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Recently, cherry tomatoes have become more and more popular. Indeterminate and standard, with simple or complex brushes, of different colors and shapes, they are all small in size and have an excellent rich taste, sometimes with fruity notes. They are used to decorate various dishes, it is not for nothing that these tomatoes are sometimes called cocktail tomatoes. They can be dried as they are high in solids and sugars. Cherry tomatoes look great in marinades. But most of all they bring joy to children, since they are eaten clean by them directly from the bush. Small consumers love these vegetables for their taste, and adults also appreciate them for their undeniable benefits.
The history of cherry tomatoes
After the tomatoes were introduced to Europe, small-fruited tomatoes were cultivated on the Greek island of Santorini. They loved the island's volcanic soil and dry climate. The history of varietal cherry dates back to 1973. It was then that the first cultivated varieties of small-fruited tomatoes were obtained by Israeli breeders. They were sweet, stored well, and withstood transport very well. Since then, cherry tomatoes have spread all over the world, and their varieties and hybrids are becoming more and more.
Among them there are both tall and very crumbs. We will introduce you to one of them today. This is a Pinocchio tomato, the full characteristics and description of which are presented below. Here is his photo.
Description and characteristics
Tomato Pinocchio was included in the State Register of Breeding Achievements in 1997. It is recommended for cultivation in all regions of our country. Initially, the Pinocchio tomato was intended for outdoor cultivation, but many gardeners quickly realized that a small plant with a compact root system would do well on balcony and is quite suitable for indoor culture.
The State Register positions it as a mid-season variety, but manufacturing companies, for example, Sedek, consider it an early-season one.
The Pinocchio tomato belongs to the standard varieties and is super determinant. He does not need pinching at all, a strong bush should not need a garter. Low, only up to 30 cm bushes do not give strong roots.
Pinocchio's yield is not very high. Many manufacturers promise up to 1.5 kg per bush, but in reality it is less. A compacted planting allows you to get a larger yield per unit area, since the tomato bushes are compact and do not take up much space. The leaf of a plant is of an intermediate type between tomato and potato. It is dark green in color, slightly wrinkled. At the time of fruiting, the bushes, strewn with small fruits, are very decorative.
Pinocchio, like all superdeterminate tomatoes, is tipped early, that is, it ends its growth. Therefore, gardeners sometimes plant beds with taller tomatoes with Pinocchio plants. It yields quickly and does not interfere with the growth of other tomatoes.
- there are many clusters of tomatoes on the bush, each of which can have up to 10 fruits;
- the weight of one tomato ranges from 20 to 30 g;
- the shape of the fruit is round, and the color is bright red;
- the taste is very pleasant, tomato, sweetish with a slight sourness;
- The purpose of Pinocchio tomatoes is universal - they are tasty fresh, marinate perfectly, and are good in other preparations.
In order for the description and characteristics of the Pinocchio tomato to be complete, it should be mentioned that this plant is resistant to the main diseases of tomatoes, thanks to its early maturity, it manages to give fruits before the appearance of phytophthora.
This tomato is grown in the open field, but more and more gardeners acquire its seeds in order not only to decorate a balcony or loggia with it, but also to get a harvest of tasty and healthy tomatoes at home. But wherever you grow a Pinocchio tomato, you need to start with seedlings.
Growing seedlings
The timing of sowing seeds for seedlings depends on where the plant will continue to exist. For open ground, sowing can begin in late March or early April. For a balcony culture, you can sow it earlier, since the pots with plants can always be moved into the room in case of a cold snap. For growing on a windowsill, a Pinocchio tomato is sown in the fall in order to get ready-made seedlings by the beginning of winter.
The purchased seeds, as well as those collected from their tomatoes in the garden, are prepared for sowing: they are pickled in a solution of potassium permanganate. For the desired effect, its concentration should be 1%. The seeds should not be kept in the solution for longer than 20 minutes, so that they do not lose their germination. Next, you need to soak them in a solution of epin, humate, zircon. These substances not only increase the energy of seed germination, but also stimulate the immunity of the future plant. The exposure time is from 12 to 18 hours.
Seeds are sown immediately after soaking into prepared soil from equal parts of humus, leaf or turf soil and purchased peat soil. Adding ash to the mixture - a 10 liter glass and superphosphate - st. spoon for the same amount will make the soil more nutritious. Sowing is best done in separate cassettes or pots - 2 seeds each. If both plants sprout, the strongest is left, the second is carefully cut off at soil level.
The root system of small tomatoes grows slowly and simply cannot master the volume of a large pot, the soil will acidify, which will have a bad effect on the development of the plant in the future.
To successfully grow seedlings, you need an optimal temperature - about 22 degrees, good and sufficient lighting in time - daylight hours should last at least 12 hours and timely moderate watering. Water the Pinocchio tomatoes only with settled water at room temperature. This should be done when the topsoil is completely dry.
Top dressing is done once a decade with a soluble complex mineral fertilizer with the obligatory content of trace elements. Every 3-4 weeks, you need to transplant into a larger container. The root system must be carefully protected from damage and the plants must be transferred with a clod of earth without shaking it off.
Features of growing in soil
Pinocchio tomatoes are planted only in warm ground. Its temperature should not be less than 15 degrees.
Tomatoes need weekly watering, top dressing every 10-15 days, loosening the earth after watering and double hilling with damp soil. Pinocchio tomatoes are watered only with warm water. This should be done no later than 3 hours before sunset. Watering is necessary only at the root, the leaves should not be wetted, so as not to create conditions for the occurrence of late blight. For 1 sq. m beds can be planted up to 6 plants, but they feel better if the distance of 50 cm between the bushes is maintained.
We grow tomatoes on the balcony
A loggia or balcony facing south, southeast or southwest is suitable for this.On the northern balcony, Pinocchio's tomato will not have enough light and its development will be very slow. The growing soil must be fertile enough as the tomato will grow in an enclosed space. It is prepared in the same way as for growing seedlings.
Many gardeners believe that a 2 liter pot is enough for this variety. But according to the reviews of those who grew Pinocchio tomato on the balcony, it feels better in a container of at least 5 liters. It is very convenient to use cut-off five-liter plastic bottles, in which it is imperative to make holes to drain excess water when watering.
Tomatoes planted in an enclosed space are completely dependent on the care that the gardener provides them. Therefore, watering and feeding should be carried out in a timely manner.
The earthen coma in the pot must not be allowed to completely dry out. Tomatoes can respond to such an error in leaving by dropping flowers and ovaries. The fertility of the soil should also always be at a height, this will ensure a full harvest. You need to feed the plants at least once every 2 weeks, but with a weak solution of complex mineral fertilizer. After feeding, watering must be done. Do not forget to loosen the soil in the planting container so that air flows freely to the roots. If the weather is cloudy for a long time, the illumination with special phytolamps will not harm the tomatoes. For uniform illumination, even in sunny weather, containers with tomatoes are rotated 180 degrees daily. Pinocchio tomatoes growing on the balcony do not need pollination, as they pollinate on their own.
Growing on a windowsill
Slightly different from that on the balcony. The proportion of domestic tomatoes is important to maintain the correct temperature regime within 23 degrees during the day and 18 at night. Backlighting for these plants is a must. For full development, they need at least 12 hours of daylight. Homemade tomatoes are watered so that the entire earthen lump is completely wet. When feeding, first full fertilizers are given, and with the beginning of flowering and fruiting, potassium salt is additionally added to the fertilizer mixture.
The Pinocchio tomato will not give a gigantic harvest, but small decorative bushes will not only delight the eye with their appearance, but also provide delicious baby fruits.
I grow 2 plants in a box on a windowsill. This year, 4 crops are ripening and 2 brushes are blooming. I hope to get some of my tomatoes by the new year.