Content
No vegetable garden is complete without tomato beds. This vegetable is loved for its excellent taste and richness of fruits with useful vitamins and microelements. How good it is to feast on a fresh tomato just picked from the garden on a summer day! And what about those who do not have a garden and a summer residence? For people living in high-rise buildings, breeders have developed special balcony varieties of tomatoes.
What is the peculiarity of balcony tomatoes, how to grow them correctly, and which variety is better to choose - everything in this article.
What should be balcony tomatoes
Tomatoes, like most vegetable crops, are divided according to several characteristics, such as:
- The height of the bush. There are determinant tomatoes, that is, those whose growth is limited - after the appearance of a certain number of brushes (usually 5-6 pieces), the plant stops growing. On such bushes, tomatoes ripen almost simultaneously, and ripening occurs quite quickly (80-100 days). Indeterminate tomato varieties are not limited in growth. Such plants are not suitable for growing on the balcony or a loggia, although there are exceptions (for example, cherry tomatoes). Especially for balconies, super-determinant varieties of tomatoes have been created, that is, dwarf ones.
- Ripening period. Early tomatoes ripen 75-100 days after sowing seeds for seedlings. Mid-ripening tends to take 100 to 120 days. Well, the late varieties include those that ripen for longer than 120 days. Most often, early ripe tomatoes are chosen for balcony growing so that they have enough sunlight and heat.
- Pollination method. A very important factor, because this is often forgotten, and the plants do not bear fruit, since they are not pollinated. Of the existing varieties, you need to choose self-pollinating tomatoes or those that do not require pollination at all (parthenocarpic). The inflorescences of self-pollinated varieties will need to be shaken a little, acting as the wind. Then the pollen from the male flowers will fall on the female ones, and an ovary will appear.
- Fruit quality. This includes the shape, size, flavor characteristics of tomatoes. As a rule, small tomatoes are grown on the balconies.
- Purpose of tomatoes. There are canteens designed for conservation and for the production of tomato juice.
So, for growing on the balcony, you must choose a variety with the following characteristics:
- early ripening - the growing season is 75-100 days;
- compact, low-growing bushes that are easier to tie and shape;
- self-pollinated or parthenocarpic varieties;
- with the taste and properties necessary for the hostess;
- varieties and hybrids resistant to fungal diseases, since a too humid climate is often created on closed balconies and loggias, contributing to the development of late blight and other tomato diseases;
- tomatoes with a slightly developed root system that will fit in pots and boxes.
Based on these characteristics, you need to choose the right hybrid or tomato variety.
What varieties of tomatoes are more often planted on balconies
The owners of the "mini-garden" have their own favorite, the best varieties of tomatoes for the balcony.Much here is determined by the taste and preferences of the owner: someone loves large and juicy tomatoes, so they grow varieties on the balcony that are close in their characteristics to garden crops, others prefer to experiment with unusual, exotic types of tomatoes, so they choose cocktail small-fruited hybrids.
"Balcony miracle"
A very common balcony tomato. The bushes of this plant are low, compact. However, their size does not affect the yield of the variety - about two kilograms of tomato can be removed from each bush by the end of the season.
Bushes do not need tying and pinching. The plant is resistant to various diseases, including the most dangerous for tomatoes - late blight. "Balcony miracle»Tolerates cool air and cloudy weather - these conditions do not affect the taste of the tomato in any way.
Fruits grow small and are colored red. Tomatoes are great both for fresh consumption and for canning and pickling.
"Room surprise"
This variety belongs to the super early - the first vegetables ripen in the beds already on the 75th day after planting the seedlings. Bushes grow small and compact, their height does not exceed 50 cm.
The seed germination of these tomatoes is very high, and the yield of the tomato is also pleasing - up to three kilograms of tomatoes will ripen on each bush. The shape of the fruit is plum-shaped, slightly elongated.
"Bonsai balcony"
A more decorative tomato, which is often used to decorate window sills and loggias. Bushes reach a height of only 30 cm, fruits have the same small size - their weight rarely exceeds 25 grams. This allows the hybrid to be classified as a dwarf one.
Such tomatoes are usually grown for beauty, although the fruits are quite edible - they have a sweetish taste and pleasant aroma.
"Butterfly"
The tomato hybrid belongs to ultra-early ripening - the fruits ripen very quickly and amicably. The height of the bush is quite large - about 150 cm, which allows the tomato to be classified as indeterminate.
The purpose of tomatoes is universal: they are an excellent decoration for window sills and can be grown as an ornamental crop, but the taste of the fruit is also very high.
The bushes are crowned with unusual fruits sticking upwards, which have an elongated, slightly flattened shape. Tomatoes grow in bunches. In an immature state, the fruit is colored green, its distinctive feature is the presence of a dark spot. After ripening, the tomatoes turn pinkish-raspberry and the stain disappears.
The mass of Butterfly tomatoes is only 30-35 grams, tomatoes are cocktail types.
The taste of tomatoes is high, they contain a large dose of lycopene, an antioxidant useful for the human body.
"Romantic F1"
The F1 designation indicates that the tomato belongs to hybrid varieties, that is, those obtained by artificial crossing of several species. Such tomatoes are more resistant to diseases, can be grown in almost any conditions, and consistently high yields are given.
About 20-25 fruits ripen on each bunch. The shape of the tomatoes is round, slightly flattened. Each tomato weighs about 55 grams. In an immature state, the fruit is colored dark green; there is a dark spot near the stalk. As the tomato ripens, the stain disappears, and it itself becomes greenish brown with yellow specks.
"Cherry red or yellow"
This tomato variety belongs to the subspecies cherry... A distinctive feature of these tomatoes is a long whip in the form of a whip. On one such bunch, many small tomatoes are simultaneously singing.
The height of the "Cherry" bush reaches 70-90 cm, the plant belongs to the determinant type, that is, independently limits growth after the appearance of a certain number of shoots.
Round tomatoes in an unripe state are colored green, and after ripening they turn red and yellow, respectively. Cherry mass does not exceed 15 grams.
"Angelica"
These tomatoes are considered very early, their growing season is only 80 days. Kutas are of medium height with many inflorescences, 8-10 fruits appear in the place of each inflorescence.
The shape of the tomatoes is ovoid, at the end of the fruit there is a rounded pimple. These tomatoes are considered large enough for balcony varieties, the weight of each can vary from 50 to 70 grams.
Tomatoes are painted in a bright red hue. It is necessary to collect the fruits before the outbreak of late blight begins. If the tomatoes are not yet fully ripe, they should be placed in a dark place where the fruits will ripen.
"Pearl"
Tomatoes of this variety are dwarf species, the bushes rarely reach more than 40 cm in height. The fruits ripen quickly enough, from 3 to 7 tomatoes appear in the place of each inflorescence.
Zhemchuzhinka tomatoes are small in size, their weight does not exceed 10-20 grams. When unripe, tomatoes are painted in a whitish shade, and as they ripen, they become more and more pink. When the tomato is fully ripe, it will turn bright crimson.
The taste characteristics of tomatoes are very high, besides, these fruits are incredibly healthy. All thanks to the balanced composition of the fruit, which includes minerals, salts and sugar.
The main advantage of a tomato is its unpretentiousness. These plants perfectly tolerate hot weather, insufficient watering, lack of feeding and other "troubles".
"Ballerinka"
Cocktail-type tomato, classified as an indeterminate variety. The bushes reach a height of two meters, so they must be tied up and pinned. The inflorescences of tomatoes are simple, in place of each of them about six fruits appear.
Tomatoes have a very interesting pear-shaped, glossy surface. They are painted in a rich scarlet color. The weight of each can be from 35 to 55 grams.
"Garden pearl"
The tomato is one of the most productive. The bushes of the plant are small, compact. Their height does not exceed 0.5 meters, the plant has the same dimensions in width.
The ovaries appear in the form of cascades, strewn with fruits. The plant does not need pinching, which greatly simplifies the care of the crop.
Tomatoes grow small and are colored red. The yield of tomatoes is very high - about 500 fruits are usually harvested from each bush.
How tomatoes are grown on the balcony
The rules for planting and caring for indoor plants are different from garden crops. Balcony varieties of tomatoes require some care, since the conditions for growing them differ from both open ground and climatic features of greenhouses and greenhouses.
Tomatoes are planted as usual - seedlings. For balcony tomatoes, the best time to sow seeds for seedlings is the beginning of March. First, the seeds are sown in boxes that can be filled with purchased soil or soil from the garden, dacha.
Before sowing, it is better to soak the seeds for a day or two in hot water. You can even use a thermos for this - so the tomatoes will sprout faster and will hurt less. Another very good way is to place the seedlings in a weak solution of potassium permanganate for several hours.
Disinfected seeds are placed in the ground, lightly sprinkled with loose earth. You can water the holes only with a spray bottle so as not to wash out the ground.After watering, the boxes are covered with plastic wrap and placed in a very warm place, the temperature there should be above 25 degrees.
After the sprouts hatch, the film must be removed, otherwise the seedlings will turn yellow. Now the boxes are placed in a cooler and brighter place. During the day, the temperature in the room should be about 23-25 degrees, at night it is allowed to drop to 10 degrees.
For normal development, tomatoes need 12-hour lighting, so if there is not enough sunlight, the seedlings are illuminated with lamps.
When 3-4 leaves appear on the seedlings, it can be dived. Tomatoes dive into cups or other individual containers. After transplantation, the plants are fed with urea.
Tomatoes are transplanted into permanent containers somewhere in early-mid-May, when the threat of frost passes and the temperature stabilizes. For balcony tomatoes, it is better to choose cylindrical pots, plant roots fit better in them.
How to care for indoor tomatoes
Caring for tomatoes on the windowsill is practically the same as usual. Tomatoes need to be watered, fed, pinched and tied if necessary.
Particular attention should be paid to watering tomatoes. In a limited capacity and under the sun's rays penetrating through the glass of the apartment, the earth in pots dries out very quickly. You need to water balcony tomatoes every day, and on especially hot days - even twice a day.
Tomatoes are fed at least three times per season, here you also need to be careful - if you overfeed the plants, they will grow instead of giving strength to the fruits.
Pinch not all varieties of tomatoes are needed, but only those that give too many lateral shoots. Usually, information on the need for pinching is indicated on the seed bag. In any case, the shoots should be broken off, leaving no more than 0.5 cm.
Better to tie up any balcony tomatoes - so it will be easier for the plant to withstand the weight of the fruit. Tall varieties need mandatory tying, next to them a support is installed at the stage of transplanting seedlings. Gradually, the stem is tied up higher and higher as it grows.
Using balcony varieties, you can feed your family with fresh vegetables not only in summer, these tomatoes can grow even in winter. And the owner must decide which variety to prefer on his own - today there are several dozen indoor hybrids and varieties of tomatoes.
