What are the precautions for growing cherry tomatoes?
Cherry tomatoes, also known as small tomatoes in our daily lives, are a very common fruit with a very smooth surface. They are relatively small and can basically be eaten in one bite. They are not only a fruit but can also be used in stir-fries as a vegetable. Their taste is less sour than tomatoes, with a hint of sweetness, and they are also rich in nutrients. People often have certain misconceptions when growing them, so what should be noted when growing cherry tomatoes? Let's take a look below!
1. Growing requirements
The suitable temperature during the growth of cherry tomatoes is generally around 25°C, with a difference of 10°C at night, and the average temperature should be kept between 15-24°C. There are also certain requirements for light duration; the best daily light exposure should be 5-6 hours, and soil humidity should be kept at around 60%. Deep soil layers, loose soil texture and fertile soil can enable cherry tomatoes to grow better, and cherry tomatoes have a relatively large demand for fertilizer during growth. In addition, cherry tomatoes need different fertilizers at each growth stage. For example, applying more nitrogen fertilizer in the early growth stage of cherry tomatoes can effectively promote growth, while in the middle and late stages more phosphorus and potassium fertilizer is needed. Everyone needs to pay more attention to this aspect.
2. Sowing and seedling raising
Cherry tomatoes have very strong adaptability. As long as the growing temperature for cherry tomatoes is controlled well, they can be planted at any time of the year. For example, in southern regions they can be planted in spring and autumn each year. When planting, in order to prevent the seeds from carrying pathogens or the embryo sac from containing viruses, the seeds should be wrapped in gauze before planting, then placed in trisodium phosphate water and soaked for about 15 minutes, and then the seeds should be taken out. Place the seeds at a temperature of around 30°C to begin germination, and wash the seeds with warm water twice a day. After 3-4 days, the seedling raising work can begin.
3. Land preparation and fertilization
Before planting, sufficient base fertilizer should be applied to the orchard, then the land should be deeply plowed, and the soil and base fertilizer should be evenly mixed together to improve soil fertility, then the land should be leveled. Then begin making beds, with each bed about 30cm high. A double-bed planting method can be used, and the planting distance between each plant should be controlled well. This can not only promote the normal growth of cherry tomatoes, but also prepare for later pruning and training. During the growth of cherry tomatoes, weeds in the orchard should be cleared well to prevent the occurrence of pathogens and parasites that affect the normal growth of the plants. The final transplanting time should be determined according to the flower clusters. The planting quantity should be determined according to the planting land area.
4. Trellising and pruning
When cherry tomatoes grow to about 35cm, preparations for trellising should begin. Wire or branches can be used for trellising to form a herringbone shape, and the top of the trellis should be tied well. This can not only enhance the orchard's ventilation to a certain extent, but also effectively prevent and control pests and diseases. The side branches of cherry tomatoes have very strong growth ability. If left unchecked, they will have a great impact on the growth and development of the main branch. Therefore, we should promptly remove the buds on the side branches and cut off all diseased branches and fruits, as well as residual branches and leaves. This can not only effectively increase yield, but also prevent the effects brought by side branches.
The four points above are the precautions to note when growing cherry tomatoes. When planting, everyone should also pay attention to the invasion of some pests and diseases. The orchard should be managed frequently, disinfected regularly, and diseased and residual branches, fallen leaves and fallen fruits should be cleared. During overwintering, pay attention to intertillage and hilling to reduce pathogens remaining in the soil for overwintering and lower the disease incidence. This article is for reference only, and we hope it is helpful to everyone.