Bright and tasty decoration of the beds - tomato "Cranberry in sugar"
Cranberries in sugar are not only a vitamin dish with berries, but also a high-yielding tomato variety. It is grown in vegetable gardens and greenhouses, as well as at home on the balcony. Miniature fruits are distinguished by an unusual appearance and pleasant taste. Below we will tell you about the features of the variety and the secrets of agricultural technology that will help you get a rich harvest.
The content of the article
Description of the variety
Cranberry tomato in sugar bred by Russian breeders. The originator is Aelita agricultural company.
Early ripe determinant a variety grown in a greenhouse, in the open field, in the fresh air in flowerpots and boxes, as well as at home. Small fruit is combined in this variety with a high yield.
Fruits are red, round, smooth, with a dense glossy skin. Average weight - 12-15 g.
Growing seedlings
Regardless of the growing conditions (apartment window sill, greenhouse, open ground), the same agricultural technology is used. First you need to grow seedlings. Seeds are sown in the second decade of March.
Seed preparation
For better germination, seeds are soaked in a germination stimulator. During the soaking process, seeds that float to the surface are discarded.
Important! When using a germination stimulant, strictly follow the instructions for the preparation. Excessive concentration or overexposure can lead to seed death.
Capacity and soil
Sugar cranberry tomatoes need light but nutritious soil. You can use universal primers. The second option is to independently mix a substrate from fertile sod, humus and river sand in a ratio of 2: 2: 1.
It is recommended to sterilize the primer by heat or steam. There is another option - freeze. Before planting seeds, the soil is moderately watered and leveled.
For growing seedlings, containers with a depth of 7-8 cm are used.
Sowing
The seeds are placed in the grooves to a depth of 2-3 mm. The distance between the seeds is 3-4 cm. From above they are lightly sprinkled with peat or fine sand. They are slightly moistened with water at room temperature using a spray bottle.
Next, the containers are covered with glass or transparent film. Until sprouts appear, the containers are kept in a dark place at a temperature of 25-27 ° C. The soil should remain slightly damp. Once a day, glass or film is removed for 10-15 minutes for ventilation.
Seedling care
When the seeds have sprouted, containers with seedlings are placed in the lightest and warmest place. In case of insufficient lighting, crops are additionally illuminated with a phytolamp or a conventional fluorescent lamp.
After the appearance of two pairs of real leaves, the seedlings dive - they are seated in separate pots (you can use plastic and peat cups). In order not to damage the roots, the seedlings are dug out together with a clod of earth. To do this, use a wooden stick.
3-4 days after transplanting, the plants are fed with universal fertilizers for seedlings. Watering is done at least once a week.
Important! Water is poured along the edges of the pot, not at the root. It should be warm.
At this stage, the air temperature can be reduced to 18 ° C during the day and 15 ° C at night.
Growing tomatoes
Seedlings are planted in a permanent place in May. From the moment of planting the seeds, 50-60 days should pass. If tomatoes will grow in the open field, then it should warm up to 10 ° C at an outside air temperature of at least 15 ° C.Before planting, it is recommended to harden the seedlings - to take them outside for a short time.
Drop off time into the ground depends on the climate. Experienced gardeners are often guided by folk signs - bird cherry blossoms and blossoming birch leaves.
It is recommended to spray the seedlings with a boric acid solution: this reduces stress on the plant (1 g of acid per 1 liter of water).
They are planted in loamy soil. Wood ash and superphosphate are added to the hole under each plant. The distance between the holes is 45 cm, between the rows - at least 60 cm. Plants are advised to be planted in a checkerboard pattern.
Important! Tomatoes should not be planted in a garden where other nightshades grew before. Ideal “predecessors” are cucumbers, zucchini, onions, cabbage.
Care
Like other tomatoes, Cranberries in sugar require watering, loosening, feeding, and weeding. Compact bushes of this variety do not need to be tied or pinned. Before flowering, tomatoes are moderately watered in the morning with warm water once a week. After the buds appear, the plants require more frequent moisture.
Important! Drip preferred watering method... Water must not be poured at the root!
Top dressing is carried out every two weeks. During growth, the tomato requires nitrogen-containing fertilizers, and after the appearance of ovaries and fruits, potassium and phosphorus fertilizers.
Growing features
Caring for this variety, as a rule, is not difficult. With proper agricultural technology, fruiting begins in July and lasts until mid-September.
Diseases and pests
The variety is resistant to fusarium and late blightbut suffers from mosaic disease. It is a virus that disrupts the process of photosynthesis. Pale green dots appear on the leaves of the affected plant, which eventually turn into spots. The stems become brittle. Spots also appear on fruits.
The fight against mosaic disease lies in the proper care of tomatoes. It is important to maintain optimal temperature and humidity, as well as to regularly feed the plant, thereby strengthening its immunity. Infected bushes are removed from the garden and burned. The soil in their place is disinfected with a 2% solution of copper sulfate or a dark pink solution of potassium permanganate.
To avoid fungal diseases, plants are sprayed with a fungicide solution during the growing season: copper sulfate, Bordeaux mixture or more modern means.
In greenhouses and apartments, spider mites and aphids can harm tomatoes. Insecticides are used against them. Processing is carried out before the start of fruit ripening.
The leaves are saved from slugs by spraying with a 2-3% solution of ammonia.
Indoor cultivation
The peculiarities of the variety allow you to get a good harvest in a greenhouse or at home.
In the greenhouse
If tomatoes are planted in a greenhouse, then the soil is first warmed up, since the difference in temperature between the ground and air slows down the development of roots. Therefore, the soil is first watered with boiling water and covered with a black film.
In the apartment
Tomatoes growing on a balcony or on a windowsill are more susceptible to disease and require more careful maintenance. Before blooming, the plant must be turned every 3-5 days so that the bush forms evenly.
The ideal location for a home garden is a window on the south, south-east or south-west side. Otherwise, it will be necessary to supplement the illumination with fluorescent or phytolamps, which are placed at a height of 25-30 cm from the top of the plant. Daylight hours are advised to artificially extend to 14-16 hours.
Important! The volume of a pot or box for one plant is about 6 liters.
When grown at home, flowers require artificial pollination. To do this, the bushes are gently shaken several times throughout the day. Pollen can be transferred from one flower to another with a soft brush or feather.
Pour home tomatoes with water at room temperature every 3-5 days. Make sure that the soil does not dry out constantly.
To prevent fungal diseases, the bush is sprayed with a weak solution of potassium permanganate about once every two weeks.
Harvesting and application of the crop
In a greenhouse, the yield reaches 3 kg per 1 sq. m.
The variety is universal in application - fruits are eaten fresh, canned, pickled and used to decorate ready meals.
Variety advantages and disadvantages
Among the advantages of the variety, the following are noted:
- Undemanding care. The plant adapts well to various conditions and is suitable for beginner gardeners.
- Determination. Upon reaching a genetically determined height, the growth of the bush stops.
- Stamping. The plant does not need pinching.
- Compactness. Plant height usually does not exceed 80 cm.
- Versatility. The variety is grown in regions with different climatic conditions.
- Disease resistance. Weakly susceptible to late blight and fungal diseases.
- Aesthetic appearance. A fruiting bush looks spectacular on a window or balcony.
- Pleasant taste. Cranberries in sugar have a sweet fruit with a slight sourness.
Of the shortcomings, a thick skin and sourness are noted, but this is a matter of taste. Also, some note that in a greenhouse a bush can reach a height of one and a half meters.
Farmers reviews
On the Internet, there are different opinions of summer residents and gardeners about the Cranberry variety in sugar. Let's consider some of them.
Natalia: “Because of the cold and fog, the harvest had to be unripe. I took a large bucket from two bushes. Ripe tomatoes at home without problems, but the taste disappointed. And the skin is thick. I don't know yet if I will plant Cranberries in sugar next year. "
Lyudmila: “I planted it for the sake of experiment on the windowsill and in the garden. Not bad to taste, but the skin is harsh. Although the children liked it. In general, the variety is very good. In the garden and on the windowsill, the harvest is about the same. "
Nicole:“Growing cranberries in sugar is easy. Anyway, not more difficult than other varieties. True, in the greenhouse the tomatoes grew almost my height. The rest was satisfied: very sweet and good for preservation. "
Conclusion
Sugar cranberries are an early ripening variety that is suitable for growing both experienced gardeners and beginners. It is versatile and can bear fruit in different conditions: in the open field, in a greenhouse, on a balcony and a windowsill.
Agricultural technology is the same as for growing other types of tomato. The variety is attractive not only for the taste of the fruit, but also for its appearance.