Tomato Pests
Wed ,07/09/2011It can be very difficult to grow tomatoes if you have not done any advance research before you start. Prior preparation is a must if you want to achieve your goal of growing big juicy tomatoes that taste great so make sure you are ready before the growing procedure commences. However, there are many aspects to this process, much of which will involve a great deal of patience on your part. 
Many tomato growers have been left frustrated time after time by tomato pests which can cause havoc with the growth of your crop. These pesky insects will cost you both time and money and are no laughing matter but luckily there are some effective ways to eliminate these critters so let’s have a look at these methods in more detail.
There are several types of tomato pests that can be hazardous and destructive to the tomato fruits. Bugs or farm animals can both be detrimental to your tomatoes and green flies are one of the biggest offenders. Even the name sounds creepy so it is not surprising that the very thought of these insects – which are just as damaging as tomato hookworms – is enough to fill tomato growers with dread. Fortunately both of these problems can be addressed with the simple African marigold plant, which works as a repellant against eelworms and greenflies too. Even dogs have a dislike for them, strange as that may seem. If you are not thoroughly scrupulous when it comes to using insecticides for growing organic produce, this is a useful alternative option. There is even a special insecticide that plant doctor’s recommend which will help keep your tomatoes organic.
Weeds are another common form of tomato pests that can be detrimental to the growth of your tomatoes and the best way to deal with this problem is frequent weeding. Removing weeds by the root is the best way to eliminate them once and for all. The root is the source of growth so removing this completely will stop them from tormenting your tomatoes any further. It is also important to use organic soil that is of good quality as pests and diseases are more likely to appear on soil that is in an inferior condition so bare this in mind before carefully considering how to proceed. These are just some basic tips to help you on your way but if you experience any confusion or have any doubt on what to do it, is always wise to seek professional assistance.
It is important to understand that roma tomatoes are of the determinate variety which means they don’t produce fruit regularly during growing season but ripen all at once. If you want to make a lot of sauce over a period of time, it would therefore be best to grow a few plants in order to have ongoing supplies.
Fortunately, roma tomatoes come from one of the hardier plant varieties and are very resilient to diseases which destroy other plants. It even deals well with Fusarium and Verticillium, which often cause wilt therefore it is an ideal choice for beginners who are looking at growing tomato plants for the first time. As an indicator that your tomatoes are ready, you can use their color as guidance. Due to the firmer flesh on this variety it is hard to feel if they are ripe so as soon as the fruit is red all over from top to bottom, then you will know it is time to harvest your crop. This is the best time to start picking them.
Firstly, it is necessary to find a cherry variety with a healthy, bushy plant which will be very fertile and produce plenty of fruits if well treated. With warm weather and regular maintenance these will provide fruits for salad, relish trays or even on occasion to munch alone as a healthy snack. To begin with you will require a large pot of the self watering variety as this will reduce the time spent on daily watering. If you cannot find one, any pot with adequate drainage will suffice and big buckets, drums or barrels cut in half can be used as any large container with holes in the bottom can be used to grow cherry tomatoes as these will allow excess water to drain.
Watering and fertilizing are also essential on a regular basis and water is particularly crucial during the drier hot months of summer. There are plenty of fertilizer products on the market but they should be used in moderation as too much can be harmful to the plant. Never allow the roots to dry out but do not over water either as the soil needs to be moist but not wet. Check the soil has adequate moisture by sticking your finger in the dirt to check how wet it is around the edges. The majority of tomato plants including the cherry types will require very little maintenance. Along with pest control, you just need to keep the suckers pruned and trellis or stake your plants to help your tomatoes thrive. If the plant becomes overly bushy, clip back some of the limbs but don’t overdo it as this may reduce the production of fruit. By planting marigolds, basil ort any other plant with a strong smell around the tomatoes, this will help with pest control. Basil in particular works well with your tomato plant as you can pick both together, and then combine the two to make a delicious salad or Italian dish.
When the first tomatoes appear, watch out for Septoria leaf Spot on the leaves at the base of the plant. While this won’t affect your tomatoes, it will reduce the number of fruit available for harvest and the quality. Due to the major loss of leaves, the tomatoes will be more exposed and there more susceptible to scalding by the sun. The reduce the chance of infection with septoria leaf spot avoid splashing water over the plant and water your tomatoes from the base and try not to work on your plants if wet. It is also important to remember that this form of tomato blights can survive the winter in the refuse from your plants therefore always dispose of infected plants completely far away from the rest of your growing area.
This particular fungus usually happens late in the growing season and can also be found in refuse from infected plants left over from the winter.
One of the best beefsteak varieties is the Dombello, while not as big as the two previously mentioned but it makes up for this with its excellent taste. The Dombito on the other hand is the perfect beefsteak with ¾ lb of thick, fleshy walls and very few seeds. This one is also hardy to disease, always an advantage when planting.
The common gardener’s favorite is probably the Golden Sunrise variety. This grows well in containers making it ideal for the patio. Its fruits are of medium size.
The majority of tomato varieties will grow well in containers however cherry or plum tomatoes are a good choice because they weigh less and therefore the plant will be able to withstand the fruit’s weight without any problem. Larger varieties of tomatoes can grow up to two feet and these can be difficult to grow in pots. When they ripen all at once this can overburden the plants a problem you can eliminate by growing smaller varieties. Different types of tomatoes require differing amounts of water to thrive and for growing in pots you should go for one that will demand less water, approximately one inch of water each week. This is just enough to keep the soil moist so beware not too get carried away as over-watering may cause your plant to wither.
To get the most growth from your plum tomatoes, try growing them in a sphagnum peat, per lite and vermiculite mix to which you can add organic fertilizers to encourage growth and make the soil strong. Fertilizer needs to be added two out of four weeks a month. There is no better feeling than growing your own vegetable plants which are completely free from fertilizer and chemicals that can be harmful, which is why organically produced home grown tomatoes taste much better than those purchased commercially. Tomatoes are a popular ingredient in many recipes and cuisines, particularly in Italian cookery where plum tomatoes in particular have many uses. They can also be found in many continental and Indian dishes too. They give pleasing color and flavor to any meal not to mention that delicious tanginess, plus they also provide antioxidants to help fight cancer. Additionally, plum tomatoes are rich vitamins and are therefore very healthy for you. It is important to include them in your diet as they can improve your skins and are also a natural antiseptic.
The first sign of invasion, will be small nibbles missing from the fruit and small sections from the leaves but be warned, the more they eat the bigger they grown and then more food they will require, regularly grow up to 4 inches. If you are meticulous in checking your plants daily, picking them off by hand may be sufficient to get them under control. However spotting them can be difficult, even the really big ones as they are gifted at camouflage so watch out for the signs if you cant see the worms themselves. The nibble marks are a giveaway as is frass on leaves – bug poop in other words – which resembles a cross between brown unripened blackberries and rabbit droppings.
Pyrethrin is found in many commercial sprays and is an organic insecticide which comes from the seed pod of a flower by the same name, also known as the Dalmation chrysanthemum. In small doses it is harmful although large amounts can be toxic to both animals and humans however many commercial pest spray products contain some of this. A mixture of this and a good insecticidal soap also helps with aphids and small flies as well as the tomato hornworm.
Initially, it is essential to select the right variety of tomatoes that will be suited to the climate and soil conditions in your area as not all tomatoes need the same soil, weather and quantities of water. A few varieties don’t grow healthily indoors either so if you are planning on growing tomatoes inside then make sure you pick ones that will grow to a reasonable size. After all, you don’t want to grow extremely large tomatoes in a small pot so check the seed packet for more information as this will advise you where and how your chosen variety will thrive most. If you have decided to use seedlings instead, check with the staff where you purchased them as to which variety grows indoors the best.
For the soil mixture, this must be made up of equal quantities of sphagnum peat moss, vermiculite and perlite. It is best to use sphagnum peat moss for starter seeds as it assists in the germination process more so than ordinary potting soil. The seeds will grow best at 80 degrees so always make sure they are getting the desired heat they require to thrive. So there you have it, everything you need to start growing tomatoes at home, indoors or outdoors, in a confined space or a large one. However, starting off with a few plants in a smaller space while you get the hang of things is always a good idea. And, you will be pleasantly surprised how much better your own home grown tomatoes taste in comparison to those bought from the grocery store or supermarket.
This type of tomato has grown in popularity in recent years and has become much more available as a result. These are unbeatable in both aesthetics and taste, bringing as much to the garden as they do to the dinner table not to mention their contribution to recipes and dishes with their variety of colors, sizes and shapes.
The young plants are vulnerable to cutworms- these sever the plant off at the upper end of the soil – but this can be avoided if you place an aluminium foil collar around the plant’s base. This category of tomato plant will ripen early as a rule and their fruiting season is short. If hybrid tomatoes are regrown from collected seeds, most will be different from the original hybrid plant. This ensures the growers are dependant on seed distributors for crops in future. Like many plants, tomato cultivars may be acclimatized over a period of growing seasons so they will continue to flourish in specific geographical locations by selecting and saving the seeds. To do so you must first beat the birds to the seeds then save them for the following year.
Tomato plants will flourish in warm temperatures, with sufficient sunlight and adequate drainage. The occasional use of fertilizer will also give the plant a boost providing it with additional nutrients to produce bigger and juicier fruits. Just like planting in the ground, it is recommended that indoor tomato plants should be treated with care and only transplanted as and when they have grown strong enough. When transplanting, it is necessary to plant the stem as deeply as possible as this encourages quality root formation which in turn provides your tomato plant with an excellent base foundation.
For easy watering, you may consider installing automated drip irrigators and this is actually simple to install without costing a lot of money either. A system like this would cost between $50 and $100 and will save you a lot of hassle, particularly if you have many plants to tend to. This is a worthwhile investment that will certainly pay off in the long run.