Greenhouse Tomato Production (120 Days)
Advanced tomato production in a walk-in tunnel greenhouse. Covers drip irrigation, rockwool or coco-peat substrate options, high-wire trellising, and integrated pest management for premium export-quality tomatoes. Targets Kiambu, Nakuru, and Meru greenhouse farmers.
Dr. Grace Wanjiku
MSc Horticulture, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture & Technology
11 years experience
Dr. Grace Wanjiku specialises in high-value horticultural crops including tomatoes, capsicum, French beans, and avocado. She has worked with the Ministry of Agriculture and several NGOs to scale greenhouse adoption among smallholders in Central Kenya. Her tomato and vegetable programs have been adopted by over 1,200 farmers in Kiambu, Murang'a, and Meru.
Sample Schedule (First 2 Weeks)
Greenhouse Preparation
Clean greenhouse structure: scrub polythene with dilute bleach. Remove old crop debris. Fumigate with sulphur candles (20 g/m²) and seal for 48 hours. This kills whitefly, spider mites, and soil pathogens.
Substrate Preparation
For soil-based system: incorporate well-composted manure (5 kg/m²), Minjingu Rock Phosphate (100 g/m²), and sterilised top soil. For coco-peat bags: soak and buffer with calcium nitrate solution.
Drip System Installation Check
Inspect all drip lines and emitters. Flush lines with 5 mg/L chlorine solution. Check filter screens. Ensure even flow distribution across all plants.
Seed Sowing in Plug Trays
Sow 1 seed per plug cell in germination medium (50% coco peat, 50% vermiculite). Varieties: Cobra F1, Tomimaru Muchamachi, or Anna F1. Place tray in warm germination chamber (25–28 °C).
Germination Check
Germination in 3–5 days under greenhouse conditions. Once cotyledons open, move to full light. Water from below to prevent damping-off.
Seedling Management
Apply dilute NPK foliar feed (20-20-20 at 1 g/litre) twice weekly. Thin to single seedling per plug at 10 days. Seedlings ready for transplanting at 4–5 true leaves (Day 18–21).
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