Banana tomato is a unique hybrid variety originating from the Netherlands, named for its banana-like shape. This variety is known for its early maturity, vigorous growth, and strong productivity, with plants reaching up to 1.5 meters in height. The fruits are wide at the top, measuring 16–18 cm in length and 3–4 cm in diameter, with a slight green shoulder. The skin is thin and easy to peel, offering a pleasant flavor and color, making it ideal for early spring cultivation. Below are detailed cultivation techniques to ensure successful growth.
(1) Cultivation Methods
In Shandong, banana tomatoes are typically grown in spring, either in greenhouses, spring-autumn greenhouses, or large arch sheds. In greenhouses, planting usually begins in mid-December, while outdoor planting starts in mid-February or March. In Yangshuo, open-field cultivation can begin as early as late January to early February, with transplanting in mid-April.
(2) Seedling Preparation
Before sowing, use 10 cm x 10 cm nutrient blocks or trays. Prepare the bed soil by mixing 7 parts of high-quality garden soil with 3 parts of organic fertilizer. Add 1.5 kg of NPK compound fertilizer per cubic meter of soil after sieving, along with 10 kg of wood ash. Mix well and fill the seedbeds or pots.
Soak seeds in warm water (55°C) for 15 minutes, then wrap them in clean, moist gauze and place them in a warm, dark area (25–30°C). Most seeds will germinate within a few days. When sowing, pre-water the seedbeds, plant one seed per spot, or divide the bed into 10 cm squares and place one seed in each. Cover with 1.5 cm of soil. Maintain daytime temperatures between 28–30°C and nighttime temperatures around 18–20°C before emergence. After sprouting, keep the temperature around 26°C during the day and 12–15°C at night. Seedlings are ready for transplanting when they reach the first inflorescence, which usually takes about 60 days in greenhouses and 80 days in open fields.
(3) Soil Preparation and Planting
Choose loamy soil rich in organic matter. Before planting, apply 5,000 kg of compost per mu, 100 kg of superphosphate, and 30 kg of potassium sulfate. Plow and level the soil, then create ridges of 70 cm x 50 cm, 15 cm high, oriented north-south. Plant on a sunny morning, spacing plants 28 cm apart, and water thoroughly to avoid root shock and temperature stress.
(4) Post-Planting Management
After planting, perform shallow to deep cultivation to loosen the soil, improve moisture retention, and promote deep root development. This helps enhance plant resilience and fruit yield. Typically, 3–4 crops are harvested before fruiting begins.
Prune the plants to balance vegetative and reproductive growth. Use single-stem pruning, removing all side shoots except the main stem. In greenhouses and spring-autumn sheds, support vines with strings. In large arch sheds, use trellises. In open fields, allow the main stem to grow and pinch off 2–3 lateral shoots.
For protected cultivation, temperature fluctuations can affect flowering and fruit set. Apply 15–20 mg/kg of 2,4-D or 25–30 mg/kg of anti-fall agent to flower stalks during early blooming. For open-field cultivation, reduce hormone concentration slightly.
Fertilize after the first fruit set: apply 15 kg of urea and 20 kg of compound fertilizer per mu, followed by watering. Three weeks later, apply another round of fertilizer to maintain soil moisture and encourage fruit growth.
(5) Disease and Pest Control
Common diseases include late blight and gray mold, which damage both leaves and fruits. To prevent these, reduce humidity in the field and promptly remove infected plants. For late blight, spray 72% DuPont Kelu wettable powder diluted 500 times, 2–3 times daily. For gray mold, use 25% pru-ruid WP diluted 800–1000 times, applying it every 3–4 days for 7–10 days.
(6) Harvesting
Banana tomatoes have higher sugar content than regular tomatoes and develop a green shoulder when mature. They should be harvested at full ripeness, preferably in the afternoon. Timely harvesting ensures optimal quality and marketability.
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