Who said that for the cultivation of tomatoes, it is necessary to acquire a garden? This wonderful culture will perfectly feel on an ordinary balcony of the apartment. In our article, you will read which tomato varieties are suitable for balcony cultivation, what are the features of planting plants and care for it.
What kind of tomato varieties can be grown on the balcony
If you wish to plant tomatoes in your apartment, pay attention to dwarf varieties with a small bush and minor fruits. The fact is that high bushes grown in greenhouses and in the open soil need a special formation, otherwise they will not give good crops. In addition, ordinary varieties of tomatoes have a developed root system, requiring a spacious area and a significant amount of soil. However, among tall species there are those that can be raised on the loggia. Below we will deal with more details, which tomatoes are grown on the balcony.
Low graft Tomatov
- Popular low-speed types of tomatoes include "secret Tim", "Minibel" and "Florida Petit". Plants are fruit for 16-17 days, tomatoes ripen very early and, as a rule, simultaneously. These dwarf bushes have first inflorescences at the level of 5-6 leaves, the remaining flowers appear by 1-2 sheets above. After 2-3 inflorescences bloom on the main escape, it ceases to grow, and further development goes into stepsin. In place of flowers grows from 5 to 7 tomatoes of a small round shape. The weight of one tomato is no more than 20 g. The color of mature fruits is bright red.
- Another common variety of tomatoes for the balcony is "Angelica". These tomatoes are considered very early, the period between the appearance of the first sprouts and the ripening of fruits is approximately 80 days. As a rule, with "Angelica" bushes, you can collect all tomatoes even before the flash of phytoofluorosis occurs. The inflorescences of this variety begins to form at the level of 7-8 leaves, the subsequent flowers are located 1-2 sheets above. With the advent of 3 flowers on the main branch, the escape stops development, and the growth of the bush continues stepsok. In place of each inflorescence matures from 8 to 10 tomatoes. Fruit shape is a bit elongated, egg-shaped, has a pointed bulge at the end. The fruits are relatively large, their weight ranges from 40-70 g. When ripening tomatoes, the tomatoes acquire a saturated red color.
- The low-spirited grade "Pearl" is also perfect for growing on the balcony or on the loggia. The bush of this plant reaches a height of no more than 40 cm, each complies gives from 3 to 7 fruits. The form of tomatoes is rounded and a little elongated, the weight of the tomatoes is small - 10-20 g. In immature form of fruits have a whitish shade, which subsequently turns into a pink with a pearl tide. Fully mature tomato has a raspberry tint. Tomatoes "Pearl" are valued for their excellent taste, which is due to the high content of sugars and mineral salts. Another advantage of this variety is his unpretentiousness. This type of tomatoes perfectly transfers cold and severe heat, moisture shortage and insufficient feeding.
Cocktail varieties of tomatoes
- "Butterfly" is a tall grade, whose bush grows up to 1.5 m. It is an integersmannant plant, that is, the growth of its main escape is not limited to a certain amount of inflorescences. "Butterfly" refers to medium-gray species, and he received its name due to unusual, strongly branched inflorescences, on each of which grows from 20 to 50 fruits. Tomatoes of this variety have an elongated egg shape and a smooth surface. The weight of fruits is small, from 25 to 30 g, in the ripe format the tomatoes acquire a bright crimson. In addition to the excellent taste, Tomatoes "Butterfly" have good antioxidant properties due to the content of the alcohol.
- Ballerinka varieties are 1.5-1.8 m high. This plant relates to industrumant cultures, has simple inflorescences, each of which gives from 6 to 8 tomatoes. The fruits of this variety are smooth, the form resemble a pear, their weight ranges from 35-50 g. When ripening the ballerinka tomatoes are becoming bright pink.
- A highly good yield has a tall variety of tomatoes with the name "Romantic". Its bushes are achieved in a height of at least 1.5 m, have short interstices. At each inflorescence, up to 8-10 fruits are formed. Tomato shape rounded or flat-core, mass is about 50 g. Ripe fruits have a red color with a yellowish brown tide.
Tomatoes Cherry Variety
A good cultivation variety on the balcony is Cherry Tomatoes. There are several types of their varieties:
- "Cherry" red is a mid-veterinary grade of a semi-technicenant type. The first inflorescences are forming at 10 sheets, subsequent growing on 2-3 leaves above. Each inflorescence matches a rather large number of small rounded brightly red tint tomatoes. Mass of one fetus small - approximately 15-20 g
- "Cherry" yellow refers to determined varieties with an average maturation. This culture is cold-resistant, so it is often grown in open soil or in unheated greenhouses. At about 8-9 sheet level, the first inflorescences appear. After 4-6 inflorescences grow on the stem, the escape stops developing, and the growth of the bush goes into the steps. Mature fruits have a lot of 10 to 15 g, painted in bright yellow color, possess a rounded form.
- "Cherry" black is the most unusual variety of this culture, has a rather spectacular form thanks to small fruits painted in a purple brown tint. The bushes in the black "Cherry" are large, up to 1.5 m in height. Culture refers to industrumant plants. Each inflorescence grows from 15 to 25 tomatoes, the mass of fruits is about 18-20 g.
- Pink "Cherry" refers to the secondary cultures of the inteterminant type. A bush of this plant reaches a height of about 1.5 m, the first inflorescences are formed at the level of 9-10 leaves. Each inflorescence matures from 18 to 22 fruits. The form of tomatoes is a bit elongated, ovoid, the weight of each fetus is approximately 20-22 g. Mature tomatoes are painted into a rich raspberry-red shade.
Cultivation of seedlings of tomatoes
Planting seeds
To get from every bush of tomatoes abundant harvest with high-quality fruits, it is important to pay attention to each of the steps of growing culture and care for it, and it should be started with the right sowing of seeds. A good time to implement such a job is the period from February to April. From what month you will sing the grain, the harvest time depends. If the seeds are planted in February, tomatoes will cause June by last week. If you land in March, ready-made tomatoes can be assembled at the beginning of autumn.
So that the sprouts made their way faster, the tomato seeds should be soaked overnight in water, the temperature of which is about 50 ° C. It is best to do it in a thermos. Type the capacity of the appropriate temperature into the container, place the grain into the tissue bag and lower it into the thermos, closing it over the night with a lid.
Before you grow tomatoes on the balcony, it is also important to take care of the preparation of the soil. It can be purchased at the store or take from the garden, and then pour into a wide but shallow containers. On the surface of the earth to do sulcus depth of not more than 1 cm, a little sprinkle clean water, plant the seeds and sprinkle another layer of earth. tank top should be covered with plastic wrap.
To obtain a strong and healthy seedlings, tomato seeds to the balcony better temper. And if you are going to plant culture on an open balcony or loggia, the tempering is a necessary procedure. So that the grain used to the cold, place the seed container in the refrigerator or in the cellar for 2 days. After this time, move the seedlings in a warm room. Do not forget to ventilate the room every day, where the seedlings, as well as keep the soil moist. For watering the soil is best to use a spray, so as not to erode the ground and avoid excess moisture.
Care of seedlings
The first shoots will appear a few days after sowing. From this point it is important to ensure good coverage of seedlings, or seedlings will be extended greatly and will be weak. When planting seeds in March and April, it will be enough to find a room with seedlings very bright place and put the container back. If the seeds were planted in February, when the length of daylight hours is still insufficient, provide seedlings additional light sources. If the apartment is facing the north side, also provide better tomatoes on the balcony additional lighting. A lamp that illuminates the seedlings should be included in the morning and evening for at least 2-3 hours.
It is important to take care of moistening the germs. Ideal for watering considered melt water. It virtually no harmful substances, moreover, it is much softer than the water from the tap. If possible get the kind of water you do not, do not worry, you can use ordinary tap water, to defend the 2-3 days in an open vessel. As a rule, for several days to evaporate from the liquid chlorine, and heavy materials settle to the bottom of the dish. Moisturizing sprouts, use only the upper water and the rest discarded.
Watch out for wet soil, being careful not to overdry it, but also preventing the stagnation of excess moisture. At night, the young shoots should be covered with plastic wrap.
swordplay seedlings
Before planting tomatoes on the balcony in constant pots, it is necessary to recruit seedlings, that is, seed plants in separate containers. Picking is carried out when 2 real leaves appear on each sprout. After preparing the nutrient soil and filling it with small pots or cups, you can proceed to business. With the help of the fork, carefully remove the sprouts from the total capacity, trying not to damage their gentle roots. Then pick up the saplings in the pots, knocking them to the level of the cotyledon. Pour the soil and put the seedlings for 1 day in the shaded place, then transfer the containers again into the lighted room.
Tomato Care
When cultivating tomatoes on the balcony should pay due attention to the care of seedlings. One of the components of good care is the correct and timely watering. At this time it is important to prevent soil cuts, but also avoid excessive humidity. The irrigation of seedlings should be carried out in the morning and in the evening, the morning watering should be a little more abundant. Do not forget every evening to check the level of humidity of the soil. For example, if water did not have time to evaporate from the soil during the cloudy weather during the day, then you can not water the tomatoes for the night.
For good growth and development, seedlings should be picked up by fertilizers. This is done as follows:
- The first time feeding to the soil is made on day 12 after the appearance of the first sprouts. Fertilizer makes from urea, dissolving 1 tsp. Funds in 3 liters of water. The resulting composition is made under the roots of plants in 2 tbsp. for every escape.
- 10 days after the first feeding, you can easily feel tomatoes again. For this purpose, it is best to use the complex organic fertilizer "Ross". 1 tbsp. The substances are diluted in 3 liters of water, after which they are poured 100 g of a mixture for each sprout.
- The third time the plants fade about 7 days before making them to the balcony for permanent cultivation. 1 Article. Nitroposki is bred in 3 liters of water, and then contribute to 200 g of composition in every pot with tomatoes.
For uniform growth of seedlings and receiving direct beautiful stalks, do not forget every 2-3 days to deploy pots the opposite side to the light source. The room temperature in the afternoon should be maintained at 20˚C, and at night to be at least 10˚C. When spring frosts pass, and the temperature on the street will not fall below 5˚C, the seedlings can be taken to an open balcony and leave there for several hours. If you have a glazed loggia in your house, then saplings can be left there on the floor as soon as at night the temperature on the street will stop falling below 0˚C.
Tomato transplant for permanent location
To find out, at what age tomato seedlings can be transplanted into constant pots, carefully examine information on bags with seeds. As a rule, most varieties are transferred to constant growth capacities when tomatoes reach a 30-day age. You can also navigate the roots of seedlings. As soon as they fill the entire volume of the glass, feel free to transplanted the plants in large containers.
For planting tomatoes on the balcony, give preference to the pots in the form of a cylinder. Soil must be fertile, since it is possible to further fertilize tomatoes only when the roots rise sufficiently. The drawing schedule is as follows:
- 14-18 days after you rearrange the tank with the seedl of the balcony, you can give fantasy plants. To do this, operate in 10 liters of water 1 tsp. Urea and pour each root of 1 cup of the resulting liquid.
- The second time the tomatoes fertilize a week. It is best to use a complex means "Effectton" as a second feeding. 2 tbsp. Substances dissolve in 10 liters of water, and then pour under each bush of 250 ml of composition.
- After that, tomatoes need to fertilize every 10 days with sodium humate. 1 tbsp. The liquid substance is diluted in 10 liters of water and bring under each root of 1 l of the resulting composition. Continue feeding should be held throughout the summer. In addition, each month it is necessary to sprinkle the soil around the plants with wood ash. On 1 bush should have 2 tbsp. ash.
Tomatoes do not like cold, so for intensive growth of culture and rapid ripening of fruits, it is better to place pots with bushes on the southern or east side of the apartment. But the excessive heat acts on tomatoes in the best way, their shoots are pulled out, become thin and weak. In this regard, the glazed balcony in hot sunny days is needed well. The constant air temperature for tomatoes should not exceed 30˚C. The windows on the balcony can be closed with thin light curtains, and in particularly hot days you can make tanks with plants in the apartment. Lack of air, excessive heat, arid soil and poor lighting lead to the stretching of leaves, fading the inflorescences and falling as barring.
On an open loggia or a veranda, leave the pots with bushes from the last days of May, when the temperature at night holds above 15˚C. The irrigation of tomatoes should be carried out 1 time in 3-4 days, using a sufficiently large amount of water. The temperature of the fluid should be not lower than 20˚C. When watering, do not direct the powerful jet on the roots of the plants, otherwise you can blur the soil and damage the root system.
When most of the tomatoes are formed on the bushes, you need to cut the top of the main stem, and also remove the blooming brushes. If this is not done, the fruits will grow badly and will be small. It is not worth throwing tomatoes with fertilizers, because a small amount of inflorescences will be blossoming on a powerful and strong bush, and the crop will be small.
Tomatoes grown on the balcony do not have the ability to be polled naturally, so this task should be performed independently. When flowers bloom on the bushes, every morning the brush needs to gently shake. For better formation, irrigated tomatoes with a special preparation "Zajaz". Steying should be deleted in a timely manner, leaving only short hemps with a size of no more than 0.5 cm. During the flowering period, tomatoes can be filled with complex mineral composition.
Do not forget to disrupt ripe fruits from bushes in a timely manner, so that the other tomatoes have ripen. If torn tomatoes are acidic, leave them to lie on the lit place within 2-3 days.
Diseases and pests of tomatoes
Tomatoes growing in unnecessary raw rooms are subject to dangerous fungal diseases. To avoid fungi, try to air the balcony as often as possible, and also provide good lighting and sufficient air temperature by plants. It is possible as prevention to irrigate tomatoes of the Bordeaux mixture. To prepare such a tool, take a suitable glass container, fill it with 900 ml of water and dissolve 10 g of copper sulfate in it. In a separate container, mix 20 g of hawed lime and 100 ml of water. Continuously stirring the copper sulfate solution, gently enter lime milk into it. After that, the composition can be used. Store the Bordeaux mixture should not be 1 day.