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Tomato Cranberry in sugar occupies one of the honorable places among the varieties of cherry tomatoes. This is a universal variety that is unpretentious in care and can be grown in any conditions, from open ground to the windowsill in your own home.
Description of the tomato variety Cranberry in sugar
The Cranberry tomato in sugar was bred by domestic breeders from the Aelita agricultural company. Its creators: M. N. Gulkin, V. G. Kachainik and N. V. Nastenko. The variety successfully passed all studies and was officially included in the state register in 2012. There are no restrictions on the area and methods of cultivation.
Methods of growing the variety:
- open ground;
- greenhouse;
- large boxes on the windowsill or balcony;
- outdoor growing in pots.
The decorative appearance of the plant allows it to be grown not only for fruit production, but also to improve the appearance of the premises.
General description of tomato Cranberry in sugar
Tomato Cranberry in sugar is a low-growing determinate plant, which, as a rule, does not require formation and garter. Its height reaches 60 cm.Having reached the limiting point, the bush stops growing, and flower brushes appear at its top. When a tomato bears fruit intensively, clusters with small red fruits form on the hands.
This is a standard tomato variety that grows in the form of a compact tree without side shoots. Over time, the bush acquires small dark greenish leaves. Foliage is sparse. The inflorescences of the plant are of a complex type, the stalk has a characteristic articulation.
Additional information on the description of the tomato Cranberry in sugar is in the video:
Brief description and taste of the fruit
As you can see from the photo, the Cranberry tomato in sugar produces small, round, dark red fruits, slightly larger than a pea. They are very similar to cranberries, which is why the plant has that name.
The average weight of one tomato is 15 - 18 g. In one nest there are 2 - 3 pieces at the same time.
The skin of the fruit is strong, thick, smooth and glossy. There is slight ribbing around the stalk. Tomatoes grown in a greenhouse have thicker skins. Less dense - in plants planted in open ground.
The pulp is juicy, medium hard, not watery, with a small number of small seeds. The fruits have a pronounced tomato aroma and taste sweetish with a distinct sourness.
Manufacturers of the variety recommend using the Cranberry tomato in sugar for preparing fresh salads and preserving whole fruits. Due to its density, the peel does not crack during heat treatment.
Varietal characteristics
Sugared cranberries are an early ripening plant that begins to bear fruit approximately 100 days after planting (80 days after seed germination).
If you follow the care instructions, Cranberries in sugar planted in open ground ripen in early June, and the fruiting period ends only in mid-September.
In a greenhouse with 1 sq. m., about 3 kg of tomatoes are harvested; in open ground, the yield of the variety may be less. Such indicators are considered high among other varieties of cherry tomatoes, but at the same time they are significantly inferior to other, larger varieties. They increase productivity by regularly fertilizing and following watering recommendations.
The Cranberry in Sugar variety is resistant to adverse weather conditions and can be grown in any climatic region. Gardeners also note high resistance to late blight and fungal diseases.
Pros and cons of the variety
Advantages | Flaws |
1. Bright and juicy taste. 2. Thick peel, due to which tomato fruits are used for pickling and salting. 3. Variety of growing methods. 4. High resistance of Cranberries in sugar to late blight and fungal attack. 5. The variety is unpretentious in terms of climatic conditions and is resistant to weather changes. 6. Compact size of the bush, the growth of which is naturally limited in height. After which the bush develops only in width. 7. The tomato variety does not require garter. Does not require stepsoning. 8. Low calorie content of the fruit, making this variety ideal for dietary nutrition. 9. Low maintenance: even a novice gardener can cope with growing Cranberries in sugar. 10. The plant has an attractive decorative appearance, due to which it can be used to decorate rooms. | 1. Low yields of Cranberries in sugar relative to larger varieties. 2. Notes of sourness in the taste. 3. The peel is thick, which is why the fruit may be too tough when eaten fresh. 4. Under ideal greenhouse conditions, a tomato bush can grow up to 1.6 m in length, contrary to manufacturers' claims. 5. Risk of disease with mosaic virus. |
Another advantage of the variety is its rich supply of vitamins and microelements. The main beneficial properties of tomato Cranberry in sugar include:
- lowering cholesterol levels;
- normalization of the cardiovascular system;
- improving the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract.
Rules for planting and care
In open ground, sugared cranberry seeds are planted exclusively in areas with a warm climate. Planting the variety through seedlings is more common.
Sowing seeds for seedlings
Planting of seeds begins in mid-March. To increase germination, they must be soaked for 12 hours in a solution with a biostimulator.
The floating seeds are thrown away: they are empty and therefore cannot sprout.
Tomato seedlings of this variety will require nutritious and loose soil. Substrate preparation:
- 2 parts of turf;
- 2 parts humus;
- 1 part river sand.
Seed planting order:
- Take containers 6-8 cm deep, thoroughly disinfect them and fill them with prepared soil. Sterilize the soil in a convenient way: by freezing or using steam treatment. Level and lightly water the soil.
- Make depressions 2 - 3 mm and plant seeds in them at intervals of 4 - 5 cm.
- Form a thin layer of peat or sand on top. Spray with settled water from a spray bottle.
- Cover the containers with cling film and put them in a dark place. The temperature should be 24 - 27 degrees.
- To prevent condensation from accumulating, the film must be removed once a day for 10 - 15 minutes. The soil should always be moist.
- After the Cranberry sprouts in sugar sprout, you need to place the containers in a bright, warm place: window sills on the south side are perfect.
- After the formation of two pairs of leaves, the tomatoes should be carefully planted in separate containers.
- After 4 days, it is recommended to fertilize with any universal fertilizer. Watering 1 - 2 times a week.
Transplanting seedlings
Planting seedlings of the Cranberry variety in sugar in open ground begins in mid-May. In greenhouses - from mid-April. The main thing is that at least 60 days have passed since planting.
Delays in planting can negatively affect the plant, slow down its growth and reduce yield. The height of seedlings for this variety should not exceed 35 cm.
For 1 sq. m. with an interval of at least 30 cm, 5 plants are planted: one in the center and the rest in the corners. The best time for planting is the evening of a warm, cloudy day. It is recommended to moisten the seedlings 2 - 3 hours before.
How to replant Cranberries in sugar:
- Dig holes 6 - 10 cm deep in the soil. Sprinkle the bottom with a pinch of tree resin.
- The main thing when replanting is to deepen the root collar of the tomato well to the first leaves and compact the soil.
- Drizzle Cranberries in sugar with 2 liters of water per 1 bush, cover with mulch.
- After transplanting, water the tomatoes every day for 4 - 5 days.
- After a week, loosen the space between the rows by 5 cm.
Tomato care
The Cranberry in Sugar variety is easy to care for. Regular watering and feeding are important for the plant.
Water the tomatoes in the morning with warm water.Before the buds form, watering is carried out once a week at the rate of 5 liters of water per 1 square meter. m. During the period of flowering and fruit set, it is recommended to increase the volume of water to 10 - 15 liters.
During the growing season of Cranberries in sugar, 2 - 3 feedings will be useful. The first is carried out 2 weeks after transplantation. You can feed the bushes with ammonium nitrate (2 tablespoons of solution per medium bucket of water).
After 3 weeks from the previous feeding, Cranberries in sugar are fertilized with superphosphate (2 tbsp per bucket of water). Each tomato bush should be watered with 0.5 liters of solution.
Conclusion
The Cranberry tomato in sugar is easy to care for; even a beginner can cope with its cultivation. This variety is also valued for its bright taste; the fruits can be eaten fresh or used for pickling and preservation. The characteristic sourness will add piquancy to sauces and main courses.
