Tomatoes....wilting?

[Cooperman]

I need the expertise of some of the gardeners on this site. I have about 6 tomato plants that are grown in large tree pots because I don’t have a garden. Every day, especially during this heat wave I have to drag some of the plants into the garage because the leafs wilt and droop. I know it’s been getting pretty hot lately, but I don’t remember ever having this happen before. Are those of you with gardens seeing this with your plants? It doesn’t seem to happen with the cherry tomato’s or a couple of regular tomatoes? And yes, they are being watered regularly.

[glenn57]

Your not alone coopy. Mins do it too. It's the heat. My cukes are particularly vac at this. Once the sun goes down and the garden is shaded the leaves perk back up .

It wouldn't hurt to throw done Epson salt or fertilizer in them.

[HD]

Mine too...as soon as I give them a shower of fresh water... they perk right up...

This heat is sucking on all fronts. But, it seems to be making stuff sprout more?

[glenn57]

Be careful of not to much water also.

[LPS]

SO, I have heard people talking about Epsom salts on plants.  Does it make a difference?

[roony]

Epsom salt is a source of magnesium, sometimes soil can be short of it. I think it's fine to ad some when you water but it's not a miracle cure.

[LPS]

We have some so maybe I will do a sprinkle around my tomato plants.

[Dotch]

I've found that if you mix epsom salts in yer G&T's you don't need a stool softener Barry...

[glenn57]

Epsom salt is a source of magnesium, sometimes soil can be short of it. I think it's fine to ad some when you water but it's not a miracle cure.

no it's not a miracle but I'm convinced it really helps them.

[LPS]

I've found that if you mix epsom salts in yer G&T's you don't need a stool softener Barry...

Dotch that is very good of you to remember how stool softeners can improve ones lifestyle.  We haven't had it in any discussions for quite awhile.  Thank you.   

[Bobberineyes]

I had the same problem with mine in pots also coop, its like they drain too fast and don't hold the moisture like the ground does.

[glenn57]

I've found that if you mix epsom salts in yer G&T's you don't need a stool softener Barry...

[Cooperman]

Thanks All, knowing I’m not the only one makes me feel better. I’ll just have to keep an eye on them, and hope this heatwave ends soon.
I’m really looking forward to some fresh homegrown tomatoes. One of my cherry tomato plants is a Sun Sugar that I can’t wait to try. Very popular I hear?

[LPS]

Our 4 tomatoes are about a foot and a half tall now.  Getting flowers on them.  Look great.  Our 4 peppers look terrible.  I don't think they have grown an inch.  They are in raised beds near each other.  Peppers just haven't worked there.  They do good in our Earth Box type of thing on the deck though.  We will do that next year.

[Dotch]

I did container tomatoes a few years ago on the cheap. Plants were free & put them in 5 gallon pails filled with composted manure. Same kind of problem Cooperman had altho I don't recall the variety. When it got hot they needed to be watered every day or they were wilted by afternoon. The pails were well drained and with no clay in the soil, the water holding capacity wasn't the greatest. We've got a potted cherry tomato on the patio in a large pot this year. The thing is getting huge but so far it's hanging in there thru the heat. Gets watered every few days when the Mrs. waters the rest of the pots and planters. Not sure what kind of a soil mix she put in it but guessing there's likely some clay in it.

[delcecchi]

I did container tomatoes a few years ago on the cheap. Plants were free & put them in 5 gallon pails filled with composted manure. Same kind of problem Cooperman had altho I don't recall the variety. When it got hot they needed to be watered every day or they were wilted by afternoon. The pails were well drained and with no clay in the soil, the water holding capacity wasn't the greatest. We've got a potted cherry tomato on the patio in a large pot this year. The thing is getting huge but so far it's hanging in there thru the heat. Gets watered every few days when the Mrs. waters the rest of the pots and planters. Not sure what kind of a soil mix she put in it but guessing there's likely some clay in it.

Maybe some of the fancy stuff with gel pellets..

[roony]

Thanks All, knowing I’m not the only one makes me feel better. I’ll just have to keep an eye on them, and hope this heatwave ends soon.
I’m really looking forward to some fresh homegrown tomatoes. One of my cherry tomato plants is a Sun Sugar that I can’t wait to try. Very popular I hear?

The Sun Sugar is a great cherry tomato. Very sweet little things
 Once they start maturing you should have more than enough.