This is my first attempt at growing a tomato plant. I read a lot of threads here before embarking. 

I got him a big container and good soil and a marigold. I named him Major Tom and her Mary. 

Tom got planted on Saturday and I have watered him every day so far as I read to do that til established and then to do the finger test and water as needed based on how quickly his soil gets thirsty. We have obnoxious starlings and loads of bunnies at the moment, plus squirrels and foxes, and spring storms with hail and tornadoes, so he's in a container with wheels to come inside on storm days and has a zip-up white mesh jacket that fits his house. 

He doesn't seem happy. His leaves look kind of pale to me and his few flowers have gone a bit droopy. I don't know if that's part of them becoming fruit though. His few nursery baby fruit haven't grown at all. Mary is fine as paint, seems plump and lively. 

I'm probably giving him too little time before fretting. I asked my mother and she said I was helicopter parenting my tomato and not to worry about it. 

Today I took his jacket off and can't stop looking out to check on him to make sure the starlings aren't being destructive, which is very silly as he has no fruit yet, so I think mom has a point. 

I just thought that white mesh was shading him too much even though it supposedly doesn't subtract sun from reaching the plant. So I am risking it. 

Would tying shiny ribbons to his cage help keep the starlings away or just attract them? Is the mesh jacket cover OK or probably impeding him? 

In Kansas, plant is on the southern side of the house which receives bright sun most of the day. 

My first tomato plant - new mom energy for sure