How to Manage the Production of Greenhouse Tomatoes in Winter
July 30 11:03:00, 2025
Planting tomatoes can be a highly profitable venture for farmers, and effective management during the growth phase is crucial to achieving high yields and efficiency. (1) Proper management during the growing period includes activities such as soil cultivation, weeding, water conservation, vine training, pruning, removal of old leaves, ensuring good ventilation and light exposure, and implementing strict pest and disease control measures. Tomato diseases commonly include viral infections, bacterial wilt, early blight, and late blight. Insect pests typically consist of cotton bollworms and aphids. Preventive measures are essential in managing these issues, with a focus on "prevention." For virus disease prevention, it's important to use resistant varieties, disinfect seeds, manage seedlings carefully, control aphid populations, and choose appropriate planting times. Temperature control is also key—during the day, greenhouse ventilation should be gradually increased to maintain an internal temperature around 25°C, while nighttime temperatures should stay between 10-13°C. Ventilation should start small and increase over time, and as the afternoon temperature drops, the vents should be slowly closed.
(2) Effective fertilizer and irrigation management is also vital. During the summer and autumn rainy seasons, tomatoes generally don't require much watering, but when the second or third fruits begin to ripen and the soil becomes dry, moderate watering is necessary. Fertilization should be timely to support fruit development, flower protection, and fruit retention. Using specialized fertilizers like Golden Baby Microbial Fertilizer as a base and Gold Seedling Root Strong or Seedling Strong as top dressing can significantly improve fruit quality and sweetness. Spraying Golden Baby Sweetening Spirit can enhance the appearance and taste of the tomatoes. If certain greenhouses show signs of nutrient deficiency, Jinbao supplements can be used to boost plant vitality and promote healthy growth.
(3) Timely harvesting is another critical factor. Tomatoes go through four stages: green, color change, mature, and fully ripe. Green tomatoes can be harvested for storage, while those intended for transport should be picked during the color change stage (when about one-third of the fruit turns red). For local sales or personal consumption, it's best to harvest when more than one-third of the fruit is red. Harvesting should be done gently to avoid damaging the fruits. It’s recommended to remove the fruit stem to prevent bruising during transport. Before the first frost, any unripe green tomatoes should be picked and stored in the greenhouse until they ripen. This not only extends the harvest season but also increases profits. During the ripening period, avoid using hormones to speed up coloring. After careful selection and packaging, this approach helps reduce costs, improves fruit quality, and ensures safer products for consumers.