Cherry tomatoes - features of growing from seeds, planting and care in open ground

Harvest tomato "Terek F1"

Can be taken for greenhouse cultivation, as recommended on the seed package. It was indicated that this is an early ripening hybrid (ripening period from appearance to fruit ripening is 90-95 days).

In the greenhouse, the bushes reach a high ceiling and produce a large harvest - 15-30 bright red tomatoes on simple and complex long branches. The weight of one is about 20 g. The declared resistance to cladosporiosis and TMV has been confirmed.

You will be delighted by the shiny, bright red, dense, round tomatoes – sweet as caramels. They have a strong skin that does not crack; when ripe, they do not fall off and are collected together with the stalk, which increases their shelf life. Perfect for canning whole fruits.

We recommend viewing: When to plant tomatoes for seedlings?

"Elf F1"

The hybrid “elf F1” refers to early-ripening types of tomatoes, on which fruits appear in 90–95 days. Cherry tomatoes grown in open beds are resistant to viral diseases and wilting. After transplanting the seedlings into the ground, the plant produces powerful growth of stems and produces internodes of medium length.

"Elf F1": YouTube/Agroholding SEARCH

The hybrid has simple double-sided brushes, on which 14–16 fruits are collected. Each tomato has a dense structure, dark red skin color, round or oval shape, weighs 15-25 g.

Advantages of a hybrid variety:

• high productivity;
• preservation of fruits for a long period;
• beautiful appearance of ripe tomatoes;
• pleasant sweet and sour taste of the pulp;
• simultaneous ripening of fruits;
• resistance to high humidity.

In order for cherry seedlings to take root in an open garden bed, the planting time is chosen after the onset of real heat and the soil warming up to +7–10 °C.

After planting the seedlings, they form bushes, leaving 2-3 main stems. Stepchildren are removed throughout the growing season. You can avoid thickening of plantings by placing 2–3 tall cherry seedlings per 1 m².

Tomato "Miracle Babies"

This «

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allows you to get an early harvest. You can sow the seeds at the end of February. Plants are adapted to both indoor (film greenhouses) and open ground. The tomato is indeterminate, so pinching the top is a must.

The fruits, collected in clusters of 20-40 pieces, are small, bright red, weighing 5-7 g, shaped like a cherry, with delicate juicy pulp. On average, the bush produces a harvest of 7-9 kg per 1 m2. There are few seeds inside. They ripen all together at once - it’s convenient to collect. These fruits are not afraid of the tobacco mosaic virus, spotting and rot.

The taste of the pulp is closer to sweet, very healthy. They are even given to babies as complementary foods, to increase strength for sick people, added to salads, side dishes for fish and meat, and as decoration. Marinate in small jars.

Tomato "Strawberry F1"

One variety in two colors - orange and red. Yellow-orange tomatoes taste sweeter. Sauces and salads are prepared from them. The feeling of red cherry is special. It subtly combines acidity and sweetness with spice and a fruity aftertaste. Most gardeners plant red ones. The shape of the vegetables resembles a heart or strawberry (hence the name).

The hybrid is classified as an early ripening species with relatively large fruits for cherry tomatoes, weighing up to 30 g. There are even larger specimens. One plant produces 5-7 kg of tomatoes. It is better to seal them whole in jars, since the juicy pulp contains a lot of dry matter and they are not suitable for making juice or paste.

The hybrid is recommended for both open and closed ground, drought-resistant. Seeds are sown in late March - early April, and seedlings in the first half of June. Due to the pronounced indetermination, it is necessary to install support posts. When the bushes grow to 1.3-1.5 m and touch the ceiling, simply direct their further growth along the greenhouse so as not to reduce the yield. To grow in open ground, you also need to prepare strong supports.

Features of cultivation

Growing and caring for Cherry tomatoes is practically no different from the agricultural technology of ordinary tomatoes, so there is no need to give a step-by-step description of the technology for planting seedlings.

You can dwell on the features of agricultural techniques in detail:

1. Seeds of tall (determinant) varieties are planted directly into the ground.
2. Cherry tomatoes, low-growing varieties for open ground, grown in seedlings, are covered with film immediately after planting in the ground. In such a shelter, seedlings acclimatize faster.
3. Plants are planted at a distance of 35 to 40 cm from each other. As a rule, 2-3 tomato bushes are placed per 1 m². Low-growing varieties can be spaced more densely.
4. It is recommended to form low-growing (indeterminate) varieties into one stem, and occasionally into two stems.
5. Semi-determinate species form two stems, and in open ground, 3 to 4 stems can be left on the plant.
6. Since tall varieties actively increase the mass of side shoots during rapid growth, it is necessary to trim them several times during the week.
7. Tall Cherry tomatoes are not pruned; only thickened bushes are thinned out additionally.
8. In tall varieties, it is not recommended to tear off even slightly yellowed leaves - removing leaves can negatively affect their development.
9. On other types of tomatoes, after the three lower tassels of the fruit have ripened to the stage of milky ripeness, the leaves located below the three tassels are cut off. This pruning stimulates the ripening of fruits throughout the bush from the bottom to the very top.
10. After harvesting the ripe fruits, a second pruning of the foliage is performed. This time the leaves are left only in the upper part of the bush.
11. At the end of the season, in indeterminate and hybrid varieties, for more active fruit ripening, it is necessary to pinch the top of the plants.
12. It is recommended to tie all types of tomatoes to a strong support. This procedure is performed for better formation of the brushes - the branches with fruits will not break.
13. Unlike regular tomatoes, Cherry tomatoes need even soil moisture, so they need to be watered more often. But too much moisture also has a negative effect on the root system of plants. Therefore, to maintain sufficient soil moisture, plants are generously mulched.

Tomato "Wonder"

Here we come to the promised unusual things. Corresponding to the outlandish, African coloring of red-brown (sometimes brown), this high-yielding, continuously growing bush at maturity has round, dense, even tomatoes of average weight - up to 20 g. They look on the bush like sweet, juicy candies. Tomatoes taste good and are cut into salads. They do not crack during canning.

They grow vegetables in greenhouses without shelter. The plant will not be able to support itself at a height of about 180 cm; it needs supports, tying and pinching. It is better to form bushes in two rows. In an open garden bed, try to install supports in advance. The bushes rise up to 160 cm, there are a lot of fruits, the clusters are heavy. They ripen gradually until October. The plant is not afraid of late blight.

List of the most interesting varieties

• Thumbelina. A tall variety, intended for planting in closed greenhouses, grows up to 1.5 meters. These are early ripening tomatoes with small, round-shaped, small-sized fruits. The weight of the fruit is from 15 to 20 g. Up to 15 pieces of mini-tomatoes can be tied on one brush. Ripe fruits of excellent taste with a wide range of applications: they are consumed fresh, used for canned preparations.

• Negro tomatoes. One of the most unusual varieties of Cherry tomatoes with a simultaneous combination of two fashion trends: the shape of a cherry and the original appearance, rich dark colors. The color of the fruit can be black, burgundy, brown and even purple. A piquant taste and the presence of a large amount of useful substances - these main advantages of Negro make the variety a bright representative of the colored variety of Cherry tomatoes. The fruits are regular oval in shape, up to 3 cm in diameter, reaching a weight of 25-35 grams. “Negrits” are collected in elegant multi-fruited tassels with 10-15 cherries on a branch. Dark tomatoes contain not only the traditional “tomato” set of nutrients, but also anthocyanins, which are powerful anti-dioxides.
• Tomato Terek Cherry. This varietal species is valued for the unusually sweet caramel taste of ripe fruits. Hybrid early ripening tomato. Due to the high growth of the bush, the plant must be tied up. Ripening begins within 90-95 days from the start of germination. The fruits are round in shape, dense, hanging beautifully on long clusters. Each branch can contain up to 30 pieces of ripe miniature tomatoes, weighing 30 g each.
• Tomato Cherry Rose F1. Hybrid variety with round pink fruits, weighing from 25 to 30 g. The taste and color of Cherry Rose F1 fruits resembles the popular variety Juliet (Jul). Early ripening, high-yielding, up to 20 fruits can ripen on one branch. The plant is formed into one or two stems, with obligatory tying to a support. Recommended for growing in open ground, under film or in a greenhouse.
• Sweet Cherry tomatoes F1. Tall plant with a maximum bush height of up to 3 meters. Many gardeners call this variety of miniature tomatoes a “candy tree.” The tomato received such a “delicious” name due to its very tasty fruits and beautiful elegant appearance during the ripening period. One tassel can contain a whole retinue of miniature fruits - from 30 to 50 spherical fruits with a very pleasant sweetish taste. The color of the “balls” is rich red, yellow or orange.

Growing Cherry tomatoes is an interesting activity that is accessible to absolutely all gardeners. Unusually beautiful tomatoes with tiny berries serve as a tasty and healthy decoration for any garden, cottage or even apartment.

Venedikt Dadykin. Photo by the author

Until recently, gardeners competed with each other in their ability to grow large-fruited tomatoes. In another season with a hot summer, both me and my friends succeeded. We demonstrated giant fruits with a record weight (up to 1.5 kg) at many exhibitions.

But the previous excitement disappeared when I learned that in the American state of Oklahoma a tomato weighing 3.5 kg had ripened, and this was recorded in the Guinness Book of Records. Alas, we, Russian gardeners, are far from such success. In southern latitudes, such achievements are primarily facilitated by climate. And in the conditions of our short summer, very few large tomatoes ripen - one or two per bush, and those are not the most tasty.

However, about three years ago, the desire to surpass my friends in growing not large-fruited, but very tiny, but very tasty tomatoes returned to me.

Indeterminate tomato variety “White Cherry”

It turns out that there are albinos among plants. The variety is indeterminate (up to 2 m), prepare strong supports in advance. The plant attracts attention with its abundant early harvest. Juicy, sweet taste, delicate, unusual fruits with a fruity aroma, shaped like a heart.

When ripe, they are ivory-colored, and when ripe, they become creamy white or light lemon. The flesh at the break is pale pink. The weight of an average tomato is up to 30 g. They resist diseases well. Despite its novelty, it is actively gaining an army of fans.

"Barry's Crazy Cherry"

This unusually tasty, mid-season variety needs to be tied up and pinched, and formed into three stems in a greenhouse. But the most incredible thing is his brushes. They are unusually branched. I just want to call them: bunches of grape tomatoes. Each such bunch can contain approximately 300 tomatoes. Considering that light yellow oval tomatoes with a sharp nose weigh about 20 g, the entire bunch can weigh up to 6 kg.

There is a small nuance: at first the seedlings grow very slowly and you can plant them early using 10-liter seedling bags. Form into three brushes, or four. Some time after completion, strong outer stepsons are formed. If you leave them, growth will continue.

There is one more feature. It's rarely talked about, but in addition to the stunning branches, these tomatoes delight with very beautiful carved leaves and can decorate any flower bed.

Indeterminate tomato variety “Ildi” (“Ildi”)

Tall small-fruited indeterminate (up to 2 m in a greenhouse) tomatoes of the “Ildi”

, became favorites in many areas and settled in greenhouses for a long time.

A high variety, in open ground it grows up to a maximum of 1.7 m. It is better to remove excess brushes, leaving 3-4 pieces, after which, according to the rules, you need to trim them. But many tried to do without this procedure, and were convinced that it was not necessary. If the free development of the bush is not disturbed, its uniform growth and fruiting in the greenhouse continues until the last days of October. The remaining green branches can be cut before frost and hung at home. They will mature.

In terms of yield per branch, these tomatoes are far behind Barry's Crazy Cherries.

But 60 fruits, 12 g each, are not small either. The variety is resistant to diseases, abundant flowering and fruiting. For many, it is its sweet taste that is important. It is difficult to cut the fruits - very hard branches. Scissors are a good alternative for harvesting.

Characteristics and features of the variety

Cherry tomatoes belong to the class of modern hybrids; currently there are more than a hundred species. There are high-yielding varieties from which harvests range from 1.5 to 3 kg. Small tomatoes vary in shape: round, teardrop-shaped, oval and elongated, finger-like. The variety of colors of Cherry tomatoes is surprising: traditionally red, bright crimson, catchy orange, sunny yellow and even unusually spectacular black fruits.

Depending on the size of the stem part, plants are divided into:

• Determinant. These are low-growing plants, ideally adapted for planting in closed greenhouses and greenhouses. Typically, short plants are grown on window sills and in hanging baskets at home. Sometimes they are grown in a greenhouse, but in order to prevent the fruits from lying on the ground, it is recommended to tie the stem to a support.
• Indeterminate. The height of the bush can reach from 1.5 to 2 m, which makes it possible to classify this species as a tall plant. The bush is formed into one or two stems, which are recommended to be tied to high supports. Tall tomatoes are good for growing in open garden beds directly in the ground or in large greenhouses.
• Semi-determinant. This variety of plants belongs to the intermediate form; they are something between tomatoes with a low and high bush stem.

Regardless of the height of the stem part, all types of Cherry are considered early ripening. On the advice of experienced gardeners involved in growing mini tomatoes, when choosing seeds, it is important to carefully study the characteristics of the variety and the required growing conditions. It is best to play it safe and buy seed material with a small supply.

The plant has a powerful and branched root system in the form of a rod. With the seedless planting method, the roots go deep into the soil, to a depth of 1 meter, with a spreading diameter of 1.5 to 2 m. Under favorable conditions and sufficient moisture, roots can form on any part of the stem, so tomatoes can be propagated by cuttings and side shoots. . If the cut cuttings are placed in water, then after a few days the roots will grow, from which you can grow a full-fledged Cherry tomato.

The characteristics and description of the variety are as follows:

1. The shape of the plant stem can be upright, lodging, or even in the form of a vine. The height of the bushes ranges from 30 cm (dwarf varieties) to more than 2 meters (tall varieties).
2. Tomato leaves are odd-pinnate and dissected into large segments, similar to potato ones.
3. Tomatoes bloom with small, inconspicuous yellow flowers collected in compact clusters.
4. Cherry tomato is a self-pollinating plant. The seeds of the plant are small in size and have a flat shape, slightly pointed at the base, light or dark yellow in color with a slight fluff.
5. Seed material retains its viability for 6 to 8 years and, under favorable conditions, grows in 3-4 days.

The first leaves of the seedlings appear approximately a week after the appearance of tiny seedlings, after 6-10 days the next pair of leaves appears on the small seedling, and then after 3-5 days a new leaf appears on the seedling. The entire development period of the plant from the emergence of seedlings to the beginning of flowering is from 50 to 70 days, and from flowering to the ripening stage of tomatoes it takes only 46 to 60 days.

Tomato “Plum drop F1”

Only a child and nature could color a tomato this way. This hybrid (don't count on your seeds) has the shape of a pear, and is colored plum, and two colors at once. The upper part is purple, the lower part is a thick yellow color. You look and it dazzles in your eyes. But the taste is wonderful.

Cultivation practice: in greenhouses and simply without shelter, semi-determinate - no higher than 1500 mm. An average tomato is about 40 g. If you try hard and follow agricultural techniques, you can remove approximately 300 pieces from a bush.

Benefit

In winter, when there is a shortage of fresh vegetables on the tables, tiny tomato “berries” attract attention not only with their cute, bright appearance, but also as a winter source of healthy vitamins during the off-season period.

Compared to regular tomatoes, the fruits of miniature tomatoes contain twice as many nutrients and microelements:

1. Increased content of vitamin C.
2. A significant amount of vitamins A, B, E, K, the presence of macroelements potassium, phosphorus, sodium, magnesium, sulfur and calcium.
3. Microelements: copper, manganese, fluorine, iodine, zinc, iron.
4. Cherry tomato fruits are considered dietary products. The amount of carbohydrates is 2.8 grams per 100 grams. weight, and the calorie content is no more than 15 kcal per 100 g of weight. Therefore, “cherry” tomatoes can be eaten without harming your figure.

Many varieties of miniature tomatoes contain increased amounts of a beneficial substance called lycopene, which, due to its powerful antioxidant properties, can improve the cardiovascular and circulatory system. In addition, cherry tomatoes contain a natural “elixir of youth and longevity” - beta-carotene.

Tomato Terek Cherry.

Tomato "Cherry Negro F1"

Here is another tomato with a non-standard color. Tomatoes, ovoid in shape, wear a “camouflage” brownish-brown color with green streaks. The pulp is cherry-colored. Salads with such fruits look original. They are also suitable for preservation - the skin does not burst from boiling water in jars.

According to other characteristics, these are greenhouse indeterminate early-ripening vegetables with a pleasant, sweet taste. Clusters are small, dense, containing 10-15 fruits with medium-sized tomatoes not exceeding 30 g.

Evaluate these materials, choose the varieties you like and calmly go for the seeds. May the new season bring you many interesting discoveries. Have a good harvest.