Tips For Growing Tomatoes In Greenhouses

Tips For Growing Tomatoes In Greenhouses

There are several methods for growing tomatoes in greenhouses. Where temperatures fluctuate wildly and late frost are common then a Greenhouse for tomatoes is a good solution. Greenhouse tomato production can use conventional production systems or organic production systems.

Growing Hydroponic Tomatoes

Growing hydroponic tomatoes in the greenhouse has recently picked up. Hydroponic tomatoes are grown in solution without soil in the greenhouses. I will delve into this as time goes on.

All You Need To Know About Growing Tomatoes In Greenhouses

Soil
A grow bag is what you need to enjoy a delicious crop of tomatoes. The bags are packed with fresh, sterile compost and are ready to use as planting containers. Simply transplant plants into the bags in May or June. This avoids all the hassle of disease transferred from last year’s growth.

Optimum Light And Temperature For Indoor Tomato Production

Indoor tomatoes grow best in high light and warm temperatures. The best night temperature for the growth of tomato plants is 60-62 degree F and the day temperature should be between 75 to 80 degree F. Temperature below 60 affects normal pollination and fruit development. In hot weather conditions, tomato greenhouses must be ventilated to keep temperatures below 95 degree F. If you cannot keep the temperature below 95 then pick the fruit that is nearly ripe and finish off indoors, you will get a better end product.

You can control temperature in several ways. Ventilation is best and if your greenhouse is suitably designed, have a gentle movement of air from bottom to top during the daytime and close the bottom vents at night. Alternatively you can use polyethylene to maintain even temperatures throughout the greenhouse. Indoor fans, inside the greenhouse mounted above the crops help to maintain uniform temperature. You should also maintain the proper humidity level to get rid of the tomato diseases.

Low winter light greatly minimizes fruit yield and increases energy cost so it is not advisable to start growing tomatoes in greenhouses from Mid November to Mid February. However, winter greenhouse tomatoes are common in southern Canada and Europe. Greenhouses growing tomatoes in winter usually use expensive supplementary HID lighting and they sell the tomatoes at very high prices. Growing tomatoes in winter depends on the market and consumers, whether there are on demand not.

Tomato Plant Support

Tomato plants must be tied with tomato clips to a string suspended from a strong overhead cable. You should also build up a separate support system within the greenhouse to support the crop. A tomato plant loaded with fruit may weigh 10 to 15 pounds so a strong support system is required.

Pest Control And Management

Often diseases and insects spread in greenhouses like epidemics. But little can be done after the problem has set on. You can use Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in both organic and conventional production system to keep pest problems at bay. IPM is a combination of variety of tactics like biological, cultural, pest resistant varieties and physical controls. The use of pesticides is minimized without endangering the yield or quality. Biopesticides, botanicals, insecticidal soaps, and mineral-based pesticides are permitted. An over winter fumigation is a sensible precaution but needs planning, it’s no good remembering to do it the week before moving the tomato plants into the greenhouse. Bit more detail is in the earlier blog on tomato pests and diseases.

Sanitizing Of The Greenhouse

Before planting tomato plants check the greenhouse thoroughly for any tears and openings. Keep weeds and soil borne diseases at bay by removing all plant debris, cull piles and use landscape fabric on the walkways. Your work surface should ideally be of a non-porous material like stainless steel and should be sterilized after each use. Keep your hand, feet and clothing sterilized to reduce cross contamination. If you are a tobacco user use a rinse of 1-3% trisodium phosphate before washing with hot soapy water to prevent Tobacco Mosaic Virus infection in the greenhouse. If there is a contagious disease like bacterial canker sterilize all tools, machinery and electromechanical pollinators at the end of every row with ethanol or 0.5% sodium hypochlorite.

Resistant Variety Seeds

In an organic greenhouse, you can use disease resistant seeds and transplants can prevent tomato epidemics.

Pruning And Suckering For Tomato Plants

In greenhouses, tomato plants are pruned to a single stem. You need to remove all lateral branches or suckers to allow maximum air circulation and to ease up pest control. The suckering must be done on a regular basis, at least once per week.

Follow the rules for growing tomatoes in greenhouses and witness the perfect growth of your greenhouse tomato plants.