What I Learned from MiradasBiologicas — Growing Tomatoes with Plant Biology in Mind

When you grow plants long enough, you begin to notice something:
the plant often tells you more than instructions ever could.

While watching a YouTube video by MiradasBiologicas on tomato growing, I realized that much of what was being demonstrated aligned strongly with what I was already observing in my own seedlings — especially around transplanting tomatoes deeper and encouraging stronger root systems.

This post is not a summary of the video.
It is a translation — from observation and biology, into what actually works for container-grown tomatoes.

---

Seed Sowing: Shallow, Gentle, and Patient

Tomato seeds are small and energetic.
They do not need to be buried deep.

• Sow shallow
• Water thoroughly
• Place in morning sun
• Avoid harsh midday heat

Within about two weeks, seedlings should be strong enough to handle light drying cycles between watering.

At this stage, restraint matters more than intervention.

---

Watering: Let the Roots Work

One principle stood out clearly:

Do not keep seedlings constantly wet.

Allowing the soil to dry slightly between watering encourages roots to grow outward and downward in search of moisture. Constant wetness produces weak, lazy roots.

In cups and small containers, “dry” means surface dry, not bone dry.

---

Deep Transplanting: The Tomato’s Superpower

This is where tomatoes become special.

Tomatoes can form adventitious roots along their stems.
Those tiny white hairs or bumps you may see on the stem are future roots, waiting for soil contact.

When transplanting:

• Bury the stem deeply
• Even up to the cotyledons (the first leaves)
• Each deeper transplant upgrades the root system

This is not stress — it is a biological advantage.

---

Are the Tiny Stem Hairs Pest Deterrents?

They are sometimes described as pest-retardant hairs, but their primary function is root formation.

If buried:

• They become roots

If exposed:

• They do very little

Understanding this helps avoid confusion between folklore and plant physiology.

---

Flowers on Young Plants: A False Victory

Early flowers may feel like success — but they come at a cost.

On young tomato plants:

• Flowers divert energy from root and stem development
• Early fruiting leads to weaker plants later

Removing flowers early allows the plant to invest in:

• stronger roots
• thicker stems
• better long-term productivity

Especially important in containers.

---

Burying Even Deeper at Final Transplant

MiradasBiologicas demonstrates burying the tomato again, even deeper, at the final transplant — sometimes an additional 10 cm.

This works because:

• The buried stem becomes a root factory
• The plant stabilizes itself before heavy fruiting

In pots, this is best done once, at the final container stage.

---

Lateral Shoots: Grow First, Prune Later

Letting side shoots grow early:

• increases photosynthesis
• helps build plant mass

However, side shoots only contribute to root growth if they are later buried or layered into soil.

After the plant establishes itself:

• lateral shoots can be pruned
• structure becomes intentional, not chaotic

This is training — not punishment.

---

Staking and Two-Main-Stem Training

Separating two main branches:

• improves airflow
• reduces disease
• simplifies harvesting
• keeps fruiting zones organized

Although tomatoes are self-pollinating, good spacing:

• allows airflow and vibration
• prevents moisture buildup
• indirectly improves pollination success

For balconies and humid climates, this approach is especially valuable.

---

Traditional Slow-Release Fertilizers: Context Matters

The video mentions a slow-release mix:

• rice
• lentils
• ash

This works well in open soil systems, but in containers:

• nutrient release is harder to control
• ash can raise pH rapidly
• decomposition may become uneven

For pots, gentler and more predictable nutrition is safer.

---

Keeping the Lower Stem Clean

One practice I strongly agree with:

Keep the lower stem free of leaves.

Benefits:

• prevents soil splash
• reduces pest access
• improves airflow
• lowers disease pressure

In humid environments, this is not optional — it is preventative maintenance.

---

Final Reflection

What made this video valuable was not the techniques themselves, but the biological reasoning behind them.

When growing tomatoes:

• Techniques change
• Biology does not

By understanding why tomatoes behave the way they do, we can adapt methods intelligently — whether growing in open soil, raised beds, or pots on a balcony.

This is how growing becomes learning — and learning becomes confidence.

---

LeChaim Farm · Growing with Understanding

Observation first. Technique second.