Your comments and tips

20 Apr 12, Patrol (Australia - tropical climate)

I am new in growing things in my garden and I have some new tomato plants sprouts (I think I overwatered the first ones I had sowed) that are still on trays. I would like to know what's the best for them, I mean, how much should I water them, how long should they be lying on the sun, and if it's ok to have their a full sun final position taking into account that the sun in the NT is very intense. my previous experience makes me think that they don't need much water when they are seedlings, neither many hours of sun, I dont think they cope well with that. I also bought a little tomato cherry plant in bunnings and was doing very well until it started to be devoured by some caterpillars and some other insect I don't know... The plant has like little holes in the leaves that make then transparent (I am having the same problem with my basil)I think they are tiny white spiders, but not sure.... I haven't actually seen any bug chewing the leaves... I need help, I am a horrible gardener!!! I want to boy some insecticide, but I don't know when I will be going into town, so I would appreciate some homemade remedy. Thanks!!!

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05 May 12, ali macleay (Australia - tropical climate)

Re the holey leaves :-) There are many minute insects that chew up the leaf tissue.You can use a dilute peroxide to combat the. 1 teaspoonful in 2 cups water. Also dilute coffee is not bad. You can get a spraycan of 'white oil' and that works a treat on all soft leaf plants.If you try a small area 1st you will avoid any mistakes. The time for planting toms in the tropics is autumn so you are right in it. You must use tom fertilizer to get good tasting toms and a plant that is healthy and strong is very resistant to disease and insects.

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15 Apr 12, Rene (Australia - tropical climate)

Have just plante patio romas in pots on advice from a sales assistant. I am wondering if I have in fact planted too early ? Due to our climate i was assured they would be ok. As a novice some good advice would be truly appreciated.

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05 Apr 12, Ellie (Australia - temperate climate)

slather vaseline around the garden stakes. Ditto trunks where critters climb up. replenish after each rain or 3or 4 waterings. E.

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03 Apr 12, konsta (USA - Zone 10a climate)

hi i have a tomatto that stem is spliting and leaves have burn spots any advise?

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11 Mar 12, Trudy (Australia - temperate climate)

I am growing tomatoes for the first time in a couple of years and thought I would mulch with old hay to help control weeds and conserve moisture (a jinx). I was short a couple of stakes so let some Roma grow on the mulch but as they were ripening I noticed slaters chewing the bottom side. Went to pick Grosse Lisse yesterday (staked) and a slater pocked his head out of a hole about a foot off the ground. Tommy Toes are fine. Are the slaters the problem or just taking advantage? I only use dipel but none this season. Trudy

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30 Jan 12, stella (Australia - temperate climate)

i amm growing gross lisse variety of tomatoes they are pretty huge on the vines but none of them are ripening as of yet ..what should i do theplants are a fairly average size with los of leaves and flowers and unripe fruits..

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30 Jan 12, Reg Parker (Australia - temperate climate)

Hi Stella, Your fruit will ripen, however I strongly suggest that you rid your plants of ALL LEAVES except the for the top (3), you will notice that you have a flowering stem, then a leaf stem then a flowering, get rid of all non flowering stems, you will do yourself and your vines a great favour....leaves only pull the nutrients away from the fruit, block sunlight & air circulation , create disease and attract pests. Also use a liquid fertilizer 2-3 times a week, you will have sweeter, juicier fruit and more than you can possibly even give away. DON'T BE AFRAID TO STRIP THOSE LEAVES> Reg

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13 Feb 12, (Australia - temperate climate)

Thanks very much for your advice I have been harvesting juicy red tomatoes now!!!

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16 Jan 12, Irene (Australia - temperate climate)

Planted Apollo Tomatoes Improved: They were fruiting beautifully until today I saw what looks like teeny blemishes, tiny dints like pin pricks coming on them...they are still unripe and more are coming what can I do to save the crop or is this a normal part of the process. By the way we have had a lot of rain but the drainage is fine. Thank you

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