Black Cherry Tomato advice needed

[Grayson]

A short update:

Rainy season is in full swing now, with 3 possible typhoons coming into the country. My tallest one is now leafier after 4 weeks and is now at 5 feet. I hope the 5 gallon bucket is still enough to sustain it. Anyway, I am not sure if it is the rain or the pruning, because it grew despite going a whole week without its fertilizer dose. Should I trim the excess leaves or do I just let it gather energy for the next fruiting round?



My smallest (the one beside it) is also growing. I find it odd how its upper stems are way thicker than the primary stem near the soil. I also ordered a 5 gallon bucket and potting soil last week to prepare it for transplant.

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On the opposite end of the balcony, however, I am wondering why my second tallest isn't showing any significant progress. It gave me the most yield before and it was usually the first to flower and bear fruit. I also give it as much fertilizer as I do the others. I am ruling out disease for now because the plants are not more than 2 feet away from eachvother so they share the same environmental conditions. Could it be the proximity to the aircon exhaust (warmth at night) or the fact that my coworker poured milk on it? It just didn't seem to regenerate after I picked fruit from it. It also tends to have more wilted leaves.

[Grayson]

Yesterday, I experienced the effect of the rainy season's wind on this country for the first time (or rather, my plants did).



I came home to that in the afternoon and I don't know how long they were in that state. I'll think of a way to tie the plants down, but the good thing is, the weather was bone dry yesterday and the soil actually had time to dry off.

However, I noticed that portions of the tall plant were wilted and limp:





The stems were softer than normal and the leaves were a darker shade of green. Not sure if this was the stress from the fall and being in that odd position (fell on the other bucket), from overwatering (not by me but from the straight days of rain), or from underwatering (as I intentionally wanted the soil to dry up for a day). I'm thinking about the sunlight but yesterday was practically sunny.

Do I add fertilizer or just wait for them to perk up?

[gorbelly]

Originally Posted by Grayson

Not sure if this was the stress from the fall and being in that odd position (fell on the other bucket),

Check to see whether any of the wilted stems have been damaged (bent, partially broken) down below the wilted area. This could cause wilting. If so, you can leave it and see whether they perk up again. If they keep wilting and dying, just prune those off--the plant will produce more new growth in future. If you see damage and can tie up damaged stems to give them support without moving them around too much, do that. But don't fiddle too much with them, as you may make the damage worse.

Originally Posted by Grayson

from overwatering (not by me but from the straight days of rain), or from underwatering (as I intentionally wanted the soil to dry up for a day)

Feel the soil. Stick your finger down into it a couple of inches. Does it feel soggy? Then likely the roots are waterlogged, can't take up water or nutrients properly, and need to dry out a bit before the plant can recover. Does it feel dry instead? Then the plant is thirsty and should perk up after it gets some water. Does it feel just right? Then wait to see whether the plant is happier now and recovers. Don't water again until another very scientific finger test tells you the soil needs it.

Do I add fertilizer or just wait for them to perk up?

Fertilizer does not perk up wilting. Fertilizer is food. Wilting, however, is a water issue--either because there is something wrong with the plant's vascular system (physical damage, disease) or the roots (disease, damage, too much waterlogging) or because there is not enough water in the soil.

In general, it's best to fertilize plants once they're recovering from physical stress, not while they're in the middle of it. Fertilizer pushes plants to put on new growth, which can be stressful if they're trying to recover from a physical setback.

[Grayson]

Hello all! After almost half a year, I am once again able to update everyone here on my tomato progess. The company I worked for blocked every forum and social networking site in tune with the country's election and inauguration season. Anyway, everything's good now.

My plants yielded fruit last September.





And now, they are starting once more. I've started to see a fruiting pattern every 3.5 - 4 months. The problem is, with the heat last December, I've noticed, despite giving them regular plant food and water, Plant 1 is not as leafy as it was last August-September.




On the flip side, my other plant, who I thought was drying up, started rejuvenating.




I don't know how it happened, but new shoots came from the dried stems.



I just added a few centimeters of potting soil though.

[MissS]

We are glad to have you back!

Your plants sure have been survivors and have managed to live through all of that. They do look to be a bit tired and old. Perhaps you should think about rooting one of those new shoots to make yourself a nice young vigorous plant. My guess is that a younger plant would produce better for you.

[tash11]

I agree that a younger plant would help. Either root a young green shoot, or start from seed if you have any ripe fruit left. In the USA we usually treat tomatoes as annuals.

[Gardeneer]

I sowed 3 or 4 BC seeds. Only one germinated. That is all I will plant this year.