Tomatoes are one of the most common crops grown in Kenya. Tomatoes are grown in deep, fertile soil before germinating to become plants. But how long does it take for them to mature? This post will look at how long tomatoes take to grow and mature, as well as what prevents them from maturing.
Tomatoes take three to four months to grow and are ready to be harvested depending on the variety, climate conditions, and age of seedlings planted in Kenya. Also, some tomato varieties may be delayed or not mature because they are affected by some factors.
7 Factors Affecting Tomato Growth to Maturity in Kenya
The following are six factors affecting tomato growth to maturity:
1. Failure to Harden Tomato Seedlings
Transplantation shock may stunt or even kill your tomato plants if you overlook this hardening stage.
2. Improper Watering of Tomato Plants
If a farmer practices inconsistent watering of plants, it can lead to calcium deficiency, which causes blossom end rot disease and fruit splitting, interfering with the growth of the plant.
3. Applying Too Much Nitrogen-Based Fertilizer
A farmer applying too much nitrogen to plants may cause them to put more energy into growing leaves than fruit.
4. Choosing the Wrong Tomato Variety
Selecting a variety that is not good for the place you intend to plant it may limit its growth and maturity.
5. Planting Tomatoes in the Wrong Places
When you plant them in a particularly exposed location or where strong winds may damage them.
6. Inappropriate or Late Staking
This leads to the development of pests and diseases on fruits and stems resting directly on the soil. Also, tomato plants can become weak and fall before they reach maturity.
7. Development of Pests and Diseases at the Flowering Stage
When pests and diseases affect the plant at the flowering stage, tomato plants may not reach maturity.
Solutions to Factors Affecting Tomato Growing to Maturity
1. Hardening enables plant seedlings to adapt to changes in temperature or exposure to challenging weather conditions. Therefore, you should harden your plants to expose them to natural weather four weeks before transplanting.
2. Watering is most crucial during the flowering and fruiting stages. However, you should develop a consistent watering schedule that ensures plants have enough moisture to sustain growth. Watering is usually done late at night or in the morning.
3. Ensure you use the best fertilizer for tomatoes or natural compost.
4. When selecting a variety, you should choose the one that will nourish the area where you will plant tomatoes. Also, select disease-resistant tomato varieties.
5. Make sure you plant them in areas suitable for growth and ensure tomato plants meet their needs appropriately. Also, consider aspects of the climate and soil conditions of that place.
6. Tomato plants need staking to keep them manageable and sustain the plant’s weight. However, you should install support or trellis when tomato seedlings are tiny to prevent water damage to the plant that may be caused by driving stakes through their root systems and redirecting mature stems.
7. Ensure that pests and diseases are controlled at early stages to prevent damage to tomato plants.
Best Month to Plant Tomatoes in Kenya
In Kenya, tomatoes are planted in almost every season, but the best times to grow in the rainy season are from June to July and from May to October. This is because, during these months, there is enough rainfall for growth and early maturity, making profits during the festival season in early December.
In Kenya, the production of tomatoes on an acre of land should be between 30,000kg and 35,000kg under good management practices.
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