Look for a fertilizer that has a high middle number, which represents phosphorus, in the N-P-K analysis. Commonly available fertilizer analysis that are great for tomato seedlings include 8-32-16 and 12-24-12. Mix the fertilizer with water according to package directions.
Damu – For Bigger Fruit
Damu works by helping plants move photosynthates from the leaves where they are made to the fruit. This helps improve size of tomatoes ahead of picking.
Maintaining a leaf area index of 3 will maximize fruit growth. Hand thinning of tomatoes on the end of a truss ensures more evenly sized, larger fruit. The use of growth regulators such as auxins at anthesis can stimulate fruit set, and increase fruit size especially under low light and low temperature conditions.
The 3-4-6 nitrogen, phosphate, potash make-up is ideal for producing large, plump tomatoes. Tomato-tone supplies calcium, magnesium and sulfur for an added tomato boost. You can check out my review of Tomato-tone, as well. Another granular tomato fertilizer that works very well is Tomatoes Alive! made by Gardens Alive.
Give them consistent watering (deep and infrequent trumps a daily sprinkle), well-draining soil (incorporate generous helpings of compost into beds or containers at planting time), plenty of heat and light (direct, unobstructed sunshine for a minimum of 6 hours daily is best) and a slow-release, balanced fertilizer ...
The pericarp cells, as well as the tomato fruit's locule number, are factors affecting the size of the fruit.
Tomatoes are prone to magnesium deficiency later in the growing season, which can show with yellowing leaves and diminished production. Ultra Epsom Salt treatments at the beginning of their planting and throughout their seasonal life can help to prevent and remedy magnesium deficiency in your tomato plants.
What is key is to take advantage of all nutrients in the substrate while maintaining the balance of the substrate for short and long term benefit. The most suitable tomato fattening fertilizers are those combinig organic matter with high content of potassium.
Potassium is the key driver of fruit size and alongside nitrogen is required in large quantities throughout fruit development and growth. However, too much nitrogen at a late growth stage can restrict fruit size; therefore a balanced nutrient application is crucial. Phosphorus can restrict fruit growth too.
Choosing the best soil
Tomatoes like well-draining, nitrogen-rich soil. This means extra compost, blood-meal or crushed eggshells will make them happy. You want to make sure they have a steady source of calcium carbonate throughout the growing season, which is exactly what eggshells are made up of!
When tomato plants don't receive enough light, they stretch upward in search of more, resulting in elongated stems and a weak structure. This process, known as etiolation, can occur when seedlings are started indoors without proper lighting conditions or when they're placed in areas with limited natural sunlight.
If your soil is well-balanced and composted, you can use fertilizers with NPK of 4-6-3. If your soil lacks nitrogen, use a more balanced fertilizer, such as a 10-10-10 NPK ratio, when plants are still developing. Opt for a fertilizer with lower nitrogen levels before the plants start fruiting.
Tomatoes thrive in loamy soils with good drainage and high organic matter content. Adding composted coffee grounds to planting beds is a great way to build healthy soil for tomato planting but won't provide all the required nutrients.
Tomato plants have big appetites and need a steady supply of plant food to grow their best. Miracle-Gro® Performance Organic® Edibles Plant Nutrition Granules feeds both your plants and the beneficial microbes in the soil (which help plants take up all the nutrition they need) for up to 6 weeks.
You help make tomatoes grow bigger by pruning plants, it may sound counterintuitive but trimming plants rewards you with larger tomatoes. Pruning tomatoes is vital when growing indeterminate tomato varieties as suckers can divert energy away from fruits as they develop.
Two key nutrients must be present for tomatoes to thrive: Phosphorus, which promotes the growth of flowers and fruit. Calcium, which prevents blossom end rot (that dreaded black sunken hole on the flower end of your calcium-deficient tomatoes)
The baking soda absorbs into the soil and lowers its acidity levels giving you tomatoes that are more sweet than tart. Although I haven't done this with every plant on my patio, having a few extra sweet nuggets to mix into a fresh tomato salad has been a wonderful discovery!
Can I Just Sprinkle Epsom Salt on Plants? Never apply Epsom salt straight from the package. Always dilute the granules in water first, and either drench your plants' roots or spray it on the foliage. Don't spray on hot or sunny days, however, to avoid scorching the foliage.
The eggshells will naturally decompose, and they will add calcium and nitrogen to your soil; necessary nutrients for your plants. Calcium is very good for tomatoes because it prevents blossom end rot.
The most common cause for small tomatoes is stressed plants. When plants are experiencing stressing circumstances, such as extreme drought or heat, insect infestation, or disease, they oftentimes stop sending their energy into flower or fruit production.
2) lack of water (wilting) can cut down on fruit development. 3) high temperature stress will limit fruit size. This is very common in the hot, humid southeast, especially in May and June. 4) shading during the cloudier months prevents full development of fruit.
Think of the cocktail tomato as a slightly larger cherry tomato. In fact, you can use cocktail tomatoes in any recipes that call for cherry tomatoes! You may be familiar with a particular type of cocktail tomato called the Campari tomato. These golf ball-sized fruits are so sweet they hardly need any preparation.