Common Cross-Pollination for Italian Ice Cherry Tomatoes

Italian Ice Cherry Tomatoes

• Italian Ice cherry tomato cultivars grow to 5 to 6 feet in height, with a spread of 18 inches. The large plants produce small 1-oz. cherry tomatoes in light yellows and creamy ivories. These fruits are sweet, juicy and mild.

Cross-pollination

• Tomatoes require pollination, or pollen transfer from one flower to another, for fruit production. Plant multiple Italian Ice cherry tomato plants to increase the pollen and flower presence in the garden, and allow wind and insects to do the work for you. Supplement with other cherry cultivars such as "Yellow Pear," "Tiny Tim" and "Cherry Gold," or add more color with specialty cherry cultivars such as "Sun Gold," "Black Pearl" and "Red Lightning."

Site and Placement

• Italian Ice cherry tomato plants produce Italian Ice cherry tomato fruits regardless of cross-pollination, but they require the right growing conditions to do so. Put the plants in full sunshine, in sites with good air movement and efficient drainage. Plant Italian Ice cherry tomatoes at 24 inches in the row. Keep all the tomato plants in the same plot to encourage quick and efficient cross-pollination via wind, bees and butterflies.

Soil, Nutrition, Water and Staking

• All tomato plants need rich, acidic soil; hearty nutrition; water; and support for growth. The University of Missouri Extension recommends organic soil amendments and 8-32-16 or 6-24-24 fertilizer at planting, with in-season applications of 10-10-10 granular fertilizer to encourage fruit production. Don't apply nitrogen fertilizer early in the season, as it encourages vegetative growth but damages fruit set and ultimately harvest. Water tomatoes with 2 inches of water every day, and give them stakes or trellis systems for growing support. Tying tomatoes up to stakes or a trellis increases exposure to sun, wind and pollination.