I have a potted tomato plant on my balcony and.......?

Question

noticed while watering it today the leaves are very wilty and droopy. Am I giving it to much water?? Or not enough?? It has been in the upper 90's for the past 2 days. Help!! Is it going to die??

Answer 1

More water is needed! Heat is intense on balconies especially if the pot is on the floor of the balcony, raise it up on a couple bricks or board or small plastic table so air circulates, pots need to be filled 2 sometimes 3 times a day the soil gets like a brick around the sides of the pot and it drains right out! Take a stick and poke (aerate)the soil and fertilizer fish emulsion is great, doesn't burn, miracle grow lets too many salts build up in the pot around the roots, it's better for open ground. You will see the leaves perk up the minute you get the water to it, well--in 10 minutes:) Good luck!

Answer 2

I would take it out of the sun, and water it only in the early morning or at dusk, otherwise most of the water will just evaporate in the heat. You can also try feeding it some fertilizer.

Answer 3

The heat is drying it out.  During warm spells, the plant will use much more water.  Don't water during the heat of the day, but water it in the morning or evening.

Answer 4

My tomatoes were doing the same thing during the last heat spell-too hot for them.  Try to keep them a bit more shaded if you can- until the weather cools down.  

Otherwise, they make this product (squirt bottle) called CLOUD COVER which, after sprayed on the leaves, helps to protect the plant from overheating and wilting.    

I would prefer to move the pots out of the direct sun if it's do-able.

Answer 5

Move it out of the direct sun during intense heat.  If you are home during the day, move it out of the sun around 11am and back into the sun around 3-4.

Water it in the morning

Try adding some Miracle Grow to your watering regime, following dosage directions on the package.

Answer 6

Did you just put it there? Is it a relatively young plant? My guess is that it is receiving too much sunlight. I live in Arizona and I planted my tomatoes in April and they have seen up to 117 degree weather so far this year but were only getting early morning sunlight (7am-12:30) and were doing just great. If you over-water the plant, the leaves will turn other colors but won't necessarily become wilty/droopy. I'd say you can either put it somewhere that will only get part-time sunlight or maybe think about a screen above it.

good luck.

Answer 7

Yeah i think its the sun drying out the leaves and no you arent giving it too much water!!

I would bring it inside for now until the weather isnt so hot!! Make sure its by a window though to get sun!

Answer 8

Potted plants outdoors need a lot of water so it is not likely that you are overwatering it. Most tomato plants will wilt after a day in the sun. Does it look good as new in the morning? If so, then it is just the sun wilt. If it still looks really droopy in the morning, it is possible that you have other issues. Could be to wet if you're really pouring the water to it, could be that the plant is getting root bound in its container...or it is even possible that the plant has some type of disease. Do you see any sign of spotting or browing on the leaves?

Answer 9

it needs more water and some shade.  Organic fertilizer like eggshells,coffee grounds, and alike would aid in its recovery.

Answer 10

Tomato plants like a lot of water. Give yours a lot more water and it will perk back up.  I have 34 tomato plants  and invariably any wilting is due to inadequuate water.  One year during a dry spell i was using 300 gallons of water a week for 24 plants.

Answer 11

You usually need to water them morning and evening when it's that hot.  Give it some water and it should come back in a few hours or over night.  Water it again in the morning.

Answer 12

Pull it into a shadier part of your balcony during peak hours of the day. I would probably put it in a shadier part for the whole day untill you get home from work (if you work) that way your soil isnt getting too dry. It may just be getting too much sun. I have 3 tomato plants and it's pretty dry where I live and I'm always watering. If it's that hot, then they're probably not getting enough water. Also, make sure they're in a big enough pot, and do you have a cage? If they're not in a hanging basket then I would get a cage for them. Dont let the soil get dry.  A lot of times, if you're overwatering the leaves will turn yellow. I have noticed that my tomato plants thrive when they're in more shade. Partial sunlight. I have heard otherwise, but I'm letting you know what's worked best for me being in a hot, dry area. One of the best places to look on the web about plants in burpee.com. It's like the gardening bible for me. Now, they DO make tomato food. Your tomatoes may not be getting enough nutrience if they're in a pot. You can get tomato food from Walmart. It's like---miracle grow for veggies.... I think it might be made by miracle grow actually :) Just remember not to flood your plants either. Dont get overzealous on the watering thing. Make sure your pot has a drainage hole in the bottom and you should be okay. If your pot does, then im about 99.9% sure you're not overwatering, and the problem is that it's not getting enough water, and it's too hot! Good luck!

Answer 13

try moving it to a little shady side and in the morning give it some miracle grow food but not to much and not to often as you dont want it to be root bound in container.Then if it continues in 90's water the soil in the evening but do not get the foilage wet as that will spread a fungicide.

I have 40 plants growing and do a lot of canning so I use plenty of water.If you can add some muclh to hold the moisture it will help and be less to water.I good soaking with a layer of mulch should get it to the next morning.

Answer 14

they are too hot move them into a cooler spot until hot spell is over, also at nite when the sun goes down u can give the leaves a soaking to cool it off