Tomato Screenhouse w/mix recipe

rzr · April 7, 2016

I did DIY earthboxes few years back but birds got to many of the tomatoes. So I decided to make a "Screenhouse": insect netting on sides, greenhouse grade UV plastic on top. I decided to put plastic on the top to prevent as much moister as possible from getting in.

I am using walmart 10 10 10 fertilizer.

Some of my early mix was a professional mix (the sungolds and bigger ctex plants), but
my homemade mix is working well for the new ctex plants, they are growing fast so I am sure it is working right. Here is my recipe:

7 parts peat moss, 1 perlite, 1/2 part vermiculite. I did not add lime as the earthbox instructions recommend,

The JD's special ctex seem to be producing well, as well as the sungold and roma. Arkansas traveler seems to be taking forever to actually see a tomato on the blooms, the same goes for the better boy, they are big but I dont actually see a baby tomato yet but I do have blooms.

Tried the first semi ripe sungold today, it had excellent flavor, very tomatoey taste, and some sweetness as it was not fully ripe.

Screenhouse Album

rzr · April 7, 2016

I got the betterboy plant from the nursary, so it may not be a better boy, but I just confirmed the blossom is falling off. It is 84 degrees currently. Plant is big and healthy, just not producing. Any thoughts?

rzr · April 7, 2016

This sungold has yellow leaves at bottom, the rest of the plant looks good. Does anyone know if this is an issue?

BigVanVader · April 7, 2016

That is normal, just trim those leaves off as they die. Your blossoms may be dropping due to the heat inside the enclosure, with all that heat sink it guess it has been pretty hot in there, especially the plants being in buckets.

Sun City Linda · April 7, 2016

Nice set up. Many of us here have Earthboxes or similar. I don't think its a good idea thought to leave out the lime. It is well know that peat based potting mixes get acidic over time and this can prevent your plants from being able to utilize the nutrients they need. Also can encourage blossom end rot on your tomatoes. The addition of lime at plant out offsets these issues.

rzr · April 7, 2016

This is the only lime I could find. Will this work? I would say I am filling 3.5 gallons of the bucket with potting mix, how much garden lime should go in and should it only be included in the top 2 or 3 inches as the earth box instructions say?

rzr · April 10, 2016

I just noticed a better boy coming up, so I guess its just being a slow starter. Patience is the key.

rzr · May 12, 2016

I'm using the same mix and fertilizer for a number of these earth box buckets. My brother thinks I burned the plants with too much nitrogen, but again the other plants seem to be ok. Any idea why I am seeing this curling and brown spots on ourter edge of leaves w/ stunted growth?

zipcode · May 18, 2016

The first sungold (the one a month ago), with yellow leaves down is definitely nitrogen deficient (or root bound enough not to absorb it).
I would say the last pics, are not related to nitrogen either, most likely to K deficiency. (not entirely sure, mind)

Once plants are big you should not be wary of using fertilizer, potted tomatoes need way more fertilizer than you'd think. Of course, it's best not to use something with too much amoniacal N, that could indeed lead to some burns. If in doubt just use an organic like tomato tone, there the risks are minimal.

April 7, 2016	#1
rzr Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Pflugerville, TX Posts: 79	Tomato Screenhouse w/mix recipe I did DIY earthboxes few years back but birds got to many of the tomatoes. So I decided to make a "Screenhouse": insect netting on sides, greenhouse grade UV plastic on top. I decided to put plastic on the top to prevent as much moister as possible from getting in. I am using walmart 10 10 10 fertilizer. Some of my early mix was a professional mix (the sungolds and bigger ctex plants), but my homemade mix is working well for the new ctex plants, they are growing fast so I am sure it is working right. Here is my recipe: 7 parts peat moss, 1 perlite, 1/2 part vermiculite. I did not add lime as the earthbox instructions recommend, The JD's special ctex seem to be producing well, as well as the sungold and roma. Arkansas traveler seems to be taking forever to actually see a tomato on the blooms, the same goes for the better boy, they are big but I dont actually see a baby tomato yet but I do have blooms. Tried the first semi ripe sungold today, it had excellent flavor, very tomatoey taste, and some sweetness as it was not fully ripe. Screenhouse Album Last edited by rzr; April 7, 2016 at 05:19 PM.

April 7, 2016	#4
BigVanVader Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Greenville, South Carolina Posts: 3,099	That is normal, just trim those leaves off as they die. Your blossoms may be dropping due to the heat inside the enclosure, with all that heat sink it guess it has been pretty hot in there, especially the plants being in buckets.

April 7, 2016	#5
Sun City Linda Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: SoCal Inland Posts: 2,705	Nice set up. Many of us here have Earthboxes or similar. I don't think its a good idea thought to leave out the lime. It is well know that peat based potting mixes get acidic over time and this can prevent your plants from being able to utilize the nutrients they need. Also can encourage blossom end rot on your tomatoes. The addition of lime at plant out offsets these issues.

April 10, 2016	#7
rzr Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Pflugerville, TX Posts: 79	I just noticed a better boy coming up, so I guess its just being a slow starter. Patience is the key.

May 18, 2016	#9
zipcode Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Romania/Germany , z 4-6 Posts: 1,582	The first sungold (the one a month ago), with yellow leaves down is definitely nitrogen deficient (or root bound enough not to absorb it). I would say the last pics, are not related to nitrogen either, most likely to K deficiency. (not entirely sure, mind) Once plants are big you should not be wary of using fertilizer, potted tomatoes need way more fertilizer than you'd think. Of course, it's best not to use something with too much amoniacal N, that could indeed lead to some burns. If in doubt just use an organic like tomato tone, there the risks are minimal.