indoor tomatoes

[sweggie.]

I live in a first floor flat without any window boxes as the windows open outward, a friend has offerd me a small tomato plant. Does any one know if it would be feasible to grow tomatoes indoors and any suggestions how. much appreciated as i'm sure i'd save myself a few quid growing my own as i get through loads of toms.

[cook1254]

HI, It is quite feasable to grow tomatoes indoors. All you need is a grow bag,or for one plant a large flowerpot with its own saucer underneath and a tall stick to tie the plant to as it grows.Just make sure to keep the compost moist but not overwet. (John innes do a good compost soley for tomatoes) As the plant grows you must pick out the side shoots. You can get a small booklet from places like B&Qs or Homebase garden centres for a few pounds that will explain how and when this is done.Hope this helps ;-)

[sweggie.]

Fantastic. Thanks for that, B&Q at the weekend for me. Oh joy!

[cook1254]

glad to be of help ;-)

[Clanad]

Good advice from cook... By side shoots, I believe it's meant that, as the plant grows, you'll notice some stems emerging from the main stem that have fine white hairs on them and others that do not.  You'll also notice that the ones with the hairs produce flowers and eventually tomatos, while the ones without the hairs do not.  In the U.S. these are called suckers.  Cut them off near the base, leaving only the ones producing flowers and your tomatos will ripen much more quickly...