Talita's Tomate
Solanum lycopersicum

General Information for Tomato

The details below are the general care instructions for Tomato plants - so feel free to update the details below so that everyone can benefit! s

• Lifecycle The lifecycle that this plant exhibits. Annual Category The basic category that this plant belongs to. Fruit
• Hardiness How frost hardy this plant is. Tender Country of Origin Where this plant originated from. Chile
• Mature Height How tall the plant will be when it grows up. 150.0 cm / 58.5" Mature Spread How wide the plant will be when it grows up. 50.0 cm / 19.5"
• Bloom Time When this plant usually blooms. Early Summer Harvest Time When this plant is usually harvested. Mid Summer

How to keep this plant happy

Many gardeners prune off the suckers as the plant grows -- these are the vines that sprout from the crotch where a branch meets the main stem. Pruning the suckers is particularly important for indeterminate tomatoes, because it prevents them from growing unreasonably large, and directs more energy to the fruit.

Take care to avoid getting the leaves wet when you water the plant, as this can encourage fungal growth on the leaves.

When the plant flowers, some people find it is helpful to spray it with a dilute solution of epsom salt (1 tablespoon per gallon of water), to provide a boost of magnesium, which helps the plant set fruit. The advisability of using any salt-based fertilizer is debated however.

If the plant's leaves turn yellow, it may be that additional feeding is needed. You can side dress the plant with compost, or you can spray it with a dilute solution of fish emulsion or seaweed (mixed according to the package directions). If fish or seaweed is used, it should be sprayed on the leaves of the plant. Don't touch the leaves after spraying, to avoid spreading any fungus to the plant. The plants should be fed no more than twice a month.

It is also helpful to spray the plant with diluted milk at least once during the growing season. Milk has natural anti-fungal and anti-mildew properties. Mix about 1 tablespoon of milk with 1 cup of water (you want about a 1:10 ratio of milk to water). Put the mix in a spray bottle and spray the leaves of the plant, making sure to get the undersides. This may be combined with feeding, and as with feeding, avoid touching the plant when the leaves are wet. This treatment can be repeated up to twice a month if fungus or mildew is a problem. Spoiled milk and powdered milk may be used.

If desired, in late summer you can also prune off branches that do not have flowers or fruit on them (do not do this in early summer, because flowers can emerge at any time). This puts the plant's energies into the remaining flowers and fruit as the season comes to an end. If your plant still has unripe fruit on it 30-45 days before your first frost date, prune off all remaining flowers, and cut the plant off at about 5 feet from the ground. This will force the plant's energies into the remaining fruit and give them a better chance of ripening on the vine before the frost.

• USDA Zone Range The zones that this plant is recommended to grow best in. 3 - 14 pH Range The level of acidity that this plant thrives in. 5.0 - 6.0
• Water Requirements The amount of water that this plant likes to drink. Medium Nitrogen Requirements The amount of nitrogen that should be present in the soil. Medium
• Soil The type of soil that this plant likes to live in.
  Combination Potting Mix
  Sun The type of light that this plant likes to sunbake in.
  Full Sun Partial Sun
• Min. Air Temperature The lowest air temp that this plant will be happy in. 16°C / 61°F Max. Air Temperature The highest air temp that this plant will be happy in. 35°C / 95°F

Sowing and Germinating Instructions

In most parts of the US and Europe, seeds must be started indoors because the growing season is too short for them to be started in the ground. Use fresh seed, as tomato seeds loose viability after 1-2 years, and plant the seeds in a seedling or plug tray. Keep them evenly moist and covered until they sprout.

• Can Sow Direct? Can seeds be sown directly in situ? ? Sowing Depth Seeds should be sown at this depth. 2.0 cm / 0.78"
• Sowing Distance Apart This plant should be sown at least this distance apart 2.0 cm / 0.78" Sowing Row Distance Apart This plant should be sown in rows at least this distance apart 2.0 cm / 0.78"
• Min. Germination Temperature The lowest temp that this plant will germinate from seed. 24°C / 75°F Max. Germination Temperature The highest temp that this plant will germinate from seed. 32°C / 90°F

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Planting Out / Transplanting Instructions

Move seedlings to a bright light source as soon as they emerge from the starting mix. When the plant develops its first true-leaves, repot it in a larger pot to help it develop strong roots. Many gardeners repot it a second time before it is planted outside to help it grow even stronger roots.

Transplant out when it is at least 15cm (6 inches) high. Snip off the bottom set of leaves, and bury the plant up to the first remaining set of leaves. It will form roots all the way up the buried stem. If cutworms are a problem in your area, make a cutworm collar out of an empty toilet paper roll.

Many gardeners provide extra fertilizer for the plant when it is planted. Some people use commercial fertilizers (organic or commercial) while others use fish heads, manure or other homemade and free sources.

Crushed egg shells in the hole may also be helpful, by providing the plant with extra calcium for fruit setting. Some people also add bonemeal or powdered milk to the hole (the milk provides calcium as well as some protection against fungal and mildew diseases).

• Planting Distance Apart Seedlings should be planted this far apart. 80.0 cm / 31.2" Planting Row Distance Apart Rows between plantings should be at least this far apart. 80.0 cm / 31.2"

How long does it approximately take to grow?

• Days to Germination From seed to seedling 12 days Average 12 days | Min 2 days | Max 105 days (122)
• Days to Transplant From seedling to transplant / planting out + 42 days
• Days to Maturity From transplant to harvest / maturity of plant + 70 days Total Growing Days From seed to maturity = 124 days

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When should I start sowing and growing?

• When to sow The number of days to sow before or after your last frost date. 42 days before Last Frost Date When to plant out The number of days to plant out before or after your last frost date. 10 days after Last Frost Date