What is the ideal temperature for growing tomatoes?

As a common type of vegetable , tomatoes have always had a relatively large market demand. Tomatoes can be eaten alone, paired with many other foods, and can be processed into many agricultural and sideline products. Let’s learn together what is the appropriate temperature for growing tomatoes?

What is the ideal temperature for growing tomatoes?

1. Temperature range

The most suitable temperature for tomato assimilation is 20-30℃. The minimum temperature for seed germination is 10℃, the maximum is 35℃, and the most suitable temperature is 28-32℃. The optimum temperature during the seedling stage is 20-25℃ during the day and 10-15℃ at night. The flowering period is sensitive to temperature, with the optimum temperature being 20-30℃ during the day and 15-20℃ at night. The suitable temperature during the fruiting period is 24-26℃ during the day and 12-17℃ at night. The optimum temperature for fruit coloring is 20-25℃, and coloring is poor above 30℃.

2. Effect of temperature on growth

When the temperature is minus 1-2℃, tomatoes will be frozen to death, but seedlings that have been trained to be cold-resistant can withstand a short period of minus 2℃. When the local temperature drops to 6℃, the roots stop growing. When the temperature is below 15℃, the plant grows slowly, fails to bloom or has poor pollination. When the temperature is 42℃ and the air humidity is below 50%, the seedlings may be burned.

3. Temperature management suggestions

In terms of temperature management, tomatoes should be grown in conditions of high or low temperatures to avoid affecting their normal growth and development. When planting in a greenhouse in winter, the night temperature should be properly controlled to avoid being too high, so as to avoid phenomena such as excessive growth. During the fruit growth period, proper water management and temperature control should be used to promote uniform fruit expansion and coloring.

Tomato planting time

1. Northern Region

In northern regions, tomatoes are usually planted in spring and fall. The spring planting time is generally from April to May, when the temperature is suitable and the humidity conditions are good, which is conducive to the growth and development of tomatoes6. In addition, winter greenhouse cultivation is also common in northern regions, and protected cultivation technology can be used to carry out cultivation in cold seasons.

2. Southern China

The climate in the southern region is warm and humid, which is suitable for growing tomatoes in the open field . The open-field cultivation of red fruits is mainly concentrated in the south, and the market period is mainly from November to February of the following year, and from July to September. In addition, the autumn tomato planting period in the southern region is from July to September, and the harvesting period is from October to March of the following year. The temperature is relatively high at this time, but the temperature difference between day and night is conducive to the growth of tomatoes.

In short, it is a thermophilic vegetable , and its growth and development have certain temperature requirements. Temperature management measures should be adjusted reasonably according to the different growth stages of tomatoes and local climatic conditions.