Tomatoes growing in pots have high water needs. The relatively small soil volume in the container limits the amount of water available to plants. During the heat of summer, container-grown tomatoes often need to be watered daily. Hot, windy conditions might require twice daily watering.
Frequency: Water tomato plants deeply about 1-2 times a week, depending on the weather and soil conditions. In hot, dry weather, you may need to water more frequently. Soil Check: Always check the soil moisture before watering. The top inch of soil should be dry before you water again.
Consistent Watering: During the early stages of growth and fruit development, tomatoes need consistent moisture. Aim to water deeply but infrequently to encourage deep root growth. This typically means watering once every 1-2 weeks, depending on rainfall and temperature.
What are the signs of overwatering a tomato plant? Plants looking smaller and less healthy. Soil is saturated for extended periods. Seeds aren't sitting in saturated soil for extended periods. Soil is just as saturated a week after watering. Plants look sickly. Roots don't grow as deep. Root rot/fungal infections.
Knowing when and how often to water your plants can sometimes feel more like an art than a science, perhaps no more so than for tomatoes. Overwatering tomatoes can lead to yellow and spotted leaves, while underwatering results in wilt and diseased fruit.
The good news is that most plants will bounce back between 7-14 days if they're given proper care (which includes rehydration). If this isn't possible because major damage was done or little healthy root system exists then expect about 2 weeks until improvement can be seen.
So, it's best to water them in the morning before the sun hits them. In high heat and drought, I water them again in the evening. If your tomatoes wilt in the heat of the day even though you have watered them well in the morning, the cause is not lack of water.
Leaf rolling and cupping
Corn and tomatoes are among many plants that commonly roll their leaves or cup in response to heat. Leaf surface area is minimized, and stomata (microscopic openings in leaves, like pores, that allow movement of moisture and gasses) close. Together, these reduce moisture loss in the plant.
High temperatures, especially if accompanied by low humidity, hinder tomato fruit set through failure of viable pollen to form and/or fertilization to occur. Temperatures above 90 degrees during the day and above 70 degrees at night usually result in poor flowering and reduced fruit set.
Tomato plants need about 1 to 2 inches of water per week. However, your plants may need more or less water throughout the season, depending on your area's hot weather and rainfall.
Drip irrigation has emerged as one of the most efficient methods for irrigating tomatoes.
Cucumbers grow fast and don't demand a lot of care. Just keep the soil consistently moist with an inch of water per week (more if temperatures sizzle and rain is scarce). Inadequate or inconsistent moisture causes oddly shaped or poor-tasting fruit.
Excessive heat can cause of wilting and curling tomato leaves. Heat can cause tomato leaves to curl up as a way of reducing the surface area exposed to the sun, which helps to minimise the amount of moisture lost through the foliage.
Some growers prefer to use a high-phosphorus fertilizer, indicated by a larger middle number. You can also keep things simple with a fertilizer especially formulated for tomatoes – usually with a ratio like 3-4-6 or 4-7-10. Most importantly, don't over-fertilize. Too little fertilizer is always better than too much.
During the heat of summer, container-grown tomatoes often need to be watered daily. Hot, windy conditions might require twice daily watering.
Yes, the weather may be hot, but the soil could still be waterlogged if you are watering too often. If the roots sit in water that is very slow to drain, your plants may wilt from drowning rather than dehydration. Whatever you do, avoid overhead watering and avoid splashing soil onto your plants.
Water your plants deeply and less frequently. Frequent, shallow watering trains roots to remain at the surface where they're more susceptible to heat, drought and disease. Push your finger in the soil or pot substrate, if it is moist, there is no need to water, but if the soil is dry, apply water.
Make some shade
Look for "50 percent" shade cloth, which reduces sunlight by 50 percent and heat by 25 percent. Or, experiment with summer-weight row covers, which typically provide about 15 percent shade. In regions where sunlight and heat are not as intense, of course, shading tomatoes isn't typically necessary.
TOMATO WATERING TIPS
Water in the morning to the keep the soil moist through the heat of the day. Always water at the base of the plant — watering from above invites disease. Check tomatoes growing in pots often since they dry out quickly. Be consistent — fluctuations in water supply lead to cracking and blossom end ...
Overwatering generally makes the plant look almost like it's rotting, as in drooping and turning soggy brown. My guess is it is having Nitrogen problems. Any type of vegetable fertilizer you buy at the store should work fine.
If a plant is overwatered, it will likely develop yellow or brown limp, droopy leaves as opposed to dry, crispy leaves (which are a sign of too little water). Wilting leaves combined with wet soil usually mean that root rot has set in and the roots can no longer absorb water.
How to check for root rot. The main signs to look out for are: yellowing, wilting leaves, wet soil that isn't drying, black, wet roots, quickly declining health, and stunted growth.
Run your sink into a watering can, cup, or bucket, and let it sit for a good 24 hours. This will allow chemicals like chlorine and fluoride the time to evaporate from the water. We like to have a full watering can ready to go with still water so that if our soil seems dry, we can water our plant without waiting a day.