Cherry Tomato Cultivation: How to Grow Cherry Tomatoes in Pots?
How to grow cherry tomatoes in pots? Please explain the method. Tomato, also known as xihongshi, is rich in nutrition, abundant in vitamin C, and contains multiple vitamins, as well as sugars and various organic acids. In addition, tomato contains amino acids, cellulose, various minerals and pectin, so it has a distinctive umami flavor and can be used both as a vegetable and as a water...
How to grow cherry tomatoes in pots? Please explain the method
Tomato, also known as xihongshi, is rich in nutrition, abundant in vitamin C, and contains multiple vitamins, as well as sugars and various organic acids. In addition, tomato contains amino acids, cellulose, various minerals and pectin, so it has a distinctive umami flavor and can be used both as a vegetable and as a fruit, making it a good fruit for quenching thirst in summer. Related research suggests that eating 300 grams of fresh tomatoes per person per day can basically meet the human body's needs for vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C and major minerals. Tomato is also a food with medicinal effects; the lycopene it contains can protect the human body from invasion by multiple diseases, and lycopene is rarely seen in other melons and fruits. Tomato has strong free radical scavenging effects and is low in calories, and is especially famous for its good effect against prostate cancer. In addition, to bring tomato's effects into full play, it should be eaten together with cauliflower; cauliflower is rich in glucosamine, which can prevent general tumor formation.
Characteristics: Tomato has strong adaptability and high yield, and is one of the main summer vegetable varieties in the Hangzhou area. The most suitable temperature for tomato growth and development is 20-25°C; when it drops to 10°C, the plant stops growing. Cultivation points: Germination temperature: 15-25°C. Planting requirements: When sowing seeds, cover lightly with soil and water after sowing; they can germinate in 5-6 days. If sown too densely, thinning is needed. When there are 2-3 true leaves, transplant for temporary planting; when there are 4-5 true leaves, plant in the final position. When planting in the final position, dig up the seedlings together with the soil and plant them in flower pots with a diameter of 15-25cm, one seedling per pot.
Variety selection: For ornamental potted tomatoes, that is, cherry tomatoes, small-fruited varieties such as Hongyu, Huangyu, Hong Shengnu, and Huang Shengnu can be selected. These varieties have brightly colored fruits and good flavor, and their vitamin C content greatly exceeds that of ordinary tomatoes, making them very suitable tomato varieties for home potting that are both ornamental and edible. In the Hangzhou area, tomato varieties mainly for fresh eating include Zaofeng, Zaza No. 5, and Zaza No. 7 903 Tomato.
Cultivation points: When growing tomatoes in home pots, it is recommended to buy seedlings from farmers' markets or general flower wholesale markets. For spring planting, generally buy seedlings from March to April each year, with batch harvest periods from mid-May to late July; for autumn planting, generally buy seedlings from July to August, with batch harvest periods from mid-September to late November. Autumn planting generally requires certain heating conditions. After purchasing seedlings, plant them promptly in potted containers with a diameter of 15-25cm, one seedling per pot. When planting in the final position, the soil surface should be about 1cm below the pot rim. After planting, water thoroughly to help the seedlings recover.
During the seedling recovery period after tomatoes are planted in the final position, keep the daytime temperature at 25-28°C and the nighttime temperature at 15-18°C to help recovery. If the temperature is on the low side, plastic film can be added for insulation; after recovery, the daytime temperature can be maintained at 20-25°C and the nighttime temperature at around 15°C; during the full fruiting period, keep the daytime temperature at 25-27°C and the nighttime temperature at 15-17°C, with relative air humidity of 45-55%.
Daily management: After the plant is put into the pot, water it thoroughly once, then water once every 3-5 days; about 20 days after transplanting and final planting, fertilizer should be applied promptly, generally a slow-release granular fertilizer with a high nitrogen ratio. After that, apply a slow-release granular fertilizer once every 15 days. Before fruit set, control the amount of watering; during the fruit enlargement period, keep the potting soil moist. When the plant height is 20-30cm, carry out vine hanging (staking) and vine tying. A hard plastic tube or bamboo pole about 1cm in diameter and 60cm long can be inserted into the pot 4-5cm from the plant, and the main stem can be fixed using the figure-eight vine-tying method to prevent lodging. It is worth noting that vine tying should be done 2-3 leaves away from the fruit cluster to prevent mechanical damage to the fruit. Generally, the single-stem pruning method is used. Tomato lateral branches have strong tillering ability, so side shoots should be removed promptly, and pinching should be done at the appropriate time; generally, pinching is done while retaining 8-10 fruit clusters.
Harvesting: Tomatoes can generally be planted and harvested all year round. When the green fruit slowly turns vermilion yellow and then red, it is best to harvest before it is fully ripe. If it is not harvested after the harvest period, the fruit will fall off by itself, so it should be picked promptly when ripe.
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