Did you know that you can grow several tomato plants by cutting just one? It’s true, and there are all kinds of fun facts discover more here that will blow your mind. You can produce several tomato plants from just one, which makes this such an exciting fruit to raise in your garden.
You need to start with a healthy plant
It might tug at your heartstrings a little to take the healthiest tomato plant you have and chop it up. However, don’t get too upset because that one plant will live on in your cuttings. Don’t feel too bad when you’re cutting your plant because it will continue to survive and thrive while producing even more tomatoes than it would’ve as one plant.
So, with that in mind, you want to choose a tomato plant that’s about 6 to 8 inches tall. It’s vital that there are at least a few leaf nodes on the plant. Also, the best time to make cuttings is in the morning. It will stress out your tomato plants less if you make cuttings in the morning.
Let the cutting process begin
The first thing you’ll want to do is make sure that your pruning shears are sterile. If they’re dirty, you stand the chance of introducing disease to your little cuttings. If that happens, you greatly lessen the likelihood of success.
Make a clean cut and remove most of the leaves except for the topmost leaves. You also want to make sure that there are no tomatoes on the plant. Leaves and tomatoes will drain the energy from your plants once you put them in the soil. Your tomato cuttings need all the energy they can muster up to produce roots.
You have two options for rooting your cuttings
The first option is to place your cuttings in a jar of water. You fill up the jar with water until the first root node is covered. You’ll want to change the water every two to three days to ensure that no bacteria builds up in it. You should notice roots begin to form within seven to ten days after you place the cuttings in water.
You can also place the cuttings in soil. You’ll need to make sure that the soil is well watered to give your cuttings the best chance possible of rooting. You can’t see the process quite like you can with placing your cuttings in water, so you’ll need to pay close attention to the health of your cuttings to determine if they’re rooting.
Transplant your cuttings after they have rooted
Transplanting your cuttings is simple after they’ve rooted. You plant them like you would tomato plants that you buy in the store. You make a hole in the ground and put the cuttings in it. You’ll want to watch over your cuttings more than a store-bought tomato plant because they’re more delicate.
You’ll need to ensure that the tomato plants are well watered and plenty of fertilizers give them the best chance of survival. Also, ensure the cuttings get at least six to eight hours of sunlight to provide them with the energy they need to produce fruits.
Conclusion
That wasn’t so hard. Was it? Your one tomato plant is now turned into several. Your harvest will be increased, and so will your satisfaction. It might take you a few times to do it right, but the truth is, growing tomato plants from cuttings isn’t difficult at all.
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