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Tomatoes planted on time take root quickly, without experiencing stress from changing conditions. But it is not always possible to follow the recommended timing and the seedlings may outgrow. To help tomatoes and get a good harvest, it is necessary to take a set of measures.
Appearance
The ideal appearance of tomatoes ready for planting:
- 4 true leaves are formed;
- The stem is dense, with short internodes;
- The leaves are green, elastic;
- The stem color is purple;
- Height up to 20 cm.
If planting time is delayed, the stem stretches and becomes thinner. The internodes increase, and the formation of 3 and 4 pairs of true leaves begins. Bud formation may begin. During transplantation, such tomatoes experience severe stress, which significantly slows down development and delays fruiting.
By appearance you can determine how much the seedlings have overgrown. Slightly overgrown tomatoes have a height of up to 30 cm, 4 leaves, growth occurs at elongated internodes. Such seedlings do not require special measures before transplanting; hardening and good care are sufficient.
Medium overgrown seedlings up to 45 cm high, the formation of 3 pairs of leaves and buds begins. Planted in the ground, it suffers for a long time, the first fruits may be the last.
Severely overgrown tomatoes are more than 50 cm high, have more than 6 leaves, perhaps even flowering buds. If plant such overgrown tomato seedlings into the ground, they can quickly die.
Hardening
Overgrown seedlings have significantly reduced immunity. To avoid the death of the plant, it is necessary to harden it before planting the tomatoes in a permanent place.
To start hardening, it is advisable to choose a cloudy, warm day with high humidity. Under such conditions, tomato seedlings will experience the least stress. Tomatoes begin to be taken out into the open air gradually. For the first time, 2 hours will be enough, the time is increased every day. After a week, you can leave the tomatoes outdoors, covering them from possible cold snap.
If tomato seedlings are transferred from an apartment to a greenhouse, it is enough to create high humidity, optimal temperature conditions and cover them from the sun, gradually opening access to bright light for a longer period. The hardening process takes up to 2 weeks; after this period, shading is not required. In cloudy weather, seedlings do not need to be shaded.
Timing for planting overgrown seedlings
When determining the timing of planting overgrown tomato seedlings, it is necessary to focus on the soil temperature. When planted in cold soil, seedlings may develop fungal diseases. The soil temperature should be at least 15 degrees Celsius.In most Russian regions, open ground warms up to the required temperature only in May, in more northern regions - in June.
In closed ground, the soil temperature is increased artificially. In addition to directly heating the greenhouse, you can use black film and the heat that is released during the decomposition of organic substances.
Greenhouse cultivation
Before planting an overgrown tomato seedlings, it is necessary to prepare the greenhouse. The soil is cleared of debris, dug up, and fertilizers are applied. Manure, even rotted manure, must be applied carefully. An excess of this fertilizer can harm tomatoes.
The greenhouse is washed from the inside, paying special attention to the joints and corners; insect larvae and fungal spores often overwinter in these places. After washing, it is advisable to spray the walls with insecticides. The top surface of the greenhouse does not need to be washed. The accumulated particles of dust and debris will create a filter from the sun's rays, which can burn the unaccustomed leaves of the seedlings. When the tomatoes get used to the new conditions, this usually takes 1 - 2 weeks, the dirt from the outer surface is washed off so that the tomatoes receive more heat and light during the growth process.
To transplant slightly overgrown seedlings, it is necessary to prepare holes in which the root system of tomatoes and a third of the stem can freely fit. As a rule, such seedlings do not require deeper burial.The seedlings are carefully planted in the prepared hole, covered with soil and generously filled with warm water.
A hole for tomato seedlings is prepared based on the volume of the roots and the height of half the stem. Usually a hole 40 cm deep is enough. The seedlings are placed in the hole not vertically, but slightly inclined. Thanks to the inclined planting, roots begin to form on the stem, which is dug into the ground, which will allow the tomato bush to receive more nutrients and produce a better harvest.
In wet soil the stems may rot. It is difficult to regulate humidity in open ground; black plastic film can help with this. It is fixed on top of the soil around the tomato trunk.
The planted tomato seedlings are buried and generously filled with water at a temperature of about 20 degrees. It is advisable to shade the tomatoes for a week so that they can more easily adapt to new conditions. You cannot feed tomatoes for 2 weeks; an exception can be made for potassium fertilizers in chelated form, which can improve plant immunity.
It is advisable to prune severely overgrown tomato seedlings a week before planting. When pruning, remove the upper part by about a third, and the lower leaves. When planting, the stem is planted horizontally, with the remaining leaves slightly raised above the ground. For root formation to begin, the soil must be constantly moist; to avoid frequent watering, the soil can be mulched.
As a rule, the yield of tomatoes grown from the top of the trunk will be higher than that of a bush that grew from the rest of the seedlings.
Caring for established seedlings consists of timely watering, weeding and protection from insects and diseases.
Planting in open ground
Before planting seedlings in open ground, it is necessary to prepare the ground. To grow well, tomatoes need loose, well-drained, nutritious soil. To improve the structure, the soil is dug up twice - in autumn and spring. During autumn digging, rotted manure and humus are added to the soil. In the spring, the soil is dug up a second time, leveled, and planting holes are made.
The size of the planting hole is usually 20-40 cm in height and the same in width. Complex long-acting fertilizers are added to the pit, and humus is added if necessary.
A good effect is obtained by soaking the roots of the seedlings immediately before planting in the Prestige insecticide. It provides protection against the Colorado potato beetle and mole cricket for 2 months, then the substance is removed from the plant. It is not recommended to use this product for ultra-early tomatoes.
If the tomato seedlings are very overgrown, you can place them horizontally, tying the top to a support.
The tomatoes are carefully buried, watered generously with warm water and shaded.Shading of planted seedlings is necessary until the root system begins to fully nourish the plant with water. Typically, it takes no more than a week for the roots to restore all functions.
Further care for tomatoes consists of timely watering and weeding.
Let's sum it up
Even under unfavorable conditions, you can get a good harvest of tomatoes, you just need to be careful about the plants and follow all the growing rules.
