As a tomato lover, you might be eager to grow them in your garden but hesitant to do so because of the myths surrounding tomato plantations. Despite being a popular home staple, there are numerous misconceptions about growing tomatoes. Following these myths can lead you to waste your efforts and time without giving the desired results.
Let’s bust the most common myths regarding tomato cultivation and unravel the truths behind it.
Here are seven misguided practices for tomato plantations that leave even the most seasoned gardeners on the wrong path:
Tomatoes Plants Require Excessive Water
Tomatoes require water regularly but not excessive watering. Overwatering can cause root rot, and dirt-borne diseases and dilute the flavor of the fruit.
As the tomato plants grow, they tend to develop stronger and deeper roots that need consistent moisture and water throughout their root zone. The recommended water supply for tomato plants is 1-1.5 inches per week. However, during hot weather, the wilting tomatoes should be given more water to keep them healthy.
Related: How To Find An Underground Water Source On Your Property
Prune Tomato Plants for Good Fruit
Pruning tomato plants is a common debating topic among many gardeners, however, it’s crucial to understand that there is no one-size-fits-all approach.
Although pruning your plants is good, however, there is no need to do it every week. Pruned tomato plants are usually clean and may bear fruit earlier. However, unpruned plants can produce more tomatoes overall but require more space, and support. So while it may not make a lot of difference; pruning just saves space and manages plant growth better in smaller areas.
Keep Tomatoes on the Vine Until Fully Ripe
Many people believe that tomatoes that are allowed to vine-ripe have an extraordinary taste, although there isn’t any guarantee about the taste. However, letting them stay on the vines for too long can actually be detrimental.
Once a tomato has reached its full size and begins to color up, it’s perfectly alright to harvest it to protect it from splitting and cracking. Furthermore, tomatoes will continue to ripen even after they have been harvested.
So, if you have a large group of almost ripe tomatoes, it is okay to go ahead and pick them. You can then store them at room temperature until they are fully ripe off the vine.
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Epsom Salt As An Effective Fertilizer For Tomato Growth
Epsom salt contains magnesium sulfate, a component necessary for plant growth, and supplements any magnesium deficiency required for healthy tomatoes.
While it does provide magnesium, it lacks other essential nutrients like nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus, which are essential for optimal tomato growth. So despite being a good source of magnesium for plants, Epsom salt is not completely a good fertilizer.
Additionally, the excessive magnesium in Epsom salt may increase the risk of blossom end rot by restricting plants from absorbing calcium.
Related: Tomatoes + Eggshells
Tomatoes Need All-Day Sun to Thrive
It is a common belief among people that tomatoes are supposed to get full sun throughout the day. Indeed, the plant needs sunlight to grow and stay healthy, but hormonal changes internally control the ripening process for tomatoes and not direct sunlight.
Tomatoes ripen naturally and do not require direct sunlight to mature. In fact, tomatoes covered by leaves often ripen quickly and sometimes as evenly as those exposed to full sunlight.
Plus, the ideal temperatures for tomato ripening are between 68-77°F, showing that moderation is generally required in their development.
Add Eggshells to Avoid Blossom End Rot in Tomatoes
If you believe that adding crushed eggshells will prevent blossom end rot in your tomato plant, you are wrong! While blossom end rot is a calcium deficiency issue, most of the time, it arises because of uneven water distribution and not necessarily from a lack of calcium in the soil.
Instead, proper care should be given to ensure the soil stays moist, particularly during the blooming stage. Keeping it consistently moist helps the plant absorb calcium from the soil more efficiently than adding eggshells into the soil.
Tickle Tomato Flowers for Better Fruit
Tomato flowers are self-fertile, containing both male and female parts inside each flower. So, in outdoor conditions, the male pollen naturally lands on the female part aided by wind or bees.
Tickling or hand-pollinating the tomatoes can be effective only if you plan to grow tomato plants in the greenhouse or increase the yields. In a normal outdoor plantation, this won’t do any wonder as they are well pollinated by wind and bees.
Tips for Growing Tomato Plants
After busting myths, let’s just focus on how we can maximize tomato plantation and growth. Here are 5 secret tricks that can help you attain a healthy tomato harvest:
- Plant Stems Deep: Deep planting can be a real game-changer for tomato plants as it helps them develop a stronger and more extensive root system for better stability. Moreover, it gives them access to moisture and nutrients.
- Avoid Crowding Tomato Seedlings: Planting tomato seedlings too close will cause problems for the plant due to nutrient competition and other stresses. Instead, space your tomato seedlings about 18 to 24 inches apart and the rows 3 to 4 feet apart for good air circulation.
- Give Support To Keep Them Upright: Supporting your growing tomato plants can really boost their production. For small gardens, you can use cages or ladders. However, if you have a larger area, you can try the Florida weave or trellises method.
- Fertilize Your Tomato Plants Well: Proper fertilization provides the plants with essential nutrients, ensuring that the tomato plants are healthy and productive. Be aware that over-fertilizing does as much damage as under-fertilizing, so follow the recommended amounts and frequency.
- Dispose of Dead Leaves: Dead and damaged tomato leaves have more chances of developing fungus, that can grow throughout the plant. Use any scissors or disinfected shears to remove them and prevent any chance of diseases in the plants.
Ultimately, despite many myths surrounding the growing of tomato plants, the truth is that it can be easily managed with a few secret tricks shared above. The key here is to ensure they are well-watered and receiving appropriate nutrition.
Improve your tomato-growing technique immensely and enjoy a fruitful experience in gardening now. Wishing you a garden full of juicy tomatoes!
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