Emma Miller
Tomatoes planted in spring or early summer require constant care. In July, the plants begin to form fruit and if you do nothing with them during this period, you run the risk of not having a harvest.
How to properly care for tomato seedlings – important steps
In July, plants spend a huge amount of energy on the formation of fruits. It is during this period you need to perform certain gardening work to get a good harvest. If this is not done, the new tomatoes simply will not set, and the last ones that set – will not mature.
Shaping tomatoes
Many gardeners form bushes in the spring – when they decide how many stems they need. The fact is that the lush flowering of tomatoes lasts until the fall – especially if there is a lot of nitrogen in the soil.
Leave the bush completely “bare” should not be left, but remove all unnecessary shoots – let the plant direct all its forces to the formation of fruits. Cut off all new stems, leaving small (up to 1.5 cm) stubs, lower leaves (especially those that have begun to turn yellow), and massive leaves located at the base of the ripening brush.
Feeding tomatoes
The third (final) fertilization of tomatoes should be done in July. Experienced gardeners say that the best solution for this is a solution with the following composition:
- cowpea – 1 l;
- superphosphate – 20 grams;
- urea – 10 gr;
- potassium sulfate – 20 gr;
- lime – 10 gr;
- copper sulfate – 2 g per 10 liters of water.
High-growing and vines will need 2 liters, low-growing and medium-growing plants – 1-1.5 liters per bush.
Watering and loosening
Another important stage is the regular supply of moisture and renewal of the layer of soil, where tomatoes grow. Drip irrigation is ideal for tomatoes, but if you don’t have one, water the plants under the root 1-2 times a week. It is also important to loosen the soil once a week to allow oxygen access to the plant. Be careful not to damage the roots.
Treat plants for pests
It is necessary to eliminate insects regularly in order not to endanger tomatoes during the ripening period and the future harvest. In the period of fruiting, you can not use chemicals, so it is better to treat the plants with folk remedies.
Make a solution of whey (1 liter of whey to 3 liters of water) and spray the plants every 10 days.
Remove ripe tomatoes in good time.
Some tomato varieties ripen in bunches while others ripen singly, and if you’ve got the latter, don’t forget to remove the ripe fruits. If you do not do this, the plant will waste energy on its feeding and delay the development of other fruits. If you do not have the opportunity to regularly monitor the tomatoes, then pluck the nearly ripe fruits and leave them to mature in the sun.
