Tomato Plant Care
NewsIn the world of gardening, it could be a fun experience growing your own plants. That comes naturally to some. Some may find it tough. With tomatoes, growing and caring for the plant can seem to go either way, but they’re good for beginner gardeners.
As with any plant, you cannot just plant and forget, nor can you simply plant and water. While it is sometimes joked about that plants are like people and that they need care and love too, it turns out that that idea is not as far-fetched as it quite seems. Every plant is distinct and one-of-a-kind. While a plant may be of the same species as the one next to it, if you have two of the same species next to each other, each requires distinct care. Neglecting a plant might rob you of the benefits it can provide.
How to Start Your Tomato Plant(s)
The best time to plant. The best time to start a tomato plant is at the end of winter, and/or the start of springtime. You may maintain a container, which can be as basic as an egg carton or a can, and fill it with a reasonable quantity of soil. To begin, you do not need potting soil. You may walk outdoors and get some soil for free from your yard. If you do take the potting soil method, make sure it has a balance of nitrogen and phosphorus (although you will need a little more phosphorus than nitrogen) and is a slow feed variety. It will wash away quickly if it is not a slow feed kind.
Sun and soil. Check what you’ve planted over time and make sure it gets enough of sun. Since every house and location is unique, check to determine whether the soil is damp but not drenched. The ideal soil is moist. You may keep the soil wet by adding a few drops of water or misting it with a spray bottle. You don’t want to disturb the soil too much. Your seeds will begin to grow over time.
Starting from seed. If you’re beginning from a seed, this may take considerably longer than you think. (I have had moments where they came up right away, and times where they were planted in the spring, only to come up in the fall.) You may have to go through some trial and error. But that’s OK. We all need to learn, don’t we? We eventually get the hang of it.
Plant the seeds with one of your fingers and digging into the earth. Cover the seeds gently and do not pack them down. As it may seem silly, think of it as tucking them into bed. For most plants, gentleness and love are essential.
Starting from seedlings. Whether you prefer to purchase seedlings from a shop or grow your own, you should put them in your garden as soon as possible. Plant the seedlings when the temperature reaches 50 degrees Fahrenheit, or 10 degrees Celsius, or higher. Seedlings do not fare well in cooler temperatures or frost. So keep an eye out for constant temperatures among this range.
Balancing Wet and Dry
With planting in your garden, you will want to find an area full of sun, and you will need to aerate the soil. You can do so by taking a shovel and digging up the soil, chopping it up so it is not so clumpy and hard. Remove any twigs or strange objects from your soil. This will aid in the growth of your tomato plants.
When watering, use a gentle mist and water sparingly. Once or twice a week, depending on the weather, be it too sunny or too much rain, you may want to do a heavy watering or no watering at all. Again, it is dependent. It is advisable to pay close attention and maintain the soil wet.
If you water your tomato plants too much or have a clay-rich soil (which will hold water), you begin to chance problems. Suckers or pests, for example. As they do produce a juicy, fruit product, it doesn’t mean that they always need a lot of water. Too much water might result in bland tomatoes.
Why Is My Tomato Plant Turning Yellow?
You’ll need cages for your tomato plants as they develop so they don’t tumble over, break, or die. This will boost their development and benefit the plant when the blossoms begin to develop into tomatoes. Start with cages when you initially put them in the ground, or when they reach approximately the height of your shin. Installing the cages too early may need their modification, as the plant may move owing to heavy winds, storms, and a tendency to lean off to the side. Soil movement may also produce a shift in the way the plant grows, making it a little uneven. When you feel the need to confine them, around the height of your shin is ideal.
You may see the leaves of your tomato plant(s) turning yellow while growing. When this occurs, begin by removing the leaves one at a time. You’ll have to cut this whole branch of leaves eventually, since it’s withering out to save water. Although, if the leaves are curling, in addition to turning yellow, it could be that the plant is becoming oxygen-starved and has too much water. Moreover, too much water might cause root rot, which can destroy your plant.
You should also cut the branch of leaves from the bottom of the plant on a regular basis so that more water may move up the plant. But be careful not to remove too much, and just the withered and dying bits, or you may harm the plant. You’ll also need to remove the “suckers.” Suckers are lateral shoots of the plant that develop between the branch and the stem. Make a L shape with your finger and thumb to find what you’re searching for. That is how the stem and branch of your tomato plants should appear. New expansion in such a location is not necessarily beneficial. While trimming is beneficial, it is only beneficial until a certain point. Only do so when absolutely required.
Possible Problems With Tomato Plants
Remember that no plant is ever perfect, and no two plants are similar as they develop. Some may grow quicker and yield tomatoes sooner, while others may develop slowly. There will also be occasions when issues occur and the plants need special attention. It shouldn’t be that difficult as long as you stay aware and take care of your plants. Furthermore, even if you are vigilant and compassionate, situations may emerge that are utterly beyond your control. Most issues, however, may be resolved.
Dealing With Tomato Pests
When it comes to pests, each pest needs to be solved differently. Rushing to solve the problems, or any accident or misunderstanding can harm the plant. Some pest eradication options are simple, while others are not. A few common pests are included in the table below.
Most bugs may be controlled using a spray bottle filled with water and a few drops of soap. If everything else fails, many people swear on Sevin brand insecticide. If you must use pesticides, remember to wash your vegetables before eating them.
When Tomatoes Fail to Produce Flowers
Another possible problem with tomato plants is when the plant decided to not produce flowers… Therefore not producing fruit. When this occurs, you will observe that the plant has grown significantly in size, yet there are no blooms. This condition is caused by three major factors:
- Late-blooming tomato plants (either because they are too late for a supply or because they yield later in the year),
- too much nitrogen or fertilizer,
- or not enough sunlight.
Balancing Nitrogen, Phosphorous, and Potassium
Although nitrogen can be great for tomatoes, it is best to keep a balance of phosphorus and potassium, with a lower nitrogen level. The majority of fertilizers and plant feeds will say this on their packaging. You might also look for plant food aimed particularly towards tomatoes. However keep in mind that fertilizing or feeding a tomato plant too early is never a smart idea. This might lead to issues later on.
To compensate for having too much nitrogen, bonemeal and/or soft wood mulches such as pine bark will assist reduce the quantity.
Not Enough Sun
In terms of sunshine, a tomato plant should get up to 8 hours of sunlight every day. Any more than that will result in a tomato plant that grows but produces fewer flowers than it should. Keeping an eye on your plant and trimming lower branches might help address this issue and provide you with additional flowers.
| Type of Pest: | What to Look For: |
|---|---|
| Hornworm Species | Chewed Stems and defoliation |
| Psyllids | Purpling veins in leaves |
| Stalk Borers | Holes in stem |
| Flea Beatles | Holes in leaves |
| Leaf Miners | Zigzag patterns or tunneling in leaves |
| Aphids | Curled and fading leaves may also leave a white stick residue (“Honeydew”) |
| Whiteflies | “Honeydew”, a white sticky residue |
| Stinkbugs | Light or discolored spots on tomatoes may cause fruit holes and dark pinprick markings. |
| Slugs | Holes in tomatoes |
| Tomato Fruit Worm | Dark colored pinpricks, or holes in fruit |
Other Tomato Plant Problems
Other than what is described above, there are several solutions to fix tomato plant issues. Consulting a local nursery (not a hardware store, no matter how big the name) should help, when in doubt.
| Diseases, etc. : | Type of Problem: | Solution: |
|---|---|---|
| Anthracnose | Small, circular area on tomatoes that seems indented. It may or may not be surrounded by rings. | Fungicide (that is okay for tomatoes) |
| Septoria Leaf Spots | Little circular area with black specks in the middle or a gray to white center with dark borders (which will cause leaves to yellow and die) | Fungicide (that is okay for tomatoes) |
| Verticillium and Fusarium Wilt (Root Rot) | Leaves on the plant’s very bottom or very top will curl up, droop back, and die. | The plant is doomed and will not survive. Discard to trash, to prevent spreading it to other plants, and treat the area as contaminated area which cannot be used. |
| Alternaria (Early Blight) | Looks like a target on leaves, but with brown to black spots with dark edges. A sunken, dark patch may appear where the stem connects to the tomato. | |
| Late Blight | Greenish-black splotches that are irregular. Tomatoes will have odd shaped blotches that are brown in color, and rot away quickly. | Fungicide (that is okay for tomato plants) |
| Mosaic Virus | Leaves become misshapen, resembling a fern plant, and will have a mix of green and yellow on the leaves. Tomatoes will start to wilt. | As ludicrous as it may seem… If you use tobacco, avoid touching this plant if there are cracks in the stem or other parts of the plant, as it can damage it and cause this problem. |
Tomato Fruition
As your tomatoes grow, you will begin to notice a green star shape forming on a branch, with several of them nearby. Here is where your tomatoes will begin. You should eventually see a hue shift, which should be yellow. This is a natural occurrence in tomato plants. Following that, you’ll see a green small ball start to emerge, which is worth getting excited about… It’s the beginnings of a tomato! Continue to care for your plants as normal as they develop and grow. Eventually, you’ll have lots of red tomatoes ready to harvest and something pleasant to drink on a hot summer day!
Cultivating tomatoes should not discourage a person. In truth, as much as it may seem to be a lot to accomplish, it is not. All that is required is love and care, patience, and vigilance. If you continue to feel discouraged as you grow your plants, just remember that you are starting to create a delicious, and healthy reward. Absolutely, it can be rewarding! So remember to remind yourself this when you bite into your first tomato that you have grown “Wow. Wasn’t that satisfying? “. And maybe you’ll mature enough to share the benefits with others.
Good gardening, and best wishes for a prosperous year!
