How to Grow a Litchi Tomato

Fill 2-inch growing containers with lightweight potting mix. Sow two to three litchi tomato seeds in each container, at a depth of approximately 1/4 inch. Seeding is best done six to eight weeks before the last anticipated frost of spring.

Add enough water to moisten the potting mix. Place the containers in a spot that receives plentiful indirect sunlight and maintains daytime temperatures of 70 to 80 degrees F.

Keep the potting mix lightly moist at all times.

Transplant the litchi tomato seedlings into 4-inch growing containers filled with potting mix when they are 3 to 4 inches tall. Continue to keep the soil moist.

Move the litchi tomato plants outdoors when they are between 6 and 10 inches tall. Loosen the soil at the planting site to a depth of 12 inches and place the plants into the soil at a level that leaves only their top three sets of leaves exposed. Allow a space of approximately 3 feet between each plant.

Prepare a solution consisting of 1 gallon of water and 2 tbsp. of 5-10-10 fertilizer. Water the new plantings until the soil is thoroughly saturated with the solution.

Position a 5- to 7-foot tomato cage over each plant. Place the anchors of the cages approximately 4 inches from the litchi tomato's stem and push the bottom 12 inches of the anchors into the soil.

Prune the plants right after planting, leaving only 3 or 4 of the largest stems in place. Wear protective gloves when pruning to prevent injury from the plant's sharp thorns.

Apply 33-0-0 fertilizer after the first fruits develop. Feed with 5-10-5 fertilizer two weeks after the litchi tomatoes start to ripen and again one month later. Apply both fertilizers in the amount listed on package instructions. Make the applications by broadcasting the fertilizer next to the plants, several inches from the stems, and working it into the top layer of soil with a garden hoe. Water deeply right after feeding unless heavy rainfall is anticipated.