Might be a stupid question!

Al@NC · July 3, 2012

So I'm brand new to growing and think that I'm doing pretty well given it's my first year! My question is, now that I have fruit set on all 14 of my plants should I fertilize them? I'm thinking that I need to do something to "plump" up the tomatoes? Should I give them some type of plant food now that fruit is set? I used Miracle gro soil and Osmocote when I planted them in containers...

What do you guys do once fruit is set? Is there anything I can do to get larger fruit or is it pretty much too late to change?

Thanks,
Al

cornbreadlouie · July 3, 2012

Maybe a little bit of fertilizer, but definitely one that has a lower nitrogen content because that Miracle Gro stuff I believe already has a higher level of nitrogen than the P & the K.

Once fruit sets, I like to play the waiting game. Which is basically going outside every chance I get to see if I notice anything different from the last time I was out.

Keeping your plants trimmed to a couple main vines (pulling off all or most of the "suckers) is supposed to yield larger fruit, but honestly, I'd rather have more slightly smaller maters.

ALSO, post pictures. We love pictures here. At least I do.

PA_Julia · July 3, 2012

Hi Al!!

Most of the time and taking into consideration size tolerances most varieties will produce mature fruit that are predetermined according to a particular variety's genetics.

After the tomato plants start growing fruit, you can add light fertilizer once every one to two weeks until the first frost kills the plant.

A light fertilizer feeding will ensure that a particular plant is growing the largest fruit according to that particular plants genetics.

Julia

Al@NC · July 3, 2012

I'll take some pictures, thanks for the advice, I think that I will add a little bit of fertilizer. I failed to mention that I have been using Miracle Gro Bloom Booster the last 3 weeks, it's like 10-52-10.

PA_Julia · July 3, 2012

Al,

I would dilute that to half strength if not a little more than that while awaiting fruit to mature.

Julia

Al@NC · July 3, 2012

Thanks Julia! Will Do...

July 3, 2012	#1
Al@NC Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Vernon, BC Posts: 720	Might be a stupid question! So I'm brand new to growing and think that I'm doing pretty well given it's my first year! My question is, now that I have fruit set on all 14 of my plants should I fertilize them? I'm thinking that I need to do something to "plump" up the tomatoes? Should I give them some type of plant food now that fruit is set? I used Miracle gro soil and Osmocote when I planted them in containers... What do you guys do once fruit is set? Is there anything I can do to get larger fruit or is it pretty much too late to change? Thanks, Al Last edited by Al@NC; July 3, 2012 at 08:12 PM.

July 3, 2012	#2
cornbreadlouie Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: SF bay area... north bay Posts: 242	Maybe a little bit of fertilizer, but definitely one that has a lower nitrogen content because that Miracle Gro stuff I believe already has a higher level of nitrogen than the P & the K. Once fruit sets, I like to play the waiting game. Which is basically going outside every chance I get to see if I notice anything different from the last time I was out. Keeping your plants trimmed to a couple main vines (pulling off all or most of the "suckers) is supposed to yield larger fruit, but honestly, I'd rather have more slightly smaller maters. ALSO, post pictures. We love pictures here. At least I do. __________________ Do You Like Worms?

July 3, 2012	#3
PA_Julia Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Princeton, Ky Zone 7A Posts: 2,208	Hi Al!! Most of the time and taking into consideration size tolerances most varieties will produce mature fruit that are predetermined according to a particular variety's genetics. After the tomato plants start growing fruit, you can add light fertilizer once every one to two weeks until the first frost kills the plant. A light fertilizer feeding will ensure that a particular plant is growing the largest fruit according to that particular plants genetics. Julia