Monday, 8 August 2011

Simple tips to prevent various diseases when growing tomato plants!

Although in Botany, tomato is regarded and categorized as a fruit, it is one of the favorite plants in vegetable gardens found around the United States. The luscious and succulent fruit is found in numerous meals of households around the world. Growing tomato plants in your own garden is the best way to have fresh and organic tomatoes with your meals.


Tomatoes thrive well in soil where pH falls between 5.5 and 7. Beyond and above these points may not be a livable environment for the plant. Temperature of the soil is also vital as tomatoes tend to fall short and unhealthy as temperature goes beyond 55 degrees Fahrenheit and above 65 degrees Fahrenheit.


The optimum growth will be observed when the soil temperature is maintained between the two mentioned temperatures. For those expecting colder nights than usual, it is advisable to cover the plants with cloth to shield them from potential freezing.


While growing tomatoes may seem fairly easy, there are some important things one must keep in mind to prevent diseases, pests and abnormalities from attacking the plants. Solarizing the soil for 3 to 4 weeks during the summer will control thriving of pests like nematodes and weeds. This is a process where the soil is moistened, then covered with tarp and keeps that in place for a period of time.


Growers can avoid soil-borne diseases by crafting a 2-3 year crop rotation. This may seem very complicated, but this procedure just dictates that one should not plant tomatoes in the same soil within 2 years. This gives the grower the time Rago who are we to the soil, thus, preventing spread or spring of plant pests and possible ailments.


Immediately remove unhealthy and ailing pants to prevent the disease from spreading to the healthier group. Burn these plants together with the weeds and mulch that made contact with the damaged crops.


If these measures would not be enough and diseases have already stricken the plants, it is best that a grower knows what kind of bug, he or she is looking at to know what treatment should be employed. Spike of heat can cause sunscald. If the fruit is far from ripening, immediately remove the damaged ones.


Perhaps the most common that one will observe in the garden would be the blossom-end rot. This is characterized by wrinkled skin and rotting of the end portion of tomatoes. Lack of calcium uptake due to insufficient moisture may cause this damage.


Instantly remove rotten tomatoes and increase the watering interval of the plants. If the area is relatively hot, mulching the surrounding of the fruit will be a great help.


Growing tomato plants may be lucrative and fulfilling for plant and garden enthusiasts. But just like any other living things on the planet, proper care and attention should be provided at all times.

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