Member discussion regarding the methods, varieties and merits of growing tomatoes.
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#1 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: AL
Posts: 1,993
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I went down to visit with a neighbor who is putting in her tomatoes and peppers into the ground.
She pulled her little 6 pack plants out and literally ripped each root sytem right in half and stuck it in the ground. I stood there in shock watching her do this. ![]() When I transplant, maybe I baby too much, but I will sit there and gently try and loosen the roots up and spread them out nicely in their new homes. Does anybody else just rip to almost nothing and stuff? Doesn't that set back the plants or hurt them in some way? ![]() |
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#2 |
Guest
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That sounds a bit extreme, but I also always disturb the roots a bit- I believe it stimulates the roots to put out new growth. Some plants will not do that on their own. Many times I have seen plants that have the same roots when they are pulled up. Does she have good luck with her plants? If she does, then maybe it's a good thing!
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#3 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Den of Drunken Fools
Posts: 38,539
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I have planted 2 plants in one 4 inch container and at plant out I just rip the two plants apart.
Tomatoes are not that sensitive. Try it with other plants like cucumbers and they will belly up on you. Worth |
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#4 | |
Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Upstate NY, zone 4b/5a
Posts: 21,169
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I used to do the same thing many years ago when I was growing seedlings in those net things, I forgot the name, and also when I would grow seedlings in peat pots. I'd rip off the peat pot and then rip the roots apart. The above were times when usually for weather concerns I couln't plant out when they should have been planted so indeed they got rootbound, Carolyn
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Carolyn |
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#5 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Cheektowaga, NY
Posts: 2,466
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I've pruned the roots on severely root bound potted plants like perennial herbs but not on vegetables. I don't baby them, I will loosen the roots if there are circling roots. After working to build a nice root system on a transplant I don't see the point of ripping the roots off the plant when transplanting to its final home.
If you prune the roots ( or rip them) they will recover but it will set growth back a bit. There is also the problem of transplant shock. |
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#6 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: NC - zone 8a - heat zone 7
Posts: 4,916
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If you don't rip the heavily root bound ball, and plant it, It will take it a looong time for it to realize that there are opportunities out there beyond that small root block. Ripping such plant might give it a shock and short term set back but eventually it will do more good than harm.
Gardeneer |
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#7 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Jacksonville, FL
Posts: 1,413
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The worst are trees grown in nursery containers. Circling roots pretty much guarantee premature demise if they arent dealt with at transplant time.
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#8 | |
Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Upstate NY, zone 4b/5a
Posts: 21,169
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![]() Rather, with both hands I would seperate the root ball, but the roots are still attached to the plant. ![]() Carolyn
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#9 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: ohio
Posts: 4,350
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She wasn't hurting them. I usually disturb or even rip them apart when planting if they are root bound. I haven't killed them doing that. Tomatoes are pretty hardy, but peppers need to have a little more care while planting.
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#10 | ||||
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: AL
Posts: 1,993
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With tomatoes easily diseased and munched on by insects I would think that you would be asking for major problems leaving only. such a tiny amount of root. |
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#11 | |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Cheektowaga, NY
Posts: 2,466
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#12 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Den of Drunken Fools
Posts: 38,539
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I have to admit I went back and re-read the post.
No I dont just rip the plants out with no regard to them or their roots. I try to be careful but yes I will pull the plants apart if I have to. I dont want anyone here thinking I am cruel to plants. ![]() ![]() Worth |
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#13 | |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: AL
Posts: 1,993
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![]() All them folks that do mass seeding in one pot all have to pull part too. |
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#14 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: NC - zone 8a - heat zone 7
Posts: 4,916
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If I have 2 tomato seedlings growing at about 1 to 2 inches apart, I would just rip the thing at the middle and do transplant/plant out. NEVER had any failure.
If you really are fussy about it, you can soak the thing in water for a while and start shaking and gently pulling apart, leaving the roots intact. I do this with things like squash and cucumbers, not tomatoes. Gardeneer |
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