The Spot Plant:
Your average grocery store tomato is probably the most well known type of tomato. ASpot Plant, to use its correct name, is a very well known tomato. It’s a large, fleshy tomato withred, orange or yellow stripes that is very widely used for sandwiching, salads, and various other culinary applications. You can buy this type of tomato in a beefsteak variety, which I find rather interesting.
The name comes from the “spot” where the tomatoes sit. I’ve seen these labeled ” Ringspot” or “Stripedeast” – funny names, I know, but they are real!
This type of tomato is really beefsteak sized, and focused more on being large than being tasty. If you’re looking for something to feed large amounts of people, this is probably not the choice you’re looking for. This type of tomato basically thrives in situations where the person preparing the meal is looking for something to carry the meal and not have to worry about the flavor.
A personal favorite of mine is the Enorma Grape Tomato. This is a very large yellow grape tomato with a pinkish tone ripe fruit. I’ve only ever seen it available at specialty grocery stores in the past, but this year I think it might be gaining popularity in grocery stores and with those who do have a preference for larger tomatoes. The Enorma is shaped like a star. It’s name is actually an Italian word that means to “enorma” (star). The Enorma is the largest tomato grown commercially.
This tomato is approximately 8 inches long by 8 inches wide.
To prepare the tomato for planting, you will want to place the tomato plant into a bucket of warm compost tea. Compost tea is made from soaking compost in water. I make my own compost tea by using a 50/50 mix of compost and water. You can also use organic fertilizers, such as Organic-L mater by volume, or Organic-L-Phosphate by weight. The fertilizer you choose should be mild enough that it will not burn the plant at the time of planting.
Remember that the tomato plant will be approximately 4 inches tall when it is mature. You will want to plant the seedling so that it is just below the first two leaves. Plants may be planted with their first two leaves pointing up and the rest of the plant below the two leaves. It is normal for the plant to have a little stem above the two leaves. forgiving the plant this is often a common mistake. Plant the seedling so that the two leaves are just a flat of stem and allowed to grow straight up.
You want to make sure that the stem is very sturdy and will support the plant once it has developed. Planting a young plant, next to a mature plant, can sometimes cause some mechanical damage to the plant. It is very important to understand that these plants are very susceptible to mechanical injury and damage. It is suggested to both make an adult and a baby plant because this will give the plant the better chance of survival and for you to enjoy the plant for a longer time.
The plant will be complete by the time it reaches 3-4 months for maturity. Don’t be surprised if you see the fruit by then.
As for water, tomato plants need consistent watering and if you are experiencing a dry spell they will need to be watered. Tomato plants like a steady diet of rich, well-drained soil and a steady source of sunlight, and they don’t like to be flooded with too much water. They do like a steady source of water and a regular, moderate watering is what they like.
If the weather is too hot, the plant may develop a red, hot splotchy tip. This is not only unsightly, but it can also damage the plant. So if you are in a very hot climate, be sure to water only the plant, and not your entire lawn or garden area.
Are we there yet? OK let’s stick to growing tomatoes for beginners tips. Later on we will get into seeds and fertilizers.
Growing tomatoes for beginners tips
OK you say you want to grow tomatoes but what do you know about?
* Are you familiar with the tomato plant?
* Take a hint from the USDA- tomatoes grows in almost any soil but it is the richest in the tomato tartan soils.
* Isn’t it great that tomatoes are loaded with vitamins and minerals?
* And most importantly, what are you waiting for?
