Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hi folks,

I have a cherry tomato plant that i planted in a bathtub gb Sept 2012 which has been fruiting and growing extremely well (inside a greenhouse) we picked fruit from it up to Sept 13 when I pruned it back to allow it to renew for the summer season. I also started another plant from this original plant by a slip in another bed Jan 2013. Both this plants have been huge and already I have picked 30 kg of tomato this season. Wonderful for tomato sauce! Because of the week of 44-45o degree heat when it suffered severe sunburn I have pruned it back to again renew it but I have been amazed that the tub gravel is filled with its roots.
I noticed it is filling in a shorter time which would match with the gravel being so filled . Has anyone else kept tomatoes like this and do I need to pull this plant out at the end of the season?

Regards Netty

Personal opinion, yes, but I am very biased against cherry tomatoes.

I've got some in right now that are yielding a lot of tomatoes, one of the GBs has areas of impenetrable root and media.
When the time comes that they stop producing flowers, I'll pull the plants and break the root-media mass up with a pick so that I can plant some winter veg, and introduce a lot of worms to break the roots down. If that doesn't work I guess I'll have to dig it up and separate/clean it with the concrete mixer!

OK thanks, I do have worms in there so if the plant is still healthy and happy can I leave it alone?

Netty

As long as your bed is flowing good than no reason to pull it. I have some tomato plants that are well over a year old.

I'd say let it go while it's happily growing. Keep an eye on the root zone, making sure water can pass through, but let it go.

http://thephotogardenbee.com/2010/01/03 ... -the-land/

If you let them grow out, they can get huge!

Ok, thanks for the replies. Great news, I did love having fresh tomatoes through winter .