Tomatoes are one of the most famous plants around the world, it is versatile and used in many ways, in addition to its nutritional and economical importance as a fruit.
Have you ever wondered how to grow a tomato plant and get those delicious fruits by yourself?
Here you can use Harraz Farm and Garden premium products that are selected carefully for you.
Therefore, we are pleased to take you on a quick tour around the tomato’s life and explain how to grow them by yourself using seeds, simply by using Harraz farm and Garden’s experience and growing guidelines.
Oxheart Tomatoes:
The Oxheart tomato is an indeterminate, open-pollinated plant with an old-fashioned taste of tomato.
It has a medium-delayed cycle for cultivation in greenhouses and open fields. Low maintenance and can produce huge fruits.
Oxheart tomato is a vigorous plant, round, heart-shaped and the average fruit weight is 220-250 grams.
Typical to use in salads, pink-red color and suitable for the fresh markets.
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Growing Guidelines
Tomatoes go through several stages during their growth, and in the following we will talk about those stages and the methods of care at each stage:
1- Germination and Seedling Stage:
It is the stage in which the embryo is activated inside the seeds and begins to grow and form small plants which are called seedlings.
The seeds are planted at a depth of 1 cm in healthy, pure soil that does not contain compost or fertilizers more than 15%, the seed then is covered with soil and is tamped for 48 hours (Tamping is a method used to break the dormancy of seeds and stimulate them to germinate by providing the necessary environment for germination including the moisture in the soil, the surrounding atmosphere and the temperature by wrapping the covering of the soil containing the seeds with a plastic wrap. It is preferable to perform this step in small planting pots that accommodate the size of the seed, or what is called a seedling tray or find other solutions that achieve the same function)
After germination, the plants are exposed to indirect light and close attention is paid to irrigation to preserve the seedlings from any damage or stress that may expose the young plant to death.
After 10 days of germination the plant is irrigated with water mixed with fertilizers, rich in the necessary elements that are needed for plant growth until it reaches maturity where it can adapt and grow in a healthy manner
After 25 to 35 days of germination, the plant can be transferred to a container in which the plant will continue its growth, and it is preferable that the added soil mixture contains a sufficient percentage of compost (vegetable compost) up to 30%
2- Vegetative Growth Stage:
It is the stage in which the plant forms thick and strong leaves and stems
Close attention must be paid to the plant’s nutrition and its continual supply with the necessary nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. At this stage, the plant needs a large amount of nitrogen, which is involved in many vital processes of the plant and stimulates vegetative growth.
The more vigorous and prolific the vegetative growth is, the more the plant can grow endurance and give a bigger crop.
Different types of organic fertilizers can be used. Other fertilizers that contain balanced amounts of elements can be used as well.
The stage of vegetative growth is not limited to the growth of the green leaves only, its roots also grow extensively. Despite our inability to see it, the roots are branched in a significantly large way, in proportion to the growth of the plant, its size and age
3- Flowering Stage:
The stage in which flowering begins is considered one of the most important stages for the plant since based on the number of flowers available, the amount of the crop is determined.
The higher the foliage of the plant is, the more it can absorb and process the nutrients in a better way. Also, the healthier and stronger the growing stage is, the more it can produce flowers.
Elements such as potassium, phosphorus, boron and copper greatly control the growth and vitality of the flowers and raise the percentage of the fruit holding in them. (Fruit holding is the flower’s ability to form fruit after its pollination)
4- Fruit Holding and Fruit Growth Stage:
It is the stage, after flowering, in which the plant begins to grow fruits, after the pollination process is completed successfully, which is the main purpose of agriculture in general.
Close attention must be paid to fertilization, especially elements such as copper and boron, which preserve the fruit stems and the potassium element responsible for the fruits saturation and the outer walls of the fruits
Good care is taken in regards to irrigation to maintain the growth and vitality of the roots, maintain the quality of the fruits, and to prevent cracks resulting from the inconsistency in irrigation.
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Tomato Characteristics
The tomato is one of the most famous plants of the Solanaceae family, the species originated in western South America, Mexico and Central America. The Mexican word Nahuatl tomatel gave rise to the Spanish word tomate, from which the English and Arabic word “tomato” is derived from.
It can be used extensively in various recipes and salads due to its wonderful taste and high quality
Tomatoes are the main food source of the antioxidant lycopene, which has been linked to many health benefits, including reduced risk of heart disease and cancer.
They are also a great source of vitamin C, potassium, folic acid, and vitamin K.
The water content of tomatoes is about 95%. The remaining 5% consists mainly of carbohydrates and fiber.
Vitamins and Minerals
Tomatoes are a good source of many vitamins and minerals:
Vitamin C is an essential nutrient and antioxidant. One medium tomato can provide about 28% of the RDI.
Potassium; Potassium is an essential mineral, which is useful for controlling blood pressure and preventing heart disease.
Vitamin K1. Also known as phylloquinone, vitamin K is important for blood clotting and bone health.
Folic acid (vitamin B9) is one of the B vitamins, which is important for normal tissue growth and cell function. It is especially important for pregnant women
Other plant compounds
The content of vitamins and plant compounds in tomatoes can vary greatly between varieties and sampling periods.
The main plant compounds in tomatoes are:
lycopene; A red pigment and antioxidant, has been extensively studied for its beneficial health effects.
Beta-carotene; An antioxidant that gives foods a yellow or orange color, beta-carotene is converted to vitamin A in your body.
Naringin; Found in the skin of tomatoes, this flavonoid has been shown to reduce inflammation and protect mice from various diseases.
Chlorogenic acid; A powerful antioxidant compound, chlorogenic acid may lower blood pressure in people with elevated levels
Chlorophyll and carotenoids such as lycopene are responsible for the rich color of tomatoes.
When the ripening process begins, chlorophyll (green) is broken down and carotenoids (red) are synthesized.
Lycopene:
Lycopene—the most abundant carotenoid in ripe tomatoes—is particularly noteworthy when it comes to fruit plant compounds.
It is found in high concentrations in the skin.
In general, the more red the tomato is, the higher the lycopene content in it.
Tomato products – such as ketchup, tomato juice, tomato paste, and tomato sauce – are the richest dietary sources of lycopene in the Western diet, providing more than 80% of dietary lycopene in the United States.
Gram for gram, the amount of lycopene in processed tomato products is often much higher than in fresh tomatoes.
For example, ketchup contains 10-14 mg of lycopene per 100 grams, while a fresh cherry tomato (100 grams) contains only 1-8 mg.
However, keep in mind that ketchup is often consumed in very small quantities. Thus, it may be easier to increase your lycopene intake by eating unprocessed tomatoes – which also have much less sugar than ketchup.
Other foods in your diet may have a strong effect on lycopene absorption. Consuming this plant compound with a source of fat can increase absorption by up to four times. However, not everyone absorbs lycopene at the same levels.
Although processed tomato products are higher in lycopene, it is still recommended to eat fresh, whole tomatoes whenever possible.
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Plant Needs
Type: Suitable for cultivation in greenhouses as well as open fields, but it is necessary to provide trusses because the plant keeps growing and extending.
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