Maskotka Tomatoes

[237SJ]

On my walk today I passed a tray of tomato plants that someone had left out for people to take. I picked up the last one and it's Maskotka. I did plan to grow some tomatoes this summer although I have no experience of growing them whatsoever. I see that they are a variety that suits being grown in baskets. Would they be alright in a tub? The plant is about 5" high at the moment.

[Mamyalynne]

Seems that even though they are a trailing variety they are good in containers too.

[Mamyalynne]

It's recommended to support them if the container is low.

[alavahalf]

For the past 6 years or so I have always made a point of getting my Maskotka seeds by February.. if I could only grow one tomato it would have to be this variety. Last saturday we planted 30 of them. The big attraction for me is they are blight resistant for starters. The other big bonus is there is no maintenance whatsover, other than watering every day and feeding once a week. There is no need to prick out the side shoots .. leave them be.
We grow them in the ground, supported by canes about 2ft tall and we also grow them in baskets unsupported and just let them collapse over the sides.
Dont get too concerned about whether it is a dwarf, or a tumbling type. We are stii using last years crop from,the freezer. They are a very prolific producer of fruit.

[237SJ]

Thanks Mamya. Yes, I could see from seed adverts that they are in pots but I didn`t know how difficult it was to grow them like that. Alavahaf - that's what I wanted to hear :) Something that's easy to grow. Would it be OK to put it outside now? (in the South East) Also, it has a couple of greenfly on it. Is that a problem?

[justinej]

It's really important that you do plenty of research before growing your own vegetables. I learnt the hard way!!

[alavahalf]

My guess is that we wont see any more frost .. that is why we put nearly all of ours out. We still have 10 just in case, but they will more than likely go on the compost heap. For greenfly just add half a drip of mild detergent to a hand spray, fill it up with water. Spray small amount onto the affected leaves. I would put them out now an nightime temperatures are quite high. Once it is in a larger container it will take off.
We are on the coast in the south east.

[237SJ]

Thanks again alavahalf for all of your advice. I will put it in a pot tomorrow.

[alavahalf]

Just one more point .. don't over water. Young plants wont thank you for too much water, they will just fall over because of the stem rotting .. better still water them from below if possible. Once they become established water the soil around them, never water the whole plant wetting the leaves, this will just encourage disease .. good luck !