Detailed Explanation of Key Techniques for Early Spring Cultivation of Cherry Tomatoes
Cherry tomato, native to Taiwan, China, is a type of cherry tomato grown mainly for fresh fruit consumption, commonly known as "shengnyu guo" (cherry tomato). For early spring cultivation, a plastic greenhouse with a span of 6 m can be used, with seedlings raised in mid-November, transplanted in February of the following year, and fresh fruit harvested in early May, yielding 6000 kg of fresh fruit per mu. 1. Seed treatment. ...
Cherry tomato, native to Taiwan, China, is a type of cherry tomato grown mainly for fresh fruit consumption, commonly known as "shengnyu guo" (cherry tomato). For early spring cultivation, a plastic greenhouse with a span of 6 m can be used, with seedlings raised in mid-November, transplanted in February of the following year, and fresh fruit harvested in early May, yielding 6000 kg of fresh fruit per mu.
I. Seed treatment.
To prevent seed-borne disease transmission, seeds should be disinfected before sowing, either by hot water soaking or chemical soaking. Hot water soaking involves soaking the cherry tomato seeds in cold water for 10 minutes, then placing them in hot water at 50-55°C, stirring constantly and rapidly to ensure even heating, adding hot water as needed to maintain a stable temperature; after 15-20 minutes, remove the seeds, place them in cold water to dissipate residual heat, then soak in warm water at 25-30°C for 4-6 hours. Chemical soaking involves wrapping the seeds in gauze, soaking them in a 10% trisodium phosphate aqueous solution for 20-30 minutes, then removing the seeds, wrapping them in a damp towel, and placing them at 25-28°C for germination. During germination, rinse the seeds with warm water at about 25°C 1-2 times per day; after 2-3 days of germination, when 50% of the seeds have sprouted (white radicle visible), they are ready for sowing.
II. Sowing and seedling raising. 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 g per sq m of seedbed, and 8-10 sq m of seedbed is needed per mu of transplanting area. After sowing, cover with plastic film to keep warm and moist, and remove the film immediately after seedlings emerge. The management from sowing to cotyledon emergence mainly involves creating environmental conditions suitable for seed germination and seedling emergence, so as to achieve uniform, complete and strong seedlings as early as possible.
III. Timely transplanting of seedlings. When cherry tomato seedlings have 1 true leaf and 1 heart leaf, transplant them into nutrient pots on a sunny midday. The nutrient soil should be based mainly on fully decomposed organic fertilizer, with an appropriate increase in phosphate fertilizer and a suitable amount of nitrate nitrogen fertilizer. To ensure sufficient nutritional area, it is best to use 9 cm x 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 through covering for warmth, removing film for light, watering and fertilizing, and widening the spacing between nutrient pots.
IV. Transplanting. Transplant when the seedlings have grown 7-8 true leaves (transplanting with flower buds is also possible). Use double-row transplanting per bed, with a small row spacing of 60 cm and a plant spacing of 40 cm, transplanting 2000 plants per mu. The transplanting depth should be such that the cotyledon position is level with the bed surface, and thorough transplanting water should be applied. After transplanting, cover with plastic film. Cut the film according to the length of the bed surface plus 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 tight and press 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 measures may not be necessary.
V. Pruning.
Cherry tomatoes grow rapidly in the greenhouse, with tall plants and poor upright growth. When the plants reach 30-40 cm, stakes should be inserted for tying vines or hanging lines for support to prevent lodging. Lateral branches have strong growth ability; a multi-layer plus continuous 2-layer pinching pruning method can be used, that is, retaining the flower clusters on the main stem, keeping the lateral branches that emerge from the main stem, leaving 2 flower clusters on each lateral branch, then pinching above the flower clusters leaving 2 leaves. Timely removal of side shoots and twisting of lateral branches should be done so that lateral branches do not shade each other; twisting is generally done on sunny days. Promptly remove yellowing old leaves and diseased leaves from the lower part to reduce nutrient consumption and improve light penetration.
VI. Flower treatment for fruit setting. When temperatures are low in early spring, poor pollination can easily cause flower drop. 2,4-D can be applied to the calyx and pedicel of newly opened flowers (mark with red advertising color), or the more uniformly opened flower clusters can be dipped whole in a 2,4-D solution.
VII. Harvesting. Because cherry tomatoes have high sugar content, only when fully ripe can they truly exhibit their inherent flavor and quality. Therefore, harvest at proper ripeness. When harvesting, retain the calyx and a section of the fruit stalk.