Why black tomatoes are so attracted to summer residents

Tomatoes are one of the most beloved and popular crops among gardeners. There are a wide variety of varieties that vary in shape and color. They grow red, yellow, orange and even black tomatoes.

Black fruits have such a shade due to coloring agents (anthocyanin, carotenoid, chlorophyll). This variety of tomatoes is not very sensitive to changes in soil acidity, so it is easier to grow than other varieties.

Features of black tomatoes

The advantage of black tomatoes is their rich taste, since the pulp contains a large amount of sugar and organic acids, and a bright aroma.

The anthocyanin contained in these tomatoes has an antitumor effect on the human body, increases immunity, inhibits the aging process, and improves the functioning of the cardiovascular system.

Many other substances contained in this product have a positive effect on human health:

1. Thanks to lycopene, the activity of the prostate gland in men is normalized.
2. Provitamin A improves vision.
3. The complex of useful substances helps to increase the tone in the body, activates sexual function.

However, tomatoes can also have a negative effect on the body. So, it is not recommended to eat them for elderly people, as well as those suffering from osteoporosis and joint diseases.

Important! It is not the tomatoes themselves that are harmful, but the acids they contain. They can provoke a spasm of the gallbladder with gallstone disease.

The use of this product in large quantities leads to the accumulation of calcium in the body, the deposition of salts. This causes the formation of kidney stones, contributes to the erosion of tooth enamel.

How to grow black tomatoes

Given the variety of varieties, each of them needs an individual approach in matters of cultivation and care. However, general recommendations can be distinguished regardless of the particular variety.

It is recommended to plant tomatoes at the beginning of February.

During cultivation and care, the use of chemicals and mineral fertilizers should be limited and, if possible, replaced with organic ones.

Weekly, especially after rain, tomato bushes should be sprayed with a solution of "Trichodermina" - a biological preparation that protects plants from fungus. For this purpose, kefir, kvass, garlic infusion or whey from sour milk are also suitable.

Tie up the bushes regularly so that the fruits do not touch the soil. Dark tomatoes have very thin, delicate skins and juicy flesh, which are easily targeted by various infections and attacked by pests.

Bushes of dark varieties grow quite intensively, constantly forming new brushes and reaching a height of more than 1.5 m. bush).

Soil preparation

Tomato beds are placed in well-lit areas that are protected from strong winds. It is better to choose a place where cucumbers, pumpkins or zucchini, as well as cabbage, onions or carrots, used to grow. If potatoes, peppers or eggplants were grown on the site, then tomatoes on this soil can be planted only after 3-4 years.

The soil should be light and loose, it should be good for water and air.The structure of clay soil is further improved with coarse sand (9 kg per 1 sq. M) and chopped straw (grass).

Since autumn, after harvesting, the site for future tomato beds is freed from weeds. During autumn plowing, organic fertilizers are applied to the ground at the rate of 5-8 kg of humus or compost per 1 sq. m plot.

Additionally, mineral dressing is scattered: per 1 sq. m use about 50 g of superphosphate (or 25 g of potassium salt). The dose of such fertilizers is adjusted depending on the fertility of the soil, in accordance with the instructions for the preparations.

Then the site is dug to a depth of 25 cm. The larvae of pests found are destroyed and the remnants of the roots are removed (plants often suffer from sprout flies, due to which the leaves of tomatoes can turn yellow). There is no need to level the soil - this way the moisture is better retained.

Already in the spring, the soil should be fertilized: 1 kg of bird droppings and wood ash, as well as 25 g of ammonium sulfate per 1 sq. m. After top dressing, the site is dug up and leveled.

Then small furrows are made at intervals of about 1 m from each other. It is convenient to make beds about 80 cm wide, with sides about 5 cm high.

Seed preparation

First, you need to select viable seeds: conduct a visual inspection and set aside all damaged specimens, as well as those that have an uncharacteristic shade of the shell.

To confirm the viability of future tomatoes, you need to carry out the following procedure:

1. Prepare a saline solution at the rate of 50 g of salt per 1 liter of water at room temperature.
2. Pour tomato seeds into a container with a solution and stir with a wooden stick for two minutes.
3. Drain all instances that have surfaced.
4. Rinse the seeds that have settled to the bottom in clean water and dry them - they will be used for sowing.

Seed material must be disinfected in a solution of potassium permanganate, which will reduce the risk of infection of future tomato seedlings with fungal diseases.

Sowing step-by-step instructions

Step 1... Place tomato seeds in a small saucer and select only the sprouted ones.

Step 2. To plant seeds, you need ordinary tweezers, with the help of which the seed is moved from the saucer into the ground, one seed at a time.

Step 3. As a planting container, you can use any container or plastic cup. Pour the damp potting mix into it and make some shallow grooves with a screwdriver or other object.

Step 4. Spread out the seeds with tweezers. The approximate distance between them is 1.5-2 cm.

Step 5. Sprinkle with earth. This can be done with a spoon or finger. Then lightly compact the soil.

Step 6. Spray the soil surface with a spray bottle.

Step 7. Cover the container with foil or ordinary glass and leave it on a warm windowsill. The first shoots should appear in about 7-8 days. After that, the glass must be removed and the seedlings must be allowed to develop fully, with additional lighting and watering.

Follow-up care

Any plants require care. In order for tomato seedlings to grow evenly, you need to regularly turn the sowing container relative to the window.... This procedure is performed to protect the stem from bending towards the light source.

The temperature should not be lower than 24 ° C. This indicator should be ensured until the first shoots appear, that is, approximately 7-10 days. When the temperature drops below the recommended level, seedlings may appear much later.

Before picking, you do not need to water the seedlings abundantly: watering should be moderate so that the soil does not dry out, but also does not become too wet. For irrigation, it is advisable to use warm water (temperature not lower than 24 ° C).

Planting and caring for seedlings in the open field

Requirements for planting seedlings of black tomatoes on open ground the following:

• the cotyledon leaves should not touch the soil;
• before planting, seedlings must be treated with boric acid;
• planting is best done in cloudy weather, otherwise the plant will burn;
• the ground must be watered with a solution of potassium permanganate and a hot solution of a mullein.

Care for the planted seedlings is as follows:

1. It is imperative to remove stepchildren, as they will slow down the ripening process.
2. 20 days after planting, you need to do the first feeding of black tomatoes with nitrophoska.
3. The second feeding is carried out immediately after the appearance of the second flower cluster; chicken manure is used for fertilization.
4. The third top dressing is done with mineral fertilizers after the appearance of the third flower cluster.

Prevention of diseases and pests

Fungal diseases include various types of rot. The most common ones are black, gray and white.

Plant treatment methods in this case are as follows:

• seedlings need to be sprayed with copper chloride;
• remove dead leaves;
• fertilize the soil with "Trichodermin" one week before the intended planting.

Fighting viral diseases is difficult. The activities are of a preventive nature. It is important to maintain optimal conditions for growing seedlings and keep them clean.

Here are the steps to take:

• to prevent late blight, 30 days after planting, the culture should be treated with Fitosporin;
• plant tomatoes at a distance from previous planting sites;
• destroy weeds;
• thoroughly disinfect containers for planting, greenhouses.

To combat insects, crops should be planted next to the vegetable that repel aphids and other pests.

Review of popular varieties and reviews of summer residents

According to the method of growing, varieties of black tomatoes are divided into those that are grown in the greenhouse, and those that grow well in the open field.

Open ground varieties

For growing tomatoes, which are more sensitive to low temperatures, in the spring, you can use a film cover. For planting in open ground in central Russia, varieties of black tomatoes are suitable, a description of which you will find below.

Black Prince

The crop is fruitful, of medium height, the bush is spreading, therefore it requires a garter. The variety ripens quickly, is grown through seedlings. Seeds are sown at the end of February.

The first ovaries begin to form in mid-June. The fruits have a dark red hue, their weight ranges from 150 to 450 g. Regular watering will ensure a good harvest. Due to its thin skin, the Black Prince variety does not tolerate transportation well. It is added to salads, sauces and juice.

According to summer residents, seed germination is high, seedlings can be grown without much difficulty, tomatoes delight with good taste and a bountiful harvest.

Black moor

The variety is considered mid-season and determinant. The crop can be harvested in 115-125 days from the moment of germination. The bushes grow up to a meter in height, 7-10 fruits grow on one brush, which weigh about 50 g. They are dark red in color, oval in shape and dense skin.

Stepsons of this variety must be cut off. Black Moor can be eaten fresh or preserved.

Gardeners respond extremely positively to this variety, they call it fruiting and "responsive" to feeding. They also note that tomatoes ripen well in boxes, have a rich taste both fresh and canned.

Black icicle

The variety belongs to the indeterminate medium early species. The growing season of the plant lasts 90-110 days.... The variety is quite fruitful. 6-9 fruits are formed on one hand. For cultivation, it is worth leaving 3-4 stems. The tomato is adapted to unfavorable weather conditions and is resistant to diseases.

In the reviews, summer residents admire the variety's ability to actively set fruit. Those who have previously grown the Black Icicle tomato are praised for its sweet and delicate taste, as well as its versatility of use.

Greenhouse varieties

Greenhouse seedlings are planted earlier, as the greenhouse protects the plant from frost and adverse weather conditions.Below are the popular varieties of black tomatoes for greenhouse cultivation.

Black Crimea

The variety is medium early, it takes 70-80 days to ripen. Bushes grow up to 1.8 m. Black Crimea is intended only for for growing in a greenhouse and is fairly resistant to disease.

The fruits are ribbed, flat-round in shape (see photo). Before the final ripening, they have a green-brown color, and after that they turn black. The weight of one fruit is 500 g. Tomatoes are consumed fresh, added to salads, and juice is prepared from them. The crop is not stored for long.

Reviews about this variety are positive. Among the pluses, mention is made of high yield and special taste.

De Barao black

De Barao variety black is indeterminate. It is resistant to various diseases and gives a good harvest. The tomato can grow up to 3 m in height, so it is intended for growing in tall greenhouses.

One bush gives from 6 to 7 kg of fruit. The fruits themselves weigh 40-70 g, have a rounded shape and a dark purple hue. This variety is stored for a long time and easily tolerates transportation.

Tomatoes can be preserved and consumed fresh. Summer residents say that this variety is ideal for harvesting for the winter.

Bison black

This variety can be classified as determinant and mid-late. The bushes reach a height of 1.5-1.8 m. They need to be tied up and removed by the stepsons. The ribbed fruits are flat-round and dark purple in color. Their weight is about 300 g.

Tomatoes have a sweet and juicy pulp. They can be consumed fresh, added to salads and other dishes, but this variety is not suitable for canning. You can prepare juice and various sauces from these fruits.

Most farmers produce good yields and good taste in the variety. Of the minuses, cracking is mentioned.

Conclusion

Now you know which tomatoes are called black and what low-growing black tomatoes look like, and you also understand the varieties of black tomatoes. It should be borne in mind that a tomato can bring not only benefits, but also harm to the human body.

To grow black tomatoes, you need to plant seedlings and plant them outdoors or in a greenhouse. Throughout the entire time, the plant requires care and feeding.