Tomato Plant Essay

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Tomatoes
Botanical Name
‘ Solanum lycopersicum’ tomatoes are botanically fruits, but for culinary purposes, it is classified and used as vegetables.
Botanically an ovary with its seeds that is part of flowering plant with a sweet flavour is classified as a fruit. The sugar content of tomatoes is lower than any other fruit and therefore it is classified as a vegetable for culinary purposes.
Biological Family
Tomatoes, ‘Aubergines’ (Eggplant), Capsicum Peppers, Capsicum ‘Anuum’ (hot pepper) and potatoes are grown in a similar way and belongs to the ‘Solanaceae’ (Nightshade family).
Root system
The root system of tomato plants, mainly depends on how it was grown from seed, it can have a taproot system or a large fibrous root system.
Soil
Can …show more content…

Protect tomatoes from strong wind. Plant in spring or early summer.
Wind
Tomato plants must be planted deeply in the soil and will benefit from staking and caging, which will provide support especially during windstorms.
Frost
Tomatoes will not tolerate frost and you would need to use frost protection if there is any threat of freezing temperatures.
Temperature
Temperatures should not be lower than 7°C at night and at least 13°C to 16°C in daytime. Tomatoes require a temperature of 18°C or higher to ripen. Lycopene will not develop at temperatures above 30°C. pH Tomatoes prefer a slightly acidic soil and will grow well in a pH of 5.5 – 6.8
Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium
Use a general organic fertilizer to provide the soil with nutrients and add compost.
Planting depth
Dig holes slightly bigger than the root balls of the plants;
Spacing between plants
45 cm (Plants can be spaced closer)
Spacing between rows
75 cm
Propagation
Start in seedling trays. Plant one or two seeds per cell. Thin to the strongest plant.
Transplant seedlings
• Do not hold the plants by the stem, but hold it by the root balls and place it in the holes and try not to disturb the roots too

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