What is the best way to care for mature tomato plants?

Question

I am taking care of five potted tomato plants for a neighbor who takes excellent care of them. I, on the other hand, am no good with plants and I've begun to notice the leaves turning yellow and brown. They are outside, in the unpredictable New Mexico weather. Should I move them inside? Water them more or less? (I water them every day when it doesn't rain) Any suggestions would be helpful!

Answer 1

In Texas with 100 degree weather, I water my tomato plant (in pots) every day.  Make sure the drainage of your soil is good.  You may put them in a partially shaded spot.  I found my tomato plants prefer some afternoon shade with the 100 degree heat.

Answer 2

Don't move them inside.  It will shock them too much.  From what I have found, 1/2 inch of water twice a week during dry spells is recommended.  I would try watering at least half of what you are doing now.  If the leaves look wilted, then it is not enough water.  Leaves turning yellow is too much water.

Here are a couple of sites that might help.

http://www.gardenersnet.com/vegetable/to...

http://www.webterrace.com/tomato/growing...

Answer 3

I would not move them. I may out them further into shock.

Answer 4

It sounds like too much water - try watering them every other day and see if that helps.

Answer 5

Yeah, it sounds to me like you are watering them too much. Although I live in Ohio, I only make certain my plants are watered 1-2x a week.

They don't need as much water as you'd think. Water them enough that a small amount of the water drains out of the pot, but no more or less. The ideal is that you want the roots to be exposed to the water, but not saturated. As far as keeping them indoors or outdoors, where did your neighbor keep them? I think it would be good to be consistent in keeping them where your neighbor did. Plants get accustomed to light cycles, and can react negetively if you change that (which may be causing the browning of the leaves). Good luck!

Answer 6

If it is only some of the older leaves that are turning yellow, simply remove them and don't worry, also do as the other asnwerer said, slow down on the water.  It might be also that since they are in pots, they are as large as they can get with the restricted root space and thus this is normal.

Answer 7

They love it outside.......so don't move them in.........just an area where they don't get hot all day....A lot of people will tell you to do all kinds of things........don't    just let them grow and water them every other day unless extremly hot....you can give them a light spray shower just like you and me.....later you can take the old dry branches off.........but don't get in a hurry.......they know what they are doing.......just beaware for the bugs..........have fun.