Husky Cherry Red Tomato Plant Care - A Gardener's Guide
Husky Cherry Red Tomatoes are a favorite tomato variety of several home gardeners. The vines of this variety grow very close to one another, meaning the plant takes very little space in the garden.
You can conveniently grow these tomatoes in large containers and place them on your deck or patio.
Husky Cherry Red Tomatoes are also known as Solanum Lycopersicum. It is an indeterminate and hybrid variety of tomatoes.
The Husky Cherry Red are among the varieties that will produce a good amount of juicy cherry tomatoes for you to enjoy. You can add these into your vegetable trays or salads to enhance the flavor.
Husky Cherry Red Tomato Plant Care
The plant needs a well-draining and organic soil for healthy growth. Use a vegetable fertilizer labeled 5-10-5. It will enjoy a sunny location for growth. The lowest temperature it can survive in ranges from 40-50 degrees Fahrenheit (4-10 degrees Celsius). The optimal temperature lies within 80-85 degrees Fahrenheit (26.6-29.4 degrees Celsius).
For healthy Husky Cherry Red Tomatoes, add organic matter like peat moss, garden compost, or manure.
Start preparing your garden by breaking down the soil in your garden or container using a spade at a depth of about 12 to 16 inches (30 to 40 cm).
It’s vital that you properly work through the soil to loosen it. Adding organic ingredients will help in improving the drainage of your plant. You can also use containers with drainage holes.
Add nutrients, earthworms, and other organisms to keep your soil healthy and prosperous for the tomatoes. The pH must be kept between 5.5 to 7.
Apply water only to the root zone of the Husky Cherry Red Tomatoes that is an area almost 6 to 12 inches (15 to 30 cm) from the base of the plant.
Water the plant with your hands using a watering can that has a sprinkler attached to its head. This step helps you control the water amount you apply.
Your plant’s watering frequency depends on the temperature, rain, and the plant’s water absorption ability.
In case your garden is big, it will be a good idea to water in the morning, allowing the foliage to dry out during the rest of the day.
Overwatered and moist leaves will lead to diseases and the formation of molds which will deteriorate and kill your tomatoes.
Another way of saving your plant is to water it thoroughly every 2 to 3 days instead of watering it a bit every day.
Watering your tomatoes deeply will help in the growth of deep and sturdy roots that will also keep your plant drought tolerant.
You can examine the soil moisture using your fingers or by digging a hole. If you feel 2 to 4 inches (5 to 10 cm) of soil is dry, then you must water the plant right away.
Since the plant loves a warm environment, place your Husky Cherry Red in a sunny location. It must receive direct sun all the time.
Indoors your Cherry Tomato must receive 10 to 12 hours of light for healthy growth.
In case you do not have sufficient natural light, use artificial grow lights. 8 to 10 hours of artificial light will surely help the plant to thrive.
Placing it in a dark area will only produce poor and dull fruits.
The lowest temperature your Husky Cherry Red Tomato will survive ranges from 40-50 degrees Fahrenheit (4-10 degrees Celsius).
However, it will be a great idea to keep the temperature at 80-85 degrees Fahrenheit (26.6-29.4 degrees Celsius).
If you have planted your Husky Cherry Red indoors, keep the daytime humidity at around 80 to 90 percent. In contrast, the nighttime humidity will be around 65 to 75 percent.
If humidity levels exceed the mentioned range, your tomato will suffocate and die. In case the air around your plant gets dry, use a humidifier or a heating mat to raise the humidity to the ideal range.
Prepare your planting bed with manure or compost in it.
Mild general purpose and granulated fertilizer labeled 5-10-5 will be a great option to kick start your fertilization for Husky Cherry Red Tomatoes.
You can give your plant a boost of fertilizer specially made for vegetables later in the growing season. There are a variety of fertilizers available, from organic to synthetic and fast release to slow release.
Also, be very cautious about the growth of weeds in your garden. There are fertilizers available in the market that will prevent the development of weeds yet help your plant thrive.
Weeds are very harmful to your tomatoes since they will eat up the important nutrients and soak the moisture of your plant.
Following steps must be taken when repotting or transplanting your Husky Cherry Red Tomato:
Start your repotting procedure six weeks prior to the date of the first frost.
It is important that you remove any flower or fruit attached to the plant so that when you repot, the focus can be on the vegetative growth.
Next, do not forget to harden off your plant for about five days for healthier growth.
Then prepare your soil medium and add the needed amount of fertilizer into it. Adding fish emulsions will be a great idea.
Keep in mind the spacing needed for the growth of your tomato that is around 22 to 35 inches (60 to 90 cm) for this variety.
Lastly, bury your stems very deeply and water the plant on a regular basis.
Pruning is quite important due to several reasons. You prune to keep a consistent size of your plant, to help bushy growth of it and also to remove diseased, dead stems.
Pruning your Husky Cherry Red will certainly promote healthier and larger tomatoes.
You can start pruning by pinching the flower buds. Since this variety is a vining one and grows in a compact space, therefore it is important that you prune it regularly to avoid the plant from becoming invasive.
There might be circumstances when you would have to prune the whole vine from top to bottom just to keep the plant under control.
Avoid pruning more than 1/3 of the plant, or you might end up with unproductive and weak tomatoes.
It is important that you remove the mature tomatoes instantly. Leaving them on the plant unnecessarily will only produce a bad flavor and weirdly textured tomatoes.
Also, remember that mature tomatoes steal the energy needed to grow young tomatoes.
Some precautions are needed while you plan to prune. Thoroughly disinfect your pruning tools to keep diseases away from your tomatoes.
Also, wear gloves and protective goggles to keep yourself safe.
Growing Husky Cherry Red Tomatoes from seedlings rather than seeds will produce tomatoes quickly.
Start your propagation process by purchasing seedlings from a nursery or from your garden if you have previously grown tomatoes. You also need to buy a cage since this is a vining plant.
Avoid buying a vinyl or plastic cage as it is very toxic for your plant; use a metal cage instead. This plant grows very rapidly and so needs support when the vines start to grow.
The next step is to choose a container; you can either grow the tomatoes in your garden or in a pot.
Any pot will do, but terra-cotta pots will be ideal. Also, make sure the pot contains drainage holes.
Now choose the location you will grow your tomato. Remember, cherry tomatoes love the sun so choose a location that receives a ton of sunlight.
Use a fresh soil medium to add into your pot; using soil medium from your garden can spread pests and diseases. In case you are using soil from your garden, test the soil.
Start the planting process once the frost threat has passed. The outdoor temperature should be around 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21 degrees Celsius).
Place the metal cage into the container and start adding the soil medium. Now add some water into the mix to make it moist. Keep adding soil medium until the level is ½ inch below the rim of your container.
In the container’s center, dig a tiny hole to insert your seedlings. Then, add more soil medium to cover the hole. Place your pot in either your garden or on your deck in the balcony.
Keep watering your newly planted tomatoes regularly, preferably for 2 to 3 days. You should keep the soil saturated but not flooded.
The Husky Cherry Red Tomato blooms during the summer season.
The Husky Cherry Red Tomatoes grow to a height of about 3 to 4 feet (0.9 to 1.2 meters). At the same time, it spreads to an area of about 2 to 3 feet (0.6 to 0.9 meters).
The fruit size of this variety is around 1 to 1.5 oz (28 to 43 g). It grows in USDA hardiness zones 11 through 12 and takes around 65 days to mature.
Common Problems Faced by Husky Cherry Red Tomatoes
Following are some problems that your Husky Cherry Red Tomato might go through during the growth process:
It can be detected by the appearance of leathery and brown patches on the ends of the first few fruits of the growing season.
The patches ultimately turn black and rot since the damaged areas help in the entrance of rot-causing organisms.
It is not a disease but somewhat a physical problem caused in your Husky Cherry due to insufficient calcium.
The main reason for insufficient calcium is improper watering, as the calcium is not absorbed properly. However, adding a lot of magnesium and nitrogen can also trigger it.
To avoid Blossom end rot, keep your soil properly mulched and moist. Also, avoid adding too much nitrogen into your soil medium.
Lastly, remove all the affected plants in order to save what’s left of the plant.
Verticillium Wilt is a very prevalent fungal disease that your Cherry Tomato is prone to. The disease prevails in the warm environment.
The fungus will enter your plant through the openings in your roots and will invade the stems cutting the supply of nutrients to the rest of the plant.
This will cause wilting of the top of your plant during the sunny afternoon, which actually recovers when it gets cold.
The first few symptoms of this fungus are the yellowing of the leaves followed by the dropping and death of leaves. It will ultimately distribute to the rest of the plant.
To prevent the invasion of Verticillium Wilt, keep your tomato plant properly watered and fertilized. Another trick is to keep the soil medium cool using some mulch.
Septoria Leaf Spot is prevalent in your Cherry Tomato when the conditions are wet and warm. The symptoms include the browning of leaves followed by yellow haloes on the leaves.
This will sooner or later turn gray and have spores at the center. It will then attack the rest of your plant and, in extreme cases, kill your tomato plant.
It is important that you provide your tomato plant with excellent air circulation. Use clean and disinfected containers and always throw away the infected plants.
Tips for Growing Husky Cherry Red Tomatoes
Grow the Husky Cherry Tomatoes in a sunny location.
Give them a good amount of water keeping the soil moist.
Use disinfected tools when you plan to prune.
Fertilize with an organic fertilizer.
Frequently Asked Questions about Husky Cherry Red Tomato Care
How long will my Husky Cherry Red Tomato take to ripe?
Your Husky Cherry Tomato will take about 65 days to ripen fully. After this, it can be consumed right from the vine. It will weigh around 1 oz (28 g) after maturity.
What is the optimum height of Husky Cherry Red Tomato?
The Husky Cherry Tomato grows up to almost 3-4 feet. However, it can grow slightly bigger in its natural habitat.
Is it necessary to prune the Husky Cherry Tomato?
In order to promote the healthy and fast growth of tomatoes, you must frequently prune your plant. If you do not prune dead foliage, they will take up the energy needed by the young ones to grow.
The Husky Tomato is a very delicious cherry tomato enjoyed by kids and adults. You can enjoy it directly from the vine or slightly cook it before adding into one of your meal.
The bright red color and sweet flavor of the Husky Cherry Red Tomato make them irresistible.
Provide your Husky Cherry Red Tomato with the right care and love to keep receiving yummy and delicious fruit.
Husky Cherry Red Tomato Plant Caretomato plant	