Harvest on the window all year round: we grow "Balcony Miracle" tomatoes at home

Tomatoes, which everyone likes so much, in the middle lane ripen in the ground only in summer. And although they are sold in stores at any time of the year, the quality of these vegetables leaves much to be desired. This is why some townspeople choose to grow special varieties at home and harvest their crops regardless of the season.

One of these varieties - the Balcony Miracle - grows well on a loggia or windowsill. The correct cultivation of tomatoes bears aromatic fruits, and an elegant plant decorates the room. How to get delicious tomatoes throughout the year, with a minimum of effort, we will consider further.

Description of the variety

The balcony miracle is a determinant standard tomato variety. Small bushes grow quickly. The fruits are bright red in color. Tomato feels good when grown in greenhouse and indoor conditions. The variety is early maturing. The stem of the plant is strong, practically does not branch. The number of leaves of a rich dark green color is average. Small fruits have great taste.

It is possible to grow a balcony miracle even in winter, if the plant is provided with enough light, watering and temperature conditions. The variety is resistant to diseases, does not need a garter and pinching. In addition to the main task, the bushes also perform a decorative function: they are used to decorate a loggia, balcony, window sill.

On a note. This early maturing species was bred by German breeders.

Distinctive features

Growing a balcony miracle at home is a simple process, feasible even for a beginner.

This variety of tomatoes is a miniature standard bushes with an aesthetic appearance. The bush reaches 0.5-06 m in height. The balcony miracle blooms in yellow. The plant looks especially impressive during the ripening period of the crop.

For your information. Since the plants are short, they can even be grown in ordinary flower pots.

Fruit characteristics and yield

Distinctive features of the fruit:

• small size;
• red color;
• sweetish taste.

The dwarf bush is capable of producing up to 2 kg of fruit when grown on the balcony, even in winter. Such good performance makes the variety popular among gardeners. Small tomatoes weigh from 50 to 60 g each. The culture bears fruit after 90 days, the field of planting non-stop throughout the year.

How to grow tomatoes at home on a windowsill and balcony

To get an early harvest at home in the first months of spring, don't forget to take care of your seedlings in December-January. To collect fruits in the autumn, cultivation should be done in August.

Seed preparation and germination

To protect plants from diseases and quick germination of seed, the following measures are taken before planting:

1. We select only high-quality, round seeds without obvious damage.
2. The selected seed is placed in a container with water at room temperature. Empty and unsuitable for sowing seeds will float up, we throw them away.
3. For fast germination and protection of plants from diseases, we treat the sorted and dried seeds with a manganese solution. To do this, add 1 g of potassium permanganate to 100 ml of warm water.

We place 1-2 seeds in cups with moistened soil, add a small layer of soil (about 1-1.5 cm deep), cover with a film on top to create greenhouse conditions. The ambient temperature must be at least + 22 ... + 25 ° С.

In a few days, when the first shoots appear, remove the film and expose the plant in a warm, well-lit place. For a week we keep the plants in cool conditions (+ 12 ... + 15 ° С), and then return them to the previous warm environment.

When the central stem reaches 10-15 cm in height, we transplant the plant to a permanent place in loose and moist soil. The containers must have drainage.

To create a favorable indoor climate for the plant, place a glass or jar of water next to it. This approach provides culture-dry indoor air with an optimal humidity level. Tomatoes don't like drafts, therefore, it is better to remove them from the windowsill while airing the room.

We put the plant in a darkened place for several days, and then return it to lighted and heated areas, since there is a possibility that too many seedlings will grow. If there are extra bushes left, plant them in open ground or a greenhouse, observing a distance of 30 cm between them.

Capacity and soil

To grow seedlings, you will need boxes, plastic containers or plastic bags (at the bottom, be sure to make holes for drainage). It is also not forbidden to use cups made of peat, plastic or paper. Plants grown in individual containers are easier to replant.

We fill the selected container with soil from black soil and humus (50/50), add sand (5% of the total mass of the soil). To create a nutritious soil, add 8-10 g of carbamide (urea), 1 glass of ash, 35-40 g of superphosphate and 30-35 g of potassium sulfate there.

Sowing

We sow seeds in February-March. Pour the prepared soil into a container and water it a few days before planting with warm water. It is not necessary to soak the seeds, they are sown dry. The depth of laying the grains is about 1-1.5 cm.When shoots appear, we leave the stronger plant, and pinch the other, but do not remove, so as not to damage the root system of a strong sprout.

Growing and care

It is simple and interesting to grow a balcony miracle. The plant is unpretentious, but it should be given due attention.

Proper care consists in creating the following conditions:

1. The most suitable temperature regime for tomatoes is +22 ° С during the day and +16 ° С at night.
2. During flowering, the plant is periodically shaken to stimulate the ovaries.
3. The culture is not watered with freshly collected tap water, as it contains harmful impurities, for example, hydrogen sulfide, chlorine, and rust. It is necessary to fill the bottles with water in advance and leave to settle for several days. You can also prepare a nutrient solution for watering tomatoes: add 1 g of potassium sulfate, 1 g of urea and 5 g of superphosphate to 1 liter of settled water.

In specialized stores, ready-made fertilizers for watering tomatoes are sold. Top dressing brought in during flowering and fruit setting. If done correctly, the cultivation will surely be successful.

Features of cultivation and possible difficulties

The leaves of healthy plants, for which favorable conditions for comfortable growth have been created, tend to curl in the daytime and take on their original appearance at night.

Tomato peduncles should be large and bright yellow in color. Such plants are guaranteed to bring a bountiful harvest. When growing, it is important to know what problems are likely to face and how to eliminate them.

The most common difficulties encountered are:

1. If the leaves do not change shape at different times of the day, then cultural development goes wrong... Such a turn often leads to the fall of the flowers, and too small fruits grow from the remaining ovary.The reason for this is lack of moisture, too high or low air temperature in the room, or lack of light. It is important to identify and eliminate the factor that interferes with the normal development of tomatoes as soon as possible.
2. A too tall and strong tomato bush with a huge number of leaves will bloom poorly and bear fruit sluggishly. The reason for this is excessive attention to the plant, namely, frequent watering and abundant feeding. Raising the temperature in the room by several degrees and stopping watering for 8-10 days will help to bring the plant in order. Watering with a special solution will also delay the growth of the bush. To prepare it, you will need to dilute 3 tbsp. l. superphosphate in a bucket of settled water.

Having grown a balcony miracle on your own loggia or windowsill, you will enjoy juicy fruits all year round and will hardly give up in the future from a beautiful and useful plant.

Diseases and pests

The Balkonnoe Miracle variety is quite resistant to disease, as it is grown at home. However, diseases do occur.

If dark spots appear on the stems, leaves or fruits, this is a sign of late blight. The disease can destroy the plant in a short time. In addition, the fungus tends to spread throughout the house and infect other plants. Phytophthora appears due to high humidity in the room.

To combat it, special means are used that effectively remove the pathogen.

The best drugs from phytophthora:

1. «Fitosporin-M»Is used at any stage of cultural development. Processing is carried out on a cloudy day or at night.
2. «Trichodermin»- an organic fungicide that protects the root system from fungal infections. Additionally heals the soil.
3. «Anthracol"- a drug that has no toxic effect. Protects the plant for two weeks.
4. "Baikal EM"Contains many microorganisms that help fight late blight. The product is suitable for spraying and watering.
5. «Quadris»- a preparation for spraying tomatoes growing in protected or open ground. For processing, 2 applications are sufficient with an interval of 10 days.

Attention! If one plant is sick, it is better not to risk it and get rid of it immediately, remembering to change the climatic conditions for the rest of the bushes.

There is a possibility of occurrence pests when growing tomatoes on an open balcony. These are aphids and spider mites. If parasites appear, be sure to treat the affected plants with a non-toxic preparation or simply wash the bushes with soapy water.

Harvesting and application of the crop

The fruits of the Balcony Miracle are harvested without allowing them to fully ripen - this way new ovaries will form faster. Tomatoes ripen and acquire a beautiful color in a well-ventilated room at + 15… + 16 ° С. At lower temperatures, the tomatoes will remain green.

The harvest can be stored for up to 2 months if there are no cracks or dents on the skin. It is better to keep the fruits in a wooden box in a cool, ventilated area.

The balcony miracle is a universal type of tomato. The fruits are suitable not only for fresh consumption. They are used for canning, preparation of salads, as ingredients of second and first courses. The vegetable is frozen, they make delicious juice, mashed potatoes, tomato paste.

Advantages and disadvantages of the variety

The main advantages of the Balcony Miracle tomato variety include:

• the possibility of growing tomatoes in a small amount of soil on a balcony or windowsill;
• compactness and decorative properties of the bushes;
• resistance to lack of sunlight;
• pleasant taste;
• resistance to diseases and pests.

Disadvantages of the variety:

• low yield compared to conventional varieties;
• the need to collect immature fruits for the development of the following;
• dense skin of ripe tomatoes.

Considering the decorativeness of the variety and its suitability for growing at home even in winter, the disadvantages are insignificant.

Reviews of those who grew

Semi-decorative tomato variety The balcony miracle is loved by beginners and experienced gardeners. Due to the peculiarities of the variety, even those who do not have a summer cottage can grow it. Most of the opinions on the variety agree on positive aspects.

Nikolay, Yoshkar-Ola: “The compact tomato The balcony miracle impressed and surprised! An excellent, undersized variety that ties well and bears fruit perfectly. I can grow it both in the garden and on my balcony. Taste is excellent, we freeze and canned tomatoes - for decoration in a jar. These mini tomatoes are really a miracle! The plant looks very nice at home, a small pot and a minimum of land are suitable for it. Recomend for everybody".

Vladimir, Tver: “Once I heard that there is a variety of tomatoes that is grown right on the windowsill, I didn't believe it, I decided to try it. Variety Balconnoe miracle is good, I liked it. Beautiful bushes can revive the interior of a balcony or room. I can only say good things about tomatoes. They never got sick or froze, and when they ripened, they pleased with a sweet taste. Minuses did not notice. The harvest is good. What I noticed: tomatoes grow poorly in small pots, there is little harvest. The variety is not suitable for sale, since its yield is good only for ornamental varieties. In general, relatively few tomatoes grow. "

Anna, Oryol: “I saw interesting indoor plants from my neighbor. She said that these were tomatoes, I didn’t believe her, I decided to try. Planted this Balcony miracle. Fruits set quickly, so great! I want to warn other fans of balcony vegetation: do not break off the leaves, flowers of future fruits are often tied under them. The bushes are very attractive and bright, they look beautiful on the balcony, the plants are easy to care for, and their main advantage is the pleasant taste of tomatoes! "

Conclusion

Variety Balconnoe Miracle is one of the most unpretentious ornamental plants. Even a beginner can grow seedlings, since caring for the plant consists only in regular watering, maintaining room temperature and ensuring optimal humidity. Top dressing is added at will, there is no need to pinch. Tomatoes of this variety practically do not get sick. And the bushes themselves, strewn with bright fruits, will decorate the room no worse than an indoor flower.

How to grow a balcony miracle at home? All the nuances of the process are in the video: