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how can you tell the difference between tomato plants

by Bonnie Marks Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Steps to Determine if a Tomato Plant is a Determinate or Indeterminate Variety

  1. Check the height of the plant. After the plant has been growing for a while and has tomatoes on it, check its height. ...
  2. Check the leaves of our plant. Determinate tomatoes commonly have leaves that are closer together on the stem, making them look bushier. ...
  3. Check the flowers and fruit production. ...
  4. Check the plant tag or seed packet. ...

Determinate tomatoes commonly have leaves that are closer together on the stem, making them look bushier. Indeterminate varieties have leaves that are spaced out more and look more like vines. Check the flowers and fruit production.

Full Answer

What do Tomatoes look like?

Tomatoes are one of the most common plants in a garden. Plant identification may be a challenge when there is no distinct flower or young tomatoes emerging on the greenery. Notice that the leaves on the tomato plant are 10 inches long on an average stem. Small leaflets are three inches long.

How do you tell if a tomato plant has leaves?

Take note of the leaves' size. On an average stem, tomato plant leaves are generally about 10 inches in length. New leaves, however, measure approximately 3 inches in length. Remember that tomato leaves have a saw-like or jagged edge that surrounds the entire leaf.

What does an emerging tomato seedling look like?

Emerging tomato seedlings have two oblong-rounded leaves that lie on either side of the first true leaf that sprouts days later. Observe the plant in question. A healthy, garden-ready seedling is a medium to deep green color. Tomatoes are one of the most common plants in a garden.

What should I look for when buying tomato seedlings?

Buy tomato seedlings that have no flower buds or blossoms. The energy of the plant will focus on establishing a healthy root system rather than fruit production when transplanted into the garden. University of Minnesota Extension: What's Wrong With My Plant? University of Minnesota Extension: What's Wrong With My Plant?

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How can I tell if my tomato plant is determinate or indeterminate?

How to Distinguish a Determinate from an Indeterminate TomatoThe determinate forms stop their shoot production once flowers form on the ends.Indeterminate tomato varieties will form flowers along the sides of the shoots but they continue to grow until weather conditions are no longer favorable.

How do you know if its determinate or indeterminate?

Besides the obvious size difference of the two plants, there is one other distinguishing factor that you may be able to spot… Indeterminate tomatoes will produce fruit all along the stems. While determinate plants will form their fruit on the ends of the branches.

What is the difference in tomato plants?

One of the classifications you will often see on the label of a tomato plant or on a packet of tomato seeds is "determinate" or "indeterminate." These terms refer to the growth habit of the tomato plants. They essentially mean bush or vining tomatoes, respectively.

What are the 2 types of tomato plants?

Determinate and Indeterminate When selecting tomato varieties, you must choose between plants with different types of growth habits called determinate or indeterminate. All tomatoes are either one or the other. Determinate varieties (including bush varieties) reach a certain plant height and then stop growing.

How do I know what type of tomato plant I have?

Check the leaves of our plant. Determinate tomatoes commonly have leaves that are closer together on the stem, making them look bushier. Indeterminate varieties have leaves that are spaced out more and look more like vines.

Which tomatoes are determinate list?

Examples of determinate tomatoes: Rutgers, Roma, and Celebrity. Examples of indeterminate tomatoes: Beefsteak, Goldie, most Cherry-types, and heirloom tomatoes. Which to plant? If you are short on space, determinate tomatoes are good for container gardening.

Should I cut the leaves off my tomato plants?

Remove leaves Removing leaves is a great way to speed up the growth of new tomatoes. I use this trick often for my plants outside. Removing some of the leaves will help the sun reach the tomatoes, and they will ripen faster. The plant will focus more energy on growing the tomatoes if you remove some of the leaves too.

How long will a tomato plant live?

ANSWER: A tomato plant will only last a year in most vegetable gardens. As soon as it gets cold and freezes, the tomato plant will die. In places where the temperature never falls below 60 degrees or when indeterminate tomatoes are grown indoors, they are short-lived perennials that will last for two years.

How many different kinds of tomato plants are there?

With more than 10,000 tomato varieties available, planting the perfect tomato can be challenging.

What tomato plant produces the most fruit?

1. Stupice. This classic heirloom tomato is a heavy producer. The vigorous plant provides abundant fruit.

What is the easiest tomato plant to grow?

Cherry TomatoesCherry Tomatoes are the easiest tomatoes for beginners to grow. They produce crop after crop and have very few problems!

What is the hardiest tomato plant?

There are specific tomato varietals bred for cold hardiness which will tolerate conditions at or below 55 degrees F....Cold Hardy TomatoesCelebrity.Golden Nugget.Husky Gold.Orange Pixie.Oregon Spring.Siletz.

What makes a structure indeterminate?

In statics and structural mechanics, a structure is statically indeterminate when the static equilibrium equations – force and moment equilibrium conditions – are insufficient for determining the internal forces and reactions on that structure.

What is the difference between indeterminate growth and determinate growth?

Determinate growth ceases during the natural lifespan of individuals. Growth trajectory and adult body size are primarily genetically determined but may, to some degree, be influenced by the environment [2]. Indeterminate growth, by contrast, continues throughout the life of an individual.

What is the difference between determinate and indeterminate flower?

Determinate plants are triggered to produce all flowers in a certain time frame, despite many other factors. Indeterminate plants flower until some environmental condition triggers them to stop.

What is the difference between indeterminate organisms and determinate organisms?

The growth strategy of a species influences many key aspects of its life-history. Animals can either grow indeterminately (throughout life), or grow determinately, ceasing at maturity. In mammals, continued weight gain after maturity is clearly distinguishable from continued skeletal growth (indeterminate growth).

What is the best fruit to eat raw?

Small, round fruits are cherry tomatoes, which are excellent for snacking or halving into salads. Small fruits with a more oblong shape are grape tomatoes, which stand up well to cooking. A larger tomato with an oblong shape is the Roma tomato, which isn't very juicy and is best eaten raw or lightly cooked. The beefsteak tomato is ...

How tall can a tomato plant grow?

Indeterminate tomato plants will grow and produce as much as they possibly can, which means they can reach well beyond 6 feet tall and produce a staggering number of tomatoes until something — usually the first frost — kills the plant.

What is beefsteak tomato?

The beefsteak tomato is what everyone tends to picture when they hear the word tomato, and it can be used for virtually anything: slicing, roasting, grilling, snacking and so on. Other varieties do exist, but these four represent the most common. Advertisement.

How long does it take for determinate plants to stop growing?

In contrast, determinate varieties stop growing once they reach about 4 feet, which makes them a better choice for container gardening. They'll also produce all of their fruits at the same time, and then they're done for the season.

Do determinate tomatoes produce fruit?

That's because determinate tomato plants produce fruits earlier than indeterminate varieties, but they also produce for a shorter period of time. Advertisement.

Is a tomato plant indeterminate or determinate?

Therefore, if you're looking at a tomato plant with fruits at different stages of ripening, it's probably indeterminate. Another visual clue to consider is whether the tomato plant looks short and bushy or like a vine. Indeterminate tomatoes get tall and scraggly, whereas determinate varieties have petioles and leaves packed closer together.

Can you tell if a tomato is unidentified?

You may never completely solve the mystery of an unidentified tomato since there are literally thousands of varieties available. However, you may be able to answer a few key questions with a close examination of the plant. It's even easier to tell what kind of tomato plant you have if it's already bearing fruit.

How to tell if a tomato plant is a true leaf?

When pulling weeds from the garden or purchasing seedlings in a greenhouse, it is helpful to know how to identify the true tomato plant leaf. Emerging tomato seedlings have two oblong-rounded leaves that lie on either side of the first true leaf that sprouts days later. Observe the plant in question.

Where do flea beetles hide?

As an adult the flea beetle often hides on the undersides of tomato plant leaves during the cooler winter months. Slugs can be voracious eaters, chewing irregularly shaped holes in young tomato plant leaves to the point of defoliating the entire plant.

How long are the leaves on a tomato plant?

The strong scent is lingering and can be removed with soap and water. Notice that the leaves on the tomato plant are 10 inches long on an average stem.

Why do tomato leaves sniff?

Tomato leaves are compound with multiple leaflets growing along a common stem, called a rachis. Touch the leaf and feel a slight fuzziness, which is caused by the trichomes, or multi-cellular hairs, on the plant. Sniff your fingers after touching a tomato plant leaf.

What color are tomato plants?

tomatoe plant image by Coralie Palmeri from Fotolia.com. Observe the plant in question. A healthy, garden-ready seedling is a medium to deep green color. Tomatoes are one of the most common plants in a garden. Plant identification may be a challenge when there is no distinct flower or young tomatoes emerging on the greenery.

What is the most common plant in a garden?

Tomatoes are one of the most common plants in a garden. Plant identification may be a challenge when there is no distinct flower or young tomatoes emerging on the greenery. Tomato plants have similarities to some weeds and wild tomato plants.

Why do I feel a fuzziness in my leaves?

Touch the leaf and feel a slight fuzziness, which is caused by the trichomes, or multi-cellular hairs, on the plant.

How To Hand Pollinate Flowers

The easiest way to hand pollinate Tomato flowers is using a fine artists’ paintbrush. The paintbrush is an effective way to move the pollen within the flower around. To pollinate the flowers gently push the brush into the center of the flower, rotating it a few times.

Alternatives To Hand Pollination

An alternative to hand pollination is using a “Blossom Set” spray to pollinate your tomatoes which is available on Amazon . This spray provides Kinetin, a plant hormone, which causes flowers on the tomatoes to produce fruit, without pollination. It is best to apply it once a week, to the flowers and surrounding foliage when flowers appear.

How to tell if a tomato plant has a jagged edge?

Remember that tomato leaves have a saw-like or jagged edge that surrounds the entire leaf. Smell your fingers and hands after handling tomato plant leaves. The trichomes on the plant produce a yellowish substance with a lingering, overpowering scent.

What are the benefits of tomato leaves?

Trichomes on tomato plant leaves serve as a defense against insects. The hair-like outgrowths trap and immobilize insects. Tomatoes have a high vitamin C content, are rich in potassium and vitamin A and are an excellent source of lycopene, which may aid in fighting prostate cancer.

Why are my tomato plants' leaves fuzzy?

The fuzziness on tomato plants is the result of the numerous hair-like outgrowths, or trichomes, on the plant . Take note of the leaves' size.

How big are tomato leaves?

Take note of the leaves' size. On an average stem, tomato plant leaves are generally about 10 inches in length. New leaves, however, measure approximately 3 inches in length. Remember that tomato leaves have a saw-like or jagged edge that surrounds the entire leaf.

How to get rid of tomato smell?

The trichomes on the plant produce a yellowish substance with a lingering, overpowering scent. Wash your hands with soap and water to get rid of the scent.

How to identify a tomato plant?

Identify a tomato plant by its color. The leaves are medium green to a deep green in color. Although tomatoes are among the most sought-after garden vegetables in America, this has not always been the case. However, if you have never grown tomatoes, there are ways to identify a tomato plant by its leaves. Take note of the leaves' size.

How to protect tomato plants from frost?

Protect early tomato transplants from inclement weather. Cover the plants overnight or take the plant indoors to protect them from frost. Although tomatoes are among the most sought-after garden vegetables in America, this has not always been the case. At one time, says the University of Illinois Extension, people viewed tomatoes as poisonous ...

Regular Heirloom Tomato Leaves

These leaves are so common that they are synonymous with the tomato. Most of the time, when we imagine a tomato, even an heirloom tomato, this is the type of leaf that we see.

Potato Leaves

Potato leaves, on the other hand, are somewhat different. Unlike their cousins, heirloom tomatoes with potato leaves will almost always feature larger leaves. Not only are they heavier, but these leaves resemble the leaves attached to potatoes. That’s why they are named potato-leaf heirloom tomatoes.

How Do You Grow Them?

When you want to grow one or the other, it ultimately comes down to personal choice. Consider also the audience you are growing for; is this crop meant for a farmer’s market, or an upscale restaurant with a choosy chef? Just because they have different leaves, it doesn’t mean one is more likely to thrive than the other.

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How to tell difference? Pics of poor tomato plant

Wandering how you tell the difference between TLCV (Tomato Leaf curl) and TMV Tomato Mosaic. I have a few plants that appear stunted. The new leaves are small and some are curling inwards. Am uploading photos.

Comments (3)

TMV has pretty much been non-existent in the US for over 20 years. So IF it was one of the 2 problems you list it would far more likely be TLCV.

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1.How to tell one tomato variety from another

Url:https://www.tomatogrowing.co.uk/newsletter/week-14-2018/

22 hours ago  · The most evident difference between tomatoes and cherry tomatoes is that the former is bigger in size than the latter. Tomatoes are also visibly oval in shape while cherry …

2.Videos of How Can You Tell The Difference Between Tomato Plants

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16 hours ago If you have a mixed set of seedlings in two equal sets, and lost all the tags for one set you could probably match plants pretty well for some of the "normal" looking varieties, but you couldn't …

3.Garden Guides | How to Identify a Tomato Plant by the …

Url:https://www.gardenguides.com/115774-identify-tomato-plant-leaves.html

19 hours ago  · Tomato plants do not produce male and female flowers nor are there male and female plants. All tomato plants produce flowers that contain both female and male organs …

4.Any way to tell tomato plants apart? - houzz.com

Url:https://www.houzz.com/discussions/2186899/any-way-to-tell-tomato-plants-apart

3 hours ago  · Take note of the leaves' size. On an average stem, tomato plant leaves are generally about 10 inches in length. New leaves, however, measure approximately 3 inches in length. …

5.How Can You Tell If A Tomato Flower Is Male Or Female?

Url:https://planyourpatch.com/how-can-you-tell-if-a-tomato-flower-is-male-or-female-and-how-to-hand-pollinate-them/

23 hours ago Most of the time, when we imagine a tomato, even an heirloom tomato, this is the type of leaf that we see. The shape and the color can be still slightly different depending on the tomato, …

6.Garden Guides | How to Identify a Tomato Plant by the …

Url:https://www.gardenguides.com/13406988-how-to-identify-a-tomato-plant-by-the-leaves.html

14 hours ago Wandering how you tell the difference between TLCV (Tomato Leaf curl) and TMV Tomato Mosaic. I have a few plants that appear stunted. The new leaves are small and some are …

7.How to Tell the Difference Between Heirloom Tomato …

Url:https://www.baywaterfarms.com/blog/tell-difference-heirloom-tomato-leaves/

4 hours ago

8.How to tell difference? Pics of poor tomato plant

Url:https://www.houzz.com/discussions/2179992/how-to-tell-difference-pics-of-poor-tomato-plant

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