The Essentials Of Growing A Fruit Bearing Plant

Tomato, although a fruit, is widely used as a vegetable and has become a kitchen essential. Whether for sauce, paste, soup, or seasoning, tomato leaves a tangy flavor in the mouth. And because the household demand for tomatoes is remarkably high, most homemakers are growing tomato plants at home. Having own tomato plants in the first place not only cuts down on grocery expenses, it also gives the advantage of homegrown freshness. But although tomato is perhaps the easiest plant to grow, it still requires careful attention like any other plant. That said, it is important to learn the essentials of growing a fruit bearing plant that is tomato.

Guidelines for growing tomato plants

The first thing you need to decide on is whether you want to start with a seed or a ready-to-plant tomato plant. Note that starting with a seed costs you less but produces potentially more plants. Starting with a ready-to-plant, on the other hand, gives you the option of having the most appealing and potentially the highest quality plant. Normally nursery centers also sell organic-grown ready-to-plant tomato plants, which can be an excellent option if you want to go organic.

Then depending on your preference and situation, determine whether you are going to plant in a container or grow the tomato in a backyard orchard or garden. Both can work well, but whatever you choose, remember to plant the tomato in the most favorable location. The location says a lot about the potential success of your planting. If you choose a bad one, your plant will have a slim chance of surviving.

There are three factors to consider when choosing a location: sunlight, water, and soil. Tomato plants need at least six hours worth of sunlight, so place it an area where there is no blockage of sun. Additionally, the place should have the most convenient and accessible water system. The soil, meanwhile, should not be too compact, grainy, or damp. And make sure it contains the necessary nutrients. If, however, the soil is lacking in some nutrients, you can buy fertilizer or make your own compost to make up for the deficiency.

When to plant is also a top consideration. Generally, it is best to plant when it is not too cold. If you intend to plant in containers, you can start indoors. But if you need to plant in a garden, you should wait until the weather has warmed up. However, if there is frost in the area, you can protect the plant by covering it with plastic.

Pruning is important in growing tomato plants. Although some consider it only as an option, pruning can improve the productivity, health, and growth of the plant. When pruning, it is important to cut off the side-shoots that grow between the main stem and the fruit-bearing leaf stems. This is because side-shoots make way for the growth of other side-shoots, which can altogether dense the whole plant. If that happens, there will not be enough sugar to sustain the fruit-bearing leaf stems, causing small fruits. This doesn’t mean, however, that you cut off all the side-shoots. Cut only those that you don’t want to grow into leaf stems and branch into other side-shoots. This way, you can control the growth and size of your plant.

You should also cut off the side-shoots that grow lower than one foot from the ground. Remember that no stem or leaf should touch the ground to eliminate the possibility of pest and dirt infestation. Ideally, you have to wait for the side-shoots to grow three to four inches before you cut them off.

As you see, growing a fruit bearing plant such as tomato is not as easy as a-b-c, but it definitely is doable. A green thumb is a plus, but patience is a must.