The entire growth and development process of tomatoes from sowing and germination to fruit maturity can be divided into four stages: germination stage, seedling stage, flowering and fruit setting stage, and fruiting stage.

1. Germination period

The germination period is from the germination of the seed to the appearance of the first true leaf. Seeds with high viability have a germination period of 7 to 9 days under suitable conditions. Seed germination must have suitable temperature and humidity conditions and good ventilation. After the seed germinates, the radicle first grows, and then the hypocotyl elongates, pushing the cotyledons out of the soil. After the cotyledons unfold, the growth point breaks through and the first true leaf grows.

2. Seedling stage

The seedling stage is from the appearance of the first true leaf to the beginning of large flower buds. There is only vegetative growth in the early stage of the seedling stage, and mainly vegetative growth in the later stage, and reproductive growth begins at the same time. In summer and autumn, the seedling stage usually only takes 45 to 50 days to complete. However, in winter and spring, due to low ambient temperature and weak light, the plants grow slowly, and it often takes 55 to 65 days to pass the seedling stage.

3. Flowering and fruit setting period

The period from the appearance of large flower buds to the first ear of fruit sitting on tomatoes is the flowering and fruit setting period. At this stage, the plant transitions from mainly vegetative growth to a stage of coexistence of vegetative growth and reproductive growth. The length of the flowering period has a great relationship with factors such as variety characteristics and cultivation environment. The flowering period of early-maturing varieties is more concentrated than that of mid-late-maturing varieties, and the flowering time is shorter; the flowering period of the same variety in a high-temperature environment is shorter than that in a low-temperature environment.

4. Fruiting period

The fruiting period starts from the time when the first fruit of the tomato plant sits and begins to expand until the fruit matures and is harvested. Tomatoes are a crop that blooms and bears fruit continuously. When the first ear of fruit grows to the size of a walnut, the second ear of fruit has begun to set fruit and bloom one after another. The length of the fruiting period is determined by factors such as variety type, environmental conditions, and cultivation methods. In long-season cultivation, as long as the conditions are suitable, the fruiting period can last for 9 months or even more than 1 year.

Extended information

Tomato was first grown in Peru and Mexico in South America. It is a wild berry growing in the forest. Because of its delicate color, the locals regard it as a poisonous fruit, as the "Fox's Fruit", and call it "Wolf Peach". It is only used for viewing, no one dares to eat it, and it is just treated as an ornamental plant. .

According to records, in the 16th century, a British Duke named Orodala traveled to South America and liked the ornamental plant tomato very much, so he brought it back to England as a treasure. The gift of love was given to her lover Queen Elizabeth to express her love. Since then, the name of love fruit and lover fruit has been widely spread. But people plant tomatoes in their manors and give them to their lovers as gifts that symbolize love.

Baidu Encyclopedia-Tomatoes