Cherry Tomato Blackening: Explaining Blossom End Rot in Your Home Garden
Growing and Harvesting Black Cherry Tomatoes: Tips from an Experienced Gardener
Glen, an experienced gardener with over 15 years of hands-on experience in garden maintenance, design, and landscaping services, shares his wisdom on growing and harvesting black cherry tomatoes.
Black cherry tomatoes thrive in well-drained soil with a pH between 6.0 and 6.8, and rich in organic matter. These summer delights need at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day and are sensitive to cold, so they should be planted after the risk of frost has passed and temperatures are consistently above 50°F.
Prevention plays a key role in addressing issues with black cherry tomatoes. Consistent watering schedules, ensuring adequate nutrient supply, and keeping an eye on garden pests are essential. Mulching can help reduce soil splash, while applying fungicides as necessary can prevent fungal diseases like anthracnose and septoria leaf spot. Crop rotation helps prevent soil-borne diseases like fusarium wilt and verticillium wilt. Calcium-rich fertilizers can be applied to prevent blossom end rot.
Pests such as aphids, spider mites, and whiteflies can affect the health of tomato plants. To monitor and reduce the numbers of whiteflies, yellow sticky traps can be effective. For aphids, beneficial insects, like ladybugs, or insecticidal soaps can be introduced. To dislodge spider mites, a strong spray of water can be used.
Harvesting black cherry tomatoes is a simple process. Ripe black cherry tomatoes have an exceptional flavor that enhances salads, salsas, or can be enjoyed fresh. To pick them, support the fruit in your hand and twist it gently until it snaps off the vine. Black cherry tomatoes can indicate blossom end rot, a common condition caused by calcium deficiency or inconsistent soil moisture.
Glen recommends regularly pruning side shoots (outgrowths from the main stem) and keeping tomato leaves as dry as possible by watering from the bottom. In case of early signs of rot or mould, affected leaves and shoots should be removed. For advanced mould, it is important to discard the entire plant to prevent further spread. A tea made from common wheat straw can also be used to strengthen the plant and prevent issues.
Ripe black cherry tomatoes have a rich, deep red-purple color, about 65-75 days after planting the seeds. Cutting them in half exposes their juicy interior and adds a vibrant component to any plate. With these tips, growing and harvesting black cherry tomatoes can be a rewarding and delicious experience.
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