflow holes on opposite sides of the container, to prevent this same thing from happening. Any chance you can drill an additional hole for future emergencies?

Ray

[stratcat1]

Yes.

I had to get rid of any saucers on pots because I'd see my plants wilting and add water when the tomatoes were already too wet and I made things worse!

The tomatoes survived my user error.

john

[LORRIE]

I believe it was two days, three at the longest. Yes I have drilled the new holes.
Thank you for your reply !!!!

[LORRIE]

I just removed the saucers from my sunflower plants because of the same thing ! I'm glad to hear your tomatoes survived It gives me hope for my sunflowers.

Thank You

[stratcat1]

Your welcome, Lorrie.

On some of my containers I've had to pry the darn saucers off. I've also drilled lots of holes.

As our plants in the ground sometimes get waterlogged from rain, your plants should be fine.

Happy gardening,

john

[LORRIE]

1 MORE QUESTION,
MY PLANTS SURVIVED THE WATERLOGGING I THINK. BUT ALTHOUGH THEY ARE STILL ALIVE THEY ARE NOT GROWING AT ALL THEY HAVE FLOWERS AND EVEN A SMALL TOM STARTING BUT THE PLANT ITSELF SEEMS TO BE STUCK AND NOT GROWING. IS THIS SHORT TERM OR DO YOU THINK IT WILL START TO GROW AGAIN ?

[Gobig_or_Gohome_toms]

How tall are they and how big of a container are you using?

[stratcat1]

Are your tomatoes indeterminate or determinate?

[LORRIE]

STRATCAT,
I'M SORRY, I AM GARDENING STUPID. WHAT DOES THAT MEAN.

[Gobig_or_Gohome_toms]

Ok what are the names on the tomatoes you are growing then.

Determinant and indeterminant refer to the plant growth habbits.

[stratcat1]

Determinate tomatoes get to a certain height and set their fruit all at once. Then they are done.

You're not gardening stupid.

[Gobig_or_Gohome_toms]

Gardening learner... you cannot know everything right away I have learned tons in the last 3 years of tomato growing and this is my 4th year.

[robin303]

Here you go Gobig: Determinant and indeterminate are terms related to the growh habits of tomatoes. Indeterminants are plants that have a vining habit and produce a moderate amount of tomatoes continually throughout the growing season. Determinate plants are more stocky and have one or two full flushes of production, usually resulting in several large harvests as opposed to an indeterminate's smaller but more steady production. There is generally no difference in taste or the size of the fruit, as this is more dependant on the variety itself than the growing habit.

[LORRIE]

Well you folks are all so cool, I just gained a lot of info. So heres the thing I planted two different kinds in different pots two in each one, I in my infinate wisdom I dont recall which is which, The first ones are patio tomato and the second is celebrity and it says determinate. One set is getting taller, the other which is the one that was waterlogged is short and stocky, but I looked closer today and it does have some new leaves on it. I think I just confused myself more. Does any of this help anyone.
thanxs in advance, Lorrie