Key Technical Points for Spring Planting and Management of Cherry Tomatoes
As a variety of tomato, cherry tomatoes are increasingly popular with consumers. To achieve high yields when growing cherry tomatoes in spring, the work of planting and management must be done well. 1. Land preparation and planting The planting time for spring cultivation of cherry tomatoes is generally arranged for February to March, choosing land where no solanaceous vegetables have been grown within 3 years...
As a variety of tomato, cherry tomatoes are increasingly popular with consumers. To achieve high yields when growing cherry tomatoes in spring, the work of planting and management must be done well.
1. Land preparation and planting
The planting time for spring cultivation of cherry tomatoes is generally arranged for February to March. Choose land where no solanaceous vegetables have been grown within 3 years, with convenient irrigation and drainage, good ventilation, and strong water- and fertilizer-retention capacity. Before planting, prepare the land, using deep furrows and high beds for cultivation, with beds generally 1.3-1.4 m wide and about 30 cm high. When preparing the land, apply sufficient base fertilizer: per mu, apply 4000-5000 kg of decomposed farmyard manure, 1000-1500 kg of human excrement and urine, and 25 kg of superphosphate or 30 kg of compound fertilizer. When planting, set 2 rows per bed, with a plant spacing of 40 cm, planting about 2500 plants per mu. After planting, water with a rooting water, and the first watering should soak thoroughly.
2. Fertilizer and water management
After planting, water according to weather conditions; generally, do not water unless the soil is dry. After the plants survive, cultivate and loosen the soil in time to help them recover from transplanting. After recovery, do not water and practice seedling hardening to encourage the roots to grow downward. During the vigorous growth period, irrigate in time according to soil moisture to keep the soil moist. Pay attention to drainage on rainy days. In the later stage of plant growth, earth up appropriately. After the first truss has set fruit securely, apply fertilizer once every 10 days, applying light fertilizer frequently, with 20 kg of decomposed cake fertilizer or 10 kg of compound fertilizer per mu each time.
3. Trellising and vine training
Cherry tomatoes need pruning and vine tying. When the seedlings are 30-40 cm tall, begin tying the vines. The trellis height is 2 m, and vines are tied once every 15-20 cm. Use the single-stem pruning method, keeping only the main stem, and pinch the side branches at the top after leaving 1-2 leaves. In the middle and later stages of plant growth, let the branches grow freely, that is, no further pruning is needed, so that the middle and upper parts of the plant can grow and set fruit normally.