Hi veg experts!
Seattle (just north of) here. One of my tomato starts has just exploded, the rest growing on time and as expected. Being up north, we are getting nice 50+ degree days but our nights are definitely too cold for Big Bertha here to be outside. It feels definitely time to up-pot, so here's the question:
This was always going to be a potted plant, not putting it in the ground. Can/should I transplant now, get the trellis in, then take it outside during the days, bringing it in at night? Or leave as is for a bit, stake it so it doesn't fall over and hope it'll survive until June? My grow light setup isn't great for something this big but can jury rig something.
Second year gardener here with the first being exclusively herbs. Any and all help appreciated 🙂
by RipleyLeChad
6 Comments
Transplanting now and bringing it in at night sounds like a great idea. Get a nice big pot. Strip the bottom leaves and bury the stem several inches. It will grow more roots and be nice and strong come summer!
Get a pot that is like 8″ tall. Remove bottom leaves and bury it farther up the stem. You’ll create a stronger root system and have a shorter plant. When you plant in final pot, repeat procedure.
Those poor roots!
For reference, this is the final pot/trellis.
https://preview.redd.it/9e17wx5ypptc1.png?width=1008&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=06fdfac259a3d41e5f3339d10703fa63f002c053
13″ tall pot, roughly 30″ trellis
[Just turn it into a cutting…
](https://i.imgur.com/dvU24KO.jpeg)
Cut the red parts, keep the stem with the green circle part…
Drop it into a cup of water, it’ll form roots within a week and transplant it into a pot with fresh dirt.
You better save seeds from it if that particular plant is that vigorous!