This was one of the best seminars on tomatoes that we have ever attended. This information was directed primarily at the growing conditions here in Southern California. So everything described below is directly applicable to growing tomatoes in Sea Pointe.
Below is a summary of the topics that Steve Goto discussed. Over 100 people attended this seminar.
Sun Gold Cherry, is the best cherry tomato. Sweet. Sweet. Nothing like it.
Heirloom means 100 or more years old. Brandywine is the best and most popular heirloom. Has the best taste, but does not grow well in southern California. Suggest you avoid this specie.
Noire charbonnese is a near black tomato. Deep, deep purple. Heirloom. 300 years old. Taste has great complexity. Makes a wonderful salsa.
Motomaro has been in the top 10 for the past twelve years. Great taste. Does not do well in black plastic pots. We grew these last year with good success.
A tomato plant will produce 5 or 6 sets of fruit. But will not produce fruit on limbs that have already produced. So cut off the ones that have already produced and focus on the new growth on the lower parts of the plant.
Maturity date. This is on the identification stick in the container pot at the store. This represents the number of days from the time you plant them in your yard to the time of first bearing. You should select varieties with different maturity dates to assure a constant supply of tomatoes during the summer and fall.
Salsa recipe. Select 4 or 5 tomatoes. Add juice of a navel orange. Add garlic salt to taste. Dig in with your favorite chips.
Sunlight rules. Select plants for your yard depending upon the amount of sun you are likely to get in your yard. You have to factor in shade from trees, house, etc. For smaller tomatoes, you need about 6 hours of sun per day during the summer. For medium size tomatoes you need 6-8 hours of sun per day. For the beefstake varities you need 10-12 hours per day. In the San Clemente area this means for the large beefstake varieties, you will have very little fruit production. Recommendation-avoid these varieties.
Do not use Miracle Gro or similar products. These are synthetic fertilizers and harm the root growth of the plant.
Don’t pinch off the top of the tomato plant. This kills off the next fruit crop.
Do not use vitamin B supplements.
Use soil conditioner at the beginning of each growing season.
If you are growing your tomatoes in containers, Steve recommends at least a five gallon size.
In our community the most common disease for tomatoes is fusarium wilt. This is a disease that kills off the leaves at the bottom and moves up the plant until the whole vine dies. Last year this disease killed our tomato plants right after the first fruiting. Now there is a solution to prevent this. It is called worm magic. Go to www.wormagic.com. If you have any question about tomatoes email Steve Goto at steve@gotonursery.com and visit his website at www.gotonursery.com.
We have been growing tomatoes for years. This was the most interesting and informative seminar on tomatoes we have been to.
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