Content
Cherry tomatoes - this is a group of varieties and hybrids that differ from ordinary tomatoes, primarily in the size of the fruit. The name comes from the English “cherry” - cherry. Initially, cherry tomatoes resembled cherry fruits. Now a huge number of varieties have been bred, differing both in shape (elongated, round, teardrop-shaped) and in color (traditional red, orange, yellow, black).
Benefits of black cherry tomatoes
The red color of tomato fruits is due to the lycopene contained in the fruits. The black color, although not a completely correct definition of color, is rather dark purple, formed due to a substance such as anthocyanin. Anthocyanin has a bactericidal effect and destroys some types of bacteria. During colds, it helps the body fight viral infections and improves human immunity.
Anthocyanin accumulates well in the eyeball, helps strengthen capillaries and outflow of intraocular fluid. Those who regularly eat foods rich in anthocyanin have good vision, are less tired from working at the computer and recover faster.
And another property of anthocyanin is antioxidant. Anthocyanin removes free radicals from the body and protects our body from cancer. The unique substance anthocyanin is found in eggplants, beets, berries, and black tomatoes.
Black cherry tomatoes have long ceased to be exotic. Our gardeners successfully grow varieties of black tomatoes in their garden plots. The obvious benefits for the body are complemented by excellent taste characteristics. Due to the high content of sugars (glucose and fructose), acids become less pronounced. Therefore the taste is more balanced. Moreover, those who regularly eat dark tomatoes claim that regular tomatoes are now tasteless to them.
Use in cooking
Cherry tomatoes are used in cooking to decorate dishes and for preservation. They can be dried and dried. Housewives add cherry tomatoes when preserving cucumbers and ordinary tomatoes, which makes the preparations aesthetically attractive. And it makes it possible to make maximum use of the volume of the canning container, filling the voids with small tomatoes between large vegetables. The unusual color of cherry tomatoes encourages a person to eat the fruit or definitely try it. Children really like cherry tomatoes, who, most often, cannot be persuaded to eat vegetables. And another huge plus of cherry tomatoes is that they ripen with a brush, there is no need to pick the tomatoes one by one. Cherries are characterized by increased shelf life. They are stored for a long time without losing their taste properties.
Growing
Growing black cherry tomatoes is no different from the agricultural technology of traditional tomatoes.Cherry tomatoes are resistant to temperature changes and diseases, germinate well, grow actively and bear fruit both in protected ground and in open ground. Features of growing cherry tomatoes:
- Cherry tomatoes are grown only by seedlings. At the end of winter, the seeds are planted in containers with prepared soil. How to grow tomato seedlings, watch the video:
- In the beginning - the first half of May, seedlings are planted in greenhouses, and in open ground, when the threat of return frosts has passed. Follow the planting pattern of 50x50 cm, 3 - 4 plants per 1 square meter. m.
- In a greenhouse, plants grow very tall up to 180 cm, indeterminate varieties up to 2 m, and produce a huge number of stepchildren. The task of gardeners is to form a bush, tie it up and remove the stepsons in time. It is better to form a bush with 1 – 2 stems. The second stem is formed from the most viable lateral stepson. If there are a lot of fruits, then remove the stepsons without regret, otherwise the ripening of the fruits will be difficult. The peculiarity of cherry tomatoes is that they are especially tasty when picked from the bush at the stage of biological ripeness. If you pick cherry tomatoes at technical ripeness and they ripen at home, then the tomatoes lose a significant part of their taste.
- It is necessary to tie it up so that the bush does not break off under the weight of the fruits and so that the fruits do not lie on the ground, causing them to crack. Choose the method of tying to a trellis; it is much more convenient than tying to a support.
- Tomatoes, especially cherry ones, like regular watering. If you neglect watering or water occasionally, the cherry tomatoes will crack.
- Cherry tomatoes bear fruit abundantly and for a long time. You can harvest until the first frost.
Most gardeners and gardeners are familiar with the agricultural techniques of growing tomatoes. Growing cherry tomatoes is not difficult, since the growing techniques are similar.
Diseases and pests
Despite the fact that cherry tomatoes are disease-resistant, preventative measures should still be taken to protect plants from certain diseases. Timely measures will protect you from crop loss.
- Late blight manifests itself in yellowing and falling leaves. The most dangerous disease for tomatoes. Caused by high humidity. To avoid late blight, ventilate greenhouses and pick off affected leaves. You can use traditional methods: whey is diluted with water 1:1, and the plants are sprayed. You can sprinkle ash between the rows a week after planting the plants in the ground. The following preparations are suitable for drastic measures: 1 tablet of trichopolum is diluted in 1 liter of water, the plants are sprayed with this solution every 2 weeks. Or use the following drugs: Fitosporin, Mikosan, Bordeaux mixture. Dilute according to instructions.
- Apical rot Tomato blight results in the tops of the tomatoes turning black or brown. Prevention measures: When planting plants in the ground, add 1 tbsp of wood ash and calcium nitrate to each hole. spoon.
- Curling leaves in tomatoes is caused by a lack of microelements or insufficient watering.
- Aphid affects plants both in greenhouses and in open ground. Literally sucks out all the juices. Spraying with infusion of chamomile, tobacco or yarrow will help. Or the drug "Verticillin".
- Brown spot quite a dangerous disease. It begins with the appearance of brown spots on the leaves, and it can all end in the death of the plant. “Fitosporin” will help against this misfortune.
Many people want to grow plants without any chemicals. In this case, try traditional methods. But there are cases when serious treatment cannot be avoided. There are always several options; some methods help some, others others.
Varieties
The most famous and popular among gardeners are the following varieties of tomatoes - black cherry.
Black Cherry
Black cherry or Black cherry is a determinate plant. A tall, powerful bush suitable for growing in open and protected ground. Black cherry is a mid-early plant; about 115 days pass from the emergence of seedlings to the first fruits.
Advantages of the variety:
- High yield: You can get up to 5 kg of fruit from 1 bush;
- No pinching is required, since the bulk of the fruit grows on the side shoots;
- Very tasty fruits, unusually sweet, unusual color. Children really like it;
- Suitable for fresh consumption, salads, and canning;
- They ripen quickly.
Disadvantages of the variety:
- Thin skin. The fruits crack during the ripening process.
- The fruits are poorly stored.
- The plant requires constant staking, as the fruits ripen en masse and there are many of them.
The plant is grown by seedlings. Suitable for central Russia and Siberia for growing in greenhouses. Tolerates climatic fluctuations well. In the southern regions it can be grown in open ground. Black cherry tomatoes respond positively to regular fertilizing with organic and mineral fertilizers and regular watering.
Cherry Black Zebra
Mid-season variety, striped fruits. They look very unusual. Delicious fruits of universal use. The skin is dense and does not crack.
Cherry Chocolate Apples F1
An early ripening variety, it takes about 100 days from germination to the first fruits. The weight of the fruit is about 30 - 40 g, they are resistant to cracking. Dark burgundy color. Delicious, very sweet.
Cherry Chocolate Pearl
The variety has high disease resistance and is resistant to temperature fluctuations. Fruiting is long lasting. The fruits are elongated, drop-shaped, with excellent taste. Collection variety.
Cherry dance with the Smurfs
The variety is named after the hero of the children's cartoon "The Smurfs". Sweet aromatic fruits, rich purple in color, almost black, with a reddish spot at the tip. Resistant to diseases and temperature fluctuations.
Cherry Amethyst Cream Cherry
A rare variety, recommended for cultivation in greenhouses and open ground in the southern regions. The height of the bush is up to 2 m, the best yield is obtained when the bush is formed with 2 - 3 stems. The fruits are creamy-yellow in color, dark only on the shoulders. The skin is dense and does not crack. Well kept. They have a pleasant taste. The use of the fruit is universal. Fruiting is long, abundant until frost.
Conclusion
In recent years, more and more new and unusual varieties of seemingly familiar vegetables have appeared. These include black cherry tomatoes. They will become a real decoration of your garden thanks to their unusual colors and abundant fruiting. You will also be pleased with the taste of the fruit, which is excellent both fresh and canned.
