Tomato Black Cherry (Cherry) Seedling Tray

For best results with Black Cherry (Cherry), plant one seedling per 1801 cell or 4-inch container. Use well-drained soil with a pH of 5.5-6.2, EC less than 1.0 mS/cm, temperatures of 60-70 daytime and 50-60 nighttime, light levels of 4,000-5,000 fc, and medium feed (150-200 ppm N). This plant doesn't require pinching, and we don't recommend using PGRs on vegetables. You may see aphids, whiteflies, spider mites, thrips, tomato fruitworms, cutworms, and leafminers. Root rot, damping-off, early blight, fusarium wilt, verticillium wilt, powdery mildew, and bacterial canker can affect tomato seedlings.

Tomato plants are grown for their fruits. Small yellow flowers bloom, attract pollinators and develop into fruits when after being pollinated.

This plant doesn't require pinching.

Space containers 2-3" apart in the greenhouse to allow for airflow and sunlight penetration around the base of each plant.

Control height with proper spacing, temperatures, light levels, and fertilizer. We don't recommend using chemical growth regulators on vegetable seedling plugs.

In the commercial greenhouse, you may see aphids, whiteflies, spider mites, thrips, tomato fruitworms, cutworms, and leafminers. 

Coach Your Customer: Pests can attack tomato plants in the garden, most notably nematodes and tomato hornworms. Plant tomatoes in a different location every year, especially if nematodes have eaten the roots of your plants in the previous year. Marigolds often repel nematodes planted alongside tomatoes. Look out for tomato hornworms, large green caterpillars that eat the foliage. Remove them by hand to a bucket of soapy water. If the hornworm is covered in white spots, leave the worm and eggs on the plant. Those white spots are wasp eggs that parasitize the hornworm and benefit your garden.

1. Aphids are small, soft-bodied insects that feed on the sap of tomato plants, causing stunted growth and yellowing leaves.
2. Whiteflies are small, winged insects that can quickly infest tomato plants in a greenhouse. They feed on the sap of the plants and can spread diseases.
3. Spider mites are tiny arachnids that can infest tomato plants and cause damage to the leaves and fruit. They are especially problematic in warm, dry environments like greenhouses.
4. Thrips are small, slender insects that can damage tomato plants by sucking the sap from the leaves and causing deformities in the fruit.
5. Tomato fruitworms are caterpillars that feed on the leaves and fruit of tomato plants, causing damage and reducing yields.
6. Cutworms are larvae of certain moth species that can damage young tomato plants by cutting through the stem at or below the soil surface.
7. Leafminers are larvae that feed on the leaves of tomato plants, causing damage to the foliage and reducing the plant's ability to photosynthesize.

Implement an Integrated Pest Management plan to address pest infestations. 

Watch for the following diseases that may affect tomato seedling plugs in your commercial greenhouse:

1. Damping-off is a fungal disease that can cause tomato seedlings to rot and die at the base of the stem. Use well-draining soil and good airflow to prevent infection.

2. Early blight is a fungal disease that causes circular brown spots on the lower leaves of tomato plants, which eventually spread to the entire plant. Provide adequate spacing to prevent overly warm, humid conditions.

3. Fusarium wilt is a fungal disease that causes plants to turn yellow, wilt, and die. It spreads via contaminated soil or infected seeds. Prevent the spread by using disease-resistant varieties of tomato plants.

4. Verticillium wilt is another fungal disease that causes plants to wilt and die. It spreads in soil, but you may stop it by growing disease-resistant varieties and using clean soil.

5. Powdery mildew is a fungal disease that causes a white, powdery growth on tomato leaves and fruit. High humidity and poor airflow can lead to infection, while good ventilation and proper spacing can protect your plants.

6. Bacterial canker is a disease that causes stems and leaves to wilt, blacken, and have cankers. It spreads via contaminated seeds or plant debris. Prevent contamination with disease-free seeds and sanitary practices.

To prevent and control these diseases, implement an Integrated Pest Management strategy, including growing disease-resistant varieties, providing good airflow, watering at the base of each plant, and using sanitary practices.

We recommend planting one seedling plug per 1801-cell or 4-inch container. Use well-drained soil and center the seedling in the container. Cell packs finish in 2-3 weeks.