Gronos – The advantages of a 15-week cultivation cycle

Gronos, our automated cherry tomato cultivation system, includes a modified tomato plant with a short cycle of only 15 weeks. This was achieved in close collaboration with a breeder and developed through classic, non-GMO, breeding. Since a traditional high-wire tomato plant grows for a much longer period and becomes up to 15 meters long, it might not be so straight-forward to see the benefits of such a different plant. In this article, we will explain what the short cultivation cycle of our tomato plants in Gronos looks like and explore the advantages of cultivating this cherry tomato. From higher yields to minimizing the impact of pests, and from reduced manual tasks to being quicker to respond to market trends, this accelerated growth cycle opens a world of possibilities.

The 15-week cultivation schedule
The tomato plants grow from seed to single-harvest-ready within 15 weeks. The plants grow up to 40 cm meaning they’re movable throughout their lifecycle. They start in a separate propagation room for 18 days, after which the plants are moved to our specifically engineered greenhouse for the nursery and cultivation phase. And after a bit more than 100 days, the plants make their way to the harvesting machine. Harvesting can be done mechanically, because the plant will be at the end of its cycle. We can fit in five whole high-yield cycles each year within Gronos, allowing you to maximize your tomato production.

Accelerated growth and higher yields
One of the primary benefits of cultivating a cherry tomato plant with a shorter growth cycle is the potential for higher yields. Our cherry tomato plant in Gronos can produce an abundant harvest in just 15 weeks. It grows a lot of flowers and, consequently, fruits over a short period of time. After about two weeks, the growth of new flowers stops. This is beneficial because it allows all tomatoes to ripen and to be harvested at the same time. That harvest results in an average of 8+ trusses per plant. Add to this the high plant density through the optimal use of space, and you have incredible yields. This way of growing means you can enjoy a supply of delicious cherry tomatoes throughout the growing season.

Reduction in labor needs
Due to the shape of the plant, significantly less intervention is necessary. High-wire tomato plants are rather labor intensive. There’s a necessity for pinching, turning, dropping, removing leaves, and, of course, harvesting. With the tomato plants in Gronos, there is no need for any of these tasks. The plant grows up to its optimal height of about 40 centimeters, so it stays moveable, and even harvesting is performed automatically. This ends up saving you both time and money.

Simplified management of pests and diseases
Another advantage of the shorter growth cycle of cherry tomato plants is the ease of managing pests and diseases. Traditional tomato plants have a longer exposure period, which can make them more susceptible to various pests and diseases that can harm or reduce yield. However, with this shorter growth cycle, you can minimize the risk and impact of these threats. And with a plant that needs close to no labor, very little contact with the plant is necessary. As a result, the risk of an infection spreading through human touch is reduced massively.

Switching tomato types multiple times a year
A final exciting advantage of cherry tomato plants with a 15-week growth cycle is the ability to switch tomato crop types multiple times within a year. Traditional tomato plants require a longer time to reach maturity, limiting the opportunity for experimentation and variety. However, with an accelerated growth cycle, you can explore and enjoy different tomato varieties throughout the seasons and respond to the different market trends.