Detailed Explanation of Key Techniques for Spring Planting of Cherry Tomatoes
Cherry tomatoes are generally what we eat as cherry tomatoes; compared with ordinary tomatoes, they are much smaller in size and are generally not eaten as a vegetable but as a fruit. Cherry tomatoes are also very high in nutritional value, so you can eat some regularly, and they are also a very good food for weight loss. In recent years, the planting area of this tomato variety has expanded somewhat, so what are the key techniques for spring planting of cherry tomatoes?
1. Seed treatment methods
To prevent the spread of pathogens carried by seeds, the seeds should be disinfected before sowing, either by soaking in warm water or by soaking in a chemical agent. During the germination period, rinse the seeds with warm water at about 25°C 1-2 times a day. After 2-3 days of germination, when 50% of the seeds have broken through the seed coat, they can be sown.
2. Sowing and raising seedlings
First water the prepared seedbed. After the water has seeped down for 2-3 hours, sow the seeds evenly, then cover with 0.5-1 cm of nutrient soil. The seeding rate is 3-5 grams per square meter of seedling bed, and 8-10 square meters of seedling bed are needed for the planting area of one mu. After sowing, cover with plastic film to keep warm and retain moisture, and remove the film immediately after the seedlings emerge. The management of cherry tomatoes from sowing to the emergence of the cotyledons is mainly about creating environmental conditions suitable for seed germination and seedling emergence, so as to achieve uniform, complete and strong seedlings as early as possible.
3. Transplanting seedlings at the right time
When cherry tomato seedlings have 1 true leaf and 1 heart leaf, transplant them into nutrient pots at noon on a sunny day. The nutrient soil should be based mainly on fully decomposed organic fertilizer, with an appropriate increase in the amount of phosphate fertilizer and a suitable application of nitrate nitrogen fertilizer. To ensure sufficient nutritional area, it is best to use 9 cm × 9 cm nutrient pots to protect the root system. The principle of seedbed management during the cherry tomato seedling stage is to provide appropriate temperature, humidity and sufficient sunlight. This is achieved by covering for warmth, removing the film for light, watering and fertilizing, and increasing the spacing between nutrient pots.
4. Planting method
Plant when the seedlings have grown 7-8 true leaves (they can be planted with flower buds). Plant in double rows per bed, with a narrow row spacing of 60 cm and a plant spacing of 40 cm, planting 2000 plants per mu. The planting depth should be such that the cotyledon position is level with the bed surface, and the planting water should be thoroughly watered at planting. After planting, cover with plastic film. Cut the film according to the length of the bed surface and the length to be buried in the soil at both ends, then place the cut film between the two rows of seedlings, pull the film horizontally toward the furrows on both sides, and finally pull it tight and press it firmly.
Field management such as watering, topdressing, temperature management, and uncovering and covering the greenhouse film is the same as for conventional early spring tomato cultivation. Pests and diseases are relatively mild, so control may not be necessary.
5. Pruning
Cherry tomatoes grow rapidly in greenhouses, with tall plants and poor upright growth. When the plants grow to 30-40 cm, stakes should be inserted for tying the vines or lines should be hung for support to prevent lodging. The side branches have strong growth vigor, so multi-layer plus continuous 2-layer pinching pruning can be used, that is, retaining the flower clusters on the main stem, keeping the side branches sent out from the main stem, leaving 2 flower clusters on each side branch, and then pinching after leaving 2 leaves above the flower cluster. Timely remove side shoots and twist the side branches so that they do not shade each other. Twisting is generally done on sunny days. Promptly remove the yellowed old leaves and diseased leaves in the lower part to reduce nutrient consumption and enhance light penetration.
6. Flower dipping to ensure fruit set
When the temperature is low in early spring, pollination is poor and flowers are prone to drop. You can use 2,4-D to smear the calyx and flower stalk of freshly opened flowers (mark with red poster paint), or dip the entire more uniformly opened flower cluster in a 2,4-D solution.
7. Harvesting
Because cherry tomatoes have high sugar content, only when harvested at full maturity can their inherent flavor and quality truly be reflected. Therefore, harvest at proper maturity. When harvesting, retain the sepals and a section of the fruit stalk.