In Search of the In Search of the Perfect TomatoPerfect Tomato

Gene McAvoyGene McAvoyHendry County ExtensionHendry County Extension

LaBelle, FloridaLaBelle, Florida

TomatoesTomatoesGardening is the Gardening is the countries national countries national pastimepastimeTomatoes are Tomatoes are AmericaAmerica’’s favorite s favorite vegetablevegetableAmericans consume Americans consume 90 pounds per person 90 pounds per person per yearper yearFlorida is #1 in fresh Florida is #1 in fresh market productionmarket production

A Native AmericanA Native American

The tomato, like its The tomato, like its relative the potato, relative the potato, originated in South originated in South AmericaAmericaIt was domesticated It was domesticated in Mexico in Mexico ItIt’’s name is derived s name is derived from the Aztec from the Aztec "tomatl". "tomatl".

World TravelerWorld Traveler

Spanish explorers Spanish explorers introduced the tomato to introduced the tomato to Europe in the 1600'sEurope in the 1600'sIt was embraced by the It was embraced by the Spaniards and ItaliansSpaniards and ItaliansNorthern Europeans Northern Europeans suspected the "wolf suspected the "wolf peach" was poisonous peach" was poisonous and only grew it for and only grew it for decorationdecorationSome felt it was an Some felt it was an aphrodisiac and began aphrodisiac and began calling it the "love apple" calling it the "love apple"

Homeward BoundHomeward BoundThe tomato arrived in The tomato arrived in America in the late 1700's America in the late 1700's along with all of the myth along with all of the myth surrounding itsurrounding itAdventuresome Adventuresome gardeners, like Thomas gardeners, like Thomas Jefferson, helped it gain Jefferson, helped it gain popularitypopularityBy 1835, tomatoes were By 1835, tomatoes were widely consumed in the widely consumed in the US US

Fruit or VegetableFruit or VegetableBotanically a fruit Botanically a fruit –– the mthe mature ovary of a plant ature ovary of a plant A vegetable is the edible part of a plant such as a A vegetable is the edible part of a plant such as a root, stem or leafroot, stem or leafThe U.S. Supreme Court ruled the tomato was a The U.S. Supreme Court ruled the tomato was a vegetable in 1893 (vegetable in 1893 (NIX v. HEDDEN, 149 U.S. 304NIX v. HEDDEN, 149 U.S. 304))Import tax placed on vegetables (but not fruits) protected Import tax placed on vegetables (but not fruits) protected U.S. tomato growers from international markets U.S. tomato growers from international markets

YouYou’’ve Come A Long Way ve Come A Long Way -- BabyBabyFruit or vegetable Fruit or vegetable ––tomatoes have come a tomatoes have come a long way from their humble long way from their humble beginningsbeginningsAmateur and commercial Amateur and commercial breeders have produced breeders have produced thousands of varietiesthousands of varietiesImproved quality and Improved quality and disease resistance, as well disease resistance, as well as a wealth of sizes, colors as a wealth of sizes, colors and flavors for the and flavors for the consumer to enjoy consumer to enjoy

ClimateClimate

Warm season Warm season Tomato plants grow Tomato plants grow best between 68best between 68oo F F and 80.6and 80.6oo FFFruit set is reduced if Fruit set is reduced if temperature exceeds temperature exceeds 8686o o F or below 50F or below 50oo FFPlant early fall Plant early fall –– early early springspring

VarietiesVarieties

How to chose? How to chose? Do your homework Do your homework ––””nothing more optimistic nothing more optimistic than a seed catalogthan a seed catalog””

Determinate vs IndeterminateDeterminate vs IndeterminateDeterminate plants stop growing Determinate plants stop growing once the flower buds emergeonce the flower buds emergeFruit ripens within a short window of Fruit ripens within a short window of time time -- 10 10 –– 20 days20 daysSmaller size bush may not need Smaller size bush may not need staking or caging, but providing staking or caging, but providing support can improve the quality of support can improve the quality of the fruitthe fruitIndeterminate varieties continue to Indeterminate varieties continue to grow and set fruit throughout the grow and set fruit throughout the season season Good for the gardener who prefers to Good for the gardener who prefers to have a fewer number of tomatoes have a fewer number of tomatoes over a longer period of time over a longer period of time

VarietiesVarietiesDays to maturity Days to maturity --"early," "midseason," or "early," "midseason," or "late" "late" -- indicate when the variety should indicate when the variety should start ripeningstart ripeningDisease Resistance Disease Resistance -- VFNVFNBest to choose tried and proven varieties Best to choose tried and proven varieties at firstat first

Large fruited typesLarge fruited types -- Better Boy, Celebrity, Better Boy, Celebrity, Duke, Floramerica, FloraDuke, Floramerica, Flora--Dade, Floradel, Dade, Floradel, Manalucie, Solar Set, Sun Coast, WalterManalucie, Solar Set, Sun Coast, Walter

Tomato VarietiesTomato VarietiesBeefsteak Beefsteak –– Bragger, Beefmaster, Bragger, Beefmaster,

Beefsteak, Super Beefsteak, Super BeefsteakBeefsteak

Pear or Plum Pear or Plum –– Roma, La RomaRoma, La Roma

HeirloomsHeirlooms

Small FruitSmall FruitCherries Cherries –––– Chelsea, Cherry, Chelsea, Cherry,

Cherry Grande, Sugar Cherry Grande, Sugar Lump, Sweet 100, Tiny Lump, Sweet 100, Tiny Tim, Florida Basket, Tim, Florida Basket, Florida Lanai, Florida Florida Lanai, Florida Petite, Micro Tom, Petite, Micro Tom, Patio CherryPatio Cherry

Grapes Grapes –– Santa, JulietSanta, Juliet

ExperimentExperiment

Talk to other gardenersTalk to other gardenersThat heirloom while ugly and That heirloom while ugly and susceptible to disease may susceptible to disease may produce the worldproduce the world’’s most s most delicious tomatoesdelicious tomatoesExperimentation is part of the Experimentation is part of the joy of gardening, and part of joy of gardening, and part of your harvest is the your harvest is the knowledge you gain along knowledge you gain along the waythe way

UglyRipe™ Tomatoes

Recipe for SuccessRecipe for Success

Soil fertilitySoil fertilityWateringWateringMulchingMulchingPest and disease Pest and disease controlcontrol

Soil pHSoil pHAcidity/alkalinityAcidity/alkalinityBest range: 5.8Best range: 5.8--6.56.5Soil testSoil testToo acid? Lime Too acid? Lime with Dolomitewith DolomiteToo alkaline? Too alkaline? –– Add microAdd micro--nutrientsnutrients–– Add sulfur only if Add sulfur only if

overover--limedlimed

Organic MatterOrganic Matter

Use liberallyUse liberallyConditions soilConditions soilImproves water Improves water holdingholdingImproves nutrient Improves nutrient holdingholdingSupplies nutrients Supplies nutrients ––slow releaseslow releaseBuffers soilBuffers soilIncreases soil Increases soil ““lifelife””

Fertilizing TomatoesFertilizing Tomatoes

Tomatoes are "heavy Tomatoes are "heavy feeders" feeders" Growth of, branches, Growth of, branches, leaves, blossoms and leaves, blossoms and roots; and developing, roots; and developing, nurturing and ripening nurturing and ripening fruits > 20 lbs per plantfruits > 20 lbs per plantAll this work requires a All this work requires a steady diet of water and steady diet of water and nutrients nutrients

Plant NutrientsPlant Nutrients

MacroMacro--nutrientsnutrients–– Primary Primary

N (nitrogen)N (nitrogen)P (phosphorus) P (phosphorus) K (potassium)K (potassium)

–– SecondarySecondaryCa ( calcium)Ca ( calcium)Mg (magnesium)Mg (magnesium)S (sulfur)S (sulfur)

MicroMicro--nutrientsnutrients–– B (boron)B (boron)–– Cl (chlorine)Cl (chlorine)–– Cu (copper)Cu (copper)–– Fe (iron)Fe (iron)–– Mn (manganese)Mn (manganese)–– Mo (molybdenum)Mo (molybdenum)–– Zn (zinc)Zn (zinc)

FertilizerFertilizer

NPK plus microNPK plus micro--nutrientsnutrientsOrganic vs inorganic Organic vs inorganic --plants donplants don’’t caret careCost, convenience, Cost, convenience, availabilityavailabilityFoliar feedingFoliar feedingFertigationFertigation

Florida Garden Florida Garden AmountsAmounts

Fertilizing the Fertilizing the GardenGarden

Soil TypeSoil Type NN--PP--K RatioK Ratio AmountAmount AmountAmountbanded perbanded per broadcastbroadcast10 ft row10 ft row per 100 sq ftper 100 sq ft

Sand, marl 6-6-6 5 oz 2-3 lbs or clay

Organic 0-12-20 2 oz 1-2 lbs(muck or peat)

Manure/CompostsManure/CompostsRates:Rates:–– Before planting Before planting

broadcast 25broadcast 25--100 lbs / 100 lbs / 100 sq. ft. or more100 sq. ft. or more

–– Supplement with 2Supplement with 2--3 lbs 3 lbs fertilizerfertilizer

–– After planting side dress After planting side dress 5 lbs / 100 sq. ft.5 lbs / 100 sq. ft.

Compost to avoid food Compost to avoid food borne pathogens borne pathogens

Fertilizer TipsFertilizer Tips

Avoid highAvoid high--nitrogen fertilizers such as nitrogen fertilizers such as urea, ammonium sulfate or fresh manure urea, ammonium sulfate or fresh manure too much N will produce tall, dark green too much N will produce tall, dark green plants with few tomatoes. plants with few tomatoes. Start sideStart side--dressing when the first tomatoes dressing when the first tomatoes have just formed have just formed -- when they're about the when they're about the size of golf ballssize of golf ballsRepeat sideRepeat side--dressings every three weeks dressings every three weeks

BeddingBedding

Bedding Bedding

Water control Water control --drainage drainage Elevated rowsElevated rows-- 66--8 inches high8 inches high-- 1212--48 inches wide48 inches wideHills (mounds 12Hills (mounds 12--18 18 inch wide)inch wide)Different techniquesDifferent techniques

TransplantsTransplants

AdvantagesAdvantagesEarly startEarly startAvoid bad weatherAvoid bad weatherChoice of plantsChoice of plantsInstant successInstant successIdeal seed Ideal seed germinationgerminationReduce pest and Reduce pest and disease controldisease control

Buy or grow your own

Success with TransplantsSuccess with Transplants

Select only strong, stocky, healthy, disease-free plantsYounger plants produce better plants that are too old or too hardTransplant late in the day, after a rain or when overcastProtect new transplants if needed

Setting PlantsSetting Plants

44--6 weeks old6 weeks oldDo not disturb Do not disturb rootsrootsSet in moist soilSet in moist soilWater around rootsWater around rootsSet at proper Set at proper depthsdepthsStarter solution Starter solution helpfulhelpful *

Spacing

rows 36" rows 36" -- 4848““ apartapart18 18 -- 24" between plan24" between plan

WateringWatering

Tomatoes need 1 Tomatoes need 1 –– 2 2 inches of water per inches of water per week depending on week depending on season, soil, stage of season, soil, stage of growth etc.growth etc.One inch of water One inch of water equals about 60 gallons equals about 60 gallons for each 100 square feet for each 100 square feet of gardenof gardenWater young plants Water young plants frequently, older plants frequently, older plants more but less often more but less often

Overhead SprinklersOverhead Sprinklers

Overhead sprinkler Overhead sprinkler irrigation is most irrigation is most commonly usedcommonly usedOverhead irrigation is Overhead irrigation is inefficient and may inefficient and may contribute to disease contribute to disease problemsproblemsWater early in the day Water early in the day to allow dryingto allow drying

Drip IrrigationDrip IrrigationDrip irrigation on Drip irrigation on mulched beds is hard mulched beds is hard to beatto beatAlthough efficient in Although efficient in terms of water use, terms of water use, drip irrigation is drip irrigation is somewhat technicalsomewhat technicalIt is expensive and It is expensive and requires good quality requires good quality water supplieswater supplies

Other methodsOther methods

ConsiderationsConsiderationsWater quality Water quality –– pH, salinity, other pH, salinity, other Over watering can cause numerous Over watering can cause numerous problemsproblemsFertilizer and water management are Fertilizer and water management are closely linked closely linked -- the goal is to keep the the goal is to keep the irrigation water and the fertilizer in the root irrigation water and the fertilizer in the root zonezoneWater conservation techniques Water conservation techniques Supply the proper amount of water at the Supply the proper amount of water at the proper timeproper time

MulchingMulching

Retains soil Retains soil moisturemoistureReduces weedsReduces weedsModerates soil Moderates soil temperaturestemperaturesLess fruit disease Less fruit disease (no contact with (no contact with soil)soil)

No mulch - more disease

Mulch effectsMulch effects

Mulch - less disease

MulchesMulches

Hay/pine strawHay/pine strawLeavesLeavesBark/wood chipsBark/wood chipsYard waste Yard waste SawdustSawdustPeanut hullsPeanut hulls

PolyPoly--plasticplasticNewspaperNewspaperCardboardCardboardCarpetCarpet

Organic MulchesOrganic MulchesInorganic MulchesInorganic Mulches

Staking, Trellising etcStaking, Trellising etc

BenefitsBenefits–– Optimize spaceOptimize space–– Reduce disease Reduce disease

problemsproblems–– Cleaner fruitCleaner fruit–– Earlier fruitEarlier fruit

ProblemsProblems–– WindWind–– More BERMore BER–– CrackingCracking–– AccessAccess–– Difficult toDifficult to–– sprayspray

Essential for indeterminate types

Trellising MethodsTrellising Methods

Stakes Stakes –– single, single, multiplemultipleCagesCagesSpiralsSpiralsTripods, QuadrapodsTripods, QuadrapodsEuropean trellisEuropean trellis

Tomato Cage Tomato LadderSpiral

Pruning TomatoesPruning TomatoesPurpose Purpose –– Larger fruitLarger fruit–– Train indeterminate typesTrain indeterminate types

OptionalOptionalRemove young suckersRemove young suckersLeave two main stemsLeave two main stemsDonDon’’t remove leaves on t remove leaves on main stems main stems –– avoid avoid excessive pruning excessive pruning

Auxillary Shoot or Sucke

Troubleshooting Tomato Troubleshooting Tomato ProblemsProblems

Everyone likes Everyone likes tomatoestomatoes

Biotic causesBiotic causes

WeedsWeedsInsectsInsectsDiseasesDiseasesNematodesNematodes

Abiotic CausesAbiotic Causes

Who done it? Who done it?

”Blossom-End Rot”

Calcium Deficiency

Catfacing – deformed fruit

Hail Damage

Blossom drop

WeedsWeeds

Normally not a major problem Normally not a major problem Compete for water and nutrientsCompete for water and nutrientsHarbor pests and diseasesHarbor pests and diseasesControlControl–– MulchesMulches–– CultivationCultivation–– Hand pullingHand pulling–– Off season controlOff season control

importantimportant

NematodesNematodes

Microscopic soil Microscopic soil dwelling wormsdwelling wormsAboveground Aboveground symptomssymptoms–– StuntingStunting–– YellowingYellowing–– WiltingWilting

Root knots or gallsRoot knots or galls

Soil Solarization

Soil Solarization StepsSoil Solarization Steps

Remove all vegetationRemove all vegetationAdd soil amendments (compost, etc)Add soil amendments (compost, etc)Turn/rotoTurn/roto--till soiltill soilWet soil to activate nematodesWet soil to activate nematodesCover with plastic (1Cover with plastic (1--6 mil, UV resistant)6 mil, UV resistant)Bury edges of plastic for a good sealBury edges of plastic for a good sealLeave plastic in place for 4Leave plastic in place for 4--6 weeks 6 weeks (June(June--September best)September best)

InsectsInsectsMany good insectsMany good insectsProper identification is Proper identification is importantimportantThresholdsThresholdsControl on an as Control on an as needed rather than needed rather than preventative basispreventative basis

Chewing InsectsChewing Insects(Insects that damage leaves and fruits)(Insects that damage leaves and fruits)

•Worms/Caterpillars *•Beetles•Grasshoppers

Worms/CaterpillarsWorms/Caterpillars

CaterpillarsCaterpillarsMany different kinds in a variety of colors and sizes Many different kinds in a variety of colors and sizes –– armyworms, cutworms, loopers, pinwormsarmyworms, cutworms, loopers, pinwormsControl is easy when youngControl is easy when youngHand pick when only a few are presentHand pick when only a few are presentBiological control Biological control –– Bacillus thuringiensisBacillus thuringiensis (Bt), (Bt), many wasps parasitize caterpillarsmany wasps parasitize caterpillarsSoapSoapChemicals Chemicals –– malathion, pyrethrin, rotenone, Sevin, malathion, pyrethrin, rotenone, Sevin, ConserveConserve

Piercing Piercing –– Sucking InsectsSucking Insects

WhitefliesWhitefliesAphidsAphidsSpider mite Spider mite ThripsThripsLeafLeaf--footed plant bugfooted plant bugSquash bugSquash bugStink bugStink bugLeafhoppersLeafhoppers

Many transmit diseases and/or cause physiological disorders

WhitefliesWhitefliesTiny white insects that fly Tiny white insects that fly up in a cloud when up in a cloud when disturbeddisturbedSecrete honeydewSecrete honeydewSucking insects that Sucking insects that generally weaken plants generally weaken plants and spread a number of and spread a number of virus diseases virus diseases –– such as such as the tomato yellow leaf the tomato yellow leaf curl viruscurl virus

WhitefliesWhiteflies

Whitefly feeding can Whitefly feeding can also result in several also result in several physiological disordersphysiological disorders–– Irregular ripening in Irregular ripening in

tomatotomato

Biocontrol Biocontrol -- BeauvariaBeauvariaChemical controls Chemical controls include soaps, oil, include soaps, oil, malathion, pyrethrinsmalathion, pyrethrins

Spider MitesSpider Mites

Spider mites are very Spider mites are very small and are easily small and are easily visible only under visible only under magnificationmagnificationMite populations can Mite populations can build quickly in dry build quickly in dry weatherweatherLook for infestations Look for infestations to start along edges to start along edges and sides of garden and sides of garden

MitesMitesFoliage silvers, browns Foliage silvers, browns and plants may dieand plants may dieControl with oil, soaps, Control with oil, soaps, sulfursulfurShort life cycle Short life cycle –– timing timing is importantis important

StinkbugStinkbug

Piercing sucking mouth Piercing sucking mouth parts can damage and parts can damage and distort fruitdistort fruitNumbers are often low and Numbers are often low and may not require controlmay not require controlSome are beneficialSome are beneficialChemical controls include Chemical controls include malathion, pyrethrin, Sevin malathion, pyrethrin, Sevin and soapsand soaps

LeafminersLeafminers

Leafminers damage Leafminers damage tomatoes and many tomatoes and many other crops other crops Larvae burrow inside Larvae burrow inside leaf reducing leaf reducing photosynthesisphotosynthesisDamage is often Damage is often cosmeticcosmeticHeavy infestation can Heavy infestation can cause leaf desiccation cause leaf desiccation and abscissionand abscission

LeafminersLeafminers

Stippling pattern and Stippling pattern and serpentine mines in leaves serpentine mines in leaves are indicative of leafminersare indicative of leafminersBeneficial wasps provide Beneficial wasps provide some controlsome controlFeeding habits can make Feeding habits can make leafminers difficult to controlleafminers difficult to controlOils, Neem, systemic Oils, Neem, systemic products like spinosad, products like spinosad, dimethoate provide the dimethoate provide the most effective controlmost effective control

Managing InsectsManaging Insects

Timely plantingTimely plantingScout & handpickScout & handpickBeneficial insects Beneficial insects and fungiand fungiSoap & Oil Sprays, Soap & Oil Sprays, Bt, NeemBt, NeemChemical Chemical insecticidesinsecticides

Tomato DiseasesTomato DiseasesSusceptible host, Susceptible host, pathogen, proper pathogen, proper environment must all environment must all be presentbe presentUnlike insects, many Unlike insects, many diseases must be diseases must be prevented with prevented with protective sprays of protective sprays of fungicides or other fungicides or other strategies (rotation, strategies (rotation, solarization, etc)solarization, etc)

Late blight

Disease TriangleDisease TriangleHost

EnvironmentPathogen

Man

Tomato diseasesTomato diseases

Rots, spots, wilts Rots, spots, wilts blights, mosaic, blights, mosaic, mildewsmildews

Bacteria, fungi, virusBacteria, fungi, virus

Roots, stems leaves, Roots, stems leaves, fruit can all be fruit can all be affectedaffected

Disease ControlDisease Control

BiologicalBiological–– Resistance varieties, beneficial organisms, Resistance varieties, beneficial organisms,

antagonismantagonism

PhysicalPhysical–– soil solarization, pruningsoil solarization, pruning

CulturalCultural–– Rotation, mulching, staking, irrigation Rotation, mulching, staking, irrigation

managementmanagement

Chemical Chemical –– fungicides, bactericidesfungicides, bactericides

Chemical Disease ControlChemical Disease Control

Protectants must be present on surface of plant Protectants must be present on surface of plant to prevent infection by pathogento prevent infection by pathogen–– Copper compounds Copper compounds –– Various fungicides Various fungicides –– Bravo, DithaneBravo, Dithane

Systemic chemical can be translocated Systemic chemical can be translocated internally throughout host plant and can kill or internally throughout host plant and can kill or prevent fungal reproductionprevent fungal reproduction–– Thiophanate methyl, mefenoxamThiophanate methyl, mefenoxam

Florida Tomato Scouting Guide with Insect and Disease Identification Keys

http://ftsg.ifas.ufl.edu

Leaf spotsLeaf spots

Bacterial spot

Early BlightLeaf mold

Late blight

Root/Stem ProblemsRoot/Stem Problems

Southern blight Fusarium crown rot

Early Blight White mold

VirusesViruses

Tobacco etch

Tomato Yellow Leaf Curl

Tomato Mottle Cucumber mosaic virus

Fruit Spots and RotsFruit Spots and Rots

Early BlightBacterial speck

Late blightBuckeye rot

Use Pesticides SafelyUse Pesticides Safely

Follow the labelFollow the labelUse on listed crops onlyUse on listed crops onlyMeasure correctlyMeasure correctlyFollow application intervalsFollow application intervalsWear protective gearWear protective gearUse, store, and dispose of containers Use, store, and dispose of containers correctlycorrectlyWash produce before eatingWash produce before eating

Tasty TomatoesTasty Tomatoes

Variety Variety –– personal personal preferencespreferencesProper nutrition and Proper nutrition and waterwaterDisease control Disease control ––protect the foliageprotect the foliageLong daysLong daysLet mature on vine Let mature on vine Store properly > 55Store properly > 55oo FF

SourcesSources

Vince and Linda SappVince and Linda SappTomato Growers Tomato Growers Supply CompanySupply CompanyP.O. Box 2237P.O. Box 2237Fort Myers, FL 33902 Fort Myers, FL 33902 Phone 239Phone 239--768768--11191119Email Email --http://www.tomatogrohttp://www.tomatogrowers.com/wers.com/

SourcesSourcesCross Country NurseriesCross Country Nurseries199 Kingwood199 Kingwood--Locktown Locktown RoadRoadRosemont, NJ 08556Rosemont, NJ 08556--01700170

Phone: 908Phone: 908--996996--46464646Fax: 908Fax: 908--996996--46384638www.chileplants.comwww.chileplants.com

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