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Tomato Cranberry in sugar takes one of the places of honor among the varieties of cherry tomatoes. This is a versatile variety that is unpretentious in maintenance and can be grown in any conditions, from open ground to a windowsill in your own home.
Description of the tomato variety Cranberry in sugar
The cranberry tomato in sugar was bred by domestic breeders from the Aelita agricultural company. Its creators: M. N. Gulkin, V. G. Kachainik and N. V. Nastenko. The variety has successfully passed all the studies and was officially included in the state register in 2012. There are no restrictions on terrain and methods of cultivation.
Cultivation methods of the variety:
- open ground;
- greenhouse;
- large boxes on the windowsill or balcony;
- outdoor cultivation in pots.
The decorative appearance of the plant allows you to grow it not only for obtaining fruits, but also for ennobling the appearance of the premises.
General description of sugar cranberry tomato
Tomato Cranberry in sugar is a low-growing determinant plant, as a rule, does not require formation and garter. Its height reaches 60 cm. Having reached the limiting point, the bush stops growing, and flower clusters appear at its top. When the tomato bears fruit intensively, clusters with small red fruits form on the brushes.
This is a standard tomato variety growing in the form of a compact tree without side shoots. Over time, the bush grows overgrown with small dark greenish leaves. The foliage is rare. The inflorescences of the plant are of a complex type, the peduncle has a characteristic articulation.
Additional information on the description of the tomato Cranberry in sugar - in the video:
Brief description and taste of fruits
As you can see from the photo, the sugar cranberry tomato produces small rounded dark red fruits slightly larger than a pea. They are very similar to cranberries, which is why the plant bears this name.
The average weight of one tomato is 15 - 18 g. In one nest there are 2 - 3 pieces at the same time.
The skin of the fruit is firm, thick, smooth and glossy. There is a slight ribbing around the peduncle. Thicker skins for greenhouse tomatoes. Less dense - in plants planted in open ground.
The pulp is juicy, medium firm, not watery, with a few small seeds. The fruits have a pronounced tomato aroma, sweetish taste with a distinct sourness.
Manufacturers of the variety recommend the use of sugar cranberry tomato for preparing fresh salads and preserving whole fruits. Due to its density, the peel does not crack during heat treatment.
Varietal characteristics
Cranberries in sugar are an early ripening plant that begins to bear fruit about 100 days after planting (80 days after seed germination).
If the care instructions are followed, the cranberries planted in the open field in sugar ripen in early June, and the fruiting period ends only in mid-September.
In a greenhouse with 1 sq. m. about 3 kg of tomatoes are harvested; in the open field, the yield of the variety may be less. Such indicators are considered high among other varieties of cherry tomatoes, but at the same time they are significantly inferior to other, larger varieties. Increase yields through regular feeding and adherence to watering recommendations.
Cranberry in sugar is resistant to adverse weather conditions and can be grown in any climatic region. Gardeners also note high resistance to late blight and fungal diseases.
Pros and cons of the variety
Benefits | disadvantages |
1. Bright and juicy taste. 2. Dense peel, thanks to which tomato fruits are used for pickling and salting. 3. A variety of cultivation methods. 4. High resistance of Cranberries in sugar to late blight and fungal attack. 5. The unpretentiousness of the variety in relation to climatic conditions, resistance to weather extremes. 6. The compact size of the bush, the growth of which is naturally limited in height. After which the bush develops only in width. 7. Tomato variety does not require a garter. Does not need pinning. 8. Low calorie content of fruits, making this variety ideal for dietary nutrition. 9. Undemanding care: even a novice gardener can handle the cultivation of Cranberries in sugar. 10. Attractive decorative appearance of the plant, due to which it can be used to decorate rooms. | 1. Low yields of Cranberries in sugar relative to larger varieties. 2. Sour notes on the palate. 3. Thick rind, which makes the fruit too tough when eaten fresh. 4. In ideal greenhouse conditions, a tomato bush can grow up to 1.6 m in length, contrary to the statements of the growers. 5. Risk of disease with mosaic virus. |
Another advantage of the variety is a rich supply of vitamins and minerals. The main beneficial properties of cranberry tomato in sugar include:
- lowering cholesterol levels;
- normalization of the cardiovascular system;
- improvement of the digestive tract.
Planting and care rules
In open ground, cranberry seeds in sugar are planted exclusively in areas with a warm climate. Planting the variety through seedlings is more common.
Sowing seeds for seedlings
Seed planting begins in mid-March. To increase germination, they must be soaked for 12 hours in a solution with a biostimulant.
The floating seeds are thrown away: they are empty and therefore cannot sprout.
For tomato seedlings of this variety, nutritious and loose soil is required. Substrate preparation:
- 2 pieces of turf;
- 2 parts of humus;
- 1 part river sand.
Seed planting procedure:
- Take containers 6 - 8 cm deep, thoroughly disinfect and fill with prepared soil. Sterilize the soil in a convenient way: by freezing or using steam. Smooth and lightly water the soil.
- Make depressions 2 - 3 mm and plant seeds in them at intervals of 4 - 5 cm.
- Form a thin layer of peat or sand on top. Spray from a spray bottle with settled water.
- Tighten containers with cling film and store in a dark place. The temperature should be 24 - 27 degrees.
- To prevent condensation from accumulating, the film must be removed once a day for 10 - 15 minutes. The soil must always be moist.
- After the sprouts of the cranberries in sugar sprout, you need to put the containers in a bright, warm place: window sills on the south side are perfect.
- After the formation of two pairs of leaves, the tomatoes must be carefully planted in separate containers.
- After 4 days, feeding with any universal fertilizer is recommended. Watering 1 - 2 times a week.
Transplanting seedlings
Planting seedlings of the Cranberry variety in sugar in open ground begins in mid-May. In greenhouses - from mid-April. The main thing is that at least 60 days have passed since landing.
Delays in planting can negatively affect the plant, slow down its growth and reduce yield. The seedling height for this class must not exceed 35 cm.
For 1 sq. m.5 plants are planted with an interval of at least 30 cm: one in the center and the rest in the corners. The best time to plant is on a warm, cloudy evening. It is recommended to moisturize the seedlings in 2 - 3 hours.
How to transplant Cranberries in sugar:
- Dig holes 6-10 cm deep in the soil. Sprinkle the bottom with a pinch of resin.
- The main thing when transplanting is to deeply deepen the root neck of the tomato to the first leaves and compact the ground.
- Pour 2 liters of water per 1 bush on the cranberries in sugar, cover with mulch.
- After transplanting, water the tomatoes every day for 4 - 5 days.
- After a week, loosen the space between the rows by 5 cm.
Tomato care
Cranberry in sugar is unpretentious in care. Regular watering and feeding is important for the plant.
Water the tomatoes in the morning with warm water. Before the formation of buds, watering is carried out once a week at the rate of 5 liters of water per 1 sq. m. During flowering and fruit set, the volume of water is recommended to be increased to 10 - 15 liters.
During the growing season Cranberries in sugar will be useful 2 - 3 feeding. The first is carried out 2 weeks after the transplant. You can feed the bushes with ammonium nitrate (2 tablespoons of solution for an average bucket of water).
After 3 weeks from the last feeding, Cranberries in sugar are fertilized with superphosphate (2 tablespoons per bucket of water). Each tomato bush should be watered with 0.5 liters of solution.
Conclusion
Tomato Cranberry in sugar is unpretentious in care, even a beginner can cope with its cultivation. This variety is also valued for its bright taste, the fruits can be eaten fresh or used for pickling and preservation. The characteristic sourness will add spice to sauces and main courses.
