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When purchasing tomato seeds, many farmers prefer determinant varieties. Such tomatoes are excellent for growing in open and protected areas of soil, have a high yield and are able to independently regulate their growth. The last of these qualities is in some cases not only an advantage, but also a disadvantage, since early topping can reduce crop yields. You can prevent such an unfavorable development of events with the help of the correct formation of tomato bushes. The formation of determinant tomatoes includes a set of measures based on the use of pinching, pinching and some other manipulations. You can get acquainted in more detail with the possible schemes for the formation of bushes and the rules for their implementation can be found below in the article.
Features of determinant tomatoes
Having decided to grow determinant varieties of tomatoes on your site, you need to understand that they are all divided into several types in accordance with the characteristics of agricultural technology. So, experts distinguish the following types of determinant tomatoes:
Superdeterminant varieties
This type of plant includes undersized varieties of tomato. Superdeterminant tomatoes form bushes no more than 70 cm high. Stepchildren are formed on them in a small amount. When 3-4 inflorescences appear, the main shoot stops growing. The advantage of such varieties is the friendly ripening of fruits, however, the crop yield is relatively low and already in the middle of summer such plants can only be a decoration of the site, but not a source of fresh vegetables.
When growing superdeterminant tomatoes, no special care is required from the farmer. The resulting stepchildren do not develop quickly enough, so they can not be removed at all. There is also no need to pinch the bushes, as they stop their growth on their own early. In the process of caring for plants, the gardener can only speed up the process of fruiting by removing the lower leaves of the plant. It is rational to use this method of forming superdeterminant bushes when growing crops in a greenhouse in early spring. At the same time, it will be possible to get the first crop of vegetables quite early and to free the greenhouse for new crops at the beginning of summer.
Among the tomatoes of superdeterminant varieties, the most famous are “Naples”, “Junior”, “Baby”.
semi-determinate tomatoes
The category of semi-determinant includes tomatoes, the bushes of which can reach a height of 1,5 m. These plants are also characterized by an independent growth stop, however, in some cases this symptom does not appear.
Semi-determinate tomatoes on a long main stem are capable of forming ovaries in large numbers, resulting in a high yield of the crop as a whole. However, under favorable greenhouse conditions, the growing season of plants can last quite a long time and the time for independent growth of a tomato bush may not be enough to obtain the maximum yield. That is why, in a greenhouse, semi-determinant tomatoes are recommended to be formed into one stem in a stepped way or into two full-fledged stems.
In open ground conditions, the growing season of crop growth is limited by atmospheric temperature indicators, therefore, when growing semi-determinant tomatoes, the formation of one fruiting main stem is quite sufficient. For accelerated harvesting in unprotected conditions, the bushes are pinched as autumn approaches.
Among the most famous semi-determinant tomato varieties, Alliance, Ox’s Heart, Red Arrow and some others can be noted.
Determinant Varieties
Varieties of ordinary determinant tomatoes are characterized by high fertility, which can only be achieved with a competent approach to the formation of a bush. Tomatoes of the determinant type are considered medium-sized. Their height can reach 1,5 m. Such tomatoes can be effectively grown both in open and protected areas of soil. When forming them, several different formation schemes can be used, but the most productive is the method of maintaining two or three stems. Visual schemes for the formation of tomato bushes according to this principle can be seen in the picture below.
Standard varieties
Tomatoes of standard varieties are distinguished by a very compact bush, which not only independently completes its growth, but also regulates the number and branching of the resulting stepchildren. Caring for these tomatoes is very simple by ensuring regular watering and top dressing.
Thus, special attention should be paid to the formation of bushes when growing determinant and semi-determinant tomatoes. To do this, depending on the growing conditions and personal preferences, the farmer can choose one of the following schemes. There is no need to form standard and superdeterminant tomatoes at all, since their agrotechnical qualities do not allow them to grow strongly. Growing these tomatoes can be a great option for beginners and especially busy gardeners.
Schemes for the formation of determinant tomatoes
Analyzing the characteristics of various types of determinant tomatoes, it becomes clear that there can be no single recommended scheme for their formation. The choice of scheme depends on the specific characteristics of the plant and the conditions of its cultivation. So, for varieties of determinant type, you can use the schemes described below.
Formation in one stem
The formation of tomatoes in one stem is rational to use for semi-determinant varieties in the greenhouse. The method allows to obtain a high yield of vegetables and, if necessary, to regulate the growth of a tomato bush. There are several ways to form tomatoes into one stem:
The classic way
With this method of forming determinant tomatoes in a greenhouse, farmers remove all side shoots (stepchildren), leaving one main fruiting stem. With the advent of autumn cold weather, the plants in the greenhouse are pinched so that the existing fruits ripen more quickly. The scheme of such formation of tomatoes in the classical way can be seen below in the picture “A”.
Scheme with partial removal of stepchildren
This method of formation involves the preservation of several stepchildren on the main stem of the plant. After the fruits are tied on the left side shoots, they need to be pinched. Thus, the farmer will receive a tall tomato bush, consisting of one main fruiting stem and several fruit clusters on pinched shoots (Scheme B). This method of forming plants of the determinant type allows you to increase the yield of the crop.
Stepwise formation of tomato bushes
In this way, it is recommended to form semi-determinant tomatoes in a greenhouse, where favorable conditions for crop fruiting remain for a long time period. The formation of bushes in this way allows you to correctly regulate the process of fruiting the crop and stop the growth of the main shoot in a timely manner.
With a stepped formation, tomato bushes regularly stepchild, but at the same time, in the middle of the main stem, the plants leave one side shoot. At a time when the preserved stepson begins to actively bear fruit, the main shoot is pinched. In this way, the formation of a semi-determinant bush in the greenhouse can be continued until the end of the growing season. An exaggerated scheme of such formation is given below.
Formation of tomatoes in 2 and 3 stalks
It is recommended to use the formation in two and three stems for medium-sized determinant tomatoes, prone to self-completion of growth. The formation process consists in the removal of only some stepchildren. So, when growing tomatoes on the main trunk, 2-3 of the lowest stepchildren are necessarily removed. Above, one or two of the strongest lateral shoots are left, which, along with the main stem, will grow, forming leaves and ovaries. With such pinching, you can get the maximum yield from determinant-type tomatoes. You can see the formation scheme in 2 and 3 stems in the picture below.
You can see the process of forming determinant tomatoes into one or more stems in a greenhouse in the video:
Formation of superdeterminant and standard varieties
The proposed schemes are not suitable for these determinant types, but this does not mean that the process of their cultivation can be “left to chance”. The formation of superdeterminate tomatoes consists in removing the lower leaves of the plant. By removing excess greens from the trunk of tomatoes, you can relieve the load and speed up the process of fruit ripening.
Basic principles for the formation of tomatoes
The process of forming tomatoes may include a certain list of manipulations that must be carried out correctly. So, we will try to describe in detail some of the fundamental principles for the formation of tomato bushes.
Pasynkovanie
Pasynkovanie tomatoes called the procedure for removing side shoots formed in the axils of the leaves. Such shoots consume enough micronutrients for their full development, which is often unreasonable. That is why experienced farmers, when the first stepchildren appear, tend to remove them. Remove the lateral shoot by pinching with the fingers of the hand or cut it off with scissors. At the same time, it is necessary to leave a small piece of the shoot (stump) so that a new stepson does not form in this place in the future.
It is recommended to stalk determinant tomatoes in the morning, since during this period the plant is saturated with moisture as much as possible. At the same time, damage to the trunk will dry out throughout the day, and the ingress of all kinds of viruses and fungi onto their surface will no longer pose a significant threat to the health of the plant.
In order to prevent diseases that are especially common in a greenhouse, some plant protection measures must be observed during pinching. All tools and gloves of the farmer must be regularly treated with a disinfectant solution of potassium permanganate.
Tomato seeding is carried out regularly, starting from the moment the bushes adapt to new conditions after planting in the ground until the end of the growing season. Recommended frequency of the event: 1 time in 10 days. Regular pinching will direct the flow of micronutrients from the root of the plant directly to its fruits, speed up the ripening process of vegetables and reduce the density of plantings in the greenhouse, thereby improving air circulation and preventing the development of diseases.
Topping
The pinching procedure is carried out in the process of forming tomatoes into one stem according to the above schemes. For other determinant varieties of tomatoes, pinching is carried out at the end of the growing season on the eve of autumn.
It is also recommended to pinch the top of the bush in the early morning. When carrying out the manipulation, it is necessary to remove the brush on the main or side shoot so that 1-2 leaves free from ovaries remain up the trunk. They will allow moisture and nutrients to circulate properly through the stems, supplying energy to all the vegetative organs of the plant.
The formation of determinant-type tomatoes may involve not only pinching the top of the stems, but also pinching the inflorescences. When growing semi-determinant and determinant tomatoes, it is rational to remove the first flowering brushes that form, since they require a lot of energy and “slow down” the process of formation of new ovaries.
Removing leaves
Leaves, like stepchildren, require a certain amount of nutrients for their development. To save plant resources, gardeners remove the lower leaves on the main trunk and left stepchildren, since they do not perform an important function. Leaves should be removed by cutting or pinching. Manipulation must be carried out with extreme care so as not to damage the skin of the plant. The lower leaves of tomatoes should be removed at the same time as pinching. You can delete 1 to 3 sheets at a time.
Garter
Bush tying is an integral part of the tomato formation procedure. You can tie determinant-type tomatoes in a greenhouse to a trellis or twine to the frame of the building. It is impossible to make tight knots on the trunks. It is preferable to wrap the thread around the stem of the tomato without fixing it rigidly.
Conclusion
When purchasing a determinant variety of tomatoes, you must be prepared to form a bush in a certain way. Varieties of the most common schemes for the formation of tomatoes are offered at the choice of the farmer, and for sure their description will be useful not only for beginners, but also for experienced gardeners, because many farmers form tomatoes in their garden incorrectly, thereby reducing crop yields without suspecting it. Compliance with the rules of formation allows you to get the maximum return on fruits from plants, reduce the likelihood of infection with various ailments and facilitate the care of plantings.