Best enviroment for tomato plants?

Question

about a month ago i got 5 tomato plants that were all about 1/2ft tall, i put 4 outside on my flat metal roof (tin i think) which gets sunlight all day long and a bit of wind and gets pretty warm considering i live in uk,

i also put one in my bedroom next to the window, this one has vastly outgrown the outside ones although it gets little direct light and less ventilation and day time warmth but more night time warmth. (not just hight but width density and size of leaves) tho it is slightly less rigid the the ones outside which have small leaves and have barely grown atall... could this be because it is to hot or maybe the indoor one is growing larger to try and get more light.... any other tomato gardeners ever noticed a similar problem??

thanks

Answer 1

The tomatoes on the tin are getting WAY too much heat. They like warm, but it sounds like they are being cooked.  The one indoors is most likely growing towards the light. It is possible to raise tomatoes indoors, but don't expect them to be very large.

As a rule, tomatoes like warm soil and several hours of direct sunlight.  While they grow well in containers, they do best when planted directly in the ground.  What is most important, is water. They are very vigorous growers (as a rule) and can sometimes use a gallon of water per plant per day! (this depends on current growing conditions: draught, wind, sunlight, temp all effect this)If you have a place in the ground to plant them, do it. You should notice a big change in their size in a matter of days.  Be sure you fertilize too!

Hope this helps!

Answer 2

they are ok to start inside,but growning they need only what outside soil can give them.

Answer 3

Most likely the ones you have on the roof are drying out faster than the one in the house for it is more sheltered.  You may try watering the ones outside more often but do not over water maybe every three days.  Also its according to the soil you planted them in you may need to fertilize them.  I like fish emulsion the best where a tablespoon per gallon of water every 10 days.

Answer 4

The ones on tin will die if not removed off that metal.  You might as well have set them on a hot griddle.  Get them inside ASAP!  the one inside should be okay.  However, I would recommend placing a 2-tube fluorescent fixture above it using one warm white and one cool white tube.  To bring the others "up-to-speed",  pour in a cup of cold (room temperature) coffee each day until they come close to the indoor one in size.  To "set" tomatoes, tap or shake the plant when you see an open flower.  Water on a regular schedule to avoid blossom end rot.