Tomato Growing Myths
There are many myths surrounding growing tomatoes that have been passed down through generations or spread online. While some myths have a kernel of truth, many are misconceptions. Here are some common tomato growing myths and the reality behind them:
Myth 1: Tomatoes Love Shade
Reality: Tomatoes are sun-loving plants that require 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily to thrive. While they can tolerate partial shade, insufficient sunlight will lead to poor fruit production and leggy growth.
Myth 2: Removing All Tomato Leaves Improves Yield
Reality: Pruning can help improve air circulation and reduce disease risk, but removing too many leaves deprives the plant of its ability to photosynthesize, which can reduce yields. Proper pruning involves removing only the lower leaves or suckers to focus the plant’s energy on fruit development.
Myth 3: Watering Tomato Leaves Causes Disease
Reality: Wet foliage alone doesn’t directly cause disease, but prolonged moisture on leaves can create favorable conditions for fungal diseases like blight. Watering the soil around the base of the plant is more effective, but splashing water on leaves isn’t catastrophic if they dry quickly.
Myth 4: Epsom Salt Is a Miracle Cure for Tomatoes
Reality: While Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate) can help if your soil lacks magnesium, it isn’t a universal solution for all tomato problems. Excessive use can harm the soil and doesn’t address other common nutrient deficiencies like nitrogen or phosphorus.
Myth 5: Planting Deep Guarantees Stronger Plants
Reality: It’s true that tomatoes can develop roots along buried stems, and planting deeper can help stabilize leggy seedlings. However, planting too deep in cool or wet soils can cause the plant to rot or stunt its growth. Only bury the stem when conditions are favorable.
Myth 6: Cracked Tomatoes Are Caused by Overwatering
Reality: Cracks in tomatoes are usually caused by inconsistent watering - alternating between drought and heavy watering causes the fruit to swell too quickly. Maintaining consistent soil moisture is key.
Myth 7: All Tomatoes Ripen Faster in the Sun
Reality: Once a tomato begins ripening (changing colour), sunlight isn’t necessary for the process - it’s driven by the plant’s internal chemistry. In fact, direct sun exposure on ripening tomatoes can lead to sunscald, which damages the fruit.
Myth 8: Bigger Containers Guarantee Bigger Harvests
Reality: While larger containers provide more room for root growth, yield also depends on factors like soil quality, watering, and nutrition. Using high-quality soil and proper care is more important than container size alone.
Myth 9: Eggshells Prevent Blossom End Rot
Reality: Blossom end rot is caused by a calcium imbalance in the plant, but adding crushed eggshells to the soil doesn’t provide calcium quickly enough to address the problem. It’s better to focus on consistent watering and ensuring proper soil pH.
Myth 10: You Should Stop Watering Tomatoes Once They Set Fruit
Reality: While reducing watering slightly can help concentrate sugars and improve flavour, tomatoes still need consistent water to avoid stress and cracking. Allowing them to completely dry out can stunt growth and lead to poor fruit development.
Myth 11: Tomato Plants Repel Pests
Reality: Tomatoes don’t inherently repel pests and are susceptible to many, including aphids, hornworms, and whiteflies. Companion planting (e.g., marigolds, basil) might help deter some pests but isn’t foolproof.
Myth 12: Yellow Flowers Always Mean Fruit is Coming
Reality: Tomato flowers must be pollinated to produce fruit. In some cases, flowers may drop without setting fruit due to stress factors like high heat, poor pollination, or nutrient imbalances.
Myth 13: Once a Tomato Plant Gets Sick, It Will Recover
Reality: While early-stage fungal infections or nutrient deficiencies can sometimes be managed, advanced diseases like late blight or severe bacterial infections often require removing and destroying the plant to prevent spreading.
Myth 14: Tomatoes Are Annual Plants
Reality: Tomatoes are actually tender perennials in warm climates and can continue producing fruit for years if protected from frost. In colder climates, they’re grown as annuals due to their sensitivity to freezing temperatures.
Myth 15: Heirloom Tomatoes Are Always Better
Reality: Heirloom tomatoes are prized for their flavour and diversity, but they’re not inherently superior. They can be more susceptible to pests and diseases than hybrids, which are bred for resilience and consistent yields.
Myth 16: Spraying Sugar Water Improves Tomato Flavour
Reality: A tomato’s flavour comes from a balance of sugars and acids determined by genetics, growing conditions, and care. Adding sugar to the soil or leaves doesn’t impact this natural chemistry.
Myth 17: Tomatoes Can’t Grow in Poor Soil
Reality: Tomatoes are hardy plants and can grow in less-than-ideal soil with amendments. Adding compost, organic matter, and fertilizers can transform even mediocre soil into a productive medium.
Myth 18: All Tomatoes Ripen at the Same Time
Reality: Different varieties ripen at different rates, and indeterminate types produce fruit continuously throughout the growing season, while determinate types ripen in a more concentrated time frame.
Myth 19: Tomato Plants Don't Need Fertilizers if You Use Good Soil
Reality: Even in good soil, heavy-feeding plants like tomatoes benefit from supplemental fertilizers, especially during flowering and fruiting stages, to maintain vigorous growth and high yields.
Myth 20: Tomatoes Don't Need Support
Reality: Even bushy determinate tomatoes benefit from staking or caging to keep fruits off the ground, improving air circulation and reducing pest and disease issues.
