One of the most widely planted plants in home gardens are cherry tomatoes. These crops need different care, such as tutoring. To perform this task well, you need to know certain main aspects. So we are going to give you the keys to learn how to staking cherry tomatoes in pot.
In this article we are going to tell you about the different aspects to learn how to stake cherry tomatoes in pots.
Cherry tomato cultivation
Before knowing how to stake cherry tomatoes in a pot, we must learn how they are grown. Cherry tomatoes are very quick and easy to grow, even if you are a novice. They take fewer days to ripen than normal tomatoes. This is a huge advantage if you live in a cool climate with a short growing season, or if the temperatures in your area are warming up too quickly to produce fruit in summer.
Plant cherry tomatoes in spring once the threat of frost has passed. Seeds can also be started indoors about 4 weeks before the expected frost date in your area and then planted outside when seedlings are at least 6 inches tall.
Choose a location for tomatoes with full sun and well-drained soil. Once the plants grow and drop their leaves in the spring, make sure there are no nearby plants that will shade the tomatoes. Additionally, crop rotation is practiced to prevent the spread of disease and excessive depletion of soil nutrients.
Do not plant tomatoes where other nightshade plants (such as potatoes, eggplants, and peppers) were planted the previous year.
Aspects to consider
Space the cherry tomatoes at least a few feet apart to spread them out and ensure good air circulation. Cover the seeds with about 1/2 inch of soil and place the nursery plants at the same depth at which they were previously grown in containers.
Most cherry tomato varieties are indeterminate, meaning they continue to grow vines and set fruit throughout the season. To control them, it is necessary to provide the vines with a support structure, such as a tomato cage.
Full sun is essential to successfully growing cherry tomatoes. They need at least six to eight hours of full, direct sunlight each day. The soil for tomatoes should be slightly acidic, well-drained, loamy, and loamy. Do a soil test to determine the soil’s nutrient levels and its pH. If your garden has heavy soil that doesn’t drain well, it’s best to grow tomatoes in raised beds or containers.
Tomatoes must be watered regularly and thoroughly. At no time should the soil be allowed to dry out. During the fruiting season, keeping the soil evenly moist will help prevent blossom rot.
On the other hand, excessive watering can cause tomatoes to crack. Drip irrigation is best because overhead irrigation can lead to the spread of tomato diseases, such as blight.
Tomatoes are very sensitive to cold. Be sure to harden off seedlings that start indoors by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions before planting them out in the garden.
Moisture is generally not a problem with tomatoes. But one factor to keep in mind is that humid weather will cause the leaves to stay wet longer. This can create a breeding ground for fungal problems and other diseases, especially if there is poor air circulation around the plants.
Use a specific fertilizer for tomatoes when planting. Adding compost when planting will also help boost tomato growth. Then continue fertilizing throughout the season following the instructions on the label. Tomato plants are self-pollinating and are good at attracting bees and other pollinators to the garden.
How to Stake Potted Cherry Tomatoes
Cherry tomatoes belong to the family of climbing plants, that is, they grow vertically. So, for this crop to continue to grow naturally, you need a support that will prevent the plant from bending under its own weight in the future and eventually splitting. Although there are different types of supports, we recommend that you get affordable bamboo stakes or poles, a completely natural material that stands out as a strong stake, but at the same time very flexible.
In addition to guaranteeing the growth of cherry tomatoes, bamboo will also provide protection against possible inclement weather and will save space in the garden as it will bring more order to your plantation.
Before you begin staking, purchase the following materials:
- bamboo stick: Although there are different supports, the Bamboo Mentor is the most recommended option due to its resistance and flexibility.
- Ribbon to tie: With this product you can fasten tomato plants to bamboo stakes quickly and easily. While not required, using a tape tool will make it easier and faster to tape the stakes.
- Hammer and rebar: You will need these two materials to make the hole into which you will insert the bamboo stick.
- Other garden tools: It is recommended to have hoes, pots and other products at home.
Once you have all the gardening materials that we indicate, you just have to follow our simple steps:
- With the help of a stick and a hammer, make two holes on each side of the plant.
- Now remove the rod and place the stake into the hole as deep as possible.
- After inserting the tutor, You must cover the hole to make it very safe.
- Once you have the two posts in placeyou have to put a guide on top to connect the two supports.
- Now use the tape tool to tie the bamboo strips to the plants.
- You’ve staked your cherry tomatoes.
I hope that with this information you can learn more about how to stake cherry tomatoes in pots.
