lots of leaves... but no toms!

[Hollie the Wollie]

I don't quite know what to do, or if I can do anything at all, with my Tomatoes!

I think that they are the bush variety and have remained the same height for at least 2 full weeks now at around 3 1/2 ft.
I did pinch off a few side shoots at first but maybe just a hanful - since I have let them grow in their tubs and just added the odd cane for support.

There are clusters of small flowers but there seems to be an abundance of leaves and stems. I am worried that I have just made it grow leaves and not fruit!

Does anyone have any suggestions or ideas?!

[Shaun]

im just waiting for my toms to turn red there the size of a skooker ball and all very green. this is were i get frustrated as i have no patience

[Ace]

Hi Hollie

I also am growing some bush variety toms. They're cherry tomatoes.
They started out looking like they were going nowhere, totally stunted. Then they picked up and grew a little higher. Now they've gone as far as they're going but still they are only about 1 foot high from the top of the pots but they are now very bushy and covered in loads of yellow flowers and tonight I noticed the first tomato in there.

So, patience I think. Also, don't be feeding the plant with tomato food until it's really flowering otherwise you'll just grow green leaves. If you have been feeding it that could be your problem.

[airconednightmare]

YouTube - Gardening 101: How To Hand-Pollinate Tomatoes And Peppers

[Hollie the Wollie]

Thanks Aircon! I will be a-shaking and a-flicking tonight!

[Hollie the Wollie]

I went to pollenate! There are hardly any flowers, and the ones that are there are very very small! Im not using any tomato food, just miracle grow once a week!

[airconednightmare]

have the flowers openned like the ones in the film?

assuming you are using fertile soil, they should only really need fed once the fruit has set, doing so before hand can actually prolong the 'veg stage'.

what npk ratio does miracle grow have?

[Tee Gee]

Aircon has indirectly given you the answer to your excess leaf problem!

Miracle grow has an NPK ratio of 24-8-16 which makes it a relatively high nitrogen fertiliser and nitrogen promotes leaf growth.

I would suggest you leave off the miracle grow and get a proper tomato fertiliser now that your fruit have set!

I find I have never any need to pollinate here in the UK if the greenhouse is well ventilated I find this is enough to pollinat the plants!

[Hollie the Wollie]

Oh thanks to you both for your help! Right, no more Miracle Grow and will get a proper tomato fertiliser tomorrow as we're going to the garden centre.

I really appreciate your help. The growth looks very healthy, now lets hope we have some tommies!