Tomato Phantasia

Lycopersicon lycopersicum - Phantasia

Belongs to the nightshade family. Originates from Central and South America. Plants grow up to 2m tall, covered with fine hairs. Leaves are deeply indented, pinnately compound. The inflorescence is a cyme with three to twenty hermaphroditic flowers that are yellow in color. The fruit is a berry, or tomato. Bush or staked tomato varieties are grown, producing 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 large amounts of fiber. They support blood formation and benefit skin, hair, and nails. They strengthen the organism. Plants can be grown, besides the traditional method of growing in the garden, also 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 must be aware that at temperatures above 27 degrees Celsius tomatoes don't grow. Higher temperatures even cause them to dry out. Generous watering is also necessary. We avoid watering on the leaves, as plants could be affected by mildew. We regularly pinch off side shoots to support fruit growth. For staked tomatoes and tomatoes that grow to greater heights, it's essential to provide support and tie them up so the plants don't break.

• We sow tomatoes earliest in mid-February, but better at the beginning of March in substrate for sowing and propagation. After 1 – 2 weeks we must prick out the plants into seed 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 lighter watering are suitable for growing tomatoes. For plants in pots, temperatures up to 15°C are 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 terms of organic matter and nutrients, so it's necessary to additionally mix manure into the growing substrate. It's suitable to use granulated - we add 300 – 400 g per plant to the substrate.

  Tomatoes grown in beds require soil preparation before planting. On good and humus-rich soils it's 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 in autumn.

• We regularly fertilize plants. Application in the form of liquid feeding with Kristalon Start or Fruit and Flower fertilizers is suitable. We fertilize with Kristalon START mainly at the beginning of plant growth, once plants start to flower, we can begin using Kristalon FRUIT and FLOWER. We prepare doses according to the instructions on the product packaging.

• The most common disease in tomatoes is tomato blight (potato blight). It's recognized by characteristic brown spots on leaves, stems, and fruits. This disease must be tackled preventively. 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 in the plant - calcium deficiency. It affects fruits which become deformed and a black spot appears on the tip of the fruit. We fertilize plants regularly. 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. It's suitable to use Agro NATURA Symphony 3 in 1 product against both fungal diseases and sucking pests.

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

• Bush tomato varieties are harvested approximately 8 weeks from 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, not overripe.