Tomatoes are a source of highly nutritious elements. According to some novice gardeners, all the care of tomatoes consists in timely weeding, watering, top dressing. But to grow a rich harvest, this is not enough.
The influence of agricultural technology on the growth and productivity of tomatoes
There are many subtleties for caring for these plants, and, for each variety, individual. This is especially true for growing conditions - greenhouse or in open ground. Here you need to choose not only suitable agrotechnical methods, but also the varieties of seeds. Many of them are suitable only for some specific conditions, there are universal tomatoes suitable for greenhouses and open ground, as well as various climatic conditions.
The main conditions for proper agricultural technology when growing tomatoes:
- choosing the right variety when buying seeds that matches the region and growing conditions;
- proper preparation of seeds before planting - treatment with disinfectants, growth stimulants;
- creating suitable conditions for seedlings - fertilizing the soil, ensuring sufficient lighting, optimal temperature conditions, regular watering;
- selection of a place for a bed, cultivation, fertilizer of this site;
- proper planting of seedlings in a permanent place;
- watering, periodic additional fertilizing;
- treatment of bushes from diseases and pests;
- loosening of soil and weeding;
- the formation of bushes, garter, pinching - for tall varieties is mandatory, for low and medium-sized is desirable;
- additional measures include mulching, temporary cover with a film during freezing, planting nearby plants that repel pests.
The importance of location when growing tomatoes
When choosing a site, you need to consider that tomatoes love the sun and do not tolerate waterlogging. They need to be located on hills with a slope to the north-west.
Experts do not recommend alternating this plant with other nightshade crops and corn. The best precursors are vegetables such as cucumbers, onions, zucchini and cabbage. In a greenhouse, tomatoes are planted in rows.
Soil selection and preparation
Tomatoes can be grown on many types of soil, it all depends on the amount of preparatory work:
- the soil must be loose and nutritious, therefore it must be properly cultivated and enough organic and mineral fertilizing is needed;
- the medium must be neutral or slightly acidic, tomatoes grow poorly on acidic soils, so they need to be neutralized with dolomite flour or lime;
- it should be borne in mind what crops were grown in the previous season in this bed - in a too depleted area, it will not work to grow a good crop.
Features of soil preparation:
- In the greenhouse. Begin in the fall, after harvesting. The surface is cleaned of residual vegetation. If necessary, if the soil has been infected, the top layer is removed and all surfaces are disinfected with fungicides. Then add new, healthy soil, fertilize it. It is recommended to sow the bed with green manure (for example, mustard) in the autumn - this heals and enriches the soil. In the spring, they again disinfect in the greenhouse and fertilize the beds.
- In the open ground. In the autumn, the garden bed is cleaned of plant debris, dug up with the simultaneous introduction of organic matter. In the spring, digging is again done and watered with a hot solution of copper sulfate for disinfection. Before planting, wells are prepared in which fertilizers are applied (organic matter, peat, ash, etc.).
Fertilizing soil for tomatoes
During the growing season do several dressings. The first - a week after landing, the next - every 2-3 weeks. Additional fertilizers are especially required during the flowering period.
Mineral and organic mixtures are diluted in water and watered each bush.
Tomato bush formation
Most varieties of tomatoes grow very much, forming bushes with numerous side stems. So that the plants do not waste their energy on the side shoots, they are removed, leaving 1-3 main stems.
And every week, emerging new stepsons are also cut off. This allows you to save nutrients for the formation of ovaries. The procedure for pruning bushes is performed in a greenhouse and open ground.
Proper watering
The decisive factor for the frequency of irrigation is soil moisture. To avoid the appearance of fungal infections, it is not recommended to get too carried away with soil moisture. Tomatoes tolerate dry periods more easily than increased dampness. On average, 1-2 watering per week is required, when it is hot - 3-4 times.
Cultivation, mulching
The formation of a crust on the soil surface prevents the flow of oxygen to the roots. Therefore, it is necessary to periodically loosen the earth around the stems (several times per season), mainly during the period when the bushes are only forming. With already overgrown plants, they can be injured.
To retain moisture in the soil, to prevent the growth of weeds, the beds are mulched with straw, sawdust, paper and other materials. The layer thickness should be approximately 5-7 cm.
Mr. Summer resident: secrets of getting rich tomato harvests
Each gardener has his own secrets for growing tomatoes, here are some of them:
- Tomatoes are self-pollinating plants (most varieties). But adverse conditions may arise when this process is poorly implemented. Then it is necessary to shake the plants 1-2 times a week during flowering.
- To increase the yield of the second and third brushes, they are sprayed during flowering with a solution (in low concentration) of boric acid. This improves the formation of ovaries.
- If fertilizers (manure with peat) are added to the soil in the fall, then it will be better prepared for growing an abundant crop, overwhelming during the winter.
Non-standard methods of growing a tomato
Gardeners use various methods of growing this vegetable. It is worth remembering that not all of the above methods will be applicable to all regions of our large country. In some places, a number of methods will be unacceptable, since for example in Siberia it is very cold, and even summer is not a guarantee of a good harvest. Features of the choice of the method are not limited to the territorial location of the site on which tomato cultivation is expected. Some of this site does not, due to certain circumstances. However, if you equip the appropriate corner, a greater choice will open.
Each method is due to the characteristics of the growing site, personal wishes of the gardener.
Lazy (tomato grove)
In fact, it is completely similar to the traditional method of cultivation. However, there are significant differences. In the standard method, plants are planted in a row, with a large distance between each other. This is done so that each individual bush has its own space, from which it is fed with moisture, various nutrients, fertilizers.
The method in question can significantly reduce the time for landing, as well as reduce the waste of energy and time for subsequent care. The first step is to dig holes, about 0.3 m deep and 0.5 m wide. The bottom must be loosened with a pitchfork, or something convenient for the gardener. This is to make the roots easier to grow. Next, exactly in the center, you need to place a stake, well, or just a strong stick. The height should be at least 2 m. Then, dug holes begin to fill with fertilizers in layers. First comes a manure bucket, it is important that it is rotted. A bucket of humus, after a bucket of sand. The remaining space is filled with dug soil.
After all completed filling operations, the “contents” of these same holes must be mixed. Of course, you can mix all the ingredients in a separate container in advance, but, firstly, it will be much more difficult, and secondly, time-consuming. After this, from the remaining land, it is necessary to make sides around.
Up to 5 bushes can be planted in one hole, it is important that they be of the same variety. The stems are tied to a stake driven in advance in the center.
Also, this method is very good because of the availability of moisture for the plant, it will have the opportunity to get it from deeper layers of the earth than during a normal planting. Mixed soil with fertilizers will provide uninterrupted nutrition with nutrients for favorable ripening. Most types and varieties of tomato tomatoes can be planted in this way.
Maslov Method
Stems of tomatoes have the ability to form a new root system, to become an independent plant. In this method, all actions are standard, but with one nuance. Seedlings are laid in the soil with the stem. In this case, the roots of the plant are directed south. Only 4 leaves should remain above the ground, approximately.
Thanks to this method, the ripening process is faster, moreover, the lateral shoots turn into independent plants after a while, which ensures a larger yield. For this method, gardening experts recommend a system of so-called drip irrigation.
On a leash
The main condition for this method is tall varieties of tomatoes. The method allows to significantly simplify all operations for harvesting, caring for plants. As a support, twine is used, which is attached to the top of the greenhouse, or to the crossbars (if any).
Chinese method
Based on a specific moon phase, the constellation Scorpio.
At this time, the preparation of planting material and planting of seedlings takes place. Then, seedlings with a growth of about 3 cm are cut, put in Epin's solution and again planted in a nutrient substrate, watering them. Cover with a glass and put in a dark place for 3 days. Look after in the future as for ordinary seedlings.
The advantage of this method is a significant increase in yield, in fact 2 times. The stems are thicker, much stronger, tomatoes are less susceptible to disease.
The method of growing in a bucket
Quite popular, it has a number of advantages, but it is not without drawbacks. It is very economical, from the point of view of the occupied space on the site, as it allows you to move the plant. The consumption of water and fertilizers is reduced, since they do not dissolve in the soil, but are contained in a limited space. With all this, the size of the crop will not decrease at all.
The advantages also include the fact that you do not have to deal with pests, as they simply will not get the tomatoes grown in this way. A dubious disadvantage is daily watering. Why dubious? Because it is the only one, and it is more than covered by the advantages of this method.
Ampel way
For this method, a certain type of tomato is used, giving small, tasty and juicy fruits. The peculiarity is that the stems of this variety are thin, but by no means fragile. They are very durable, and can grow up to 1 m in length. The shoots do not break, this is due to the small size and weight of the tomatoes. Harvest is significantly less than that of ordinary tomatoes, but a huge advantage is that it can be obtained all year round. In addition, they are easy to grow in an apartment. This is a great option for those who do not have a separate land plot, or because of congestion, cannot afford it, but I want to engage in cultivation. In addition, this type of tomato is very decorative, it looks beautiful. Year-round harvest is provided due to the very fast ripening of new fruits in place of the harvested.
When planting, they require exactly the same care as ordinary tomatoes. Gardeners recommend placing them where there is most sunlight, in the summer a balcony is ideal, in the winter - a windowsill. They require very frequent watering, at least 2-3 times a day. Organic fertilizer is great. They get along in the same pot with other plants. Some recommend planting sage with them. This allows you to improve the aroma and taste of grown tomatoes.
There are several varieties of ampelous. All of them are premature, not very whimsical, lovers of sunbathing. The fruits of this species are very sweet, most of all they are loved by children.
Upside down
At first glance, a rather strange, even crazy kind of cultivation. However, it also takes place, besides it has clearly gained popularity and recognition in certain circles of gardeners. The bottom line is that the plant itself is directed downward. This is done using a small hole in the pot through which the stem is threaded. There are a lot of advantages, the most significant are the lack of need to tie up the bush, the need to bend over the ripened fruits is lost. Which is very important for the elderly, as well as people with back problems.
There is also an “upgrade” to this method.
The tomato in the pot is placed in a greenhouse specially created for the size of the bush and pot. This provides the plant with more favorable conditions for ripening, increases the yield. However, this is not suitable for types and varieties of tomatoes that are very fond of sunlight.
Hydroponics
The method is extremely simple, and very popular since the middle of the last century. The bottom line is that the pot with the plant is placed in another pot. Which contains the nutrient solution. In a pot with a plant, several holes are made at the bottom so that the roots have access to this very nutrient solution. After some time, it is better to set the frequency, the pots need to be pulled out. This is done to control the growth of the root system.
Immediately after the roots of the plant have passed through the holes made, it is necessary to reduce the volume of the nutrient solution in 2 pots so that an air cushion is formed. This is so that the roots are constantly in a humid environment and receive the necessary amount of oxygen.
The advantage of this method is the huge stimulation of the growth of the root system, which affects the increase in growth of the plant itself, and as a result, the yield.
Most methods not only save time, but also provide a larger crop. Which naturally affects profits (for those involved in the sale). Even if you don’t sell it, you can supply tomatoes with all kinds of relatives and friends, they will be extremely grateful for real, fresh and all the more free tomatoes.
