07-07-2003, 08:25 PM
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Sungold (Cherry) tomato: sun or shade?
writes:
Hi.
I have some Sungold plants, and I think they're suffering from the heat.
This time of year it's 90F (32C) over here..
Is it true that Tomato plants prefer shade?
Thanks,
Noam
Think southern California, eastern Washington.
My grandparents grew tomatoes in eastern Washington for market (Portland's
Farmers' Market back in the fifties when it was where all the restaurants,
etc. bought their produce). Literally none of their tomato plants had a
trace of shade, not even a chance, and the temperatures were above 90
degrees F for weeks at a time, often over 100. Tomato seeds are
identified as full sun.
If tomato plants did, indeed, prefer shade, the price of tomatoes in the
store would be significantly higher, probably priced out of the range of
the average consumer.
Water is the key issue. It seems a good possibility that they are not
getting enough water if they are suffering (then there is soil condition
regarding nutrients). The ground around them needs to be soaked
thoroughly when they are watered, that doesn't mean 15 minutes of water or
a circle of two feet in diameter. You should be able to put a spade into
the ground and find moist soil all the way down (except the top inch or
two if you haven't watered in the last couple of days) anywhere near them.
The mistake I see people around me make all the time is water enough so
the soil "looks wet" and stop when the poor roots more than a couple
inches down didn't have a chance at any water. You might very well be
shocked if you turn a spade of dirt over and see you really have dry dirt
four inches down and not nice moist soil. People report all the time that
their garden does better after a rain . . . that seems likely since all
the soil is getting wet and not just spots here and there. Keep in mind
when you are watering that the moisture will "spread out" in the ground
(think sponge) and if the surrounding soil isn't also wet, most of the
usable moisture will be basically gone within hours.
If the plants "look wilty" at the end of the day after a hot sunny day but
are healthy looking later in the evening or in the morning, it is likely a
transpiration (think that's the word) issue. When the evaporation rate is
greater than the absorbtion rate, the plant will look wilted but will
recover as soon as the sun is down and it has a chance to "catch up" with
the evaporation rate. Or so I've been told.
The tomato plants in my garden that get the most sun (all the midday and
late day sun) do better than the others. My tomato plants do very well
overall, much better than those of most people I know. My belief is that
the water is the key factor rather than solely the sun. We are blessed
with good drainage here so it would be nearly impossible to over water.
My usual watering routine is about once a week with a soaker system which
is "running" at least four hours, usually six; the garden is well watered
so all plants get full benefit of the water. This is far more effective
for my garden than watering more often for shorter lengths of times. As
with everything, it depends on your particular situation. Sun, drainage,
soil (fertilely and organic composition), water, and tender loving care
each play a major factor. Yes, TLC. That has to be why my garden has
done as well as it has, I stumble along in my ignorance and grow stuff . .
.. but every plant is loved and fussed over. g That, and my yard is
blessed, it has to be or it'd be a disaster. :-)
Just my comments to add to the others.
Happy tomato gardening.
Glenna
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