It is not without reason that hobby gardeners with a tight time frame favor the cultivation of bush tomatoes. The varieties are less maintenance-intensive, because special measures can be safely dispensed with here. This is how you care for bush tomatoes professionally and save time.

How to water bush tomatoes?

Since bush tomatoes are very branchy, they develop a considerable biomass. The evaporation is correspondingly high. How to pour the right amount:

  • water thoroughly in the early morning
  • water again in the late afternoon on hot summer days
  • always water directly to the roots and never over the leaves and flowers
  • empty a coaster after 30 minutes at the latest

When are bush tomatoes fertilized?

From the second week under the open sky, the nutrient supply starts. Fertilize bush tomatoes every 14 days with an organic fertilizer in stick form or as a liquid preparation. After fruit set, apply the fertilizer weekly to varieties with a growth height of 100 centimeters and more.

Are bush tomatoes being pinched?

The special growth form of bush tomatoes requires the most lush branching possible. In order for these tomato varieties to produce the desired small fruits in large numbers, any oversupply would reduce the yield considerably. You can therefore do without this time-consuming care measure on bush tomatoes.

Is there protection against diseases?

With a balanced supply of nutrients, you create the foundation for a vital bush tomato. Diseases caused by deficiency symptoms have little chance here, such as blossom end rot or green collars. On the other hand, the only way to protect against the dreaded late blight or other fungal infections is adequate protection against moisture on leaves and flowers. Here are some best practices:

  • Grow bush tomatoes under a rain canopy
  • ideally settle in the greenhouse or on the windowsill
  • cultivate individual plants under the protection of a tomato hood

Do bush tomatoes need a climbing aid?

In contrast to other tomato varieties, bush tomatoes usually thrive in an upright position. Nevertheless, it is advisable to support the shoots. Tie bush tomatoes to special tomato sticks so that the weather or the weight of the fruit crop does not press the branches to the ground.

tips and tricks

Bush tomatoes in tubs have a good chance of a successful overwintering. Carry the non-hardy plants into the house in good time so that they can be placed on the bright, warm window sill. You can compensate for the lack of light with plant lamps or a large mirror.

Category: