The tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) is a herbaceous, usually sprawling plant in the nightshade family widely cultivated for its edible fruit.
Though many tomato varieties are compatible with the AeroGarden, others are too large. Regardless, many choose to use their AeroGardens to germinate seeds of 'non-compatible' tomatoes then transplant outdoors.
Choosing Compatible Varieties[]
- You have to use a dwarf plant, not a dwarf vegetable to have success. Otherwise, though the vegetables are dwarfs, the plant may still be very tall and you will have to keep trimming all the flowers as they grow into the lights. The seeds from the AeroGarden's Dwarf Cherry Toms are the perfect size. Most tomatoes, even the Aerogarden's Heirloom Tomatoes are too tall and do not produce well. Search for dwarf size plants. - Ocarolina [1]
Known Compatible Varieties[]
Cherry Tomato (Seed Kit)[]
A cherry tomato is a smaller garden variety of tomato. It is marketed at a premium to ordinary tomatoes, and is popular as a snack and in salads. Cherry tomatoes are generally considered to be similar but not identical to the wild precursor of the domestic tomato. They are often more sour than standard tomatoes.
Cherry tomatoes range in size from a thumbtip up to the size of a golf ball, and can range from being spherical to slightly oblong in shape. The more oblong ones often share characteristics with plum tomatoes, and are known as grape tomatoes.
Details[]
- Depth to sow seed:
- Days to sprout:
- Maturity: 10 weeks (flowers bloom in 4 weeks, tomatoes appears in 6 weeks)
- Size:
- Compatible with Aerogarden? Yes
Testimonials[]
http://www.aerogardengrowers.com/index.php/topic,595.20.html
Aerogarden Compatibility[]
Yes
Cultivation and Care[]
Pruning[]
There is some good information on page 12 of your cherry tomato manual, it tells you what to do here.
- Count up five branches and lop the whole trunk off! You will lose many buds, if you have any yet, but it has to be done if you want decent, bushy growth, later on.
- The plant will look VERY bad afterwards but don't worry - it will return, bushier and better, honest.
A few places to look, before and after photographs http://www.aerogardengrowers.com/index.php/topic,437.0.html, and also Ellen's glog here http://www.aerogardengrowers.com/index.php/topic,449.15.html
Micro Tom[]
The smallest tomato plant in the world, the Micro-Tom reaches only 4-7" high. Plants bear smallish red tomatoes, about the size of large cherry tomatoes. The plants are surprisingly productive, a 6" plant can produce up to a couple dozen fruits. The Micro-Tom is an excellent choice for gardeners with little room.
The tiny cherries tomatoes on this plant are only the size of a salad crouton, but are quite edible, abundant and packed with sweet flavor.
Details[]
- Species: Tomato Lycopersicon esculentum
- Depth to sow seed:
- Days to sprout:
- Days to maturity: 75-85
- Size: 4-7"
- Compatible with Aerogarden? Yes
Testimonials[]
http://www.aerogardengrowers.com/index.php/topic,773.0.html
Aerogarden Compatibility[]
Were you able to successfully grow it?
Cultivation and Care[]
If others want to try, what tips can you give them?
Tomatoes Not Compatible with the AeroGarden[]
Though many tomato varieties are compatible with the AeroGarden, others are too large. Regardless, many choose to use their AeroGardens to germinate seeds of 'non-compatible' tomatoes then transplant outdoors.
Start seeds in your AeroGarden 4-6 weeks ahead of transplanting and enjoy vine-ripened, homegrown tomatoes all summer long!
Just drop the seeds into the seed pods and add water and the included nutrients to your 6 or 7 pod AeroGarden. Seeds germinate in days and the AeroGarden ensures that seedlings get just the right amount of water, nutrients and light. Healthy roots and compact growth make transplanting tomatoes to your outdoor garden or containers easy and successful. Perfect for gardens, containers and "upside down" growers too!
You'll save money versus buying plants from a nursery, get a big jump on the growing season and enjoy the fun and wide variety that comes from starting your own garden plants from seed.
TIP: Tomatoes should be transplanted outdoors after all danger of frost has passed. Start tomatoes in your AeroGarden no sooner than 4-6 weeks prior to the last expected frost date.
Tomato Chocolate Cherry[]
Unique Chocolate Color and Rich Tangy Flavor. This plant reaches 5 to 6 feet high and about 3 feet wide so it is not compatible to be grown in the Aerogarden though some choose to start the seeds in the AeroGarden then transplant them outsite.
Details[]
- Species: Lycopersicon esculentum Chocolate Cherry
- Depth to sow seed:
- Days to sprout:
- Days to maturity: 75-85
- Height: 5 ft - 6 ft