What to know
Growing tomatoes indoors offers a rewarding experience , allowing you to enjoy fresh , homegrown garden truck year - round . Whether you ’re a veteran gardener or a novice partisan , thiscomprehensive guidewill provide you with all the all-important noesis and proficiency to civilise thriving Lycopersicon esculentum plants indoors .
Choosing the Right Tomato Variety
choose the righttomato varietyis of the essence forindoor achiever . choose for compendious , determinate varieties that are well - suited forcontainer horticulture , such as :
Optimal Lighting Conditions
Tomatoes want ample sunlight foroptimal increase . If instinctive lighting is special , supplement withartificial ignition , aiming for 12 - 14 hours of light per day . Use grow lights with afull spectrumthat mimics natural sunlight .
Ideal Growing Environment
Provide a fond and humid surroundings for your tomato plant plants . Maintain temperature between 65 - 75 ° F ( 18 - 24 ° century ) andhumidity levelsaround 50 - 60 % . Use a humidifier or mist over the plant regularly to increase humidness .
Container Selection
Choose containers that are at least 12 inches deep and wide . drain holes are essential toprevent ascendent decomposition . Consider using framework pots or container with self - watering system of rules for optimal aeration and moisture control .
Soil Preparation
habituate a well - drain potting mix specifically formulatedfor container horticulture . repair the soil with organic matter , such as compost , toenhance birth rate . keep apH levelbetween 6.0 and 6.8 .
Planting and Transplanting
Start tomato seeds indoors 6 - 8 week before the lastfrost particular date . Sow seed at a depth of 1/4 column inch in a seed bug out mix . transplantation seedlings intolarger containersonce they educate lawful parting .
Watering and Fertilizing
piddle tomato plant regularly , allowing the top few inches of soil to dry out between watering . Use abalanced fertilizer , such as 10 - 10 - 10 , every 2 - 3 weeks .
Support and Trellising
leave backup fortomato plantsto prevent them from fall over . Use stakes , cages , or trellis to further upward growth .
Pollination
If growing tomatoes indoors , mitt pollination is necessary . mildly rock the flowers or use asmall brushto transfer pollen from the male person to the female flowers .
Pest and Disease Control
Keep an eye out forcommon tomato pestsand diseases , such as aphids , whiteflies , and blossom end hogwash . Useorganic pest control methods , such asinsecticidal soapor neem oil , to do infestations .
Harvesting
harvest time tomatoes when they reach their trust color and size of it . Gently twist or turn off the fruit from the vine . Store ripe tomato atroom temperaturefor a few day or refrigerate them for long storage .
Recommendations: Reap the Rewards of Indoor Tomato Gardening
Growing tomatoes indoors is a rewarding andfulfilling endeavorthat allow for you toenjoy fresh , homegrown produce throughout the year . By following the techniques outlined in this guide , you may create a thriving indoor love apple garden that provides a bountifulness of delicious and nutritious Lycopersicon esculentum .
Basics You Wanted To Know
1 . How often should I water Lycopersicon esculentum plant indoors?Water when the top few inches ofsoil feel dryto the touch.2 . What is the best fertilizer for indoor tomatoes?Use abalanced fertilizer , such as 10 - 10 - 10 , every 2 - 3 weeks.3 . How can Iprevent flower end rotin indoor tomatoes?Ensure fair to middling calcium degree by supplement withcalcium nitrateoradding crushed eggshellsto the soil.4 . How do I hand - pollinate tomato plant flowers indoors?Gently shake the flower or use asmall brushtotransfer pollenfrom the male to the distaff flowers.5 . What arecommon pestsand diseases to watch out for?Aphids , whiteflies , andblossom cease rotarecommon issues . Use organic pest control method to manage infestation .