Cultivatin THE COMMON garden toinato has a long and inter- esting history. The Spanish conquistadors dis- covered it growing in Peru although the first plants were shipped from Mexico to the Mediterranean region _in the 16th century, its cultivation spread rapidly in “the warm sub-tropical climate, but was not introduced into northern Europe until the 18th century. By the beginning of the 19th century the tomato was in common use in North America after being introduced from England. The Europeans had many names for this new fruit including Apple of Peru, pomme d’amour, or love -apple; and tornato, which is a cor- ruption of an old Mexican word -tomatl. The original wild form of our domestic tomato is still found in Peru and is the genetic ancestor of the cherry tomato which is called _ Lycopersicum.cerasiform. The reg- “ular tomato can be genetically traced to Mexico and is classified as Lycopersicum escufentum, ‘Tne Lycopersicum species all * belong to the Solanum family, a huge group of plants grown for both their economic uses und their horticultural value. . For instance, we use the root of the potato, the fruit of the tomato, pepper and eggplani, the leaf of : _tobacco a and the flower of the datura and petunia. Other plants in the group, such as night shade, are known for their poisonous atka- loids. This native Peruvian mountain plant, that we know as the tomato, has spawned a huge indusiry when one thinks of the production of tomato juice, paste, ketchup and dried or canned fruit. The modern tomato comes in many sizes and shapes, but they are all classified as determinate or inde- terminate. All cherry tomatoes are in the determinate group and this means they are all sclf topping with "a natural branching habit. The bush puts on a fair amount of growth before the flowers start to . form. Both the flowering and fruit ripening will occur over a much shorter time than the regular toma- toes. Indeterminate tomatoes will grow indefinitely producing blos- soms as the stalk grows over time. In greenhouses, where frost is not a problem, the vines can become 20 or 30 feet tall, The indeterminate varieties will produce side branches or sucker shoots but they are often pinched off for convenience of staking. Leaving one or two sucker shoots on cach plant will actually increase production if staking is not a prob- lem. Both types of tomatoes are self pollinating because the flowers have both male and female parts. Pollination can be enhanced by knowing the conditions the flower needs to set fruit. Most pollen is teleased on sunny days between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. when the night time temperatures are above 12°C. , Early season hybrids may be able to function at a lower tempera- ture. Shaking or vibrating the blos- som stem during the midday period often improves the blossom set. Tomato seedlings or transplants are one of the few plants that can be planted at a lower depth to encour- age additional roots to grow on the stem. For larger plants that have become leggy. remove the lower leaves and lay them on their sides in a shallow trench with the top six to eight inches sticking out of the ground, OSG Das Kitchens from $80 a linear ft. * 8 different finisnes including solid oak * sturdy 3/4” construction * heavy duty hinges * self closing drawers ° do-it-yourself or installed Mon - Sat 8:00 - 4:2 237 E. 1st St. N. Van 987-4111 Bby. 420 - 8123 Tomatoes like warm soil and their roots prefer ta be up close to the surface. To improve soit warmth, many growers prepare their bed and then lay down black plastic before inserting the plants (rough a sonal] ss incision. 1 you plan to use an irrigation system the hose should be placed under the plastic sheet. the ancient A The tomato was originally it tropical plant and in spite of all the hybridizing the plant still likes heat, adequate moisture and at least eight hours of bright sunshine each day to do its best. Removing excess leaf growth trom the plant in the late full may allow the fruit to warin but it is not essential for ripening. Each type of plant has specific nutritional needs and the tomato will certainly produce heavy crops of fruit if they are well fed. Mix one to two inches of com- post or composted manure into the bed to create a loose friable mix and then add some 5.5.5. organic or See String page17 NEWS photo Mike Wakefield TOMATOES HAD a fong history before becoming the common domestics that we know today. OUTDOOR POTTING SOIL WITH EVERY PLANTER - PURCHASED FOR MOM > LIMIT 1 40 LITRE BAG PER PLANTER - OVER 250 STYLES OF WOOD & CONCRETE PLANTERS 3 P:) MULLER. Durable Concrete Beautiful Finishes Beautiful Designs — UNITED LANDSCAPE SUPPLIES 929-4111 125 Riverside Drive Nvan- 9 29-4555 ity 4 se 5: bea yer