Did you recognize that a replacement tomato is often grown from just a nip of a mature tomato plant? The cells within the stems of tomato plants are capable of developing roots. Amazing, right?
This is exciting news for you tomato lovers out there who have wished you’ll make one particular plant produce even more. this is often also excellent news for the frugal gardeners who would really like to get one plant and luxuriate in a double harvest within the same season. While starting a replacement tomato from seed can take a month or more, a replacement start from cutting is often able to transplant to the garden in 14 days.
To start a replacement plant, begin in early summer. May or June is that the best time to start in order that your plant will have many time to grow, mature, and produce before the top of the season. So, find a handy mature tomato. Snip a 6-inch piece of stem from the growing side shoots of the plant. Pinch off any buds or flowers, and take away the leaves from the length of the stem with the exception of the 2 uppermost leaves.
STARTING TOMATOES IN SOIL FROM CUTTINGS
Fill a little 4-inch pot with potting soil or compost, and stick your finger down into the center of the soil to form a whole. Tuck your stem into the opening, and bury the portion of the stem where you removed rock bottom set of leaves. Moisten the soil in your pot, and place it during a bright windowsill faraway from direct sunlight. Keep the soil moist, and leave your cutting within the windowsill for every week.
Gradually expose your developing plant to direct light during the second week. Increase your plant’s exposure to light every day. By the top of the second week, your plant should be sitting within the sun for many of the days. Your plant should be able to transplant into your garden where it’ll still mature. you’ll expect a harvest from your new plant several weeks after the mother plant has produced its fruit for the season.
ROOTING TOMATOES FROM CUTTINGS
A second method for propagation of a tomato from a cutting is to easily place your cut stem into a jar or vase of water. Set your jar on a sunny windowsill, and replenish the water a day. you’ll be ready to observe the growing roots daily, and this cutting is going to be ready for planting in soil outdoors after three or four weeks. While this method for propagation takes a touch longer, you’ll enjoy tomatoes into September if you’ll protect your plants from an early freeze.
GROWING TOMATOES FROM CUTTINGS within the WINTER
Winter propagating methods for growing tomato plants should be considered for tomato lovers that know store-bought tomatoes don’t compare to homegrown. If you’d really rather have a garden-fresh tomato option through winter, consider this. If you’ll provide the right amount of sunshine to your tomato plants indoors, you’ll grow some types year-round.
While it isn’t a simple gardening feat, it is often done. The critical factor is to supply the maximum amount of light as possible. Choose the most important, south-facing window in your home. A sunroom or a floor to ceiling window is perfect.
Take a cutting from one among your favorite plants in your garden. Propagate your cutting on your windowsill until it’s able to be moved outdoors during a small pot. Keep the tiny pot outside until the primary frost requires you to maneuver your plant indoors for the season. When your new plant has grown large enough, transplant it into a container that’s a minimum of 5 gallons in size to accommodate the mature size of your growing plant. Plan ahead for a way to supply support for your plant because it matures.
Once your tomato is indoors for the winter, water it regularly, and fertilize it often. you’ll aid in pollinating your indoor tomato by giving it a mild shake once you water it which can encourage it to supply. Also, consider tomato pests before you opt to grow a tomato indoors. If your houseplants have often fallen prey to spider mites or other insect pests, your tomato will probably be very vulnerable to infestations, and it’s going to not be well worth the effort.
If you are do find success with an inside tomato, you’ll be rewarded with tasty, homegrown tomatoes at any time of year. Just consider how special that fresh tomato will taste in January! you’ll even be ready to still propagate new tomato plants for next spring with cuttings from your healthy indoor plants.
