Topsy Turvy Upside - Down Tomato Planter Review

Two of my four tomato plants in my Topsy Turvy have already died. They were planted three weeks ago. I used plain potting soil and added “Tomato Tone” fertilizer to it. This organic food came highly recommended to me and has great reviews on the Internet. The potting soil I used was already relatively damp when it was inside the bag. Therefore, I did not add a lot of water. I have noticed that the foam in the center of the planter stays wet all the time, stays dark in color, and continually drips onto the plants. It has a smell to it. The instructions say you cannot overwater, but I have to wonder if the continually-dripping water on young plants is good for them. The leaves on the plants became yellowish with spots on them. I purchased a fungicide and sprayed the plants. The spray seems to have saved two of the four. But, they are not doing great. ## I also have a sweet bell pepper plant in one planter, and it seems to be doing fine. The foam piece in it has a lesser drip, does not stay dark, and it is not smelly. This pepper plant had the exact same potting soil, dampness, and fertilizer in it. What gives? I wish I knew. So far, I would only recommend the Topsy Turvy for planting peppers. ##  My plan of attack has two options. Option A is to squeeze the excess water out of the foam center piece as often as it takes to get it to quit dripping water onto the young plants. Option B would be to remove the foam center piece altogether. My friend made her own upside down hanger out of a hanging plastic basket, with just a hole punched out of the bottom…..NO center foam. Her tomato plant is doing quite well. IS THE TOPSY TURVY FOAM TO BLAME??? Is it retaining too much water and creating a fungus with rotting? Anyone have any suggestions? My email address is "adamsnetsales@aol.com". If I lose the fight with my new Topsy Turvy’s, I will be swinging all the way down! LOL. Thank you. Shirl