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Post by mickthecactus on Dec 13, 2007 10:29:40 GMT 1
Roan, my feeling is that the tomato will be OK. Might just be a reaction to your recent colder weather.
Not sure about the Aubergine but could be the same or a problem with the roots?
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Post by madonplants on Dec 13, 2007 12:37:42 GMT 1
How have you been feeding them, they look to be in the soil? I had toms in grow bags and had no problems.
Never grown Aubergines, so can't help there too much. What type of soil do you have (pH etc.), can't remember if you have mentioned that before.
Keith
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Post by roan on Dec 13, 2007 20:21:45 GMT 1
The tomatoes are an Italian variety and normally do very well. However, we bought them as seedlings from a different place this year, so that may be part of the problem.
No idea what the Ph would be, but we have very sandy soil. We dress it each year with Ollie's manure which is basically sheep dags. It contains sheep poo and wool. It is treated so there are no bugs or bacteria etc. that might cause a problem. However, this is the third year in a row that we have planted tomatoes in the same spot, so perhaps it is time to have them in a different place.
the aubergine are looking better today. Although the flowers have dropped off, there is new growth from the base of the stem, so hopefully they will come right. I do wonder if some nasty has had a feed on the roots in which case I hope it doesn't come back for dessert.
We don't use any fungicides, insecticides etc., so expect that sometimes plants will not be strong enough to resist whatever nasties may be around.
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Post by 4pygmies on Dec 13, 2007 20:33:08 GMT 1
Yellowing of the leaves is often overwatering Roan but it can also be a magnesium deficiency. If they don't perk up try dosing them with Epsom salts, it is quite a common problem with sandy soils, I have the same type of soil and always watch for signs.
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Post by roan on Dec 13, 2007 20:53:31 GMT 1
Yellowing of the leaves is often overwatering Roan but it can also be a magnesium deficiency. If they don't perk up try dosing them with Epsom salts, it is quite a common problem with sandy soils, I have the same type of soil and always watch for signs. We have had a bit of a drought and I have been watering them daily, although we did have a good drop of rain last week (about 60mm). The Epsom Salts sounds like a brilliant idea! Never would have thought of that! The best thing is it's not a chemical! |
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Post by maggyd on Dec 14, 2007 21:14:10 GMT 1
The trouble with sandy soil is it doesn't hold the nutrients does it? I would beef it up with compost which would hold on to water and food better. Sheep doo is good feed my Father in Law used to have a water barrel with a sack filled tied and sunk which he used to water his toms with and they were lovely.
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Post by roan on Dec 15, 2007 20:15:14 GMT 1
Smokers should always wash their hands before handling tomato plants, as the plants are close relatives. Apparently tomatoes can be infected with tobacco virus.  Interesting thought The witch. However, we don't smoke, very clean and green we are! |
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Post by roan on Dec 15, 2007 20:19:07 GMT 1
The trouble with sandy soil is it doesn't hold the nutrients does it? I would beef it up with compost which would hold on to water and food better. Sheep doo is good feed my Father in Law used to have a water barrel with a sack filled tied and sunk which he used to water his toms with and they were lovely. I am sure you are right that the soil just isn't cutting the mustard. I think next season we will go back to gro bags or pots which do work very well. Our greenhouse tomatoes are doing fine in pots and we are feasting off them now. They are called Sweet 100 and are about the size of a florin, very sweet and juicy! The sheep doo we get by the 25kg sack load, usually six at a time and they are delivered right to our door. |
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Post by roan on Dec 17, 2007 3:46:32 GMT 1
Monday 17th December
Our aubergines are hanging in there, but the two tomato plants that were sickly have had to be pulled out. We do have a peach tree hanging over the fence from our neighbours which overhangs the aubergines I wonder if the tree is causing the problem?
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Post by 4pygmies on Dec 17, 2007 22:55:01 GMT 1
Monday 17th December Our aubergines are hanging in there, but the two tomato plants that were sickly have had to be pulled out. We do have a peach tree hanging over the fence from our neighbours which overhangs the aubergines I wonder if the tree is causing the problem? Is it p'raps taking too much moisture and nutrients? Aubergines do like their feet to be nice and damp.. |
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Post by roan on Dec 17, 2007 23:01:56 GMT 1
Monday 17th December Our aubergines are hanging in there, but the two tomato plants that were sickly have had to be pulled out. We do have a peach tree hanging over the fence from our neighbours which overhangs the aubergines I wonder if the tree is causing the problem? Is it p'raps taking too much moisture and nutrients? Aubergines do like their feet to be nice and damp.. And there was me thinking I was over watering them! The soil is obviously not suitable then. So next time I will try them in pots with a wet tray under them! |
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Post by 4pygmies on Dec 17, 2007 23:19:09 GMT 1
You could try digging them up and repotting them Roan - they might like it. When I put mine in pots I always plant them in grobag soil in very large pots. They're still young enough to recover quickly. Seems a shame to let them suffer and prolly not get much fruit from them.
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Post by roan on Dec 18, 2007 20:16:38 GMT 1
That's a great idea thanks 4P!
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Post by 4pygmies on Dec 18, 2007 21:26:55 GMT 1
Clever eh? ;D I'm sure they'll recover quickly since they haven't started flowering yet.
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Post by roan on Dec 18, 2007 21:31:49 GMT 1
Clever eh? ;D I'm sure they'll recover quickly since they haven't started flowering yet. Unfortunately they have started flowering and some of them have just fallen off which is disappointing. |
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Post by 4pygmies on Dec 19, 2007 8:19:04 GMT 1
Well, it's never too late to try again - a really sunny spot, some liquid feed and it may be alright...besides you don't want too many fruits forming on each plant - 2/3 at the most is sufficient.  |
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Post by roan on Dec 19, 2007 8:58:45 GMT 1
Well, it's never too late to try again - a really sunny spot, some liquid feed and it may be alright...besides you don't want too many fruits forming on each plant - 2/3 at the most is sufficient. Thanks 4P, one thing we have plenty of is sun, although not today as it has rained on and off throughout with more forecast for tomorrow. Will tackle the job tomorrow and let you know the outcome. |
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Post by roan on Feb 13, 2008 20:39:30 GMT 1
February 14th 2008 Having followed the advice of 4P, I put them in pots and two have survived and recovered well. Here is a picture of one plant taken today.  Thanks 4P, we will think of you as we enjoy eating them! |
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Post by 4pygmies on Feb 13, 2008 21:35:05 GMT 1
Coo! They look brilliant! I'm so glad they did manage to fruit in the end...that's great!
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Post by roan on Feb 13, 2008 21:37:12 GMT 1
Coo! They look brilliant! I'm so glad they did manage to fruit in the end...that's great! Thanks to you 4P!  The one on the right is getting very close to ending up as a meal! ;D |
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Post by elsie on Feb 13, 2008 23:29:28 GMT 1
They look yummy |
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Post by emseypop on Feb 14, 2008 8:10:39 GMT 1
They look great Roan. To think I only planted my Aubergine seeds last week. Only one showing so far  I hope they look as good as yours in a few months. |
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Post by roan on Feb 14, 2008 9:16:05 GMT 1
They look great Roan. To think I only planted my Aubergine seeds last week. Only one showing so far I hope they look as good as yours in a few months. All thanks to 4P! ;D |
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Post by debbiem on Feb 14, 2008 10:28:16 GMT 1
They look great! How big are they now?
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Post by maggyd on Feb 14, 2008 15:26:28 GMT 1
They look wonderful ;D Are they going into a musaca Roan?
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I hope they look as good as yours in a few months.