SCIENTIFIC NAME: Solanum lycopersicum DETERMINATE (Bush): Varieties do not need pruning & may be grown with or without support; fruit ripens within a concentrated time period. INDETERMINATE (Climbing): Varieties should be staked, trellised, or caged, & pruned for best results; fruit ripens over an extended period. CULTURE: Medium-rich soil with pH 6.0-6.8 preferred. Fertilize accurately since excess nitrogen causes rampant growth, rot, & delayed ripening. For short determinates, succession-plant every 4-6 weeks. Tomatoes typically germinate in 5-7 days. TRANSPLANTING: Don’t start too earlyleggy, root-bound, or flowering transplants can cause stunting & reduce early production. About 5-6 weeks before transplanting, sow 1/4 deep in 20-row flats with 20 seeds/row, or in 200-cell trays with 1 seed/cell; lightly cover. Keep mix at 75-85oF (24-29oC) with moderate moisture. At first true leaf, pot-up to 50-cell trays or 4 pots, depending on expected transplant timing. Grow at constant 60-70oF (16-21oC) temp & use complete fertilizer until hardened-off. Supplemental lights & lower night temps control stretching. For earliest crop, plant under row cover around last frost date. Avoid exposing unprotected plants to consecutive nightly temperatures below 45oF (7oC). in rows 4-6’ apart, space determinates 12-24 & indeterminates 24-36. Plant deeply to encourage adventitious rooting. Water seedlings with a high-phosphate fertilizer solution at planting to help boost early yields. TRELLISING: Basket-weave by pounding 5-6’ stakes every 2-3 plants, using heavier t-posts intermittently & at ends of beds. For tall indeterminates, consider short extensions or pruning once they outgrow a manageable size for easy harvest. PRUNING: Indeterminates likely benefit by removing all suckers under the first strong branch directly below the first flower cluster. The lower bottom suckers often miss trellis supports, set fruit closer to soil, take energy from upper parts, & encourage spread of disease from soil. If needed later in season, consider thinning out leaves to increase airflow or topping plants to help finish ripening last fruits. Tomato Clementine Organic Seed 20
