The Celebrity Tomato is a common hybrid (biology), which produces long, fruit-bearing stems, holding up to 20 or more robust, ripe tomatoes. The tomato has an extended, upright shape and an oval oblong shaped, divided green hood. It has a rounded mouth with a sweet, juicy taste. The flowers are trumpet shaped and up to five times the size of the fruit. It’s a good variety for beginning gardeners since it produces large and firm fruits and is not very hardy.
Although this tomato has a long history of producing good quality fruits, overharvesting caused it to be planted in the hundreds and thousands of acres around the world where there aren’t any diseases or insects that can destroy them. For this reason, there are some restrictions and regulations placed on planting this tomato species. Because of its high yield potential and disease resistance, many high yield vegetable gardeners and farmers are looking towards planting celebrity tomato plants.
This variety has adapted well to a variety of climates and soil conditions, but because of its high yield potential; high yield means more crops. Keep in mind that planting and harvesting from the same seed can lower the yield of each plant. Tomatoes generally do better when planted in rows, along with other similar varieties. Planting rows increase air circulation, which helps prevent the occurrence of disease by reducing the moisture in the soil, while at the same time providing more consistent growing conditions.
Before planting, make sure you have the correct amount of soil. This important step can actually determine the success of your garden. Too little soil, and your plants won’t have a chance to grow properly, possibly resulting in no profit at all. On the other hand, too much soil will force the roots to grow in waterlogged conditions, causing them to rot and die. To determine what the proper amount of soil is for your chosen variety, consult an expert on the matter who can also advise you on fertilizer and pest control recommendations.
Once you have the soil set, begin planting. Do not dig the bedding plants, just place them about one foot apart. This will provide room for the eventual growth of the larger plants to spread out. The planting area should be at least five feet apart. If you plan to have a trellis or gazebo with your tomato garden, place the plants at right angles to each other so they can more easily cascade one another.
After digging the holes for the plants, fill them with dirt that is slightly moist. Celebrity tomatoes are best planted in a partial sun, so plant them about one to two feet away from each other. Do not forget to give them at least a week to get acquainted with their new home before planting them in the traditional sun. After the plants have been established, you will want to give them a light feeding with a high nitrogen fertilizer, which is available at any garden center. Do not forget to give them water regularly, about every week during the growing season.
You will find that the first year of Celebrity Tomatoes is usually the most difficult. Some gardeners experience a mildew infection in the growing season, which is usually cured by applying an organic fungicide. However, blossom end rot, which is caused by the planting of stemless plants too close together, can be a serious problem for this tomato type and may cause the death of your specimen. To prevent stemless plants from becoming affected, make sure they receive full watering during the growing season.
Another issue to be aware of is that mulching may reduce the nitrogen of your tomato plants. Mulching should be done at least six weeks prior to planting. If the soil is especially dry, apply a light layer of black plastic mulch to increase the soil moisture. Be sure to clean mulch before it dries so you do not end up with a sticky mulch. Also, be sure to check for any weeds before planting, as they may try to escape through the cracks in the mulch layer.