Cherry tomatoes

Cherry tomatoes are similar in appearance to bunches of large grapes, with miniature red fruits on a twig. The weight of miniature berries is only 10-30 g. In external shape, small fruits of tomatoes are similar to those of cherries, which in English are called "cherry". This name suits well tomato fruits - berries: aromatic, sweet, with a traditional bright red color.

History of creation

The varietal tomato variety was created by Israeli breeders in 1973 and was originally intended for edible decorative decoration of various Mediterranean dishes. When creating this species, scientists set themselves the goal of growing tomatoes for the hot Mediterranean climate. It was necessary to create tomatoes that can withstand daily temperature changes and retain moisture in the event of irregular watering. The task was accomplished perfectly, and vegetables with delayed fruit ripening appeared.

Characteristics and features of the variety

Cherry tomatoes belong to the class of modern hybrids, currently there are more than a hundred species. There are high-yielding varieties from which they harvest from 1.5 to 3 kg. Small tomatoes vary in shape: round, drop-shaped, oval and elongated, like fingers. The variety of color schemes of Cherry tomatoes is surprising: traditionally red, bright crimson, catchy orange, sunny yellow and even unusually spectacular black fruits.

Depending on the size of the stem part, plants are divided into:

• Determinant. These are low-growing plants, ideally adapted for planting in closed greenhouses and greenhouses. Usually, small plants are grown on windowsills and in hanging baskets at home. Sometimes they are grown in a greenhouse, however, so that the fruits do not lie on the ground, it is mandatory to tie the stem to a support.
• Indeterminate. The height of the bush can reach from 1.5 to 2 m, which allows this species to be attributed to tall plants. The bush is formed into one or two stems, which are recommended to be tied to high supports. Tall tomatoes are good for growing in open garden beds directly in the ground or in large greenhouses.
• Semi-determinant. This variety of plants belongs to an intermediate form, they are something in between tomatoes with a low and high stem of a bush.

Cherry tomatoes

Regardless of the height of the stem, all Cherry species are considered early maturing. On the advice of experienced mini-tomato gardeners, when choosing seeds, it is important to carefully study the characteristics of the variety and the required growing conditions. It is best to play it safe and buy seed material with a small margin.

The plant has a powerful and branched root system in the form of a rod. With a seedless planting method, the roots go deep into the soil, to a depth of 1 meter, with a spreading diameter of 1.5 to 2 m.Under favorable conditions and sufficient moisture, roots can form on any part of the stem, therefore tomatoes can be propagated by cuttings and stepchildren (lateral shoots) ... If the cut stalk is placed in water, then after a few days roots will grow, from which you can grow a full-fledged Cherry tomato.

The characteristics and description of the variety are as follows:

1. The shape of the plant stem can be upright, lodging and even in the form of a vine.The height of the bushes ranges from 30 cm (dwarf varieties) and more than 2 meters (tall varieties).
2. The leaves of tomatoes are pinnate and dissected into large slices, similar to potato.
3. Tomatoes bloom with small, nondescript yellow flowers, collected in compact brushes.
4. Cherry tomato belongs to self-pollinated plants. The seeds of the plant are small in size and have a flat, slightly pointed shape towards the base, of a light or dark yellow shade with a light down.
5. Seed material retains its germination for 6 to 8 years and grows in favorable conditions for 3-4 days.

Growing features

Growing and caring for Cherry tomatoes practically does not differ from the agricultural technology of ordinary tomatoes, so you should not give a step-by-step description of the seedling planting technology.

You can dwell on the features of agrotechnical methods in detail:

1. Seeds of tall (determinant) varieties are planted directly into the ground.
2. Cherry tomatoes of a variety for open ground, undersized, grown by seedlings, are covered with a film immediately after planting in the ground. In such a shelter, the seedlings acclimatize faster.
3. Plants are planted at a distance of 35 to 40 cm from each other. As a rule, 2-3 tomato bushes are placed on 1 m². Low-growing varieties can be arranged more densely.
4. Low-growing (indeterminate) varieties are recommended to be formed into one stem, occasionally into two stems.
5. Semi-determinant species form in two stems, and in the open field, you can leave 3 to 4 stems on the plant.
6. Since tall varieties during rapid growth actively increase the mass of lateral shoots, it is necessary to carry them pinched several times during the week.
7. Tall Cherry tomatoes are not pinned, only thickened bushes are thinned out.
8. In tall varieties, it is not recommended to tear off even slightly yellowed leaves - removing the leaves can negatively affect their development.
9. On other types of tomatoes, after the ripening of the three lower brushes of the fruits, the leaves located below the three brushes are cut to the stage of milky ripeness. Such pruning stimulates the ripening of the fruits throughout the bush from the bottom to the very top.
10. After harvesting ripe fruits, a second foliage pruning is performed. This time, the leaves are left only in the upper part of the bush.
11. At the end of the season, for indeterminate and hybrid varieties, for more active ripening of fruits, it is necessary to pinch the top of the plants.
12. It is recommended to tie all types of tomatoes to a strong support. This procedure is performed for better formation of the brushes - the branches with fruits will not break.
13. Unlike regular tomatoes, Cherry tomatoes need uniform soil moisture, so they need to be watered more often. But too much moisture has a negative effect on the root system of plants. Therefore, to maintain sufficient soil moisture, plants are generously mulched.

Cherry tomatoes in the garden

Like all green plants, Cherries love sunlight, so when grown at home, they are placed on windows with maximum sunlight. In winter or on cloudy days, tomatoes are supplemented with artificial light.

Benefit

In winter, when a shortage of fresh vegetables begins to be felt on the tables, tiny tomato "berries" attract attention not only with their pretty bright appearance, but also as a winter source of useful vitamins in the off-season.

Compared to ordinary tomatoes, the fruits of miniature tomatoes contain twice the amount of nutrients and trace elements:

1. The increased content of vitamin C.
2. A significant amount of vitamins of group A, B, E, K, the presence of macroelements potassium, phosphorus, sodium, magnesium, sulfur and calcium.
3. Trace elements: copper, manganese, fluorine, iodine, zinc, iron.
4. Cherry tomato fruits are classified as dietary products. The amount of carbohydrates is 2.8 grams per 100 grams. weight, and the calorie content is no more than 15 kcal per 100 g of weight. Therefore, "cherry" tomatoes can be eaten without prejudice to the figure.

Many varieties of miniature tomatoes contain an increased amount of a nutrient called lycopene, which, due to its powerful antioxidant properties, can heal the cardiovascular and circulatory system. In addition, the fruits of Chery tomato contain a natural "elixir of youth and longevity" - beta-carotene.

Tomato Terek Cherry.

Advantages and disadvantages of the variety

The consumer demand for "cherry" tomatoes is constantly increasing every year, this fact is not surprising.

Compared to traditional varieties, miniature tomatoes have a number of advantages:

• Tomatoes bear fruit for a long time. In greenhouses with heating and a durable polycarbonate or glass coating, tomatoes bear fruit until the new year.
• Cherry tomatoes have excellent keeping quality and are able to maintain excellent taste for a long time.
• Plants grow quickly and actively, forming into powerful bushes.
• The fruits of each variety are the same in shape and size.
• The harvested fruits are well transported.
• Cherries are unpretentious to growing conditions.

Cherry tomatoes are eaten raw like regular tomatoes, as well as salads and can be preserved.

Disadvantages of the variety:

1. Mandatory tying of all, without exception, varieties.
2. There are restrictions on the use of ripe fruits for persons suffering from metabolic diseases.

List of the most interesting varieties

• Thumbelina. A tall variety, intended for planting in closed greenhouses, grows up to 1.5 meters. These are early ripening tomatoes with small round-shaped fruits of small size. Fruit weight ranges from 15 to 20 g. Up to 15 mini-tomatoes can be tied on one brush. Ripe fruits of excellent taste with a wide range of applications: they are consumed fresh, used for canned preparations.

Thumbelina

• Tomatoes Negro. One of the most unusual varieties of Cherry tomatoes with a simultaneous combination of two fashion trends: cherry shape and original appearance, rich dark colors. The color of the fruit can be black, burgundy, brown and even purple. Spicy taste and the presence of a large amount of nutrients - these main advantages of Negro make the variety a bright representative of the colored variety of Cherry tomato. Fruits of regular oval shape, up to 3 cm in diameter, reach a weight of 25-35 grams. "Little negroes" are collected in graceful multi-fruited tassels with 10-15 cherries on a branch. Dark tomatoes contain not only the traditional "tomato" set of nutrients, but also anthocyanins, which are powerful anti-dioxides.
• Tomato Terek Cherry. This varietal species is prized for the unusually sweet caramel taste of ripe fruits. Hybrid high-yield tomato of early ripening. Due to the high growth of the bush, the plant must be tied up without fail. Ripening begins after 90-95 days from the start of germination. Fruits are round, dense, hanging nicely on long racemes. Each branch can contain up to 30 pieces of ripe miniature tomatoes, each weighing 30 g.
• Cherry Tomato Rose F1. A hybrid variety with pink fruits of a round shape, weighing from 25 to 30 grams.The taste and color of the fruits of Cherry Rose F1 resembles the popular Juliet (Jul) variety. Early ripe, high-yielding, up to 20 fruits can ripen on one branch. The plant is formed into one or two stems, with the obligatory tying to the support. Recommended for growing in open ground, under a film or in a greenhouse.
• Sweet Cherry Tomatoes F1. A tall plant with a maximum bush height of up to 3 meters. Many gardeners call this variety of miniature tomatoes the "candy tree". The tomato received such a "tasty" name, thanks to its very tasty fruits and beautiful elegant appearance during ripening. One brush can contain a whole suite of miniature fruits - from 30 to 50 spherical fruits with a very pleasant sweetish taste. The color of the "balls" is intense red, yellow or orange.

Growing a Cherry tomato is an interesting activity, available to absolutely all gardeners. Unusually beautiful tomatoes with tiny berries serve as a tasty and healthy decoration for any garden, summer cottage or even apartment.