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Recently, cherry tomatoes have become increasingly popular. 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 are used to decorate various dishes; it is not for nothing that these tomatoes are sometimes called cocktail tomatoes. They can be dried because they have a high content of dry matter and sugars. Cherry tomatoes look great in marinades. But most of all, they bring children joy, since they are completely eaten straight from the bush. Young consumers love these vegetables for their taste, and adults also appreciate them for their undeniable benefits.
The history of cherry tomatoes
After tomatoes were introduced 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 scientist-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 numerous.
Among them there are both tall and very tiny ones. We will introduce you to one of them today. This is a Pinocchio tomato variety, the full characteristics and description of which are presented below. Here is his photo.
Description and characteristics
The Pinocchio tomato was included in 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 growing in open ground, but many gardeners quickly realized that a small plant with a compact root system would do well outdoors. balcony and is quite suitable for indoor culture.
The State Register positions it as a mid-ripening variety, but producing companies, for example, Sedek, consider it an early ripening variety.
The Pinocchio tomato is a standard variety and is super-determinate. It does not need pinching at all; a strong bush should not need a garter. Low bushes, up to only 30 cm, do not produce strong roots.
Pinocchio's yield is not very high. Many manufacturers promise up to 1.5 kg per bush, but in reality it is less. Compact planting allows you to get a larger yield per unit area, since tomato bushes are compact and do not take up much space. The plant has a leaf of 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 super-determinate tomatoes, matures early, that is, it finishes its growth.Therefore, gardeners sometimes plant beds with taller tomatoes with Pinocchio plants. It yields quickly and does not interfere with the growth of other tomatoes.
- there are many bunches of tomatoes on the bush, each of which can contain 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 tasty fresh, perfectly pickled, and good in other preparations.
In order for the description and characteristics of the Pinocchio tomato to be complete, it is necessary to mention that this plant is resistant to the main diseases of tomatoes, and thanks to its precocity, it manages to bear fruit before late blight appears.
This tomato is grown in open ground, but increasingly, gardeners are purchasing its seeds to not only decorate their balcony or loggia, but also to get a harvest of tasty and healthy tomatoes at home. But no matter where you grow the Pinocchio tomato variety, you need to start with seedlings.
Growing seedlings
The timing of sowing seeds for seedlings depends on where the plant will exist in the future. For open ground, you can start sowing at the end of March or beginning of April. For balcony culture, you can sow it earlier, since pots with plants can always be moved indoors in case of cold weather. To grow on a windowsill, Pinocchio tomatoes are sown in the fall in order to obtain ready-made seedlings by the beginning of winter.
Purchased seeds, as well as those collected from your own 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%. Seeds should not be kept in the solution for longer than 20 minutes, so that they do not lose their germination capacity. 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.
Sow the seeds immediately after soaking in previously prepared soil from equal parts of humus, leaf or turf soil and purchased peat soil. Adding ash to the mixture - a 10 liter glass and superphosphate - tbsp. a spoonful of the same amount will make the soil more nutritious. It is better to sow in separate cassettes or pots - 2 seeds in each. If both plants sprout, leave the strongest one, carefully trim the second one at soil level.
The root system of small tomatoes grows slowly and simply will not be able to absorb the volume of a large pot; the soil will become acidic, which will have a bad effect on the development of the plant in the future.
To successfully grow seedlings, you need an optimal temperature - about 22 degrees, good and sufficient lighting - daylight 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.
Fertilizing is done once a decade with a soluble complex mineral fertilizer with a mandatory content of microelements. Every 3-4 weeks you need to transplant into a larger container. The root system must be carefully protected from damage and the plants must be handled with a lump of earth without shaking it off.
Features of growing in soil
Pinocchio tomatoes are planted only in warm soil. Its temperature should not be less than 15 degrees.
Tomatoes need weekly watering, fertilizing every 10-15 days, loosening the soil after watering and hilling up twice with damp 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 at the root; the leaves should not be wetted, so as not to create conditions for the occurrence of late blight. For 1 sq. m of beds, you can plant up to 6 plants, but they feel better if a distance of 50 cm is maintained between the bushes.
Growing tomatoes on the balcony
A loggia or balcony oriented to the south, southeast or southwest is suitable for this. 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 sufficiently fertile, since 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 reviews from those who grew the Pinocchio tomato on the balcony, it feels better in a container of at least 5 liters. It is very convenient to use cut-off five-liter plastic bottles, in which you must make holes to drain excess water when watering.
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.
Do not allow the earthen ball in the pot to dry out completely. 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 harvest. Plants need to be fed at least once every 2 weeks, but with a weak solution of complex mineral fertilizer. After fertilizing, watering must follow. Do not forget to loosen the soil in the planting container so that air can flow freely to the roots. If the weather is cloudy for a long time, illumination with special phytolamps will not harm the tomatoes. To ensure 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 pollinate on their own.
Growing on a windowsill
Slightly different from that on the balcony. For homemade tomatoes, it is important to maintain the correct temperature within 23 degrees during the day and 18 at night. Lighting for these plants is required. For full development, they need at least 12 hours of daylight. Water homemade tomatoes so that the entire earthen ball is completely wet. When feeding, complete fertilizers are first given, and with the beginning of flowering and fruiting, potassium salt is additionally added to the fertilizer mixture.
The Pinocchio tomato will not produce a huge harvest, but small ornamental bushes will not only delight the eye with their appearance, but will also provide delicious tiny fruits.
I grow 2 plants in a box on the windowsill. This year 4 crops are ripening and 2 clusters are blooming. I hope to get some of my tomatoes by the New Year.