Hello all, this is my first year growing plants from seeds, so I’ve been lacking direction and timing. In this planter I have 2 Tiny Tim tomato plants and some random herbs (I think these are oregano and thyme, im not really sure).
Im using regular potting soil with a bunch of perlite I added to it, watering when the top is fairly dry, and adding some balanced fertilizer every 2ish weeks. They only get light from my south facing window, so I supplement with 8 hours of grow lights a day.
This arrangement seems to work fine for the tomatoes, but the herbs seem lanky and cant support themselves. My question is, should I repot the herbs, the tomatoes, or both? And if so, how do I know when and to what size pot? I know too little space can be an issue but is too much space also something to be concerned about?
Thanks a bunch!
by Haec_In_Sempiternum
2 Comments
I would, they have different needs, so its easier to keep them all healthy in separate pots.
Choose pots that are no bigger than 1-2″ wider than the root ball of each plant. The soil needs roots to draw up the water, so a pot that’s too big stays wet too long, and things start to rot. Check the bottoms of the pots for roots in the drainage holes, and bring them up to the next size only when you see them.
Pots must drain well. The roots need air as well as water, so aim for damp soil at the bottom of the pot, never wet. Don’t be afraid to wait until the top inch of soil is dry before watering.
The dwarf tomatoes will need more water than the herbs, and a bigger pot. They also need a lot of light, if you’re aiming for fruit they’ll need to have the grow light within 24″ for 12 hours a day or more. I would also get a tomato fertiliser soecifically for them – tomatoes draw up a lot of nutrients, and a shortage of calcium causes blosom end rot on the fruit.
I suspect your herbs are drooping as a result of wet feet, I would keep them drier. They also get weak stems from lack of light, but things like thyme and oregano (and the italian parsley visible in the picture) are shade tolerant.
Food for thought.
Yes. And soon.
The roots are probably already intermingling.