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When purchasing tomato seeds, many farmers prefer determinate varieties. Such tomatoes are excellent for growing in open and protected areas of the ground, have high yields 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 tilling can reduce crop yield. Such an unfavorable development of events can be prevented through the correct formation of tomato bushes. The formation of determinate 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 possible schemes for the formation of bushes and the rules for their implementation in the article below.
Features of determinate tomatoes
Having decided to grow determinate varieties of tomatoes on your plot, you need to understand that they are all divided into several types in accordance with the characteristics of agricultural technology. Thus, experts distinguish the following types determinate tomatoes:
Superdeterminate varieties
This plant species includes low-growing tomato varieties. Superdeterminate tomatoes form bushes no more than 70 cm high. Stepchildren form on them in small quantities. When 3-4 inflorescences appear, the main shoot stops growing. The advantage of such varieties is the rapid ripening of the fruits, however, the yield of the crop is relatively low and already in the middle of summer such plants can only serve as decoration for the plot, but not as a source of fresh vegetables.
When growing superdeterminate tomatoes, no special care is required from the farmer. The resulting stepchildren do not develop quickly enough, so they do not need to be removed at all. There is also no need to pinch the bushes, since they stop growing on their own early. In the process of caring for plants, a gardener can only speed up the fruiting process 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. In this case, it will be possible to obtain the first harvest of vegetables quite early and already at the beginning of summer the greenhouse will be freed up for new crops.
Among the super-determinate varieties of tomatoes, the most famous are “Naples”, “Junior”, “Malyshok”.
Semi-determinate tomatoes
The category of semi-determinate tomatoes includes tomatoes, the bushes of which can reach a height of 1.5 m. These plants are also characterized by independent growth arrest, however, in some cases this symptom does not appear.
Semi-determinate tomatoes on a long main stem are capable of forming ovaries in large quantities, resulting in high productivity of the crop as a whole. However, in 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 amount of harvest. That is why, in greenhouse conditions, it is recommended to form semi-determinate tomatoes into one stem in a stepwise manner or at two full stems.
In open ground conditions, the growing season of crop growth is limited by atmospheric temperature indicators, therefore, when growing semi-determinate tomatoes, the formation of one fruit-bearing main stem is quite sufficient. To speed up harvesting in unprotected conditions, bushes are pinched as autumn approaches.
Among the most famous semi-determinate tomato varieties are “Alliance”, “Ox Heart”, “Red Arrow” and some others.
Determinate varieties
Varieties of ordinary determinate tomatoes are distinguished by high fertility, which can only be achieved with a competent approach to the formation of a bush. Tomatoes of the determinate type are considered medium-sized. Their height can reach 1.5 m. Such tomatoes can be grown effectively both in open and protected areas of the ground.When forming them, you can use several different formation schemes, but the most productive is the method with two or three stems. Visual diagrams formation of tomato bushes This principle can be seen in the picture below.
Standard varieties
Standard varieties of tomatoes are distinguished by a very compact bush, which not only completes its growth on its own, but also regulates the number and branching of the resulting stepsons. Caring for such tomatoes is very simple by providing regular watering and fertilizing.
Thus, special attention should be paid to the formation of bushes when growing determinate and semi-determinate type tomatoes. To do this, depending on growing conditions and personal preferences, the farmer can choose one of the proposed schemes below. Standard and there is no need to form superdeterminant tomatoes at all, since their agrotechnical qualities do not allow them to grow much. Growing such tomatoes can be an excellent option for beginners and especially busy gardeners.
Schemes for the formation of determinate tomatoes
Analyzing the characteristics of various types of determinate tomatoes, it becomes clear that there cannot be a single recommended scheme for their formation. The choice of scheme depends on the specific characteristics of the plant and its cultivation conditions. Thus, for determinate-type varieties, you can use the schemes described below.
Formation into one stem
It is rational to use the formation of tomatoes into one stem for semi-determinate varieties in a greenhouse.The method allows you to obtain high yields of vegetables and, if necessary, regulate the growth of the tomato bush. There are several ways to form tomatoes into one stem:
Classic way
With this method formation of determinate tomatoes in a greenhouse, farmers remove all side shoots (stepchildren), leaving one main fruit-bearing stem. With the arrival of autumn cold weather, the plants in the greenhouse are pinched so that the existing fruits ripen faster. A diagram of such formation of tomatoes in the classical way can be seen below in picture “A”.
Scheme with partial removal of stepsons
This method of formation involves the preservation of several stepsons on the main stem of the plant. After fruits begin to form on the left side shoots, they need to be pinched. Thus, the farmer will receive a tall tomato bush, consisting of one main fruit-bearing stem and several fruit clusters on pinched shoots (diagram B). This method of forming determinate-type plants makes it possible to increase crop yield.
Stepwise formation of tomato bushes
In this way, it is recommended to form semi-determinate tomatoes in a greenhouse, where favorable conditions for fruiting of the crop are maintained for a long period of time. Forming bushes in this way allows you to competently regulate the process of fruiting of the crop and promptly stop the growth process of the main shoot.
With stepwise formation, tomato bushes regularly shoot, but at the same time, one side shoot is left in the middle of the main trunk of the plant. At the 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 a greenhouse can be continued until the end of the growing season. An exaggerated diagram of such formation is given below.
Formation of tomatoes into 2 and 3 stems
It is recommended to use the formation of two and three stems for medium-sized determinate tomatoes that tend to complete growth on their own. The formation process consists of removing only some stepsons. So, when growing tomatoes on the main trunk, the 2-3 lowest stepsons must be removed. Above, one or two of the strongest side shoots are left, which, along with the main stem, will grow, forming leaves and ovaries. With this pinching, you can get the maximum yield from determinate-type tomatoes. You can see the formation pattern of 2 and 3 stems in the picture below.
You can see the process of forming determinate tomatoes into one or more stems in a greenhouse in the video:
Formation of superdeterminate and standard varieties
The proposed schemes are not suitable for these determinant types, but this does not mean that the process of growing them can be “left to chance.” The formation of superdeterminate tomatoes involves removing the lower leaves of the plant. By removing excess greenery from the trunk of tomatoes, you can relieve the load and speed up the process of fruit ripening.
Basic principles of tomato formation
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 of the formation of tomato bushes.
Stepsoning
Tomato pinching is the procedure for removing side shoots that form in the leaf axils. Such shoots consume quite a lot of micronutrients for their full development, which is often unreasonable. That is why experienced farmers, when the first stepchildren appear, try to remove them. Remove the side shoot by pinching it off with your fingers or cutting it off with scissors. In this case, it is necessary to leave a small piece of shoot (stump) so that in the future a new stepson does not form in this place.
It is recommended to plant determinate tomatoes in the morning, since during this period the plant is maximally saturated with moisture. In this case, the damage on the trunk will dry out throughout the day, and the contact of all kinds of viruses and fungi on 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 greenhouse conditions, during pinching, certain plant protection measures must be observed. All farmer's tools and gloves must be regularly treated with a disinfectant solution of potassium permanganate.
Tomato planting 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 activity: once every 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 during the formation of tomatoes into one stem according to the above proposed schemes. For other determinate varieties pinching tomatoes 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, you need to remove the brush on the main or side shoot so that 1-2 leaves free from the ovaries remain higher up the trunk. They will allow moisture and nutrients to properly circulate through the stems, supplying energy to all the vegetative organs of the plant.
The formation of determinate type tomatoes may involve not only pinching the tops of the stems, but also pinching the inflorescences. When growing semi-determinate and determinate tomatoes, it is rational to remove the first flowering clusters that form, since they require a lot of energy and “slow down” the process of formation of new ovaries.
Removing leaves
Leaves, like stepsons, require a certain amount of nutrients for their development. To save plant resources, gardeners remove the lower leaves on the main trunk and the remaining stepsons, since they do not perform an important function. Leaves should be removed by cutting or pinching. Manipulation must be carried out especially carefully so as not to damage the skin of the plant. The lower leaves of tomatoes should be removed simultaneously with pinching. You can remove from 1 to 3 sheets at a time.
Garter
Gartering bushes is an integral part of the procedure for forming tomatoes. Determinate type tomatoes in a greenhouse can be tied to a trellis or with twine to the frame of a building. You cannot make tight knots on trunks.It is preferable to wrap the thread around the trunk of the tomatoes without fixing it tightly.
Conclusion
When purchasing a determinate variety of tomatoes, you must be prepared to form the bush in a certain way. Varieties of the most common schemes for the formation of tomatoes are offered for the choice of the farmer and certainly 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 the yield of the crop without knowing it. Compliance with the rules of formation allows you to get the maximum fruit yield from plants, reduce the likelihood of their infection with various ailments and make it easier to care for plantings.
