5 Best Ways to Propagate Tomatoes

Propagating tomatoes is a great way to expand your garden, save money, and ensure a continuous supply of healthy plants. Here are five effective methods to propagate tomatoes:

1. Propagation from Suckers

• What Are Suckers? Suckers are small shoots that grow in the leaf axils between the main stem and branches of tomato plants.
• How to Propagate:
  1. Identify and remove a 4-6 inch sucker from a healthy plant.
  2. Place the sucker in a jar of water, ensuring the stem is submerged but the leaves remain above water.
  3. After 7-10 days, roots will form. Once roots are 1-2 inches long, plant the sucker in soil.

2. Cuttings from Mature Plants

• How to Propagate:
  1. Take a 6-8 inch cutting from a healthy tomato plant, cutting just below a leaf node.
  2. Remove the lower leaves, leaving 2-3 leaves at the top.
  3. Place the cutting in water or directly into moist soil.
  4. If planted in soil, keep the environment humid by covering the cutting with a plastic dome or bag until roots form.

3. Layering

• What Is Layering? Layering involves bending a low-growing tomato branch to the ground and encouraging it to root while still attached to the parent plant.
• How to Propagate:
  1. Select a flexible branch and remove the leaves near the tip.
  2. Bury a portion of the stem in the soil, leaving the tip exposed.
  3. Secure the buried stem with a garden pin or stone.
  4. Once roots form (after 2-3 weeks), cut the new plant from the parent and transplant it.

4. Air Layering

• How to Propagate:
  1. Choose a healthy stem and remove a ring of bark (about 1 inch wide) to expose the inner tissue.
  2. Wrap the exposed area with moist sphagnum moss and cover it with plastic wrap.
  3. Secure both ends of the plastic wrap with ties.
  4. Roots will develop in 2-4 weeks. Once established, cut the stem below the roots and plant it in soil.

5. Saving Seeds

• How to Propagate:
  1. Scoop seeds from a ripe tomato and place them in a container with water.
  2. Let the seeds ferment for 2-3 days to remove the gel coating.
  3. Rinse the seeds thoroughly and dry them on a paper towel.
  4. Store the seeds in a cool, dry place and plant them in the next growing season.

Final Thoughts Each propagation method has its advantages, depending on your resources and gardening goals. Experiment with these techniques to find the one that works best for you. With proper care, your propagated tomato plants will thrive and reward you with a delicious harvest!