Your comments and tips

16 Nov 10, Pyley (Australia - temperate climate)

Hi David.. Whitefly can be controlled by using a low toxic product called Natrasoap. It suffocates the pests, then they dry up and fall off. You can also add a few drops of Peppermint or Eucalyptus oil as well.

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15 Nov 10, David (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

Help!! Dear All, I live in St Kilda in Victoria, my Tomatos which are only a couple of feet high are covered in clouds of whitefly, Ive tried everything, concoctions of sunlight soap and vinegar, pyrethrum, you name it but nothing seems to work. I have heard companion planting in conjunction with at least one other method is the best way but as i have tried so many different methods, i am somewhat sceptical. Does anyone have any tried and true methods to stop whitefly (other than not growing tomoatos)?

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17 Jan 11, Grace (Australia - temperate climate)

Hi David, I'm not sure if you have found a solution to your whitefly problem, but I thought i'd post this anyhow. I haven't tried this yet, but I saw a great segment on GA ages ago where Colin uses a vegemite 'tea' to attract lacewing, whitefly's natural predator. I found the fact sheet for you, but I can't post it. Just google it: Gardening Australia, fact sheet 'home-made remedies', series 20, ep 22, Presenter: Colin Campbell, 27/06/2009 Also, basil is a great companion plant to tomatoes, I tend to interplant them between rows. I hope this helps, and isn't too late!

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13 Nov 10, (Australia - tropical climate)

will a tomato plant produce more than one crop?

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28 Jul 11, Carolyn (Australia - temperate climate)

It's true that tomatos are an annual but there IS a way to get"follow on" or late crops from a particular plant. . . take cuttings ("tip" or even better "heal" cuttings"take" eazily) The new plants will be genetically identical to the parent plant & will crop in 1/3 the time a seedling would. Best of all you can save a favorite (or a dozen if you wish) by overwintering in pots

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13 Nov 10, Sri (Australia - temperate climate)

Tomatoes are an annual so they grow then flower then they start to produce fruit and as long as you keep the water up to them and feed them regularly they should continue to flower and fruit for 4 to 6 months but when they are finished they dont usually bounce back the plant is spent. However small salad tomatoes (tiny tims,cherry tomatoes) have been known to flower and fruit again.

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18 Sep 10, (Australia - arid climate)

Hi collegues, Do you know any USA quarantine insect pests of tomato? Looking forward to getting your ideas Theo

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11 Jul 10, Michele (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

Hi, We planted small roma tomatoes about 4 weeks ago. The plants are thriving and heaps of flowers, but the flowers do not seem to be turning into tomatoes? Could it be over fertilisation? Really interested to hear your ideas. Thanks

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28 Aug 10, Andrew (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

It most likely will be short day-length - plants need enough energy to convert into flower and fruit production, and in winter there is simply not enough daylight in a day to do this. You should find that by October they will be forming fruit...

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08 Jul 10, Margaret (Australia - tropical climate)

Hi, everyone. We've got a beautiful crop of tomatoes this year, with varieties including Rouge De Marmand, Tropic and a black variety I can't remember the name of. My problem is fruit fly (specifically, QLD fruit fly). Is there any way of eradicating this horribe pest? I've done some searching online which suggested fly traps may be beneficial but not much else. Help!

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