Everything You Everything You Ever Wanted to Ever Wanted to

Know About Know About TomatoesTomatoes

By Thomas R. LeRoyBy Thomas R. LeRoy

Montgomery County Extension Agent - HorticultureMontgomery County Extension Agent - Horticulture

(and Some You Didn’t)(and Some You Didn’t)

Little Known or Cared About Little Known or Cared About Tomato History (Trivia)Tomato History (Trivia)

Where do tomatoes come from?Where do tomatoes come from? Western coast of South America, present-day Peru. Eight Western coast of South America, present-day Peru. Eight

species of tomatoes still grow wild in the Andes Mountains.species of tomatoes still grow wild in the Andes Mountains. Cultivated tomatoes have been classified into five botanical Cultivated tomatoes have been classified into five botanical

varieties.varieties. The tomato was an important crop among New The tomato was an important crop among New

World Indians by the 15World Indians by the 15thth century. century. Aztecs called it “Xitomatl”. Early Aztec writings Aztecs called it “Xitomatl”. Early Aztec writings

mentioned dishes comprised of peppers, salt and mentioned dishes comprised of peppers, salt and tomatoes. Could be the original salsa recipe!tomatoes. Could be the original salsa recipe!

More Tomato TriviaMore Tomato Trivia

Central American tribes called it “Tomati”Central American tribes called it “Tomati” The tomato made its way across the Atlantic shortly The tomato made its way across the Atlantic shortly

after Cortez conquered the Aztecs in 1521.after Cortez conquered the Aztecs in 1521. The earliest mention of tomato in European The earliest mention of tomato in European

literature was found in Italy in 1544. Tomatoes, literature was found in Italy in 1544. Tomatoes, described as described as pomi d’oropomi d’oro (Golden Apple) were eaten (Golden Apple) were eaten with oil, salt and pepper. This means, yellow varieties with oil, salt and pepper. This means, yellow varieties may have been the first to reach the Old World.may have been the first to reach the Old World.

Red varieties were introduced to Italy by two Red varieties were introduced to Italy by two Catholic priests many years later (exact date not Catholic priests many years later (exact date not known).known).

Even More Tomato TriviaEven More Tomato Trivia Tomatoes became widely cultivated over the next Tomatoes became widely cultivated over the next

several decades in Spain, Italy and France where it several decades in Spain, Italy and France where it was called was called pomme d’amourpomme d’amour (Love Apple). It might (Love Apple). It might have been used as an early aphrodisiac.have been used as an early aphrodisiac.

German folklore –witches used members of the German folklore –witches used members of the nightshade family to summons werewolves (a practice nightshade family to summons werewolves (a practice known at lycanthropy). The common German name known at lycanthropy). The common German name for tomatoes translates to “Wolf Peach”.for tomatoes translates to “Wolf Peach”.

The scientific name for tomato is The scientific name for tomato is Lycopersicon Lycopersicon esculentum esculentum which means “edible wolf peach”.which means “edible wolf peach”.

English writings as early as 1578 referred to the English writings as early as 1578 referred to the tomato as an ornamental.tomato as an ornamental.

Can you believe it! More Tomato TriviaCan you believe it! More Tomato Trivia Plants were brought Plants were brought BACKBACK to the Americas by to the Americas by

colonists early on, as ornamentals from Britain.colonists early on, as ornamentals from Britain. Northern European cultures associated the tomato Northern European cultures associated the tomato

with poisonous members of the nightshade family, with poisonous members of the nightshade family, specifically henbane, mandrake and deadly specifically henbane, mandrake and deadly nightshade which resemble their edible cousin.nightshade which resemble their edible cousin.

In 1596, one English author refers to “love apples as In 1596, one English author refers to “love apples as being eaten abroad”, but having “a rank and stinking being eaten abroad”, but having “a rank and stinking savour.”savour.”

The first cook book to mention tomatoes was The first cook book to mention tomatoes was published in Naples, Italy in 1692.published in Naples, Italy in 1692.

In 1752, English cooks used tomatoes sparingly to In 1752, English cooks used tomatoes sparingly to flavor soups.flavor soups.

All right, enough is enough!All right, enough is enough! In 1781 Thomas Jefferson brought tomatoes to his In 1781 Thomas Jefferson brought tomatoes to his

table, along with French fries. He is given credit, by table, along with French fries. He is given credit, by many, for popularizing tomato use in North many, for popularizing tomato use in North American culture.American culture.

New Orleans cuisine is reported to have incorporated New Orleans cuisine is reported to have incorporated tomatoes by 1812.tomatoes by 1812.

Col. Robert Gibbon Johnson supposedly put all Col. Robert Gibbon Johnson supposedly put all doubts about tomatoes to rest in 1820 when he ate a doubts about tomatoes to rest in 1820 when he ate a bushel of tomatoes on the Boston courthouse steps. bushel of tomatoes on the Boston courthouse steps. Thousands are reported to have turned out to watch Thousands are reported to have turned out to watch the poor man die. the poor man die.

““HE DIDN’T!”HE DIDN’T!”

Fruit or Fruit or Vegetable ?Vegetable ? The United States Congress passed the Tariff Act The United States Congress passed the Tariff Act

of 1883 requiring a 10% tax on all imported of 1883 requiring a 10% tax on all imported vegetables.vegetables.

A tomato importer decided to challenge the Act on A tomato importer decided to challenge the Act on botanical grounds that tomato was technically a botanical grounds that tomato was technically a fruit not a vegetable and therefore should be fruit not a vegetable and therefore should be exempt.exempt.

In 1893 the case Nix vs. Hedden, 149 U.S. 304, In 1893 the case Nix vs. Hedden, 149 U.S. 304, came before the Supreme Court.came before the Supreme Court.

The court ruled that although tomatoes were The court ruled that although tomatoes were considered the “fruit of the vine” they are considered the “fruit of the vine” they are generally eaten cooked or raw and served during generally eaten cooked or raw and served during the “principal part of the repast” and therefore a the “principal part of the repast” and therefore a vegetable “not like fruits generally, as desert.”vegetable “not like fruits generally, as desert.”

How to Become a How to Become a Green Thumb Tomato GrowerGreen Thumb Tomato Grower

Select Recommended Varieties.Select Recommended Varieties. Plant at the Right Time. Plant at the Right Time. Proper Soil Preparation and Fertilization.Proper Soil Preparation and Fertilization. Control Weeds, Diseases and Insects. Control Weeds, Diseases and Insects. Adequate Soil Moisture.Adequate Soil Moisture. Harvest at the Right Time . Harvest at the Right Time .

Ideal Garden LocationIdeal Garden Location Receives 8 + hours of sunlight. Receives 8 + hours of sunlight. Soil has good internal and external Soil has good internal and external

drainage. drainage. Free from competition from other Free from competition from other

large plants, buildings, etc. large plants, buildings, etc. Near a source of water. Near a source of water. Visible! Visible!

Starting Your Own Tomato Starting Your Own Tomato TransplantsTransplants

Select Proper Select Proper Varieties. Varieties.

Sterile Potting Media. Sterile Potting Media. Sterile Containers. Sterile Containers. High Light Intensity High Light Intensity

for 14-16 hours. for 14-16 hours. Regular Applications Regular Applications

of Soluble Fertilizerof Soluble Fertilizer

Temperature and Fruit SetTemperature and Fruit Set

Fruit-set is affected by Fruit-set is affected by night temperature.night temperature. Night temperatures Night temperatures

below 50below 50°F delays the °F delays the time from pollination to time from pollination to fertilization causing fertilization causing flower drop.flower drop.

Night temperatures Night temperatures above mid 70’s disrupts above mid 70’s disrupts pollen shed causing pollen shed causing flower drop on large flower drop on large fruited varieties. fruited varieties.

When is a Tomato Really Ripe?When is a Tomato Really Ripe? GREEN - Stage 1

tomato is completely light to dark green.

BREAKER - Stage 2 “break” in color from green, to tannish-yellow, pink or red (less than 10%).

TURNING - Stage 3 -10% but not more than 30% shows a change in color.

PINK - Stage 4 -more than 30% but not more than 60% shows pink or red color.

LIGHT RED - Stage 5 -more than 60%, not more than 90%, shows pinkish or red color.

RED - Stage 6 -more than 90% of the surface is red in color.

Staking versus CagingStaking versus Caging

Growth Habit of TomatoesGrowth Habit of Tomatoes DeterminateDeterminate

FloriamericaFloriamerica Mountian Mountian

DelightDelight Bush CelebrityBush Celebrity Bush Early GirlBush Early Girl CarnivalCarnival JackpotJackpot Solar SetSolar Set BHN 444BHN 444 HeatwaveHeatwave

IndeterminateIndeterminate BeefmasterBeefmaster Super Super

FantasticFantastic ChampionChampion DonaDona Early GirlEarly Girl BrandywineBrandywine First LadyFirst Lady Better BoyBetter Boy Big BeefBig Beef

SemiSemi CelebrityCelebrity HeartlandHeartland SuperTastySuperTasty

What’s the Alphabet After the What’s the Alphabet After the Variety Name?Variety Name?

ASC - Alternaria Stem ASC - Alternaria Stem CankerCanker

BSp - Bacterial SpeckBSp - Bacterial Speck F - Fusarium WiltF - Fusarium Wilt FF1 1 - Fusarium Wilt - Fusarium Wilt

race1race1 FF2 2 - Fusarium Wilt - Fusarium Wilt

race2race2 N - NematodesN - Nematodes

V - Verticillium WiltV - Verticillium Wilt VV1 1 - Verticillium Wilt, - Verticillium Wilt,

race 1race 1 VV2 2 - Verticillium Wilt, - Verticillium Wilt,

race 2race 2 TMV - Tomato Mosaic TMV - Tomato Mosaic

VirusVirus St - Stemphylium St - Stemphylium

(gray leaf spot)(gray leaf spot)

IntermissionIntermission

Recipe for Recipe for SuccessfulSuccessful

Tomato Tomato ProductionProduction

Champion, highest Champion, highest producer ever in our producer ever in our trials at 73 lbs./planttrials at 73 lbs./plant

Average production on Average production on modern hybrids is 40-50 modern hybrids is 40-50 lbs./plant.lbs./plant.

Average home gardener Average home gardener produces less than 10 produces less than 10 lbs./plant.lbs./plant.

1. 1. Plant large, vigorous plants. Plant large, vigorous plants. Incorporate Incorporate ¼-½ cup of complete, slow ¼-½ cup of complete, slow release fertilizer at planting.release fertilizer at planting.

2. Wrap tomato cages with row cover.2. Wrap tomato cages with row cover.

Benefits of Row Benefits of Row Cover.Cover. 22°° to 4 to 4° F of Frost ° F of Frost

Protection.Protection. Wind Protection.Wind Protection. Keeps Out Insects.Keeps Out Insects. Allows 85 to 90% Allows 85 to 90%

Light Penetration. Light Penetration. Up to 30% Increase Up to 30% Increase

in Production.in Production.

3. 3. Apply a weekly foliar spray of a Apply a weekly foliar spray of a water soluble fertilizer with micro-water soluble fertilizer with micro-nutrients.nutrients.

4. 4. Work in 2-3 Tbs. of high nitrogen Work in 2-3 Tbs. of high nitrogen fertilizer when 1fertilizer when 1st st cluster of fruit sets.cluster of fruit sets.

Totally Terrific TomatoesTotally Terrific Tomatoes Bush Celebrity (61)Bush Celebrity (61) Solar Set (53)Solar Set (53) Dona (53)Dona (53) Carnival (54)Carnival (54) Heatwave (50)Heatwave (50) Early Girl (50)Early Girl (50) ChampionChampion CelebrityCelebrity

Totally Terrific CherriesTotally Terrific Cherries

Juliet (57)Juliet (57) Baxter’s Early Baxter’s Early

BushBush Sweet ChelseaSweet Chelsea Yellow PearYellow Pear

Totally Tomatoes Totally Tomatoes 1 (800) 345-5977 1 (800) 345-5977

www.totallytomato.comwww.totallytomato.com

Tomato Growers Tomato Growers 1 (888) 478-7333 1 (888) 478-7333 www.tomatogrowers.comwww.tomatogrowers.com

Common Diseases and InsectsCommon Diseases and Insectsof the Nightshade Family of the Nightshade Family

The The EndEnd