How to Plant Leggy Cherry Tomatoes

Cherry tomatoes are a delicious and popular type of tomato that many gardeners love to grow. However, if your cherry tomato plants become "leggy" they can be difficult to work with and less productive. Leggy cherry tomato plants are those that have long and weak stems and may have few leaves or flowers. If your cherry tomato plants are leggy, there are several things you can do to plant them correctly and help them thrive.

Start by Transplanting Your Seedlings

If you have purchased cherry tomato seedlings from a nursery or started them yourself indoors, it is important to transplant them correctly. Begin by digging a hole that is deep enough to accommodate the entire root ball of the seedling, while also leaving enough room for the tomato plant to grow. Next, remove the seedling from its container and gently tease out the roots. If the plant is leggy, you can bury a portion of the stem, up to the first set of leaves, in the hole. This will encourage the plant to develop new roots along its stem and help it become more stable.

Provide Adequate Support

Once you have transplanted your leggy cherry tomato seedlings, it is important to provide them with adequate support. You can use stakes, cages, or trellises to support your cherry tomato plants. Stakes should be at least six feet tall to accommodate the height of cherry tomato plants, and cages should be at least 18 inches in diameter. Trellises should be sturdy and able to support the weight of the growing plants.

Ensure Proper Sunlight and Watering

Cherry tomato plants require plenty of sunlight and consistent watering to thrive. Make sure to plant your cherry tomato seedlings in a spot with at least six hours of direct sunlight per day. You should also water your plants regularly, providing enough water to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. Be careful not to let the soil dry out completely or your plants may wilt and become stressed.

Encourage Bushy Growth

To encourage bushy growth in your leggy cherry tomato plants, you can pinch off the tops of the plants when they reach about four feet in height. This will encourage the plants to grow new branches from the side shoots, creating a more compact and bushy plant. You can also remove any leaves that are blocking sunlight or that may be diseased or damaged.

Use Fertilizer Wisely

Fertilizer can be helpful for cherry tomato plants, but it should be used sparingly and judiciously. Overly fertilized plants can become overgrown and leggy, so it is best to only use fertilizer once or twice during the growing season. Choose a balanced fertilizer with equal amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, and follow the package instructions for application.

Conclusion

Growing leggy cherry tomato plants can be frustrating, but with the right care and attention, these plants can thrive. Begin by transplanting your seedlings correctly and providing them with adequate support, sunlight, and watering. Encourage bushy growth and use fertilizer wisely to help your cherry tomato plants produce a bountiful harvest of delicious fruit.