Are you brushing your tomato plant? Find out why experts recommend doing this.
Because touching your tomato plant can make a difference
Looking for an easy way to enhance your gardening experience? Tomatoes are a great choice for starters, and add a fresh touch to your outdoor meals.
One of the latest tricks to make the growing tomatoes even simpler is the so-called “touching of the tomato”.
But how can a simple touch influence the growth of your plants? Here is the scientific explanation behind this method.
The role of pollination in tomato plants
All plants need pollination to grow, and tomatoes are no exception.
The peculiarity of tomato plants is that they are auto pollination; they contain both male and female parts within them.
However, to activate pollination, a certain mobility of the pollen is necessary, which can be facilitated by the wind.
In the absence of wind, a manual touch can help distribute the pollen and speed up the growth process, ensuring a bountiful harvest. This trick has also been confirmed by industry experts.
The swipe process: how it works
Touching tomatoes is a manual method for pollination. Simply take the stem of the plant and shake it gently so that the pollen is released, or directly touch the final part of the flowers.
If you have a fine paintbrush (the kind you would use to paint a picture), you can gently run it over the inside of the flower and then transfer the collected pollen to the center of the flower.
If you don’t have a brush, a cotton ball can do the same job.
When the wind isn’t enough: the importance of brushing in your garden
In environments such as the greenhouse, where there is not much wind and pollinators have difficulty accessing the plants, touching the tomatoes can simulate the role of nature and encourage the fall of pollen.
This method is especially useful if you notice that your plants are not thriving as they should, despite all other conditions being optimal.
Tools and materials needed to grow tomatoes at home
To grow healthy and strong tomatoes, in addition to pruning, you will need some basic tools:
- Seed tray with cells
- 18 inch diameter vase
- Well-draining soil
- Saucer
- Stake or stakes to support plants
- Specific fertilizer for tomatoes
With these tools at your disposal, your garden will be ready to welcome your tomato plants and guarantee you a rich and tasty harvest.
