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HopeHoops

(47,675 posts)
10. Fish meal isn't good for tomatoes, even in "sauce" form. You've got an imbalance.
Wed Jul 11, 2012, 11:44 AM
Jul 2012

Most small garden centers sell low-content organic fertilizers. There's one called "Tomato Tone" that works very well, even with other nightshades such as potatoes, peppers, and eggplant. Just don't overdo any one element. Potash will spruce up the in-ground plants by building their resistance to disease. You can just top-dress them and water well. The pellet version distributes itself over a longer period of time and I've found it to be superior. Dried blood is good when nitrogen is needed. A basic 4-4-4 or similar combination is really the best. Avoid double digits. It's better to use lower concentrations more regularly than a high concentration occasionally.

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At this point, I don't think you can do much about it. Denninmi Jul 2012 #1
it's not the appearance... grasswire Jul 2012 #2
indeterminates need to be staked or caged..... NRaleighLiberal Jul 2012 #5
I am not sure what I have but mine is an heirloom busy being free Jul 2012 #18
it's not as simple as that - in fact, the more you prune, the less fruit you might get - NRaleighLiberal Jul 2012 #20
Thanks for that advice. I have been pruning mine for years. Explains a lot. JDPriestly Oct 2012 #22
Well, how about a cylinder type cage made out of fence wire? Denninmi Jul 2012 #3
Patio plants are dwarfs and compact - indeterminates are just genetically "leggy" - NRaleighLiberal Jul 2012 #4
Bamboo stakes and velcro ties. beac Jul 2012 #6
oooh velcro ties grasswire Jul 2012 #7
And the velcro can be reused year after year. beac Jul 2012 #12
well, that's about how leggy mine look. grasswire Jul 2012 #13
Sounds like you've just got normal indeterminate legginess. beac Jul 2012 #14
Less nitrogen for the patio. More potash and more nitrogen for the in-ground. HopeHoops Jul 2012 #8
what I use is Alaska fish *sauce* grasswire Jul 2012 #9
Fish meal isn't good for tomatoes, even in "sauce" form. You've got an imbalance. HopeHoops Jul 2012 #10
well, you disagree with my local expert grasswire Jul 2012 #11
I'm not familiar with Sunset magazine, but I am familiar with tomatoes. HopeHoops Jul 2012 #15
You are correct kurtzapril4 Jul 2012 #16
Not just leggy. Too much nitrogen and you've got wonderfully green leaves and underdeveloped fruits HopeHoops Jul 2012 #17
Sorry to bother you with questions: busy being free Jul 2012 #19
Use a low-intensity "garden tone" over all of it. HopeHoops Jul 2012 #21
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