Tomato

 Tomato A Species of Nightshades

Common Name:

Tomato

Botanical Name:

Solanum lycopersicum

Name Story:

Tomato:

Tomato comes from the Spanish word “tomate” which means “turgid fruit”. This word is included in part of a popular saying regarding its difference in pronunciation between American English and British English. When presented with two choices that are very similar, you might say “təˈmeɪtoʊ, təˈmɑːtoʊ", which means, just as the two pronunciation choices for the word tomato have the same meaning, the two choices are only slightly different, and so it makes no difference really which of the two you choose. 

Interesting Facts:

Tomato is probably one of the cultivated fruits and vegetables with the greatest number of cultivars – over 10,000, with each growing season bringing new ones to market. The cultivar with the smallest fruit (0.2 inch - 0.4 inch, 1 g-2 g) is called "Tomberry," while the largest one is probably the "Big Zac," which can produce fruits weighing more than 3 kg.

Symbolism:

Truth, Silence, good luck, fertility, passion, a calm and gentle woman.

Scientific classification:

Genus:

Solanum - Nightshades

Family:

Solanaceae - Nightshade, Solanaceous plants, Potato

Order:

Solanales - Nightshades, bindweeds, gooseweeds, and allies

Class:

Magnoliopsida - Dicotyledons, Dicots, Eudicots

Phylum:

Tracheophyta - Vascular plants, Seed plants, Ferns, Tracheophytes.

Information:

Solanum lycopersicum is an annual or perennial herbaceous vine native to Central and South America that produces a large, juicy, edible fruit known as tomato. Today there are over 10000 cultivated varieties. Although tomato is the world’s most popular vegetable, botanically it is a fruit.

Tips from Garden Coaches:

Tomato is one of the most commonly planted vegetables. It can be planted in gardens or flowerpots and needs little care.

Characteristics:

Plant Type:  Herb

Lifespan: Annual, Perennial

Bloom Time:  Summer, Fall

Plant Height: 3 to 10 feet

Spread:  5 feet

Flower Size:  0.8 to 1 inch

Habitat:  Yards, gardens, farms

Flower Color: Yellow٫Gold

Leaf Color:  Green

Fruit Color:  Red٫ Green٫ Burgundy٫ Yellow٫ Purple٫ Orange٫ Gold ٫ Lavender٫ Pink 

Stem Color: Green

Conditions Requirement:

Difficulty Rating:

Tomato is super easy to take care of, with resistance to almost all pests and diseases. It is a perfect option for gardeners with brown thumbs.

Sunlight

Full sun, Partial sun

Hardiness

30 ℉

Hardiness Zones

2 to 10

Soil

Sand, Loam, Clay, Acidic, Neutral

Care Guide:

Water:

The tomato should be watered very often in the active growing season during the late spring and summer months. 

Depending on how much sunlight and heat they receive, it is advisible to water these plants at most daily or at least twice weekly. 

The soil should be kept consistently moist without becoming wet or soggy.

Fertilization:

Fertilization once every 2-3 months during the growing season.

Pruning:

Trim the dead, diseased, overgrown branches in winter.

Planting Time:

Spring, Winter

Harvest Time:

Summer, Fall

Propagation:

Cutting, Layering, Sowing

Potting Suggestions:

Needs excellent drainage in pots.

Pests and Diseases:

Whiteflies, cotton bollworms, aphids, tomato brake leaf virus, stripe virus, mosaic disease, leaf mold, late blight, grey mold, early blight, anthracnose, leaf spot, colorado potato beetles, leaf miners.

Uses:

Garden Use:

The common tomato can be found in vegetable gardens across the world. Able to be grown in almost any space, the tomato is considered a staple in home food gardens and is usually the one of the first plants suggested to new vegetable gardeners, though it can be a bit tricky. Basil, parsley, and garlic are suggested companion plants.