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TOMATO EXHIBIT
Panel 1 -‐ Getting Started
Concept: Planning ahead makes for a successful harvest.
- Plant disease resistant varieties: Check packaging for information.
- Plant deep: Tomato stems will develop roots when in contact to the ground. Plant up to the first leaves for stronger root development.
- Irrigate and feed: Tomatoes require even and adequate water to develop fruit. Practice a regular light-‐fertilizing schedule after the first fruit has set. Too much nitrogen will produce a bushy plant with reduced fruit.
- Suitable for containers: look for varieties hybridized for containers or smaller determinate plants. Container will limit size, aim for at least a 5 gallon pot.
- Support and mulch: Tomatoes should be off the ground to protect fruit and to minimize disease and pests. The type and size of support will depend on the growth pattern. A determinate tomato plant is usually bushier and will grow to a certain size. An indeterminate tomato is more vine-‐like and will continue to grow indeterminately.
Panel 2 & 3
Concept: Gardening is a combination of knowledge, observation and problem-‐ solving. The most important component is observation.
- Under proper conditions, tomatoes grow and produce rapidly. Observe overall plant health, look for pests, and assure regular and even watering.
- Consult seed catalogues for new varieties.
- Commercial tomatoes are picked green and ripened off the vine.
- Tomatoes and Temperature: the soil temperature must be at least 55°F and optimal air temperatures will range between 65° and 90°F. Varies by variety.
- Tomato Problems
- Blossom end rot and cracking are related to watering conditions.
- Excessive fertilizer (nitrogen) results in excessive vegetative growth.
- Sunscald is the result of sudden exposure to intense sun and heat.
Panel 4 – Know your Foes
- Hornworm-‐ Natural enemies normally keep populations under control. Hand pick or use Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). Practice crop rotation.
- Tomato Psyllid – have a preference for yellow pear tomatoes. Insects inject toxin into leaves that causes chlorosis, leaf curl and reduced fruit production. Limited management resources.
- Stink Bugs -‐ damage fruit by piercing the skin. Preserving naturally occurring biological control agents, good weed management, and insecticidal soap sprays are acceptable for use on organically certified produce.
- Tomato Fruit worms – complete their larval development inside the fruit. Management of tomato fruit worms requires careful monitoring for eggs and small larvae. When control is needed, it is essential to treat before largenumbers of larvae enter fruit, where they are protected from sprays. Control resources include beneficial insects and Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt).
- Root Knot Nematodes are microscopic, eel-‐like roundworms that feed on plant roots, leave knots or swellings on the roots. Management is multifaceted: nematode resistant plants, crop rotation, soil solarization, and proper plant cultivation. There are no chemical nematicides or soil fumigants available to home gardeners.
- Russet Mites – cannot be seen without a magnifier. Leaves and stems damaged by mites develop a greasy appearance, then dry out and turn bronze. Damage starts at the base of the plant and moves upward. Both sulfur dust and wettable sulfur are effective for russet mite control.
- Powdery Mildew is a fungal disease that is difficult to control. Prevention is best approach: plant PM resistant plants, keep plants healthy but avoid over fertilizing, make sure there is adequate spacing, air circulation and sun exposure, remove plants that show early signs of the disease.