Don't wait till it wilts. rather then a regimen, do it based on the needs of
the plant. Its good to keep that regimen to check if it needs watering, but
it may not need it every time. I grow great tomatoes in 5 gallon buckets or
5 gallon pots, but in summer heat it does require frequent watering. My
rule of "thumb" is that if the soil is dry to a depth of an inch or inch and
a half I water. I live in Central Texas and grew heat tolerant hybrids in 5
gallon buckets during jult and August and yes, 3 times a day was necessary
on those 100 degree days. I am trying some new stuff this yr with my soil.
Rather than using straight compost/potting soil mixes I am doing that with
some of the native clay soil we have here. Clay tends to retain mositure
better, altho it is not advisable to use in pots by itself for the reason it
does not drain well. I am trying different ratios. Another thing I suggest
is to use mulch. Last year i used newspaper and I will this yr as well, but
also trying it with pine bark mulch. This helps retain that moisture. On a
final note, there are crystals you can buy that swell up with water and
release it when the soil starts to dry out. Clay pots dry out faster too, so
keep that in mind.

Regards!
www.texastomatoes.com
"Stephen Younge" wrote in message
news:Rr7Ma.71114$R73.9771@sccrnsc04...
I live in Boulder, Colorado.

I am growing four tomatoes in large 20" pots (patio; super bush; early
girl
improved; and super fantastic), and two tomatoes in the ground (big boy;
some russian ornamental).

I have been watering all of the tomatoes like crazy, heavily every morning
and on weekends again after lunch. The tomatoes look very vigorous and
healthy, no yellow leaves, all have flowers and the early girl (finally)
has
a few tiny green tomatoes. They were all planted in late May.

But I am worried that I may be begging for problems with this watering
regimen. Should I scale it back? Is it possible to over-water a plant that
is in a pot with good quality potting mix? I noticed someone recommended
waiting until the tomatoes begin to wilt. Now during our heat waves, that
can be as little as 6 hours...

Oh, and an unrelated question: do I need to help pollinate any of the
tomatoes? I've heard that hybrid varieties are self-pollinating. But would
it help any for me to put on a bumblee outfit and go to town with a q-tip?

Cheers,
Stephen