Hi Dr. Ken-
Hopefully you are up and running now in Vero Beach. My orchid-crazed wife would love to meet you in due course. We live in Hawaii but will be relocating to S. Florida in 12-18 months. A quick question: My veg. plants are growing dwarfed. Been using approx. 50% fine coir supplemented with mature compost. Trying to find a balance between growing from seed to large enough to transplant into the garden successfully. Any idea why my tomato plants (see photo) look like bonzai? Actually all of the plants in my garden are dwarfed (peppers, tomatoes...) I thought it was the constant high wind but now think it is too much fine coir (rotting the roots?) or just simply a lack of nutrient. But if the latter how do I go about determining the right supplements.

Welcome to NGA, Andrew.

I'm perhaps the last person to ask about growing vegetables. Other than growing heirloom garlics for years successfully, I can't say that I have any expertise whatsoever. OK, I've grown tomatoes for years too, and am even growing them here in Vero Beach (sort of) successfully, but I would not say that constitutes much knowledge about growing them.

Andrew, one thing that I am a strong believer in is rich, organic, well-draining soil, whether it is garden soil or potting soil. I custom-make all my own potting soils, even orchid media, and amend my soil when putting something in the ground. I use coir-based media seldom, and when I do, it is mainly going to be a coir medium especially made to germinate seeds.

Even with my rich potting soils, I still use fertilizer. When it comes to tomatoes, I use specific tomato fertilizer, something that not only feeds the plants but also helps prevent blossom end-rot. Also, my vegetables get full sun, from dawn till dusk.