Tomato Propagation

12 years ago

After reading other threads and a neighbor asking me if I had any more Brandy Boy starts (which we didn't) - I decided to give propagation a try - to see how it worked and to get a start for my neighbor. I didn't have high expectations because you know how quickly a sucker shrivels up and dies!

We used the planting direct in potting soil method and dipped the sucker in rooting hormone. We planted 2 - 6" suckers, 2 - 12" sucker and 1 - 16" sucker. Only one of the 5 suckers died. The larger suckers appeared easier to propagate than the smaller suckers.

This is how they looked the day we stuck them in the soil and how the looked approximately a week later.
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This is how the largest sucker looked the day we stuck it in the soil.

This is how they all look today - approximately 2 weeks later. It appears they have all rooted by one. I removed the one that didn't root to look at the stem - I could not see any roots on the sucker although they may have rotted along with the stem? Propagation is much easier and quicker than planting from seed! Great method for fall tomato plants!

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Comments (7)

digdirt2
12 years ago
Yeah it is really easy to do and I do many of them each year for several reasons. I find the smaller ones (4-6") faster to root - 3-4 days tops - any uses less potting mix as I can do them in 6 packs.

But most any size within reason works as it just takes them longer. I also trim them to just the top tuft - the growing tip - and bury the stem as deep as possible in the container right to the bottom.

But if yours ain't broke, don't fix it. :) It gets adictive.

Dave
hudson___wy
Original Author
12 years ago
Hi Dave - your method is better for fall crop propagation - I agree! In this particular situation - I was trying to propagate a start for a neighbor and wanted as large a start as possible for her to plant now. I wasn't sure how large of a sucker would root so I did several sizes hoping that at least one of them would root for her - surprised that 4 out of the 5 rooted. I should have tried even a larger sucker?
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hudson___wy
Original Author
11 years ago
We are propagating some more Brandy Boys with the suckers I just pruned as I strung up the plants on string. It is easy to do and the suckers root usually within about a week or two.

This photo shows three plants in different stages of propagation
Seysonn_ 8a-NC/HZ-7
11 years ago
4 out of 5 is a good rate of propagation by rooting.

I personally nip off couple more of the big lower leaves.
Also I start in water, in a clear container. This way I can tell what is going on.
Once I see roots, then I transplant into pots

Sey
wormgirl_8a_WA
11 years ago
Wow, this makes me want to try it! I actually did try this with a broken plant last season, but when the plant wilted I thought it was a goner and chucked it. Now I know better!
zzackey
11 years ago
I always water the foliage daily when I take cuttings. That is the only way they can absorb water from what I've been taught.
barrie2m_(6a, central PA)
11 years ago
Rather than watering daily try just placing newly stuck, watered cuttings in dark for 48 hours, then moving to lower light (under artificial light) until they are growing well. You'll find that propagation success rate will come close to 100% and you'll have healthier transplants. Since roots take a while to form there is no need to rewater for at least 10 days after the initial soaking.