Heatmaster Tomato Care: Growing Heatmaster Tomato Plants

One of the main reasons tomatoes grown in hotter climates don't set fruit is the heat. While tomatoes need heat, super-hot temperatures can cause plants to abort flowers. Heatmaster tomato is a variety specially developed for these hot climes. What is a Heatmaster tomato? It's a super producer that will develop a bumper crop of fruit even in areas with sizzling summers.

What is a Heatmaster Tomato?

Heatmaster tomatoes are determinate hybrid plants. The plants grow 3 to 4 feet (.91 to 1.2 m.) tall. Tomatoes are oblong, medium to large, firmly fleshed with thin skins. You can start picking fruit within 75 days. The tomatoes produced are at their best when eaten fresh but also make good sauce. Heatmaster is resistant to many common tomato diseases, among these are:

• alternaria stem canker
• tomato mosaic virus
• fusarium wilt
• verticillium wilt
• gray leaf spot
• southern root knot nematodes

Are Heatmasters Good in Heat?

Want fist sized, juicy tomatoes but you live in an area with excessive summer temperatures? Try Heatmaster tomatoes. These reliably heat-loving tomatoes store great and were developed for the high temperatures of the Southeast. It is also one of the more disease resistant varieties, making Heatmaster tomato care a breeze. Fruit set is affected in tomatoes that experience sustained temperatures of 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32 C.) or higher. Even nighttime temperatures of 70 Fahrenheit (21 C.) will cause blossom drop. And without flowers there is no chance for pollination and fruit. White mulch and shade cloth can help but are pesky and no guarantee. For this reason, growing Heatmaster tomato plants in regions with such high temps, can give southern gardeners their best chance at ripe, delicious tomatoes. Studies show the plant has high yields when set out in spring for an early season harvest. They also perform well in fall. In extremely hot regions, try growing Heatmaster tomato plants in a location with some shade during part of the day.

Heatmaster Tomato Care

These plants start well indoors from seed. Expect germination in 7 to 21 days. Plant seedlings outside when they are large enough to handle. They may be planted in large containers or into prepared, well-draining beds with plenty of organic material incorporated. Determinate tomatoes reach their full size and then stop growing. Most of the fruit is at the ends of branches and matures within a month or two. Heatmaster tomatoes need to be consistently moist. Water in the morning so leaves have a chance to dry out quickly. An organic or plastic mulch around the root zone can help conserve moisture and prevent weeds. Watch for tomato hornworms, slugs, and animal pests. Most diseases are not noteworthy but early and late blight may pose a problem.