Propagation/Cloning

Cloning of Tomatoes

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) 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.

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, 2013Aerial 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, 2013Side 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.

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.

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.

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.