Propagation/Cloning
Cloning of Tomatoes
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Find tomato plant that is at least 2 feet in
height of a species of tomatoes that you like:
Beef, grape, cherry, pear, etc.
Look at all the branches of the tomato plant of
your choice, and find the Shoot tip (sucker) not
nodes or lateral buds.
Shoot tip will be growing between the main
leaves off plant right at the connection of the
leaf stem and ground tissue. See picture on
next slide.
Shoot Tip (sucker)
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Credit of picture http://littlehouseinthesuburbs.com/2012/05
/
Picture credit: Eleanor Crockett June 22, 2013
e credit:
Shoot tip on pear tomato plant in Mr. Richard Widmeier’s tomato
garden. Branch in Mr. Richard Widmeier’s hand broke during
picture. One can take broken plant piece and clone with shoot tip
using cloning methods described in this power point.
Credit Given: Eleanor Crockett June 22, 2013
This is a section of the plant to identify the shoot tip (sucker). Blue tomato
cage in background, there is a node with leaves growing perpendicular to
blue tomato cage and shoot tip is parallel to blue tomato cage. Notice above
shoot tip there are flowers for fruit production and above that is another node
with leaves. A very tiny shoot tip is developing here as well, but not big
enough to clone yet.
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Use a sharp pair of scissors and cut shoot tip
that is about 2 inches in height.
Add soil to seed tray, black cow was used in
the attached pictures. Mushroom compost is
the best to use.
Make a hole in soil about ½ inch and put in
clone.
Moisten soil with water very carefully so the
soil is firm to hold the clone upright.
Picture credit: Eleanor Crockett June 22, 2013
Sharp scissors in Mr. Richard Widmeier’s hands cutting shoot tip
from plant, notice shoot tip is between fingers.
Credit given: Eleanor Crockett June 22, 2013
Shoot tip cut from tomato plant in Mr. Richard Widmeier's hand.
Notice the shoot tip has a nice set of leaves already developed.
Picture Credit: Eleanor Crockett June 22, 2013
Two different sizes of seed trays, and Black Cow compost is used for
this clone. Mushroom compost is the best to use, however not on hand
for pictures.
Credit Given: Eleanor Crockett June 22, 2013
Filled seed tray with Black Cow compost with fresh shoot tip
cutting.
Credit Given: Eleanor Crockett June 22, 2013
Aerial view of planted clone, three more needed if you want to start mass
reproduction. If seed tray has ten and you can find ten shoot tips, you can
possibility clone ten if they all take.
Credit Given: Eleanor Crockett June 22, 2013
Side view of clone in Black Cow, notice depth of clone in Black cow and
Clone is standing upright, soil must be pressed firmly but not too firm or
clone will break.
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Now mix some fish emulsion ½ strength in
sprayer with distilled water and mist leaves
one/two times a day, depending on heat or
humidity.
Clone will wilt, since it has no roots, give it a
day or two. (This is usual do not panic)
Put seed tray in partial sun light either morning
or evening sun. No more than 6 hours of sun.
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Once plant stands upright, continue misting
with water and fish emulsion solution.
Once the tomato clone starts producing new
leaves and roots are forming, you may water
the soil. The roots have formed.
Once plant is 3 plus inches tall, remove from
seed tray and plant in a full/part sun location.
Credit Given: Eleanor Crockett June 22, 2013
Clone ten days young, yellow and dead leaves removed, notice
new leaves have developed and clone is standing upright. If you
look close enough, white root hairs have formed in soil.
Credit Given: Eleanor Crockett June 22, 2013
Clones 14 days young, yellowing leaves indicate nutrients are
needed especially nitrogen, once nutrients are added, remove
yellowing leaves. Take careful notice of back clone has produced
fruit in 14 days. Plants need to be transplanted into soil or larger
pot.
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The larger the seed tray, the more shoot tips
may be used. This is how you can have
massive reproduction of tomatoes. Each shoot
tip is clonable. Not all clones will grow. Some
of the plants will die. Others will become
disease infested, some will get root rot, some
will be eaten, and some will just fry in the sun.
Welcome to cloning in nature!
Credit Given: Eleanor Crockett June 22, 2013
Can you find the two tomato issues?
Look closely, notice partially eaten tomatoes and look at the
leaves.
Credit Given: Eleanor Crockett June 22, 2013
Answer: Right under the leaves and to the right of the tomatoes
there is a tomato hornworm enjoying its favorite plant! The leaves
have a fungus that can be treated using 50% skim milk and water.
As for the Tomato Hornworm, remove by hand or cut leaf off with
worm attached.