When to plant cherry tomatoes for seedlings in the open field and greenhouse
Many summer residents have no idea how to grow cherry tomatoes correctly. These dwarf varieties are preferred for their size and extraordinary taste. There are many types, ranging from the smallest to larger sizes of tomatoes. Growing them in the field is not difficult. You need to learn all the nuances of growing and caring for cherry tomatoes.
Cultivation of cherry tomatoes mainly occurs in seedlings. Their features lie in the fact that seedlings are germinated from seeds in early spring at home. It is grown to the desired size, then planted on the site. Sowing seeds in the garden in the middle lane is impossible, as they simply do not have time to bear fruit due to the rapid onset of cold weather.Tomato seeds can be purchased at speci alty garden supply stores.
Cherry types
The name for the tomato was not coined by chance. It literally translates to "cherry". But this does not mean at all that all fruits are small, round and red. There are thousands of different types of these tomatoes. They are oval, and oblong, and green, and yellow. Features of their breeding are different, depending on the cultivated regions and the type of variety.
Cherries grown in the garden mainly have tall bushes of two meters or more.
By weight criteria they are divided into two types:
- Berry. The smallest weighing from 4 grams. They have a sweet taste of berries and tomatoes at the same time. Grown mainly for salads or desserts.
- Cocktail. Weigh from 20 to 50 grams. Tastes like sweet and sour tomatoes, but there are exclusive varieties.
The most famous varieties of cherry tomatoes:
- Ocean.
- Elf.
- White Muscat.
- Cherry Blossom.
- Green grapes.
- Balcony miracle.
- Sweet cherry.
- Strawberry.
- Fingers.
Small varieties are chosen for their compactness, sugary aftertaste, rich taste. You need to learn how to plant them correctly.
Seed treatment and planting
About when to plant cherry tomatoes for seedlings and how, every summer resident who wants to have a bountiful harvest of these varieties should know. Sow seeds begin in March or April. They are sown in specialized containers, in which it should be spacious and comfortable.The earth is taken from the store. It must first be loosened, watered, fertilized before planting a seed. From fertilizer, peat and special chemical minerals are suitable to accelerate growth. The soil can be sprayed with a manganese solution to keep the fungus out.
The height of the container should be at least 13 centimeters so that the roots do not develop closely. Even furrows are made with a sharp object, and small depressions of three centimeters are already made in them for planting seeds.It is advisable to plant seeds of tomatoes of the same variety and species in one container. After everything is planted and watered, cover with foil until the seedlings hatch.
The film is removed when the first shoots appear. Before the seedlings are planted in the garden, they need careful care at home. It is necessary to provide all the necessary conditions for the plants to be comfortable.
How to care for seedlings at home
Cherry tomatoes love greenhouse conditions. When they grow up at home, they need to be carefully looked after.
Seedlings need a long daylight hours. Therefore, she is kept on the windowsill, and, if possible, provided with additional artificial lighting. A minimum of 15 hours of light should always be available for quality seedling growth.
In order for the seeds to hatch, they need warmth, room temperature should be between 25 and 30 degrees. At this time, they can be placed near batteries, stoves, heating appliances, removed higher, where it is hot. The film will help to give the desired greenhouse effect and warmth. As soon as the seedlings germinate, you can remove the film, the temperature can be up to 23 degrees, but not lower than 15, otherwise the fruits may not start in the future.
When several leaves appear on the seedlings, they need to be planted in separate pots. Tomatoes do not like crowding, they will not be able to eat and develop normally. During transplantation, too long roots can be cut.Thus, it turns out to develop a strong root system. Picking should occur when 4-5 strong leaves appear. Top dressing with sodium humate at this time is simply necessary. Also do not forget to loosen the soil and water.
Watering on the windowsill is always done as soon as dry soil is noticed. You need to feed once every two weeks. It is imperative to take the tomatoes out onto the street or balcony so that they harden there, get used to the fresh air. Already strong seedlings with a thick stem, he althy dense foliage are planted on the site. This period is usually May-June. When all the seedlings are planted, they will need to be tied up and secured so that they do not fall under the weight of the tomatoes.
Landing in open ground
Few people know about the cultivation of cherry tomatoes in the open field. Outdoor cherry tomatoes need more care than those grown in greenhouses. After all, the impact of the environment there is very extensive.There is a difference between growing cherry tomatoes in a greenhouse and an open method. Planting and caring for cherry tomatoes in the open field is described in detail on gardening websites.
Plant seedlings in warm weather in late spring, when the earth warms up enough and the nights are not so cold anymore. It is planted, observing a distance of 40 centimeters. Width between rows - 50 centimeters. Before planting, the land is watered abundantly. It is more convenient to fix the stalk of seedlings in moist soil. When everyone is disembarked, it is necessary to put support fasteners for which the bushes will be tied. In addition, they will serve as a support for the material that will cover the tomatoes.
Quality watering is very important for tomatoes. They do not tolerate a long drought, the leaves dry, the fruits crack. But it is also important not to overdo it with water. Otherwise, the bushes will begin to rot, and the tomatoes will become watery in taste. It is better to water once a week, before loosening, with warm water.It is better to do this not on a hot sunny day. The water should stand for some time in the barrel. Water consumption, approximately - a large bucket per bush.
It is important not to forget about fertilizers. They should be varied, and contribute to the normal growth and development of bushes. Cherry tomatoes love manure, chicken manure, potassium, phosphorus, ammonium nitrate.
Also, sometimes it is necessary to spray tomatoes from harmful insects and various diseases.
How to grow cherry tomatoes in a greenhouse
Growing cherry tomatoes in a greenhouse requires creativity. Cherry tomatoes in a greenhouse need a sufficient level of humidity, abundant watering and nutrition.
Seeds are sown in a greenhouse only if there is heating and it is warm enough. In all other cases, the seedlings are germinated at home, and then they are planted in a greenhouse already strengthened and hardened. Spring nights are cold, even in greenhouses.
Growing a variety of cherry tomatoes in a greenhouse requires careful care and fertile land.
The greenhouse should be regularly ventilated, watered with high quality, but in moderation. Watering is carried out with warm water from barrels twice a week. Much more often on dry days as the soil dries.
Tomatoes in the greenhouse, it is important to give the necessary lighting. You should not plant other shrubs, tall plants next to them, and plant tomatoes at a decent distance from each other so as not to block the light.
Once every two weeks, fertilizing is required. These are vitamins and organics. Tomato pinching is also done, that is, excess shoots are cut off, which interfere with the normal ripening of the fruit. It is necessary to regularly loosen the earth, removing weeds. A large yield in a greenhouse depends largely on how the cherry is cared for there.
Growing cherry tomatoes in the open field or in a greenhouse in seedlings is available even to a beginner in gardening.You can gain experience, study the features of cherry tomatoes, and grow a variety of varieties of these exotic fruits. They will look so great on plates with cuts, as well as in jars of pickles. Happy planting!
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