SuperNaturals™ Mighty ‘Mato Grafted Tomatoes and Vegetables
- Enhanced production
- Stronger disease resistance
- Longer harvests
- Increased plant vigor!
The latest news on the tomato front concerns a new way to produce larger harvests of delicious tomatoes with plants that have increased vigor and disease resistance. The “Mighty ‘Mato” tomatoes offer unique benefits among tomatoes. Let’s talk a little more about the process then we will go further into the benefits of this technology.
Method:
Mighty ‘Mato uses a Japanese method called “top-grafting”. When both the root stock (root system of one plant) and the scion (top of the other plant) each have 2-4 true leaves, they are severed and then clipped together firmly, aligned just right to allow the vascular tissue to bond together, so that water and nutrients can flow through the stem. Then the grafted plant is kept under ideal conditions (warm and moist) to heal, grow and become strong. Transplants must be handled carefully but, once they are planted, they grow quickly and profusely so be sure to stake them early!
Benefits:
By pairing a scion with excellent fruit flavor and quality with a root stock that provides increased vigor and disease resistance, we create a sort of “super tomato” that is able to produce delicious tomatoes, while remaining hearty. Grafted tomatoes have proven to be resistant to many types of harmful viruses, fungi and nematodes. They ward off both late and early blight and blossom-end rot. Vigor is boosted by an increased ability to uptake water and nutrients from the soil, causing enhanced fruit production and improvements in taste. These strong, healthy plants do not require the aid of chemical pesticides and fertilizers, making them ideal for organic gardening! Find more information at gardenlife.com.
Grafted Tomato Cupid
What are the best varieties to buy: Heirloom or Hybrid?
This is a loaded question. Hybrid varieties traditionally are hardier than heirlooms. Heirlooms have been beaten up a little, recently, because of their relative inconsistency in producing fruit and their general lack of disease resistance. However, with the introduction of the Mighty ‘Mato grafted tomato plants we can now overcome these inconsistencies and issues common with Heirlooms. Heirlooms offer a variety of shapes, colors and flavors that hybrids cannot compete with. Trials have proven that Heirlooms can now complete with production, disease resistance with plants grafted on superior root stock. Do not mistaken these plants as GMO or something different than what you are looking for. Saving seeds from Heirloom grafted plants will still yield that same plant the following year. The only difference is that it will not be grafted. Hybrid seeds are not savable, while heirlooms are. You can plant seeds from your heirlooms year after year and get the same great tomato. For a greater chance at success with heirlooms, do a little homework and only plant heirloom varieties that originated in a similar climate to yours. Hybrids might not be so finicky but they, too, have their limitations.
