Homesteading / Survivalism ( página do Facebook que publicou o texto,sendo a fonte original do mesmo o site :
http://www.squidoo.com/how-to-grow-tomatoes-from-cuttings )
" How to Grow
Tomato Plants from Cuttings:
Growing
tomatoes from cuttings is an effective way to extend your garden without having
to purchase store bought plants. They are often rooted by cuttings to preserve
precious heirloom varieties that may be damaged by harsh elements.
In addition
to saving money, growing tomatoes from cuttings will also allow you to share
your tomato plants with friends and family and obtain new varieties without
having to wait for seed propagation the following year.
Tomato cuttings root within a week or so making them
perfect for extending your growing season. Taking cuttings in mid-summer will
produce tomato plants that can be planted back into the garden and produce
abundant tomatoes in the late fall and early winter for warmer climates. It can
also be done in cooler climates if grown indoors with very bright light or in a
greenhouse.
5 Things You Need to Grow Tomatoes from Cuttings
Healthy "Parent" Tomato Plant
Sterile Potting Soil
Sterile Pots or Trays
Pruning Shears
Water
Optional:
Rooting Hormone
Plant Labels
Prepare Your Pots and Soil Prior to Taking Your
Cuttings
Keep Your Cuttings Healthy By Preparing Your Soil
Ahead of Time
The first step in growing tomatoes from cuttings is to
prepare your pots and your soil. It is best to use sterile potting soil to
prevent your tender cuttings from being diseased and to insure that all pots
have been washed prior to reusing.
Prepare your soil by filling your pots or trays with
soil. Water thoroughly until the water is pouring out the drain holes. Allow
the water to drain completely and water again. This will help to prevent air
pockets and to settle the soil prior to planting your cuttings.
Creative Commons Image
Taking and Preparing Your Tomato Cuttings
Minimize Moisture Loss by Removing the Bottom Leaves
Using a healthy parent plant cuttings can be taken
from suckers, shoots between stems and tips cuttings. Suckers and shoots can be
'pinched' out while tips cuttings should be cut from the end of healthy stem
using sharp pruning shears. Cuttings should be 4 to 8 inches long and have
leaves at the top end.
Once cuttings have been taken, gently remove all
leaves except for the top two or three. This will help prevent the plant from
drying out and using extra energy that could be sent to producing new roots.
Notice in the picture all stems and leaves have been
cut off except the top few. The stem on the right side was cut as close the
main stem as possible with out injuring the stalk.
Planting Your Tomato Cuttings in Pots
The Final Step
Once your cuttings have been prepared, use a pencil or
other small object to make small holes in your pots. Place one cutting in each
hole and gently firm the soil around each cutting. Rooting hormone can be used
but is not required since tomato cuttings root so easily.
After planting all of your cutting water them
thoroughly and allow them to drain completely. Once they have drained move them
to a shaded area protected from direct sunlight.
Caring for Your Tomato Cuttings Until They Root
Keeping Your Cuttings Healthy
Check your tomato cuttings daily until they have
rooted. Keep them watered so that the soil in moist but not soggy. The size of
your pots and quality of your potting soil will determine how often they need
to be watered.
Do not pull the cuttings up to check for roots. Doing
so will tear the tender roots and cause damage or kill the cuttings before they
get the chance to thrive. You can give them a gentle tug to see if they feel
'stuck' in the soil. If so that is a good sign they have rooted. The safest way
to know whether or not you cuttings have rooted is to wait until new growth
emerges.
Once new growth emerges you can rest assured your
tomato cuttings are now young tomato plants and will soon be ready to be
planted out in the garden and start producing tomatoes.
Fertilizing Your New Tomato Plants
How and When to Fertilize Your Tomato Cuttings
About 2 weeks after your tomato cuttings have been
planted you can be sure there are roots. Once the roots have established you
can then fertilize your new plants using a general purpose fertilizer at half
the recommended strength.
Two weeks after the initial application you can then
begin fertilizing at full strength according to the package directions. Be
careful not to over fertilize as it will burn the tomato plants and cause
damage. Continue to fertilize throughout the season according the directions.
Planting Your Rooted Tomato Plants in the Garden
When to Plant Your New Plants
Young tomato plants can be planted out in the garden 3
to 4 weeks after the cuttings are taken. I prefer to wait until they begin to
get bushy and put on new height.
Before planting them out in the garden they need to be
hardened off. Introduce them to a few hours of direct sunlight the first day
and then continue to increase their amount of time in the sun until they can
are able to handle full sun all day long. Be sure to keep plants watered during
the process.
Once the young tomato plants seem to be able to handle
the sun all day with no wilting they can then be planted into the garden or
into large containers in the sun to begin producing tomatoes. Plant them as you
would any other tomato plant and keep them watered well to help reduce shock.
Source:
http://www.squidoo.com/how-to-grow-tomatoes-from-cuttings — with Vanessa
Daravar, Salty Dalty, Brett Turner, Ted Crocker, John Maksuta, Earl Campo,
Sherri Leslie, Tonya Henry Pell, Will Maksuta, Kevin Kuprienko, Barb Hull,
Stephanie Sadler Shaw and Janet Williams. "
