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Cherry tomatoes have become more and more popular lately. Indeterminate and standard, with simple or complex brushes, of different colors and shapes, they are all small in size and have an excellent rich taste, sometimes with fruity notes. They decorate various dishes; it is not without reason that these tomatoes are sometimes called cocktail tomatoes. They can be dried as they have a high content of solids and sugars. Cherry tomatoes look great in marinades. But most of all they bring joy to children, as they cleanly eat them right from the bush. Little consumers love these vegetables for their taste, and adults also appreciate them for their undeniable benefits.
The history of the creation of cherry tomatoes
After the tomatoes were brought to Europe, small-fruited tomatoes were cultivated on the Greek island of Santorini. They liked the island’s volcanic soil and dry climate. The history of varietal cherry tomatoes dates back to 1973. It was then that Israeli scientists-breeders obtained the first cultivated varieties of small-fruited tomatoes. They were sweet, kept well, and held up well in transit. Since then, cherry tomatoes have spread all over the world, and their varieties and hybrids are becoming more and more.
Among them there are both tall and quite crumbs. We will introduce you to one of them today. This is a tomato of the Pinocchio variety, the full characteristics and description of which are presented below. Here is his photo.
Description and characteristics
The Pinocchio tomato entered the State Register of Breeding Achievements in 1997. It is recommended for cultivation in all regions of our country. Initially, the Pinocchio tomato was intended for outdoor cultivation, but many gardeners quickly realized that a small plant with a compact root system would feel good on the balcony and is quite suitable for indoor cultivation.
The State Register positions it as a mid-ripening variety, but manufacturing companies, for example, Sedek, consider it early-ripening.
The Pinocchio tomato belongs to the standard varieties and is superdeterminant. He does not need stepsoning at all, a strong bush should not need a garter. Low, only up to 30 cm bushes do not give strong roots.
The yield of Pinocchio is not too high. Many manufacturers promise up to 1,5 kg per bush, but in reality it is less. A dense planting allows you to get a larger yield per unit area, since the tomato bushes are compact and do not take up much space. The leaf of a plant is an intermediate type between tomato and potato. It is dark green in color and slightly wrinkled. At the time of fruiting, bushes strewn with small fruits are very decorative.
Pinocchio, like all superdeterminant tomatoes, tops early, that is, finishes its growth. Therefore, gardeners sometimes plant beds with taller tomatoes with Pinocchio plants. He quickly gives the crop and does not interfere with the growth of other tomatoes.
- there are a lot of tomato brushes on the bush, each of which can have up to 10 fruits;
- the weight of one tomato ranges from 20 to 30 g;
- the shape of the fruit is round, and the color is bright red;
- the taste is very pleasant, tomato, sweetish with a slight sourness;
- the purpose of Pinocchio tomatoes is universal – they are delicious fresh, marinate well, and are good in other preparations.
In order for the description and characteristics of the Pinocchio tomato to be complete, it must be mentioned that this plant is resistant to the main diseases of tomatoes, thanks to its early maturity, it has time to bear fruit before the appearance of phytophthora.
This tomato is grown in open ground, but more and more often gardeners buy its seeds in order not only to decorate a balcony or loggia with it, but also to get a crop of tasty and healthy tomatoes at home. But wherever you grow a Pinocchio tomato, you need to start with seedlings.
Growing seedlings
The timing of sowing seeds for seedlings depends on where the plant will continue to exist. For open ground, you can start sowing in late March or early April. For balcony culture, you can sow it earlier, since pots with plants can always be moved into the room in case of a cold snap. For growing on the windowsill, the Pinocchio tomato is sown in the fall in order to get ready-made seedlings by the beginning of winter.
The purchased seeds, as well as those collected from their tomatoes in the garden, are prepared for sowing: they are pickled in a solution of potassium permanganate. For the desired effect, its concentration should be 1%. For longer than 20 minutes, the seeds should not be kept in the solution so that they do not lose their germination. Next, you need to soak them in a solution of epin, humate, zircon. These substances not only increase the energy of seed germination, but also stimulate the immunity of the future plant. Exposure time – from 12 to 18 hours.
Seeds are sown immediately after soaking in pre-prepared soil from equal parts of humus, leaf or sod land and purchased peat soil. Adding ash to the mixture – a glass of 10 liters and superphosphate – Art. a spoon for the same amount will make the soil more nutritious. Sowing is best done in separate cassettes or pots – 2 seeds each. If both plants sprout, leave the strongest, the second is carefully cut off at soil level.
The root system of small tomatoes grows slowly and simply cannot master the volume of a large pot, the soil will turn sour, which will have a bad effect on the development of the plant in the future.
For the successful cultivation of seedlings, an optimal temperature is needed – about 22 degrees, good and sufficient lighting in time – daylight hours should last at least 12 hours and timely moderate watering. Water Pinocchio tomatoes only with settled water at room temperature. This should be done when the top layer of soil dries completely.
Top dressing is done once a decade with a soluble complex mineral fertilizer with a mandatory content of trace elements. Every 3-4 weeks you need to transplant into a larger container. The root system must be carefully protected from damage and plants with a clod of earth must be handled without shaking it off.
Features of growing in the ground
Pinocchio tomatoes are planted only in warm soil. Its temperature should not be less than 15 degrees.
Tomatoes need weekly watering, top dressing every 10-15 days, loosening the earth after watering and double hilling with moist soil. Water Pinocchio tomatoes only with warm water. This should be done no later than 3 hours before sunset. It is necessary to water only under the root, the leaves should not be wetted, so as not to create conditions for the occurrence of phytophthora. For 1 sq. m beds can be planted up to 6 plants, but they feel better when maintaining a distance of 50 cm between the bushes.
Growing tomatoes on the balcony
For this, a loggia or a balcony oriented to the south, southeast or southwest is suitable. On the northern balcony, the Pinocchio tomato will not have enough light and its development will be very slow. The soil for growing must be fertile enough, as the tomato will grow in a confined space. It is prepared in the same way as for growing seedlings.
Many gardeners believe that a 2-liter pot is enough for this variety. But according to the reviews of those who grew the Pinocchio tomato on the balcony, he feels better in a container of at least 5 liters. It is very convenient to use cut five-liter plastic bottles, in which it is necessary to make holes to drain excess water during irrigation.
Tomatoes planted in a confined space are completely dependent on the care that the gardener will provide them. Therefore, watering and fertilizing must be carried out in a timely manner.
It is impossible to allow complete drying of the earthy coma in a pot. Tomatoes can respond to such an error in care by dropping flowers and ovaries. Soil fertility should also always be at its best, this will ensure a full-fledged harvest. Plants should be fed at least once every 2 weeks, but with a weak solution of complex mineral fertilizer. After top dressing, watering is required. Do not forget to loosen the soil in the planting container so that air flows freely to the roots. If the weather is cloudy for a long time, the backlight with special fitolamps will not damage the tomatoes. For uniform illumination, even in sunny weather, containers with tomatoes are rotated 180 degrees daily. Pinocchio tomatoes growing on the balcony do not need pollination, as they are pollinated on their own.
Growing on a windowsill
Not much different from the one on the balcony. The proportion of domestic tomatoes is important to maintain the correct temperature within 23 degrees during the day and 18 at night. Illumination for these plants is required. For full development, they need daylight hours of at least 12 hours. Homemade tomatoes are watered so that the entire earthen lump is completely soaked. When top dressing, full fertilizers are first given, and with the onset of flowering and fruiting, potassium salt is additionally added to the fertilizer mixture.
The Pinocchio tomato will not give a giant harvest, but small decorative bushes will not only please the eye with their appearance, but also provide tasty baby fruits.