Content
Sometimes you want to experiment and plant familiar vegetables in the country, but of unusual sizes and colors. And often then the novelty becomes a favorite variety, which you are proud of and treat your guests with pleasure.
Description
The blueberry tomato belongs to the early maturing indeterminate varieties. The period from seed germination to tomato ripening is approximately 95-100 days. The bushes grow quite tall, requiring garters and pinching. The brushes on the branches grow simple and long, drooping. 6-8 round tomatoes can form on one cluster. Bilberry tomatoes ripen dense, with a shiny skin, weighing about 150-180 g (as in the photo).
In ripe tomatoes, a maroon hue is characteristic of both the skin and the pulp. They have a pleasant sweetish rich taste. A distinctive feature of the Blueberry tomato is its high resistance to diseases.
The advantages of the indeterminate blueberry tomato:
- the constant formation of buds contributes to the setting of new fruits;
- a simple procedure for forming a tomato bush of the Blueberry variety;
- extended period of fruiting. It is possible to enjoy fresh tomatoes for a very long time. When growing the Blueberry variety in a greenhouse, it will be possible to harvest at the end of October;
- the peculiarities of tomato growth can significantly save the area of the plot or greenhouse.
Some disadvantages should be noted:
- not suitable for growing in open soil in areas with a short warm season;
- late ripening of the vegetable (from late July to early August).
The Blueberry tomato can be classified as innovative due to the unusual color of the fruit. Tomatoes have a rich dark blue color, which they acquired due to the presence in the vegetable of a special purple pigment of anthocyanin. This substance is also found in significant quantities in blueberries, eggplants, black currants.
Useful properties of anthocyanin:
- due to its bactericidal action, many types of pathogenic bacteria are destroyed;
- is a powerful antioxidant;
- the walls of the capillaries are strengthened and an anti-edema effect is manifested;
- helps the human immune system to resist viruses and diseases.
Growing features
Blueberry tomato usually bears fruit until the end of October. Therefore, in the southern regions it is possible to plant tomatoes both in open ground and in a greenhouse. And in colder regions, it makes sense to grow the Blueberry variety only in a greenhouse.
Growing seedlings
Tomato seeds Bilberry for seedlings are planted in the 20th of March. Seeds are laid out on a moistened soil surface in even rows and sprinkled with a thin layer of earth (about 4-6 mm). To avoid drying out of the soil, it is recommended to cover the container with plastic wrap.
Until the seedlings germinate, a constant temperature should be maintained at + 22-23˚ С. When the first seedlings of the Blueberry variety germinate, the film can be removed.
The procedure must be done very carefully so as not to damage the sprouts.
To harden the blueberry tomato seedlings before planting in open ground, it is recommended to lower the temperature to + 19˚C two weeks before transplanting. When transporting, it is necessary to protect the sprouts as much as possible - it is better to cover the blueberry tomatoes with foil. Tomatoes cannot be transported in a "lying" position.
Prepare soil for tomatoes in advance.The best "former residents" for tomatoes are cabbage and cucumbers, beans, corn. Blueberry seedlings are planted in specially prepared holes, on the bottom of which the nutrient composition is poured. Each hole will require half a liter of compost, 2 tsp. superphosphate, 1 tsp. urea and potassium sulfate. After planting, the seedlings are watered.
In the future, tomato stems will not get wet when watering, which will significantly reduce the likelihood of viral diseases.
In a row between tomatoes, a distance of 50-55 cm is maintained, and between rows - 70 cm.
For arranging the support, trellises are formed. Pillars are installed along the edges of the row and a wire is stretched between them. The role of a support for the tomato is performed by a stretched rope, a tomato stem is tied to it and it grows along it.
For the first time, the stem of a Blueberry tomato is tied to a rope under 2-3 leaves. As soon as the stem grows to the upper wire, it is thrown over it and lowered down at an angle of 45˚, tying it to adjacent stems.
Top dressing of tomatoes
At different times of the growing season, various nutrient mixtures are used. Before tying tomatoes (on the first or second brush), potassium monophosphate is used. It is not recommended to use nitrogenous fertilizers, as this will lead to an increase in green mass.
And already with the growth of the tomato ovary, it is recommended to use nitrogen-containing mixtures. The composition of the dressing should include nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium in equal amounts.
When the Blueberry fruits begin to ripen, it is desirable to change the quantitative composition of the mineral mixture. Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium are used in a ratio of 1: 3: 9.
It is imperative to feed tomatoes, taking into account the state of the plant. So, if a Blueberry tomato is actively growing, but blooms poorly, it is necessary to exclude nitrogen from the mineral mixture and add phosphorus fertilizers. Top dressing is used no more than once every two weeks.
Watering
It is important to stick to regularity when watering blueberry tomatoes. Moreover, it is necessary to avoid getting water on the stems and leaves.
In the middle of summer, more abundant watering should be carried out. Due to the fact that the temperature of the air and soil rises, the tomatoes require more water.
The volume of watering does not decrease when the fruits ripen, since the indeterminate variety Blueberry constantly blooms and fruits are tied on it.
Bush formation
In the open field, during the formation of tomato bushes of the Blueberry variety, special rules are not adhered to, with the exception of the breakage of the lower leaves. However, it is impossible not to engage in the formation of a tomato at all. Since stepchildren are able to grow out of all the axils of the leaves, as a result, a large unnecessary mass of greenery may turn out.
At the end of August, it is recommended to stop the growth of the main trunk. To do this, cut the top of the tomato. If tomato growth is not stopped, the fruits may not ripen. When it is better to pin the top of the stem is decided individually, based on the location of the site (climatic zone).
When growing the Blueberry tomato variety in a greenhouse, a different rule is followed. During the growth of the tomato, all side branches and stepsons are cut off. Only the central trunk remains. These operations are carried out due to the fact that unnecessary stepchildren absorb nutrients, thereby slowing down the growth of the main stem. Also, extra branches and leaves form unnecessary thickening, which can lead to the occurrence of fungal diseases (as in the photo).
It is imperative to grow new varieties of vegetables. So you can get acquainted with non-standard plants and diversify the flora of the country. Moreover, the blueberry tomato is grown according to the standard tomato scheme.
One of the worst varieties ever grown in 10 years.