Miniature bushes with tomato crumbs - garden decoration: "Caramel" tomato and tips for growing it

Tomatoes appeared in Europe at the dawn of the 17th century. And now, centuries later, this vegetable has occupied an honorable niche on the culinary table and in the garden plots of gardeners. From a variety of varieties, shapes, colors, sizes and taste of the fruit, eyes run up: round and oval, black and red, sweet and sour.

Among all tomatoes, those that have an interesting appearance and original taste stand out especially. One of these varieties is the Caramel tomato, which will be discussed further.

Description of the variety

Caramel tomatoes are a hybrid bred by breeders. In hybrids, they try to combine the strengths of different varieties. For example, in Caramel it means resistance to disease and bad weather. Also, the variety fell in love with many because of its high yield and excellent taste. Detailed characteristics and descriptions are presented below.

Subspecies Red Caramel

Tomato bushes Caramel red are neat and serve as a real decoration of the garden. However, they reach a height of 2 m, so a garter and pinning are required.

There are a lot of leaves, they are distinguished by a strong density and dark green color. Tomatoes are small, rich scarlet color. The aroma is classic, sweetish.

Tomatoes ripen in bunches, 40-50 pieces each. The pulp is very juicy, with a high content of vitamins B and C.

Grown both under the film and under the open sky. They are well stored and transported.

Subspecies Caramel yellow

The Yellow Caramel ripens early, approximately 90 days after planting. Tomatoes resemble plums and have a pleasant yellow tint. Gardeners collect about 4 kg of ripe tomatoes from 1 square meter. The variety is great for whole canning and cooking.

Experienced gardeners grow the variety exclusively in greenhouses and greenhouses. The plant is sensitive to soil, so you need to regularly feed the bushes. In addition, the variety must be tied up and formed into bushes.

Distinctive features

Caramel variety is characterized as indeterminate, reaches a height of about 2.3 m. The stem is powerful, long. The plant is not afraid of a long absence of sun or spring frosts. Even an inexperienced gardener can get a rich harvest of Caramel.

Characteristics of tomatoes, productivity

Tomatoes reach a maximum of 3 cm in diameter, the average weight of one is about 30-35 g. The color is even, deep red. The skin is firm and smooth. Rounded shape, slightly elongated. The taste is juicy and rich.

Seedling preparation

Growing in seedlings will help the plant to give its first shoots faster and better adapt to climatic conditions. Therefore, it is important to comply with all the necessary requirements when preparing seedlings.

Seed preparation

Since Caramel is a hybrid, seeds are purchased only in stores. The bag contains all information about the manufacturer, as well as tips for planting. Pay attention to seed treatment first. Some gardeners claim that the seeds of the hybrids have already been pretreated with disinfectants.

However, it will not be superfluous to carry out the operation again on your own. We use a solution of hydrogen peroxide for this:

• take a 3% solution and heat it to 40 degrees;
• place the seeds in a cloth bag;
• immerse it in the solution for 10 minutes;
• take out and pour the seeds onto a napkin;
• leave on a napkin until dry.

Important! In addition to processing, the seeds must be coated. This saturates young shoots with nutrients and vitamins. We recommend the Zircon solution - soak the seed in it for 3 hours. It increases germination, develops disease resistance.

Capacity and soil

The best seedling soil is a mixture of garden soil, humus, and vermiculite. The latter is a natural material that performs a number of important functions:

• makes the soil looser and more water-consuming (for the greatest effect, manure or grass is added to it);
• sprouts develop faster, while vermiculite strengthens their root system;
• reduces the risk of developing fungal infections;
• saturates the sprouts with magnesium, calcium and iron.

Important! Before planting seedlings, 3-4 tablespoons of vermiculite are added to each hole.

As for the seedling container, any clean and dry boxes, boxes, pots will do. If there is no such container at home, then in the shop for gardeners you can always find special cassettes or containers.

Sowing

Seeds are planted for seedlings 2 months before the intended planting in the ground. Earth is poured into the prepared container, holes are made in it with the help of a small cutting, seeds are placed in them and sprinkled with earth on top.

The sprouts should be 10-15 cm apart. It is better to cover the container with seedlings from above with cling film, after having abundantly watered the seedlings with warm water.

Growing and care

Place the sprouts in a warm, well-lit area. Seedlings love warmth and sun, so choose the brightest spot in your home. The first watering is after 7-10 days. In no case do not water the seedlings with cold tap water, as the hybrid can become infected with microbes. As soon as the first shoots appear, we remove the film. Try to avoid drafts - this harms the seedlings.

After 20 days, we recommend organizing the first feeding. A solution with bird droppings is suitable for this. Do the subsequent feeding up to planting the plant on the site. Also, do not forget about hardening the seedlings. Take containers to the balcony, increasing the time of her stay every day. The procedure will help the plant quickly get used to climatic conditions.

How to grow tomatoes

Caramel is planted in mid-May. Gardeners from the southern regions boldly place the variety in open ground, and gardeners from central Russia are advised to plant a tomato in a greenhouse or greenhouse.

Landing

Land for planting is prepared in the fall. It is dug up, cleaned of weeds and previous plants. The best predecessors of Caramel are Bulgarian pepper, carrot, zucchini... Avoid planting in potato beds. In the spring, they are dug up again, all the garbage is burned. It will not be superfluous to water the ground with a solution of potassium permanganate - this will destroy the larvae and dangerous microorganisms.

Bushes are planted at a distance of 40-50 cm from each other. After planting, the beds are watered with warm water. Make sure that it does not get on the leaves and stems, otherwise there is a high risk of developing fungi and viruses. When planting, do not break the shoots and be careful.

Care

First of all, observe the watering regime. Avoid waterlogging the soil, otherwise the tomatoes may crack or, worse, get sick. It is better to water them in the evening or in the morning. For prevention purposes, milk or milk whey can be added to the water. The solution will not only moisturize, but also have a preventive effect against diseases and parasitic insects.

The beds need regular loosening. This gives the bushes more oxygen. Also, avoid overgrowing with weeds. Weeds take nutrients from tomatoes.

Due to their high growth, the bushes need to be shaped.Tie them to wooden stakes - they also need to be disinfected with potassium permanganate beforehand. Twine is great for a garter. Remember that Caramel will form stepchildren that should be removed every 7-10 days.

Important! Don't forget about mineral fertilizers and organic fertilizers. Liquid mullein, wood ash, urea, ammonium nitrate, superphosphate do an excellent job with this role. Alternate organics and minerals for the best plant nutrition.

Features of cultivation and possible difficulties

Most of all, tomatoes need nutrition with nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus. The lack of the latter reduces the degree of nitrogen absorption, which leads to a delay in the tying of the hands and the cessation of growth. The effect is called "mineral starvation", due to which the leaves acquire a gray-green color. To prevent this from happening, superphosphate is introduced at an early stage of development.

Remember that too much nitrogen is harmful. Useful substances go into the leaves, an increase in green mass appears, which is why the tomatoes lack nutrition. In addition, nitrates accumulate in tomatoes due to an excess of nitrogen.

Diseases and pests

Although the hybrid is resistant to many diseases, it is also susceptible to diseases and pests.

Most often in the garden you can find the Colorado potato beetle. This is especially true if the beds with potatoes and tomatoes are nearby. The beetle is able to destroy not only the leaves and stems, but also the fruits themselves. To prevent its appearance, treat Caramel with a solution of Bordeaux liquid. A dry concentrate or solution is sold in stores.

In addition to the beetle, the tomato can damage the wireworm. The insect enters the soil and eats the root system, as a result of which nutrients are not supplied to the plant. We recommend fighting the parasite with the help of Prestige or Bazudin preparations.

Of the diseases, the most common is the late blight fungus or the tobacco mosaic virus. Phytophthora manifests itself in the form of brown spots, in a mosaic in the form of yellow patterns on the leaves. The causes of diseases are high humidity and heat. For prophylaxis use "Fitosporin" or a solution based on wood ash.

The nuances of growing in open ground and in a greenhouse

In the open field under the tomatoes Caramel take a sunny place where cold winds do not penetrate. In no case should you plant a vegetable in low, damp areas where groundwater is close. All this creates unfavorable conditions for the root system.

In the greenhouse, it is important to maintain the temperature and humidity levels. Ventilate the area daily, especially in hot, dry summers. Experienced farmers advise making special vents for ventilation. Also, avoid waterlogging in the room. If it rained a lot, reduce the number of waterings. Inspect the plant regularly for signs diseases.

Harvesting and application of the crop

Caramel has an extended ripening period. Pinch the tops before picking vegetables. Remove the caramel tomatoes carefully, without damaging the unripe tomatoes. Do not overripe vegetables, this is harmful to the whole plant. Store vegetables in a cool, dry place. This way they will retain their nutrients and vitamins longer.

Like most small varieties, Caramel is used for whole canning. Both yellow and red tomatoes look delicious in the bank... In addition, lecho, ketchup, tomato juice and paste, adjika are made from them. For piquancy, add cloves, a mixture of Provencal herbs, bay leaf and dill.

Caramel is tasty and fresh. For example, salads and sandwiches are made from it, added to side dishes and soups. The sweet and sour taste goes well with chicken and poultry.

Advantages and disadvantages of the variety

The advantages of the Caramel variety are its excellent taste and original appearance.The variety is fruitful and versatile in use. With proper care, it is recommended for growing in all regions of the country. Caramel is planted as in greenhouses, and in the open air. The plant has excellent immunity to disease.

Of the minuses, they note the need to form a bush, namely, the obligatory garter and pinching. Otherwise, Caramel is not inferior to other popular hybrids.

Farmers reviews

Internet opinions of farmers about Caramel are not always unambiguous.

Elena, Tatarstan: “I really love cherry and small tomatoes. In my opinion, this is better than large and uncomfortable vegetables. The Caramel variety was planted last year for the first time and I liked it. There is no hassle in leaving, but the taste of tomatoes is honey. "

Evgeniya, Voronezh region: “Yellow Caramel is a great outdoor hybrid. I water it and fertilize it three times a season with grass and manure. I collect them for a long time, I use them mainly in canned form. "

Maria, Moscow region: “Brushes tied quickly, there were few stepsons. But a month later the plant got sick with a black leg - it was necessary to destroy 3 bushes. I followed all the rules and did prophylaxis, I don't know why the disease developed. I haven’t decided to plant yet or not ”.

Conclusion

Tall bushes of the Caramel variety will yield tasty small tomatoes, and the rich yellow color will brighten your garden. The tomato is unpretentious in care, although it needs to be shaped. Suitable for growing in any climate. Remember that he loves feeding and fertilizing. The "caramel" vegetable will suitably decorate both a festive table and a simple family dinner.