How To 'Pot On' Tomatoes
Tom Cole from Capel Manor College in London shows you how to pot on tomatoes, which means transplanting tomato seedlings into their final containers to be grown in a greenhouse.
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Step 1:
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You will need
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Step 2:
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When to plant
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Your tomato seedlings should be transplanted into a grow bag when they have at least 4 sets of leaves, and the 'truss' has started to form. This is the first set of buds to develop.
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Step 3:
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Plant
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Tom recommends using a grow bag rather than a container as it gives the seedlings more area for rooting. If you are using a container, fill it 3 quarters full with compost and position the tomato plant in the centre.
If you are using a grow bag, shake it to break up the compost and cut slits in the bag where indicated. Bags of compost can be made into grow bags by making 'H' shaped slits in the side, pricking each end to create drainage holes, and adding a handful of slow release fertiliser.
Gently remove the seedlings from their original containers and plant in the centre of each hole.
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Step 4:
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Support
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Attach string to the base of the plant, and run it to the top of the greenhouse.
The plant will wrap itself around the string as it grows. If you are using a container, insert a garden cane and tie the seedling to it.
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Step 5:
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Water
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Thoroughly water the seedlings after they have been planted, and position them so they have access to full sunlight.
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Step 6:
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Leave to grow
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After about a week, remove the side shoots so that all of the plant's energy goes into the main flower.
When the plant has grown to the top of the wire, the growing point will need to be removed to allow the trusses below that point to develop fully.
