How To Sow And Grow Tomatoes Using RootMax

All About Tomatoes

Tomatoes are split into two main growing types: determinate (bush) and indeterminate (cordon). Bush types are usually planted in pots or hanging baskets and their stems trail around the edge. Cordon types are trained to grow tall and are supported by a cane or stake.

All you need to germinate tomatoes is a warm and sunny windowsill, peat-free compost and RootMax. If you grow cordon tomatoes then you will need a stake, such as a bamboo cane, to support the plant.

With cordon tomatoes, you will need to pinch out side-shoots and tie them into stakes, so they can be more work. If you’re completely new to gardening or you’re growing on a patio or windowsill, we recommend growing bush tomatoes.

What You Will Need

• Tomato Seeds

• Pots (7.5cm)

• Warm and Sunny Windowsill

• RootMax

• Peat-free Sowing Compost

• Water Tray

• Plant Labels

How To Sow Tomatoes

1. Mix in two scoops of RootMaxper 2 Litre container, mix thoroughly with your hands and add to your pots.
   

2. Place 2 tomato seeds per pot. If you’re using large pots, you can sow more.
   

3. Be sure to label your pots with the variety they are. This is important and different varieties have different needs.
   

4. Cover with compost and press down. Place a propagator lid over the top and germinate on a warm windowsill. Keep moist.
   

5. In 7-14 days you should see germination. Remove the propagator lid.

Potting On

• Transplant seedlings when they reach about 2-3cm tall into 5cm pots filled with moist multi-purpose compost. Return them to the windowsill. Keep potting on as necessary. Support stems by tying them to a short stick or bamboo.
  

• Each time you repot, sprinkle a scoop of RootMax into the potting hole.
  

• After your last frost, plant outside or move to the greenhouse. Tomatoes need a consistent temperature above 10℃ and not all varieties will thrive outside.
  

• Plant tomatoes deep in the ground or in 30cm pots. If growing tomatoes in a greenhouse, try growing alongside basil, which thrives in the same conditions.

Caring For Tomatoes

• Tall-growing cordon tomatoes: require ‘pinching out’ (removing side-shoots) and staking which is tying plants to canes with string or velcro.
  

• When the first tiny fruits begin to appear, strip away the leaves underneath to allow light and air to reach them better.
  

• Bush tomatoes: If the fruits are hidden under the leaves, thin out the foliage a little to let the sun through to ripen them. Support heavy stems from snapping with stakes.

Harvesting Tomatoes

• Leave tomatoes on the plants so they can ripen naturally, which greatly improves the flavour. Towards the end of the season, prune off the older leaves to let in more light and prevent grey mould fungus from taking hold.
  

• If the weather turns cold, pick the tomatoes to ripen indoors.

Common Pests and Diseases Troubleshooting

• Whitefly – can be a problem for tomatoes growing in greenhouses. Use neem oil as a natural deterrent
  

• Tomato blight – can affect plants grown outside, especially in warm, wet summers. Clean any plant supports and other garden equipment that has previously come into contact with blight with a disinfectant. Picking off leaves will help slow down the blight
  

• Blossom end rot – caused by a calcium deficiency, usually aggravated by drought or uneven watering, root damage and/or excess nitrogen To prevent it, provide sufficient water to plants to keep the soil moist throughout the growing season and apply a thick layer of straw mulch to help conserve soil moisture.