How to form tomatoes into one, two and three stems in the greenhouse and open field
How to form tomatoes in a greenhouse, there are certain schemes. They will make the process timely and error-free. The formation of the central stem is carried out only in tall varieties of tomatoes. The procedure allows you to get a good harvest and reduce the risk of infection.
General information
Tomatoes are a heat-loving vegetable crop, but summer is not always happy with favorable weather. Gardeners are increasingly growing vegetables in a polycarbonate greenhouse. Under shelter, plants are not afraid of temperature fluctuations, precipitation, wind and other adverse factors.
Almost all types of tomatoes require pinching, which means cutting side branches. The exception is standard species. This is a variety of the determinant group of tomatoes. Growing standard tomatoes is very easy and simple. They do not require the removal of side branches, the formation of a central trunk and tying to a support.
Tomato bushes of the standard type have a strong, powerful stem that stretches up to 60 cm. 4 fruiting brushes are formed on the stem.
Tall varieties of tomatoes without the formation of the main stem begin to branch in different directions, forming many flowers that do not have time to develop into fruits. Therefore, the formation of tomatoes in a greenhouse is considered a mandatory procedure. Cutting off extra, weak inflorescences will lead to the fact that all forces will be directed to the development of a full-fledged crop.
Staging is carried out for three main reasons:
- unlimited bush growth leads to the development of numerous lateral flowering branches and ovaries, which need more nutrients and energy for excess greenery;
- a large number of leaves leads to insufficient penetration of sunlight and air to various parts of the plant;
- formed tomato bush gives a high-quality and numerous harvest.
In order to carry out the procedure correctly, you need to distinguish well between an ordinary leaf and a stepson. Stepchildren grow between the main stem and leaves. First, the leaf itself appears, and above, after a while, a stepson begins to form.It turns out that they grow from one point. Tear off the top sprout without touching the bottom one.
How to form a bush, everyone decides on their own. For tomatoes in open ground, two stems are acceptable, and in a polycarbonate greenhouse it can be grown with one stem.It is suitable for tall types of tomatoes. Determinate tomato varieties usually have two main stems in the greenhouse, while three stems can be formed in outdoor tomatoes.
If the stem is formed correctly, it will slow down the growth of the vegetable crop, and increase the yield. Growing tomato bushes in a greenhouse and shaping consists of pinching, pinching and other manipulations.
Rules for the formation of the main shaft
As soon as the first extra shoot is formed under the central brush with inflorescences, you need to not miss the moment and pick it off in time. A shoot longer than 5 cm will be more difficult to pluck and the stem can be damaged. Therefore, tomatoes should be inspected regularly.
The formation of tomatoes in the greenhouse is carried out according to a special scheme, during which some recommendations must be followed. How to form tomatoes in a greenhouse important tips.
- The first formation is carried out 7-10 days after the seedlings have been planted in closed ground. During this time, the seedlings have time to get stronger, take root and adapt. The formation of a bush of tomatoes in a greenhouse for the first time involves the definition of the main stem, on which there is a brush with inflorescences. As soon as the shoots grow to 5 cm, they are plucked.
- The subsequent formation of bushes is carried out with an interval of 11 days. During these days, the new lateral branches that have appeared will not have time to outgrow. Pasynkovanie is best done in the morning or evening hours.
- You need to break off or cut off the side branches not at the root, but leaving a small process about 2 cm long. This will prevent the re-formation of stepchildren.
- The formation of indeterminate tomatoes can be carried out in several stems.
- When pinching, you need to leave shoots with large, strong flowers. The best option is to have three brushes. Shoots that form in the root zone also need to be disposed of.
When forming a tomato into one stem, one central trunk is left, side branches are cut. As a result, not the number of fruits increases, but their mass.
How to form tomatoes into two stalks? If it is decided to form a plant in 2 stems, then leave the central trunk with inflorescences and the stem located closest. When forming into three stems, the trunk is accordingly left below the second. When forming tomatoes into two stems, the branches that will form on the stems must be removed.
Variety of varieties and appropriate care
How to form tomatoes correctly also depends on the type of tomato seeds chosen. All varieties of tomato are divided into three different groups. They can be planted in both closed and unprotected soil. When describing the methods of formation, the seed variety is taken into account.
Determinant variety of tomato reaches a certain height and stops its growth (can grow up to 150 cm). But sometimes it can be a negative thing. Early top formation leads to a decrease in the number of crops. Often the bushes are medium-sized.
It is advisable to leave one stem in semi-determinant tomato varieties. How to form tomatoes in open ground in 1 trunk? The traditional scheme involves removing extra branches and leaving one stem for fruiting. To make the fruits ripen faster, pinch the top at the end of the growing season.
Formation of tomatoes in a greenhouse according to a scheme that involves the preservation of several shoots on the stem at once. As soon as shoots are formed on the side branches, the point of their growth must be pinched. The tomato bushes have a central fruiting stem and lateral brushes.
The formation of a tomato bush in a greenhouse can be done in steps (the method is suitable for semi-determinant tomato varieties in a heifer). With this method, pinching is periodically carried out, leaving one additional shoot in the middle of the central stem. As soon as fruits are tied on it, the growth point of the main stem is pinched.
Growing determinate tomatoes is easy. After the formation of several brushes with inflorescences, growth stops. Determinate tomatoes can also be formed with the formation of two or three main trunks. Tomatoes in two stalks are easy to form. The stepson, which is located under the main brush, is not plucked, but left for the second stem. For the third trunk, a process is left, which is located under the second main trunk.
The formation of determinant tomatoes in the greenhouse must be carried out according to all the rules, leaving an additional branch on top. It can save the plant in adverse situations and act as the main stem.
It is advisable to form indeterminate tomatoes in one stem. If there is a lot of space in the greenhouse, the formation of a tomato can be carried out in two stems. The second main branch is formed from a side branch that grows under the first raceme with inflorescences.Tear off the shoots, leaving 4 brushes.
Additional procedures
After the first stepsoning is carried out, it is necessary to carry out the procedure of tying to the support. A peg is driven in near each tomato bush or tied to a trellis. Without this procedure, a long stem will break under the weight of fruits and greenery.
Indeterminate varieties of tomatoes can not do without the procedure of pinching the top. This will make the plant compact, without the formation of new ovaries. Pinching is usually done twice.
When the required number of brushes with flowers has grown on each stem left during the formation, it is necessary to cut off the top of the central stem. The upward growth of the plant stops, and all the nutrients are sent to the fruits.
Many experienced gardeners believe that all leaves should be removed, leaving the trunk bare. This will reduce the risk of infection with fungal and viral diseases.All nutrients will be sent directly to the tomatoes. Sunlight and air will circulate freely. Gardeners with this method leave only a few leaves on top.
Proponents of another version, believe that removing all the leaves disrupts the movement of nutrients and photosynthesis. They remove only the lower leaves, as well as yellowed and diseased leaves.
All the procedures described above have a positive effect on the development of vegetable crops, gardeners are often advised not to forget about them: “I always form any kind of tomato in two or three stems. This allows you to harvest more crops. The fruits at the same time have a dense skin that does not crack. The flesh is juicy, sweet, not watery.”
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