Why aren't my tomatoes growing?

The posts on my garden aren't coming thick and fast at the moment, as you've probably noticed. With a move to a new house and garden in the offing (so far so good) I am mentally detaching myself from my little plot, knowing that it will no longer be mine to tend in a few weeks. I'll mow the lawn and keep it tidy until then, but expansive new schemes, no. As a result I am feeling a little like Mrs Be over at Carrots and Kids - wondering where all the luscious veg of previous years have gone.

Of course I shall be taking my container plants with me, and that includes my two sad-looking tomato plants. I've taken photos but a combination of battery failure and an "uploading issue" with my laptop means I can't share them with you at the moment. They appear to have put on, ooh, a good millimetre or two since I planted them in individual pots a few weeks back, and the lower leaves are looking distinctly yellow. As someone who has always had a great record growing tomatoes outside, and has dispensed advice on doing so, too, it's thoroughly depressing, but just shows how there's always something new to learn. They've had some comfrey and wormcast teas, to no avail, and I've tried to keep them reasonably well-watered. It's the first time I've grown tomatoes in pots, so there's clearly a lot more to learn on this front.

Anyway, I've diagnosed magnesium deficiency. Epsom salts are the "home cure" always recommended for this problem, but I have never suffered with this problem before. A quick Google threw up this interesting piece, which suggests it is worth a go.

Comments

[Mrs Be]

Oh it was lovely to read this, which probably sounds a bit odd but I mean; I'm glad I'm not alone!

I was in two minds to write that post but I'm glad I did, there's some comfort in knowing I'm not the only one!

Good luck with the house move. Can't wait to see your new garden and what you do to it. My garden is a similar size.

[Lucy @ Smallest Smallholding]

I wouldn't worry, so many people in the Blogosphere are saying the same thing. Mind you, I've pretty much left my toms to their own devices in our unheated greenhouse and they're starting to plump up very nicely. Much better than the leggy specimens that grew like triffids in our alarmingly hot conservatory last year. It's a shame I can't stand raw tomatoes!

Not sure if the figs will ever ripen though...

[Philip Voice]

It is worth saving your tea and coffee dregs for the Tomatoes - works a treat for keeping the Magnesium levels up.

Works well with Geraniums too.

[Johnny P.]

Thanks for all of your great info! This was a very informative blog post and I appreciate you coming up with such detailed steps for growing tomatoes. Quick question for anyone who might know: Have you ever tried growing tomatoes upside down? I've seen the commercials and I am intrigued. Please let me know what you think of that method if you have given it a try! :)