Bush tomato Galera

Lycopersicon esculentum - Galera

Belongs to the nightshade family. Originates from Central and South America. Plants grow up to 2m tall, covered with fine hairs. Leaves are deeply lobed and pinnate. The inflorescence is a cyme with three to twenty bisexual flowers that are yellow in color. The fruit is a berry, or tomato. Staked or bush varieties of tomatoes are grown, bearing red, yellow, orange, pink, and even white fruits.

Besides being very healthy, they also have their specific taste. Their use in culinary preparations is manifold. They contain vitamins C, E, A, potassium, iron, carotene, and a large amount of fiber. They support blood formation and benefit skin, hair, and nails. They strengthen the organism. Plants can, besides the traditional way of growing in the garden, also be grown in containers, for example on a terrace or balcony!

How to Grow Tomatoes

• They require a sunny and sheltered location. Ideal temperature conditions for growing are between 21 and 24 °C. Growing tomatoes in a greenhouse or polytunnel is also a possible option, however, we note that at temperatures above 27 degrees Celsius, tomatoes do not grow. Higher temperatures even cause them to dry out. Abundant watering is also necessary. We avoid watering the leaves, as plants could be attacked by mildew. We regularly pinch out side shoots to support fruit growth. For staked tomatoes and tomatoes that grow to larger sizes, it is essential to provide support and tie them up to prevent the plants from breaking.

• We sow tomatoes earliest in mid-February, but better at the beginning of March into substrate for sowing and propagation. After 1-2 weeks, we must prick out the plants into seedling trays - the substrate is the same. After 3-4 weeks, we transplant the plants into pots at least 8×8cm in size with horticultural substrate. Low temperature and moderate watering are suitable for growing tomatoes. For plants in pots, a temperature up to 15°C is sufficient. We harden off plants very early - ventilating or placing them outside during the day. We plant out in polytunnels in April, and in open ground in May after the last frosts.

• Plants are demanding in organic matter and nutrients, so it is necessary to additionally mix manure into the growing substrate. Granulated manure is suitable - we add 300-400 g per plant into the substrate.

  Tomatoes grown in beds require soil preparation before planting. On good and humus-rich soils, it is not necessary to apply manure or compost. On poor soils, we incorporate 2-4 kg per m2 of well-rotted compost or manure into the soil already in autumn.

• We regularly fertilize plants. Application in the form of liquid fertilizer with Kristalon Start or Plod a Květ fertilizers is suitable. We fertilize with Kristalon START mainly at the beginning of plant growth, once plants start to flower, we can start using Kristalon PLOD a KVĚT. We prepare doses according to the instructions on the product packaging.

• The most common disease in tomatoes is tomato blight (potato blight). It is recognized by characteristic brown spots on leaves, stems, and fruits. Against this disease, preventive action is needed. If we expect rainy weather, we treat plants with products like Acrobat, Alliete, Ridomil, Kuprikol, etc.

  Blossom end rot in tomatoes is a nutritional disorder - calcium deficiency. It affects the fruits, which become deformed and a black spot appears at the tip of the fruit. We regularly fertilize plants. If the disorder appears, we treat plants with calcium nutrition products, such as InCa.

  Sucking pests such as aphids or spider mites attack tomatoes very often. Against fungal diseases and sucking pests, it is suitable to use Agro NATURA Symfonie 3 in 1 product.

  For tomato blight, DITHANE product is suitable. For organic farming, Bioton and Bioan products are suitable.

• We harvest bush varieties of tomatoes approximately 8 weeks after planting. Staked types are harvested from the 10th to 12th week. We always follow the appearance of the harvested fruit. Tomatoes should be red, firm, and not overripe.