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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 that you are proud of and treat your guests with pleasure.
Description
Blueberry tomato belongs to early ripe indeterminate varieties. The period from seed germination to ripening of tomatoes is approximately 95-100 days. The bushes grow quite tall, requiring garters and pinching. Brushes on branches grow simple and long, drooping. On one brush, 6-8 round tomatoes can form. Tomatoes of the Blueberry variety ripen dense, with a shiny skin, weighing approximately 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 Blueberry tomato is its high resistance to diseases.
Advantages of the indeterminate blueberry tomato:
- the constant formation of buds contributes to the setting of new fruits;
- a simple procedure for the formation of a blueberry tomato bush;
- extended fruiting period. It is possible to feast on fresh tomatoes for a very long time. When growing the Blueberry variety in a greenhouse, it will be possible to harvest as early as the end of October;
- features of tomato growth can significantly save the area of uXNUMXbuXNUMXbthe site or greenhouse.
Some disadvantages should also be noted:
- not suitable for open field cultivation in areas with a short warm season;
- late ripening of the vegetable (from late July to early August).
Tomato variety Blueberry can be attributed to innovative, due to the unusual color of the fruit. Tomatoes have a rich dark blue color, which they acquired due to the presence of a special purple anthocyanin pigment in the vegetable. This substance is also found in significant quantities in blueberries, eggplants, and black currants.
Useful properties of anthocyanin:
- due to the bactericidal action, many types of pathogenic bacteria are destroyed;
- is a powerful antioxidant;
- the walls of the capillaries are strengthened and an anti-edematous effect is manifested;
- helps the human immune system to resist viruses and diseases.
Peculiarities of growing
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
Blueberry tomato seeds 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 prevent the soil from drying out, it is recommended to cover the container with plastic wrap.
Until the seedlings germinate, a constant temperature should be maintained at + 22-23˚ C. 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 seedlings of Blueberry tomatoes 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 if possible – it is better to cover Blueberry tomatoes with a film. You can not transport tomatoes in a “lying” position.
Soil for tomatoes is prepared in advance. The best “former residents” for tomatoes are cabbage and cucumbers, beans, corn. Bilberry seedlings are planted in specially prepared holes, on the bottom of which a nutrient composition is poured. For each hole, you will need half a liter of compost, 2 tsp. superphosphate, 1 tsp. urea and potassium sulfate. After planting, the seedlings are watered.
In the future, the stems of the tomato will not get wet during watering, which will significantly reduce the likelihood of viral diseases.
In a row, a distance of 50-55 cm is maintained between tomatoes, and 70 cm between rows.
To equip the support, trellises are formed. Poles are installed along the edges of the row and a wire is stretched between them. The role of a support for a 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 the Blueberry tomato variety is tied to a rope under 2-3 leaves. As soon as the stem grows to the top wire, it is thrown over it and lowered down at an angle of 45˚, tied to neighboring stems.
Top dressing of tomatoes
At different times of the growing season, different 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, the use of nitrogen-containing mixtures is recommended. The composition of top dressing should include nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium in equal amounts.
When the Blueberries 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.
Tomatoes must be fed according to the condition of the plant. So, if the Blueberry variety tomato grows actively, but blooms weakly, 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 adhere to regularity when watering Blueberry tomatoes. And 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 need more water.
The volume of irrigation does not decrease even when the fruits ripen, since the indeterminate variety Blueberry constantly blooms and fruits are tied on it.
Shrub formation
In open ground, when forming tomato bushes of the Blueberry variety, special rules are not followed, 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 from all the axils of the leaves, the result can be a large unnecessary mass of greenery.
At the end of August, it is recommended to stop the growth of the main trunk. To do this, cut off the top of the tomato. If the growth of a tomato is not stopped, then the fruits may not ripen. When it is better to pinch the top of the stem is decided individually, based on the location of the site (climatic zone).
When growing a 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 an unnecessary thickening, which can lead to fungal diseases (as in the photo).
Be sure to grow new varieties of vegetables. So you can get acquainted with non-standard plants and diversify the flora of the country house. Moreover, the Blueberry tomato is grown according to the standard tomato scheme.
