Growing tomatoes in a polytunnel GUIDEBOOK SERIES ON TUNNEL CULTIVATION
These are the most popular plants grown under cover. The delicate and juicy fruits are susceptible to any damage, which is why they are covered by a foil , thus protecting
TOMATOES
them against hail and heavy rain or snowfall. The stems and roots can get ripped out or broken under the influence of strong wind , which is why cultivating tomatoes in a greenhouse guarantee a safer production. Tomato is a thermophilic plant, so using a garden tent for its cultivation positively influences its development. For proper growth constant warm soil and air are required, making a foil tunnel the ideal tool.
TYPES OF TOMATOES VARIETIES FOR CULTIVATION IN A GARDEN TUNNEL Regarding garden cultivation, tomato fruits have different sizes: from 20 mm to much larger varieties up to 20 cm. The same can be said about shapes. Spherical, oblong, similar in appearance to squash, zucchini, peppers and even pears. Most of them are red, but we can find orange, yellow, green, purple, and even black species.
CONDITIONS FOR GROWING TOMATOES The most favorable temperature for its development is between
TEMPERATURE
22ยบC and 27ยบC during the day, and from 16 to 27ยบC at night. Although tomatoes grow and flower much better with heat, temperatures above 30ยบ will contribute to harm them.
Tomatoes are to be watered less frequently, bur more
WATERING
abundantly. Frequent and light watering in the long term leads to root damage. Remember not to soak leaves or flowers, and plant with just roots in the ground, leaving stems in the open.
From the initial stage of growth to fruiting, large fluctuations in humidity can contribute to fruit cracking. A high humidity rate
HUMIDITY
lasting too long is a factor for many diseases. Cracked plants are also problematic at fruiting stage. In such conditions, it is much harder for the flowers to get pollinated.
SEEDLING PREPARATION The seedling preparation stage itself lasts from 5 to 6 weeks. They are permanently sown in April, earlier if you have a heated foil tunnel. The seeds are sown in rows, covered with a 0.5 cm layer of soil, in the middle of March. Tomatoes need a germination temperature that remains between 25ยบC and 27ยบC, and 20ยบC after they have emerged. At night, the optimal temperature should be around 16 ยบC. After 14 days, a true leaf develops, then they are transplanted into containers in such a way that the distance between cotyledon and ground is 1 cm. After the next 14 days, as seedlings have formed 3 leaves, they are planted in pots.
HARDENING AND PLANTING Seedlings, having reached 7 - 8 leaves, are ready for hardening. The treatment itself is intended to make the plant less susceptible to changes and bad weather conditions. First, we place the seedling outside for 3 hours to ventilate. The same process is repeated for a maximum of 4 days. It should be remembered that a temperature close to -3ยบC destroys the seedling.
TOMATOE CARE STRINGS Both in professional and domestic production, tomatoes are supported by strings suspended to the structure. Therefore, if we chose a variety with large fruits, remember to carefully proceed in a polytunnel. Even with a small load, structures of such tunnels can bend or break under the weight of crops.
CULTIVATION Tomato should not grow in the company of potatoes, the plague that attacks them can move on to tomatoes. Carrots, beets, corn and peas are also not recommended while paprika, spinach, kohlrabi, beans and cucumber can be considered good neighbours.
POLLINATION OF TOMATO FLOWERS Tomatoes are self-pollinating, and for this to happen, it's worth taking care of the whole process. The simplest but flawed way is to shake the plant in such a way that the pollen falls on other inflorescences. We can also use a brush. After we collect the pollen on the end of the bristles, we can transfer it to the remaining flowers. But this is time consuming. If you have a tunnel with side ventilation, opening the curtains and let air circulate will do the job.
TRIMMING SHOOTS During ripening, the shrub releases shoots that are completely unnecessary for the cultivator. They do not produce fruit or present any advantage. In order to relieve the tomato, you can cut that shoot. Take a similar action if we notice any disease changes, this is a way to slow down the spread of pathogens. Leave from 3 to 7 grapes of fruit that the flowers generated. In the case of small-fruit varieties, you can double this number. Others can be removed manually when they are still small, or using tools. In the latter case, when work is done, you need to sterilize the shears.
GUIDEBOOK SERIES ON TUNNEL CULTIVATION
FOR MORE TIPS AND ADVICE, VISIT: