When to plant seedlings and how to grow cherry tomatoes outdoors and in a 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 the larger sized tomatoes. Growing them on the site is not difficult. It is necessary to study all the nuances of growing and caring for cherry tomatoes.
Cherry tomatoes are mainly grown in seedlings. Their features are that the seedlings are germinated from seeds at the beginning of spring at home. It is grown to the desired size, then planted on the site. Sowing seeds in the middle lane in the garden is impossible, since they simply do not have time to bear fruit due to the rapid onset of cold weather. Tomato seeds can be purchased at specialty garden stores.
Cherry species
The name for the tomato was not invented by chance. Literally it translates as "cherry". But this does not mean that all fruits are small, round and red. There are thousands of different types of these tomatoes. They are oval, oblong, green and yellow. The peculiarities 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. Mainly grown for salads or desserts.
- Cocktail. Weigh from 20 to 50 grams. It tastes like sweet and sour tomatoes, but there are exclusive varieties.
The most famous cherry varieties:
- Ocean.
- Elf.
- White nutmeg.
- Cherry Blosem.
- Green grapes.
- Balcony miracle.
- Sweet cherry.
- Strawberry.
- Fingers.
Small varieties are chosen for their compactness, sugar flavor, rich taste. It is necessary to learn how to plant them correctly.
Seed treatment and planting
Every summer resident who dreams of having a bountiful harvest of these varieties should know when to plant cherry tomatoes for seedlings and how. Sowing seeds begins in March or April. They are sown in specialized containers, which should be spacious and comfortable. The land is taken from the store. It must first be loosened, watered, fertilized before planting the seed. Peat and special chemical minerals are suitable for fertilization to accelerate growth. The soil can be sprayed with a manganese solution so that there is no fungus.
The height of the container should be at least 13 centimeters so that the roots do not develop closely. Smooth furrows are drawn with a sharp object, and small depressions of three centimeters are already made in them for planting seeds. It is advisable to plant tomato seeds of the same variety and type 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. Until 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 at home, they need to be looked after carefully.
Seedlings need long daylight hours. Therefore, she is kept on the windowsill, and, if possible, is supplied with additional artificial lighting. A minimum of 15 hours of light should always be for high-quality growth of seedlings.
In order for the seeds to hatch, they need warmth, the room temperature should be from 25 to 30 degrees. At this time, they can be placed near batteries, stoves, heating devices, they can be removed higher, where it is hot. The film will help 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 set in the future.
When several leaves appear on the seedlings, they need to be seated in separate pots. Tomatoes do not like crowding, they will not be able to eat and develop normally. During transplanting, roots that are too long can be cut. Thus, it turns out to develop a strong root system. A pick should occur when 4-5 strong leaves appear. Feeding 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 carried out as soon as dry soil is noticed. You need to feed it once every two weeks. Must endure tomatoes on the street or balconyso that they are tempered there, get used to the fresh air. Already strong seedlings with a thick stem, healthy dense foliage are planted on the site. This period usually falls on 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 growing cherry tomatoes in the open field. Outdoor cherry tomatoes need more care than greenhouse ones. After all, the impact of the environment there is very extensive. There is a difference between growing cherry tomatoes in a greenhouse from an open method. Planting and caring for cherry tomatoes in the open field is described in detail on gardening sites.
Seedlings are planted in warm weather in late spring, when the ground warms up enough and the nights are no longer so cold. It is planted, observing a distance of 40 centimeters. The width between the rows is 50 centimeters. Before planting, the land is watered abundantly. It is more convenient to fix the stem 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 with which the tomatoes will be covered.
Good watering is very important for tomatoes. They do not tolerate a long drought, the leaves dry, the fruits crack. But it's also important not to overdo it with water. Otherwise, the bushes will start to rot and the tomatoes will taste watery. It is better to water once a week, before loosening, with warm water. Better not to do this 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 the bushes. Cherry tomatoes love manure, chicken droppings, potassium, phosphorus, ammonium nitrate.
Also, sometimes it is necessary to spray tomatoes from harmful insects and from various diseases.
How to grow cherry tomatoes in a greenhouse
Growing cherry tomatoes in a greenhouse takes creativity.Cherry tomatoes in a greenhouse need sufficient moisture, abundant watering and nutrition.
Seeds are sown in a greenhouse only if it is heated and warm enough. In all other cases, seedlings are germinated at home, and then they are planted in a greenhouse that is already strong and hardened. Spring nights are cold, even in greenhouses.
Growing cherry tomato varieties in a greenhouse requires careful maintenance and fertile soil.
The greenhouse should be regularly ventilated, watered efficiently, but in moderation. Watering is carried out with warm water from barrels twice a week. On dry days, much more often as the soil dries up.
It is important for tomatoes in the greenhouse to provide the necessary lighting. Do 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, a subcortex with fertilizers is required. These are vitamins and organic matter. Tomato pinching is also done, that is, excess shoots are cut off, which interfere with the normal ripening of fruits. It is necessary to regularly loosen the soil, removing weeds. A large yield in a greenhouse depends largely on how the cherry is looked after there.
Growing cherry tomatoes in the open field or in a greenhouse in a seedling method is available even to a beginner in gardening. You can gain experience, learn the characteristics of cherry tomatoes, and grow a variety of varieties of these exotic fruits. They will look so great on sliced plates, as well as in jars of pickles. Happy sowing!
