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Cherry tomatoes were bred in Israel at the end of the last century. On the territory of Russia, they began to grow these babies quite recently, but cherries are quickly gaining the love and recognition of domestic gardeners. The name of this type of tomato is translated as “cherry", Which is quite consistent with the appearance of the fruit.
This article will consider the features of small-fruited tomatoes, present the best varieties of cherry tomatoes.
Varieties of cherry tomatoes
Although the tomatoes are named after cherries, they are does not mean at all that the fruits of all varieties are colored red and have a round shape... To date, many cherry hybrids have been bred, having a very different shape and color. These are pear-shaped, oval, round, elongated and plum-shaped tomatoes, colored red, yellow, burgundy, purple, green, as well as striped hybrids.
The cherry tomato ovary may also differ in its structure:
- clusters like grapes;
- symmetrical long lashes with fruits;
- small brushes of 5-7 fruits each;
- "Umbrellas" resembling an inflorescence of viburnum;
- single fruits, strewn with the bush from top to bottom.
Everyone can choose a cherry variety at their discretion, most of them are acclimatized for the weather conditions in Russia.
Advantages of cherry tomatoes
There is a misconception that cherry tomatoes are ornamental tomatoes, the main purpose of which is to decorate the garden and gastronomic dishes. But it is not so - cherry tomatoes are not only beautiful, but also very tasty and healthy.
The fruits contain a large amount of sugars and nutrients, vitamins in them are about twice as much as in large-fruited tomatoes. Cherry tastes more intense than regular tomatoes. Breeders have developed several varieties with a clear fruity flavor and aroma: melon, raspberry, blueberry.
"Ira F1"
The hybrid tomato is intended for cultivation in open ground or in a greenhouse. Cherry fruits are sweet and tender, tomatoes do not crack when canning and pickling.
Tomatoes ripen quickly - in just 95 days. The tomato is colored in a burgundy shade, has an elongated shape, the weight of each tomato is about 35 grams.
You can harvest in whole bunches - the fruits ripen at the same time. According to its taste characteristics, the variety belongs to "extra" cherry tomatoes. Up to 35 tomatoes are sung on each branch.
The variety is resistant to most "tomato" diseases, gives rather high yields - about 6 kg per square meter. The fruits are delicious both fresh and canned.
"Dr. Green Frostad"
Indeterminate tomato variety, the height of the bushes of which exceeds 200 cm. The plant must be tied to a trellis and the side shoots must be removed. Greater productivity is achieved if the bush is formed into two or three stems. You can grow the variety in a greenhouse or in the open field.
Fruits are round, small - 20-25 grams. An interesting feature of the variety is the unusual color of the tomato - at the stage of maturity, they have a rich green hue. Cherry tastes very sweet, aromatic, with a subtle nutmeg aftertaste.
The yield of the variety is quite high, the tomatoes ripen in whole clusters.
"Date yellow"
A mid-late-ripening tomato that can be grown both outdoors and indoors. The bushes are semi-determinate, their height reaches 150 cm, so the plants need to be tied up on a trellis and pinned.
It is most effective to form bushes into two or three stems; in the south of the country, experienced gardeners pinch plants to the first bunch. The yield of the variety is high - all the bushes are literally covered with small tomatoes.
The fruits of this variety are colored lemon yellow, have a dense pulp and strong skin, do not burst or crack. The shape of the tomatoes is oval, the surface is glossy. The mass of an average cherry fruit is about 20 grams. The taste of tomatoes is sweet, very pleasant, they can be canned, used to decorate dishes, consumed fresh.
The advantage of the variety is good keeping quality and a long fruiting period - fresh cherry blossoms can be harvested from August to autumn frosts.
"Ocean"
Italian cocktail cherry variety with medium ripening. You can plant these tomatoes in greenhouse, and to the garden bed. The stems of the plant are powerful, the bushes are high (about 1.5 meters), they must be tied up and pinched.
Tomatoes grow in clusters, each of which contains 10-12 tomatoes. The fruits are colored red, have a round shape, a shiny surface. Each weighs about 20 grams. These tomatoes taste very sweet and aromatic.
Bushes "Ocean" bear fruit for a long time - you can harvest until frost. The plant tolerates low temperatures and various diseases. The fruits can be preserved or eaten fresh.
"Elf"
Medium early tomatoes of an indeterminate type, the height of the bushes reaches two meters. The highest yields are achieved when the bush is formed into two or three stems. Bulky brushes, 12 fruits each.
The shape of the fruit is an elongated oval, the tomatoes are colored red, have a glossy peel and are small in size (the mass of tomatoes is 15-20 grams). Such tomatoes will adorn any site or greenhouse.
Tomato pulp fleshy, juicy, very sweet and tasty, there are few seeds inside the fruit, the peel does not crack. These tomatoes are suitable for any purpose (from canning to decorating dishes).
Tomatoes of this variety are very finicky in terms of a sufficient amount of light and frequent feeding - without these conditions, you can not count on a good harvest.
"Cherry Blosem F1"
Tomatoes of this variety ripen on the 95-100th day after sowing seeds for seedlings, so the tomato is considered medium early. The bushes are powerful, reaching a height of 100 cm, the plant belongs to the determinant type.
Cherry can be grown both in the greenhouse and in the open field. To shape plants are better in three stems. Be sure to tie and pinch the side shoots.
Tomatoes are small, weighing 25-30 grams, red, round in shape. The pulp and peel of tomatoes is dense, does not burst. Taste quality is high - like all varieties of cherry tomatoes, these tomatoes are very sweet and aromatic.
The hybrid variety is protected from many diseases, does not require complex care.
"White Muscat"
The variety is considered one of the highest yielding cherry tomatoes. The plant is exotic, high in height, with a powerful stem. Bushes of the indeterminate type reach 200 cm in height. Fruit ripening occurs by the 100th day after planting the seeds in the ground.
In southern Russia, the White Muscat variety can be grown right in the garden. But in the middle lane and in the north, this cherry tomato must be grown in a closed greenhouse. The fruits of this tomato resemble in shape pear, painted in a pale yellow tint, their weight is about 35-40 grams.
The variety is resistant to most diseases and viruses.
"Amethyst cream-cherry"
A very rare variety of tomato, belongs to the indeterminate group - the height of the bushes often exceeds 180 cm. The ripening time of the fruits is average. The stem is powerful, the bushes must be shaped and tied to a support.
When ripe, cherry tomatoes are cream-colored with purple spots, the shape of the tomatoes is round, the flesh and skin are dense. The weight of one fruit can be only 15 grams. Tomatoes are very tasty, with a strong aroma and a sweetish taste. It is good to use them fresh, decorate various salads, dishes, but you can also preserve them.
The fruits of this variety can be stored for a long time. They are often used for sale.
"Margol"
An early ripening variety that is preferable to grow in greenhouses. Only in the south of Russia is it allowed to plant tomatoes in the ground. Bushes are indeterminate, tall, powerful. The fruits ripen in clusters. For high yields, it is best to form plants, leaving only one stem.
The bunches with tomatoes are very neat and beautiful, each of them at the same time ripens about 18 tomatoes. Fruits are dense, red in color, round in shape, with fragrant pulp. The average weight of tomatoes is 15-20 grams.
Tomatoes of this variety do not crack, they rarely get sick.
"Green grapes"
This variety is distinguished by interesting fruits, the shape and color of which are reminiscent of the berries of green grapes.
Tomatoes ripen not very early - the variety belongs to the mid-season. Bushes are indeterminate, tall and strong. Plant height reaches 150 cm, it is better to form it in two stems. It can be planted both in a greenhouse and in open ground.
Each brush weighs from 500 to 700 grams, the mass of one tomato is about 25 grams. The shape of the fruit is round, in a mature state they are colored in a yellow-green hue. The taste of tomatoes is also slightly fruity, with pleasant exotic notes. The tomatoes are juicy and sweet.
Seeds of this variety must be sown for seedlings two months before the proposed transplantation of plants into the ground.
How cherry tomatoes are grown
The method of growing cherry tomatoes practically does not differ from the cultivation of ordinary large-fruited tomatoes. Most of these tomatoes are hybrids characterized by resistance, good germination, productivity, and rapid growth.
Proper care of the bushes consists of a few simple steps:
- In growing tomatoes through seedlings. Only in heated greenhouses and on balconies can you try to plant cherry through seeds, in other cases you will have to grow seedlings.
- Watering regularly - like all tomatoes, cherry blossoms are very fond of water.
- Bushes need to be fed several times a season using mineral fertilizers.
- Most cherry tomatoes are indeterminate or semi-determinate, so tall plants must be tied up.
- The bushes are generally strong, climbing, they need to be regularly pinned to form plants.
- Between undersized bushes it is necessary to leave free space so that the plants have enough light and air.
- Make sure that tomato leaves and their fruits do not touch the ground.
- Harvest when all the berries from one cluster are ripe.
Today it is very fashionable to grow outlandish fruits and exotic fruits and vegetables at your dacha. You can surprise your family, friends and relatives with cherry tomatoes - not only beautiful, but also very tasty berries, which will not be difficult to grow.
