Question
Mike

Hi,  I have a question regarding growing tomatoes. I have 4 containers that I am growing tomatoes in.  2 plants are huge in 2 containers, the other plants in the second 2 containers are very small.  The soil is different,  for the life of me I dont recall what type of soil I used in the containers that the plants are large.  All I know there are these silver flakes in the soil that glisten when the sun hits them.  The ones that are not growing I used top soil and some
miracle grow,  but they are still very small -

Can you help me out,  what are those silvery looking flakes and what should I do to get the balance of my plants to grow

Thanks

Ken  

Answer
Ken, there's not doubt that the difference in soil is the reason two of the plants are growing well and the other two are not.  Soil is the medium through which nutrients and water are delivered through the roots to the plant.  If the soil itself is deficient in nutrients, the plants suffer.

Most likely, the one container was filled with a medium composed of humus.  Humus is an organic matter which includes one or more amendment including aged manure, compost, shredded leaves, peat moss, and dried grass clippings.  When these ingredients are composted over a period of time, they turn into a loamy soil filled with nutritional matter.  Many potting soils contain such ingredients.  Top soil does not.  Plants grown in straight top soil seldom do well.  This is especially true in containers, where the plants are completely dependent on the soil you use.

The silvery flakes are probably slow release fertilizer flakes that were added in by the manufacturer.  Along with the organic matter, they break down over time and gradually feed the plants.

In regard to what you can do now, it is not too late to transplant the tomatoes using a the proper growing medium.  Tomatoes, unlike most other plants, are not stressed by transplanting.  Just be sure to keep the soil moist for the first two weeks after transplanting.  They will lag for a few weeks behind the other two plants, but will recover nicely in time for a mid-August harvest.

I hope this answered your question.  Please write again if I can ever be of assistance.

Regards,

Mike