As widespread as the use of the Tomato is, it is only reasonable to find various varieties of the Tomato plant (Solanum Lycopersicum).
The Bush Goliath Tomato is one of the many varieties out there and also one of the most special ones.
The specialty of this variety of Tomato can also be inferred from its name.
However, if you still need some help deciphering what the title stands for, you should know that this variety is well known to grow Goliath-sized tomatoes on plants no bigger than a medium-sized bush.
The Bush Goliath Tomato grows to be a robust and bushy plant, and while it may require some sort of support as it grows large, it is much less dependent on supporting structures to grow upright as compared to other tomato varieties.
This variety is perfect for small spaces and/or growing your tomatoes in planters.
Its small-medium size and bushy growth habits make it one of the very few fruiting plants that can be brought indoors.
Imagine tomatoes growing in a planter next to your kitchen window. This wishful sight can be a reality with this extraordinary tomato variety and the proper plant care.
You are bound to be surprised when you taste the large, sweet, and juicy tomatoes that have grown on such a small plant.
Especially hybridized to give a greater fruit yield in compact spaces, the Bush Goliath Tomato is the perfect match for you if you don’t have a lot of land and want to grow your own Tomatoes in limited square footage or in pots.
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Bush Goliath Tomato Plant Care
Bush Goliaths like warm and sunny growing conditions and are highly sensitive to cold and frost. Planting in a location that gets direct sunlight is recommended. The optimum temperature range is 55-85 degrees Fahrenheit (12.7 – 29.4 degrees Celsius). You can bring these plants indoors and place them in a sunny location for overwintering.
Bush Goliath Tomato Plant Care Guide
When provided the right care and growing conditions, each Bush Goliath Tomato plant is capable of producing over 100 tomatoes throughout the growing season.
Tomatoes are not very tough to grow. However, there still are quite a few things you must know to make sure everything goes well.
Caring for Bush Goliath Tomatoes is much similar to caring for other varieties of the Tomato, but there are some minute differences in the way this particular variety behaves and, in turn, requires it to grow well.
Soil
Generally, Tomato plants grow equally well regardless of what type of soil they are provided with.
Being really thirsty plants, they will require a great deal of water; however, they will not survive in soil that is overly soggy.
Here’s a little guide to the ideal soil composition for growing Bush Goliath Tomatoes.
The Bush Goliath Tomato can either be grown directly in the ground or in pots.
When growing in a field or a patch of land, overwatering is not really a problem, but that is not a green light for you to drain as much water in your tomato patch as you like.
A well-draining and nutrient-rich loamy soil are recommended. Tomatoes like acidic soil and can tolerate soil pH as low as 5.8.
However, pH levels below 6 are not ideal, so you should add dolomite lime to the soil.
In case pH levels are above the recommended level of 6, add elemental sulfur to make conditions just right.
Water drainage, adequate soil aeration, and soil nutrients need more attention when growing tomatoes in pots.
If you’re thinking about going cheap and filling your planters up with backyard dirt to grow tomatoes, you might need a course correction.
Plump and sweet-tasting tomatoes need a nutritious and well-draining organic potting mix.
There are many potting mixes available in the market, but if you’re preparing your own mix, the following are the ingredients you need.
- ¼ parts potting soil
- ¼ parts perlite
- ¼ parts sphagnum peat moss
- ¼ parts compost
Light
As mentioned above, tomatoes do well in sunny conditions.
In the particular case of the Bush Goliath Tomato, you should ideally look for a place that receives direct sunlight all day or for the most part of the day.
Being a bushy variety, Bush Goliath is more resistant to harsh sunlight, and the fruits are protected from sunburn because of the shade provided by the thick foliage.
When it gets too cold outside, and the danger of frost is lurking, you can bring these tomato-producing factories indoors.
However, you must have a bright and sunny place prepared for them right in front of a sun-facing window.
Comfortable temperatures indoors might help these plants survive the winter, but they won’t be able to fully fruit if they don’t receive adequate sunlight.
Watering
When it comes to the amount and quality of tomatoes produced, it all boils down to watering.
Proper watering practice can mean the difference between sweet and delicious fruits or a poorly performing tomato plant.
Tomatoes are generally thirsty plants, and more bushy varieties such as the Bush Goliath need a little more water than regular tomato varieties.
This is mainly because this variety has much denser foliage which means an increased surface area for transpiration.
So every time you water, make sure you water the tomato plants heartily.
The watering frequency depends on your climate, but generally, it’s twice a week.
You should water your plants enough that the water remains on top of the soil for a bit before draining inside.
You should keep a frequent check on the soil dampness because it is crucial not to allow the soil to completely dry out.
Keeping the soil damp is even more critical once the plant has fruited. This is because regular watering ensures that the fruits grow large and in good numbers.
On the other hand, underwatering can lead to small, misshaped fruits as well as lead to the drying up of newly formed fruits.
In the same way, overwatering can also lead to a lot of other problems, which include your tomato plants dying.
Temperature
The Bush Goliath Tomato is cold-sensitive will not survive if exposed to temperatures below 64 degrees Fahrenheit (18 degrees Celsius).
The optimum temperature range is 55-85 degrees Fahrenheit (12-30 degrees Celsius); however, these temperatures only come by in the middle of the growing season.
Before the growing season arrives, when you’re transplanting the baby plants outside, make sure that the threat of frost attack has passed.
Germinating Bush Goliath Tomatoes need temperatures up to 85 degrees Fahrenheit (30 degrees Fahrenheit), but not lower than 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21 degrees Celsius).
These temperatures can be managed indoors in the cooler months by covering the germination containers with plastic covers.
The Bush Goliath Tomato can grow well in USDA hardiness zones 6-11. The Bush Goliath is a specifically good choice for hotter climates as the plant is resistant to harsh sunlight.
Humidity
As we already know, adequate water is vital for proper tomato development.
But it’s not just water absorbed from the roots; we also need atmospheric moisture for juicy and shiny tomatoes.
Ideal humidity levels during the daytime range between 80% and 90% for tomato plants that are placed indoors.
On the other hand, humidity levels during the night should be slightly lower; somewhere between 65% and 75% is just fine.
Humidity levels are too high can also pose a problem. Excessive humidity in the atmosphere around can make things really difficult for the Bush Goliath Tomato.
Transpiration acts as a cooling process for a plant, but in highly humid conditions, transpiration can not properly take place, making the plant susceptible to overheating.
In the case of bushy plants such as the Bush Goliath, growth can become stunted, and the plant becomes vulnerable to a great range of pests and diseases.
Fertilizer
The Bush Goliath variety is a particularly heavy feeder and requires much more nutrients from the soil as compared to other tomato varieties.
Because it needs to sustain heavy foliage and numerous fruits at once, we cannot take any chances when it comes to providing adequate nutrition to these plants.
If you’ve used an organic potting mix for these plants, you will not need to worry much about fertilization.
However, if the soil your Bush Goliath Tomatoes are living in is primarily inorganic, then you must heavily fertilize for a hearty yield.
You can use organic and slow-releasing fertilizer as soon as the growing season commences.
You might’ve heard about the fish-tomato myth.
A tomato plant growing over a fish carcass produces much more yield than one growing in regular conditions.
Turns out this myth is actually true. Fish remains are an excellent fertilizer for tomatoes.
For the same reason, you should consider feeding your Bush Goliath Tomatoes with diluted fish emulsion and/or lime to supply calcium.
Propagation
The only way to propagate tomato plants is by seed. Seeds are usually sown in early spring but not directly into the ground or in planters.
Seeds are first germinated in artificial conditions indoors before transplantation to their actual homes after the last frost of the season.
When planting seeds for germination, put the seeds about ¼ inch in composted soil.
If you think the indoor temperatures are not warm enough, you can cover the seed tray with a plastic sheet to create a mini greenhouse.
When it’s time to transplant the baby plants outside, it is recommended you bury them deeper so that part of the stem is under the soil surface.
This will encourage roots to grow out from the stem providing sturdy support to Bush Goliath Tomatoes as well as making sure they have a well-developed root system to absorb water and nutrients.
On a growing bed, plant the baby plants 2-3 feet apart.
You can try to squeeze as many Bush Goliath Tomato plants as you can. But make sure not to overcrowd the place as each plant needs its fair share of sunlight.
Growth
Bush Goliaths are determinates. This means the tomato plant stops growing after a certain time.
An indeterminate variety does not stop growing throughout the growing season.
The remarkable thing about Bush Goliath Tomato plants is that they are determinate in their growth pattern but indeterminate in their fruiting pattern.
This hybrid continues to produce throughout the season.
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Common Bush Goliath Pests and Diseases
This special variety of tomatoes has been bred to be resistant to many pests and diseases that frequently attack tomato plants.
So while you don’t have much to worry about in this department, it is handy to know about some problems this hybrid is known to have.
Blossom End Rot
It is characterized by the fruit having brown, leathery patches.
This patch later blackens and rots, making way for other infestations. This problem takes root because the soil lacks calcium.
Insects
Like all plants that bear tasty fruit, the Bush Goliath is susceptible to attacks from caterpillars and slugs.
If you don’t want to be using any pesticides on your tomatoes, keep an eye out for bugs every morning so you can nip the problem in the bud.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bush Goliath Tomato Plant Care
Do Bush Goliath Tomatoes need stakes to grow?
Unlike most other tomato varieties, the Bush Goliath does not need any sort of support to grow upright. This hybrid is bushy with a sturdy and thick stem that supports the plant.
Can I grow Bush Goliath Tomatoes from seeds taken from fruits?
There is one important thing you need to know, seeds from the fruit of Bush Goliath Tomato plants are sterile. This means you can’t get them to germinate, so you will have to buy the seeds.
Conclusion
Tomato experts around the world recognize the Bush Goliath for its remarkable beauty, ease to grow, and resistance to pests.
Most of the abundant bounty of delicious tomatoes it produces affords the variety a top spot in the list of best tomato hybrids to grow in your home.
Daniel has been a plant enthusiast for over 20 years. He owns hundreds of houseplants and prepares for the chili growing seasons yearly with great anticipation. His favorite plants are plant species in the Araceae family, such as Monstera, Philodendron, and Anthurium. He also loves gardening and is growing hot peppers, tomatoes, and many more vegetables.