How to Grow Black Tomatoes? A Detailed Guide to the Latest Planting Methods
The tomatoes we see in our daily lives are basically all red, but now a new type of tomato variety has appeared on the market, and that is the black tomato. It is a tomato variety with black fruit introduced from South America in recent years, with nutritional value higher than that of red tomatoes and a very sweet taste, suitable for eating as a fruit. So what is the difference between the growing methods for black tomatoes and those for ordinary tomatoes? Below, let us learn together about the growing methods for black tomatoes.
1. Land preparation and fertilization
Black tomatoes are generally suitable for growing in fertile soil with good drainage and water retention, or in sandy loam with good soil permeability, or in clayey sandy soil. They should not be grown in heavy clay or pure sand. When preparing the land, we generally need to separate the seedling bed and the growing field. The soil of the seedling bed should be prepared as fine as possible, and at the same time, beds can be made and furrows opened at a width of about 1.2 m. The soil of the growing field does not need to be like that of the seedling bed, but it is necessary to ensure that there are no waterlogged areas in the field, and at the same time clean up the impurities in the field. Finally, spread the base fertilizer, turn the base fertilizer into the soil, and then wait for planting.
2. Sowing and raising seedlings
Because the temperature in China differs somewhat from that in South America, and the climate in northern and southern China also differs, when sowing we must proceed according to the specific conditions of the location. In southern China, sowing is basically carried out in January and August each year, while in the north it can only be sown in August. There are two common sowing methods, namely broadcasting and drilling. Before sowing, the soil needs to be watered wet, then the seeds should be evenly scattered, pressed into the soil, and covered with a layer of barnyard manure or a layer of rice straw. This can play a role in keeping warm and moist, thereby promoting the speed of seed germination.
3. Reasonable close planting
Generally, transplanting and field planting can be carried out after the late frost. At this time, the tomato seedlings have basically grown to about 10 cm, and at the same time the soil temperature has basically reached about 10°C to 15°C, which is just suitable for tomato growth. Under normal circumstances, field planting is carried out at a density of about 2,500 to 3,000 plants per mu, with a row spacing of about 50 cm and a plant spacing of about 30 to 40 cm. If it is a relatively late-maturing variety, we also need to appropriately reduce the density, preferably planting about 2,200 plants. As for the specific planting density, we also need to decide according to the fertility of the soil.
4. Field management
Black tomatoes require relatively many nutrients for growth, so in addition to sufficient base fertilizer, reasonable topdressing is also needed. The early topdressing is mainly nitrogen fertilizer, but an appropriate amount of potassium fertilizer must also be used, or manure and urine water plus plant ash can be used to promote growth. The second topdressing is when the black tomatoes flower and bear fruit for the first time, mainly potassium fertilizer, with a small amount of urea, to prevent the plants from aging. Because black tomatoes bear fruit in multiple batches, fertilization is needed each time they flower, and the type of fertilizer is the same as at the first flowering. The drought resistance of black tomatoes is still relatively strong. Generally, watering is needed about one week after field planting, and afterward watering can be done reasonably according to the moisture level in the field. Finally, during their growth process, we also need to carry out at least three rounds of intertillage and weeding. At the same time, during the full fruit stage, they can be staked or thinned of flowers and fruits.
5. Pest and disease control
The most common pests and diseases of black tomatoes are actually not very different from those of tomatoes. The main ones are blossom-end rot, leaf spot, bacterial wilt, early blight, late blight, powdery mildew, viral disease, and downy mildew, while the main insect pests are aphids, moths, stem borers, and so on. In addition, there are some physiological diseases, and the physiological diseases are mainly caused by improper fertilization, so when fertilizing we must strictly follow scientific fertilization methods. As for the above diseases, they are basically fungal infectious diseases and can be treated with carbendazim, chlorothalonil, Bordeaux mixture, and some other targeted agents, while insect pests can be controlled with trichlorfon.