Determinate cultivar facts for kids

Plants like tomatoes and potatoes are often described as either determinate or indeterminate. These terms help us understand how long a plant will grow and produce its fruits or vegetables.

A determinate plant grows to a certain size and then stops. It produces most of its fruit all at once, usually over a short period. Think of it like a sprint race – it finishes quickly.

An indeterminate plant, on the other hand, keeps growing and producing fruit for a much longer time. It's more like a marathon runner, continuing to produce until something like cold weather stops it.

Understanding Determinate Plants

Determinate plants are also known as "bush" types, especially for tomatoes. They grow to a specific height and then stop getting taller. All their fruit ripens around the same time.

Why are Determinate Plants Useful?

• Harvesting: Because all the fruit ripens together, it's easier for large farms to harvest an entire field at once.
• Canning: If you want to make a big batch of tomato sauce or salsa, determinate tomatoes are perfect because you get a lot of ripe fruit at one time.
• Containers: Their compact size makes them great for growing in pots or smaller gardens.

Understanding Indeterminate Plants

Indeterminate plants grow into long vines. They don't stop growing taller and keep producing new leaves, flowers, and fruits throughout the growing season.

Why are Indeterminate Plants Useful?

• Continuous Harvest: If you like fresh tomatoes all summer long, indeterminate plants are a good choice. They give you a steady supply of ripe fruit until the first frost arrives.
• Tall Growth: These plants can grow very tall and often need support, like stakes or cages, to keep their vines off the ground.

Tomatoes: Determinate vs. Indeterminate

When you choose tomato plants, knowing if they are determinate or indeterminate helps you decide which type is best for your garden.

Determinate Tomatoes Explained

Determinate tomato plants are often called "bush tomatoes." They grow to a specific height, usually between 3 to 5 feet (about 1 to 1.5 meters). They produce their tomatoes over a period of about two to three weeks. After this main harvest, the plant's production slows down or stops.

Indeterminate Tomatoes Explained

Indeterminate tomato plants are known as "vining tomatoes." They can grow very tall, sometimes over 10 feet (3 meters) if given enough support. They continue to produce new flowers and fruits on new growth throughout the entire growing season. This means you can pick ripe tomatoes from the same plant for many months. Many older types of tomatoes, called "heirloom tomatoes," are indeterminate.

Semi-Determinate Tomatoes

There are also some tomato plants that are a mix of both types. They are sometimes called "vigorous determinate" or "semi-determinate." These plants grow to a certain size like determinate types but might produce a second smaller crop of tomatoes after the first big one. They offer a bit of both worlds!