Should I transplant the tomatoes or not?

[Klona]

Hello!
I'm new to gardening with zero transplanting experience. I have a 2 month old tomato plant grown from seed over this winter. I've been wondering if I should try to transplant it elsewhere since it's in a small container outside the window. I don't really want to put it elsewhere because I read that transplant shock can easily kill tomato plants.

Here are some pictures so you can get an idea of the container's size.

I'm in Zone 12 so I don't think I have to worry about them freezing over, only being set on fire during the summer.
So the question is will they survive if I keep them here?

 

[Chuck]

Hello!
I'm new to gardening with zero transplanting experience. I have a 2 month old tomato plant grown from seed over this winter. I've been wondering if I should try to transplant it elsewhere since it's in a small container outside the window. I don't really want to put it elsewhere because I read that transplant shock can easily kill tomato plants.

Here are some pictures so you can get an idea of the container's size.

I'm in Zone 12 so I don't think I have to worry about them freezing over, only being set on fire during the summer.
So the question is will they survive if I keep them here?

You must transplant. Isn't that box lined with plastic? If it is you will surely get root rot, plus that box isn't even close to being big enough. Not only that but if you keep watering it and it isn't plastic lined you will soon have a pile of dirt on your floor as the box will deteriorate into little pieces. I would carefully lift it out of the box with the plastic and gently remove most of the soil and put that soil into a large container. If no plastic is present just cut the box away from the dirt. With what is left I would pick it up with something flat, like a large spatula or very stiff cardboard and place it into the large container almost as deep as the first stem. Fertilize it minimally and water it in. In two weeks fertilize again. Give it a minimum of 6 hours direct sunlight but if it is over 100F (38C) temperature for more than 3 hours place it in partial shade.

 

[Klona]

What kind of pot should I get for the plant? Any suggestions please? I planted it in the cardboard box just to see it grow, but I'm really attached to it now.

 

[Chuck]

What kind of pot should I get for the plant? Any suggestions please? I planted it in the cardboard box just to see it grow, but I'm really attached to it now.

There are 3 types of containers and all 3 must have drainage holes in the bottom. There is clay, porcelain and plastic. Clay pots are minutely porous so that means water will evaporate quicker than plastic or porcelain and it will normally break sooner than porcelain, but porcelain costs more. Plastic is the way to go. Its cheap, it won't break and it isn't porous.

 

[Klona]

There are 3 types of containers and all 3 must have drainage holes in the bottom. There is clay, porcelain and plastic. Clay pots are minutely porous so that means water will evaporate quicker than plastic or porcelain and it will normally break sooner than porcelain, but porcelain costs more. Plastic is the way to go. Its cheap, it won't break and it isn't porous.

I thought plastic would cause root rot? I ordered plastic pots from eBay a few days ago and I don't know when they're going to get here. How long do you think the plant will survive if I leave it in that spot for a few weeks?

 

[Chuck]

I thought plastic would cause root rot? I ordered plastic pots from eBay a few days ago and I don't know when they're going to get here. How long do you think the plant will survive if I leave it in that spot for a few weeks?

Maybe it will survive, maybe not. But if you don't transplant it now it will produce very little if any and the plant will be stunted. Root rot will occur in ANY pot if there are not enough drain holes to get rid of excess water. The pot should be big enough to hold at least 4 gallons, preferably more. A tomato, depending on the variety will grow to an excess of 3 1/2 feet tall and 2 feet wide unless it is a dwarf of some kind and the plant looks more like a cherry type which will grow to at least 5 feet tall.

 

[Midwestnoob]

Do you know what kind of tomato plant it is?

 

[Beth_B]

There are 3 types of containers and all 3 must have drainage holes in the bottom. There is clay, porcelain and plastic. Clay pots are minutely porous so that means water will evaporate quicker than plastic or porcelain and it will normally break sooner than porcelain, but porcelain costs more. Plastic is the way to go. Its cheap, it won't break and it isn't porous.

One more type are peat pots... Available in many sizes and can be put directly in the ground.l

 

[Klona]

Do you know what kind of tomato plant it is?

Don't know unfortunately.
I thought I was growing a catnip first. I'll have to be more mindful on where to grow plants next time.

I don't think I should plant it in the ground because summer is going to come, plus there isn't really any ideal spot for it.
How large should the pot be?

 

[Chuck]

Don't know unfortunately.
I thought I was growing a catnip first. I'll have to be more mindful on where to grow plants next time.

I don't think I should plant it in the ground because summer is going to come, plus there isn't really any ideal spot for it.
How large should the pot be?

A minimum of 4 gallons

 

[Klona]

A minimum of 4 gallons

These were the largest I could find. Will the plant make it in here?
The 500ml water bottle next to them is for scaling.

 

[Chuck]

These were the largest I could find. Will the plant make it in here?
The 500ml water bottle next to them is for scaling.

VERY doubtful. Those look to be about 2 gallons. Do you have paint stores where you live? If so they will have 4-5 gallon buckets.

 

[Klona]

VERY doubtful. Those look to be about 2 gallons. Do you have paint stores where you live? If so they will have 4-5 gallon buckets.

I'll try looking again tomorrow. I'll keep these for catnips. (I hope I can grow catnip in there, can I?)

Thanks for the help!

 

[Beth_B]

Catnip will do fine in those.
Definitely need 5-gallon buckets for tomatoes. And drill or punch holes in the bottom for drainage.

 

[Chuck]

I'll try looking again tomorrow. I'll keep these for catnips. (I hope I can grow catnip in there, can I?)

Thanks for the help!

Perfect for catnip. You can use those pots with your tomato for a period of time until it gets too big and then you put into a larger pot..................again.