A step-by-step guide to growing cherry tomatoes: follow the rules and get a great harvest
Cherry tomatoes are a huge hit with both gardeners and consumers. Experienced housewives prepare snacks and salad dressings from miniature tomatoes. The dishes made with cherry tomatoes have an attractive appearance. The vegetable stays fresh for a long time. The culture is not picky about weather conditions, and the fruits have a rich taste.
The content of the article
Features of growing cherry tomatoes
Growing technique cherry practically indistinguishable from ordinary tomatoes. However, there are nuances. There are several main ways of planting tomatoes.
Nuances for greenhouses
The method is suitable for those who wish to get an early harvest. The greenhouse must be heated and well lit. If the climatic conditions in early March - April in the region are favorable, planting cherry seedlings is possible. A distance of 40-70 cm is maintained between seedlings. The greenhouse is regularly ventilated. Drying out of the soil is unacceptable. The condition of the soil is improved by frequent digging and loosening.
If further transplantation is not provided, the vegetable crop is tied up.
When warm weather sets in, gardeners open greenhouses or transplant plants into open ground.
For open ground
Landing is possible only after the end of frost. The technology of growing in the open field does not differ from the cultivation of other varieties of tomatoes. Seeds are sown for seedlings in March - early April. Watering stops a day before disembarkation. When the plant takes over and gets stronger, the bush is tied up or a support is installed.
For balcony and windowsill
Self-pollinated undersized varieties with a less developed root system are intended for growing on a loggia, balcony, in apartment conditions. When emerging, it is important to regulate temperature and light. The best temperature for forcing seedlings is 18-20 ° C.
Tomatoes need full lighting, a deficiency can affect the buds. It is preferable to use rectangular or square pots. Cherries grow well in iron buckets. Seedlings are sown in the standard way, the seeds are selected with the inscription "indoor".
How to grow cherry tomatoes
Cherry tomatoes are a common crop among gardeners, but an experienced gardener can also find it difficult to grow.
Seed and soil preparation
You can find ready-made soil in stores, but experienced summer residents prepare it themselves. There are two stages of soil preparation:
- Screening... The surface layer of the earth is loosened by hand to be as sure of the porosity as possible. Stagnant moisture is unacceptable - excess water can lead to mold.
- Low temperature processing... Freezing the soil will get rid of larvae, microorganisms and pathogens. For this, the earth is periodically taken out into the cold.
Seed preparation:
- Warming up... Warming is recommended for better seed germination. At a low temperature, the seeds are at rest, and when it rises, the process of "awakening" is accelerated. The most affordable and easiest way is to use gauze bags.A month before sowing seedlings, the seeds are placed in a bag and kept near heating appliances.
- Disinfection of seeds. For this purpose, a solution of potassium permanganate is used. The seeds are placed in a solution for 20-30 minutes (per 100 ml of 1 mg of potassium permanganate), then washed under running water.
Council. Disinfection of seeds in brilliant green is a more effective way. From 1 ml of brilliant green and 100 ml of water, a solution is obtained for pre-sowing prophylaxis.
Growing seedlings
Shallow planting of seeds (up to 1 cm deep) is preferable when using seedling boxes. The holes are covered with earth and the box is covered with foil or glass. Germination time depends on the variety, humidity, temperature, lighting and is usually 3-4 days.
With a lack of heat, the process can take 2-3 weeks. The phases of watering and drying alternate. During the day, a temperature of 18-20 ° C is considered favorable, and 14-16 ° C at night. After the first sprouts appear, the container with seedlings is placed in the light on the windowsill.
Landing
When 3 leaves appear on the plant, the seedlings are picked. The containers are filled with a soil mixture of peat, humus, sand and black soil. Seedlings are placed in the recesses. The process ends with irrigation with a rooting fertilizer, which contains a large amount of phosphorus for the development of the root system.
A few days before planting the plant in a permanent place, preventive treatment with drugs to protect against diseases is carried out.
The necessary conditions
Conditions for growing cherry tomatoes:
- humidity during the growth of seedlings 75-80%;
- daytime temperature 18-20 ° С, at night - 14-16 ° С;
- regular watering, the soil does not dry out.
Care
When the seedling takes root, the first weeding of the soil is carried out. Loosening is performed between the rows. The loosening depth does not exceed 5-6 cm so as not to damage the root system.
Novice gardeners often wonder if cherry tomatoes are stepson or not. Tall varieties are sure to stepchild, but this disadvantage is compensated for by high yields. Low grades will not have to be pinned.
Fighting diseases
Without proper care, cherry tomatoes develop dangerous diseases that lead to the death of the crop.
Mosaic
There are changes in the shape and color of the leaves, spots appear on the fruits, low yield. Plants affected by the disease are removed. It is recommended that the seedlings be treated with skim milk once every 10 days.
Late blight
It belongs to the genus of fungal diseases, accompanied by the appearance of brown spots and plaque on tomatoes. A glass of garlic cloves will help cope with this disease. After running through a meat grinder, the garlic mass is diluted in 10 liters of water and the mixture is sprayed on the infected bushes.
Gray rot
Affects stems, covering them with mold. The disease is often confused with late blight. Control measures include mandatory tillage, freeing bushes from affected plant parts.
Brown spot
It is distributed on the leaves of tomatoes in greenhouses. At the first signs of illness, the amount of watering is reduced. To prevent this disease, "Barrier" and "Barrier" are used.
Ripening and harvesting
When a brown color is reached, the cherry fruits are plucked. For subsequent ripening, the fruits are placed in a container (wooden box). To increase the ripening rate, add 2-3 fully ripe fruits that release ethylene to the container.
Application of grown tomatoes
Sweet taste, varied colors, low calorie content have ensured a great demand for cherry tomatoes in cooking. The size of the vegetable makes it indispensable for decorating a festive table. Canned fruits used in many recipes, including expensive and gourmet dishes.
Council. Convenience when preserved is achieved by the assortment principle: large and miniature tomatoes are placed in jars at the same time. This is how the container is filled to the maximum.
The best varieties of cherry tomatoes
The most popular hybrids for growing at home are Cherry Lisa, Bonsai, Totem, Cherry, Minibel, Golden bunch.
On the beds of gardeners in the open air, the following varieties are cultivated:
- Honey drop;
- Greenfinch;
- Hilma;
- White currant;
- Cherry cocktail;
- Queen Margo.
Growing tips and tricks
Tomato bushes are thermophilic. If there is a danger of frost, cherry tomatoes are wrapped overnight with paper or film materials, in some cases, portable shelters are installed.
It is not recommended to plant seedlings on a hot day. It will be more difficult for the plant to take root, the likelihood of drying increases. It is preferable to plant seedlings on a cloudy day or in the evening when the heat subsides.
Water the tomatoes strictly at the root. The presence of brown cracks may indicate a lack of moisture. If there is too much moisture, the fruit becomes watery and cracks.
Conclusion
The fruits of cherry tomatoes are useful, tasty, full of vitamins and minerals. It is easy to choose the right variety from the wide variety of cherry tomatoes. The choice of seeds depends on the conditions of the place where you are going to grow tomatoes.