Q&A for How to Grow Tomatoes Indoors

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  • Question
    Do tomato plants need another plant nearby to cross-pollinate?
    Andrew Carberry, MPH
    Food Systems Expert
    Andrew Carberry is a Food Systems Expert and the Senior Program Associate at the Wallace Center at Winrock International in Little Rock, Arkansas. He has worked in food systems since 2008 and has experience working on farm-to-school projects, food safety programs, and working with local and state coalitions in Arkansas. He is a graduate of the College of William and Mary and holds a Masters degree in public health and nutrition from the University of Tennessee.
    Food Systems Expert
    Expert Answer
    No, tomatoes are self-fertile. But you may need to help them by transferring pollen between flowers.
  • Question
    What medium-sized tomato can I chose?
    Andrew Carberry, MPH
    Food Systems Expert
    Andrew Carberry is a Food Systems Expert and the Senior Program Associate at the Wallace Center at Winrock International in Little Rock, Arkansas. He has worked in food systems since 2008 and has experience working on farm-to-school projects, food safety programs, and working with local and state coalitions in Arkansas. He is a graduate of the College of William and Mary and holds a Masters degree in public health and nutrition from the University of Tennessee.
    Food Systems Expert
    Expert Answer
    If you're looking for a medium-sized tomato, try determinate dwarf tomato varieties.
  • Question
    I did not stake or cage my two indoor tomato plants and they are now about 3 feet high. Should I tie twine around them now? Can you offer any other suggestions?
    Community Answer
    Yes, tie them as soon as you can, tying a loop that doesn't slip. Keep the knot loose so it doesn't bind the stem. If you do not tie them or stake them up, they will likely break under their own weight. Indeterminate will continue to grow, so plan on retying them 3-4 times and for them to get very large. Control the size of the plant by trimming where needed. You can control the bushiness by trimming the side shoots and suckers, and control the height by trimming the main stalks. Leave some new growth for continual flowers and tomato production.
  • Question
    What does yellowing of the leaves mean?
    Community Answer
    Usually, yellow leaves means you aren't watering the plant enough. Or it could be a pest problem or a problem with the soil. However, you don't have to worry if there's only a few yellow leaves.
  • Question
    When should I start cutting the leaves off?
    Community Answer
    Cut the leaves off toward the end of growing season so the plant puts energy into fruit ripening.
  • Question
    Should I put a fan over my indoor tomatoes?
    Community Answer
    An oscillating fan that is not constantly blowing air over the plant is best. The denser the foliage gets, the more air circulation is needed. Without any air circulation, you can get mildew and mold which will destroy your leaves.
  • Question
    Am I supposed to cut lower stems off?
    Community Answer
    That's a personal preference. If you decide to, use a sterile blade and cut close to the stalk. Spray with neem oil. Use as directed on bottle 2 times a week for 2 weeks. Keeps mold and fungus, as well as pests, away. Open wounds are prone to infection/infestation.
  • Question
    Will tomato plants die inside if the sun is not strong enough in the winter? I am in Quebec, Canada.
    Community Answer
    Even small plant/fruit strains require a lot of light. You'll have to have a south window, and probably need to add artificial light.
  • Question
    I've got florescent lights, do you think grow lights would be better?
    Community Answer
    As long as the color temperature is 5K or greater (daylight), it's good for growing. Less is fine, but you lose bits of the spectrum that plants enjoy, and your harvest might not be as good.
  • Question
    Which type of soil is needed to grow tomato plants indoors in a plastic pot?
    Community Answer
    A loamy soil is best to grow tomatoes because it has a rich nutrient content with sufficient sand, clay, and organic matter. It is also well-drained, thereby reducing the incidence of fungi and other pests and disease.
  • Question
    Which type of tomatoes do well indoors?
    Community Answer
    Red Robin grows well indoors, producing small (1" diameter) but flavorful fruit.
  • Question
    After the seeds have grown into plants, can I plant them outdoors?
    Sarvagna Malladi
    Community Answer
    Whether you choose to plant them outdoors or indoors is your choice. You may want to take into consideration the climate outside and whether or not it will be sufficient for your plants. If you decide to plant them indoors, make sure they have a south-facing window for light and enough room to grow.
  • Question
    Is it safe to eat the leaves from my indoor tomatoes?
    Community Answer
    No, as tomato leaves are poisonous.
  • Question
    Why do leaves turn brown before my plant matures?
    Community Answer
    This is due to water droplets falling onto the soil and then splashing up and onto the lower leaves. this causes fungi in the soil to reach the lower leaves and kill the plants. To avoid this, you can try removing the lower leaves.
  • Question
    When do I throw out the tomato stalks or are they cut back and grow and produce later?
    Community Answer
    If you have a particularly good plant you can take cuttings and make clones. The same DNA will produce the same plant.
  • Question
    Why are my plants too tall and thin to stand up?
    Community Answer
    Your plants are not getting enough light. They tend to bolt in there search for more light.
  • Question
    How should I store a fresh tomato?
    Community Answer
    Wrap them in newspaper and put them in a cool (not cold) place. This also works well with green tomatoes for long storage.
  • Question
    How do I avoid diseases?
    Community Answer
    If you plant tomatoes, be sure to buy seed tomatoes that are certified as disease-free. If possible, avoid planting tomatoes in the same soil as last year. Be sure to give plants plenty of space.
  • Question
    Where can I find seeds?
    Community Answer
    Farm garden supply, friends, Internet, dry out your own from local bought trusted produce.
  • Question
    How deep should the pot be?
    Community Answer
    Start your seedlings in a Solo cup. The sides are thin and can be cut open to avoid transplant shock. Next go to a 3 gallon pot to get some size on the plant and get a good set of roots. Then a 7-10 gallon pot to grow in. Fiber pots work the best to train the roots. There are websites that sell them cheap by each. Don't buy the name brand, you're paying for the name, not the pot. They are all made of the same thing and can be washed to be used multiple seasons.
  • Question
    My tomatoes started to turn red, but now they have stopped. What do I do?
    Robert M Wood
    Community Answer
    Depending on the variety, not all tomatoes will turn fully red. Tomato colors vary widely from green, yellow, orange, red, and even purple.
  • Question
    How do I get the tomatoes to turn red?
    Robert M Wood
    Community Answer
    Depending on the variety of tomato, they may not turn fully red. Those that are supposed to turn fully red can do so either on the vine or off the vine. Harvest the tomato when it's partially red (at least half is preferred) and allow it to rest for a day or two before eating.
  • Question
    My plants are growing like crazy, but won't produce fruit. What can I do?
    Community Answer
    Take a close look at fertilizers in soil, either added by you or by sellers if you used store bought soil. High nitrogen grows foliage and keeps the plant in a vegetative state too long. Try increasing phosphorous levels for flowering and potassium levels for fruiting. Lighting also matters for producing more flowers. Try pollinating the flowers manually to make fruits without relying on birds and bees alone.
  • Question
    My tomato plant is blooming, but the blooms dry up and fall off and I don't see any tomatoes growing. Is it to do with not pollinating early enough?
    Community Answer
    Either potassium is low in the soil or for some reason roots are not able to absorb potassium well which happens if soil is very alkaline. Could be not pollinating early enough as well.
  • Question
    Spring was very late, so my tomatoes grew too tall - can I cut their tops?
    Community Answer
    Strip the lower leaves and bury the stem. It will root. You can even bury it along a trench if it's really long.
  • Question
    Why do the stalks become stringy and not thick and strong like the started plants in the commercial greenhouses?
    Community Answer
    When this happens, it usually means that the plant needs more light and is trying to grow higher to find light. An artificial light source may be the answer.
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