Traditionally, planting tomatoes is carried out on the beds. All possible refinements in the methods of growing this crop come down to how the bush of the plant will be formed.
Depending on its type (whether the growth of the main stem is limited or not), various methods are used to form the crown of the culture.
Varieties with limited growth or determinants are traditionally grown with fruiting branches wide. Indeterminate varieties that do not have growth restrictions can be formed, in principle, in any way.
In any case, the plants are located at ground level and all operations for the formation of their crown rest on the fact that the branches in one way or another are attached to some kind of supports or trellises.
The article discusses the features of growing this crop, as well as a brief description of the best varieties of ampelous tomatoes.
Content:
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Short description
Ampel tomatoes in a hanging pot
Classical tomatoes, due to selection processes, can have very large fruit sizes. The strength of the connection between the berry and the petiole is quite high, and thanks to the garter to the supports, there is no need for a thick trunk and branches of the tomato bush.
It would seem that everything in the culture of tomatoes is ideal - gardeners can form plants in any way they like and get rich harvests. However, this method of growing has one, at first glance, imperceptible drawback: in order to grow tomatoes and get a good harvest, a lot of soil is required.
Indeed, it is rather problematic to place a more or less large crown on a small area without “driving” it up. In addition, even with its correct configuration, it will not be possible to deceive nature - the plant needs a certain base for obtaining nutrients, and the more fruits it forms, the larger its root system should be.
Ampel tomatoes in the greenhouse
This means that when the amount of soil is limited, it will not be possible to expect too large yields. Therefore, classic tomatoes are practically not grown at home - the culture needs a sufficient amount of soil, which is only in the garden.
However, there are varieties of tomatoes devoid of this drawback. They can grow with the minimum amount of soil needed for a root system, and the crown, in theory, may not need to be formed at all. These are succulent tomatoes.
Of all vegetable crops, ampelous tomatoes have one useful property: they allow almost any formation of their crown. In most cases, it is acceptable to do nothing at all with it.
To some extent, ampelous varieties are the exact opposite of standard ones - sometimes it is even impossible to understand if the plant has a central stem or not.But even with this approach, these crops can fully reveal themselves, both in terms of productivity and from a decorative point of view.
They are traditionally grown in hanging pots with their branches hanging down freely. The size of the fruits of ampelous tomatoes is relatively small, but their number can be impressive. And if we consider the ratio of yield to the amount of soil used, then ampel varieties can significantly outperform classic varieties.
Growing ampelous tomatoes in a pot culture
In addition, ampelous tomatoes have another interesting property: due to their appearance, their crown is very decorative, so these varieties are often used not only as a source of berries, but can also be used as garden decorations.
Falling vines of stems are decorative in themselves, but they look especially good when bright fruits of red, burgundy or orange hues appear on the branches. Often, a cover layer is formed from the crown of ampelous tomatoes, moreover, both in the vertical and in the horizontal plane.
Tomato variety Cherry Falls F1
Often producers (Aelita, Semko, Siberian Garden, etc.) produce seeds of not one variety, but several at once. The characteristics of the varieties included in the mixture are selected specifically. Usually, they have the same fruiting time, but differ in appearance. The purchase of such mixtures will be most useful for those who grow ampelous tomatoes for decorative purposes.
The article discusses the features of growing this crop, as well as a brief description of the best varieties of ampelous tomatoes.
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Traditionally, ampelous tomatoes are classified according to the timing of their ripening. Next, the most popular varieties at present will be considered, given from the description and characteristics.
garden gem
garden gem
Mid-season variety with a ripening time of about 3 months. The height of the bush is approximately 40 cm. It is mainly used as a crop.
The fruits are pink, quite large. Their mass can reach up to 20 g. The shape of the fruit is round. The pulp is relatively firm, but at the same time very tasty.
The variety is unpretentious, does not require pinching. For normal cultivation, it needs a spacious container, the minimum volume is at least 3 liters.
red abundance
red abundance
It is a low-growing shrub from 15 to 20 cm, forming branches up to 60 cm long. It is undemanding in care, easy to form: the formation of a bush, the removal of side shoots, pinching and even tying the variety is not required.
An early ripe representative of low-growing tomatoes, bearing fruit 50 days after planting. It is recommended to plant in February. The fruits are medium-sized, dense, up to 20 mm in diameter, red. Tassels can contain up to 30 berries.
Fruiting plants give up to 2.5 kg of berries per bush. Berries are well suited for both fresh consumption and canning.
rowan beads
rowan beads
Mid-season variety with a cultivation period of 85 days. Clusters begin to bear fruit almost simultaneously. Determinate plant with climbing shoots up to 1 m.
Shoots can be tied to supports or let down if grown in a pot. The name "rowan beads" is due to the beautiful appearance and a large number of fruits in the clusters.
The fruits are miniature, in rare cases weighing more than 15 g. They are bright red in color and have a sweet taste. They can be stored for a relatively long time. Productivity up to 3 kg per bush.
Golden bunch
Golden bunch
Mid-season variety, growing time up to 80 days. Ideal for balcony growing or planting in hanging containers. The length of the shoots is 50-60 cm.
Tends to gossip. It has a low growth rate and is relatively difficult to care for.
The fruits are round, smooth, orange in color, weighing up to 35 g. Despite the low yield (about 1 kg per bush), it has an excellent sweet and sour taste and aroma.
Citizen
Citizen
Hybrid Gorozhanin F1 refers to early maturing varieties. Ripening time - up to 2.5 months. The variety belongs to large-fruited. Berries weighing 35-50 g, round, bright red.
Productivity is high, up to 2 kg per bush. Designed for fresh consumption.
The plant is tall, the stems grow up to 80 cm. Needs timely removal of stepchildren, requires container volumes of at least 5 liters.
Cascade
Cascade
There are several hybrids of this variety, the most popular of which are Cascade Red and Cascade Elo. Both are mid-season with a maturity of 3.5 months. Hybrids have a high bush (up to 1.5 m), the degree of branching is high.
The fruits are very large (up to 60 g), bright red in color with juicy pulp. It is considered high-yielding, up to 3 kg of berries from a bush.
The advantage of the plant is relatively simple care: despite the abundant, even overly thickened crown, it is not recommended to remove the stems. It is enough to cut dried or yellowed leaves.
Brindle
Brindle
A very early variety, fruiting occurs within 1.5-2 months after planting. Recommended for growing in greenhouses or other film shelters.
It has a low height (no more than 25 cm), but due to the branching crown it reaches up to 50 cm in diameter. There are a lot of leaves on the branches and they are quite large.
The compact fruits of this undersized variety have a striped skin color, where does its name come from.
Broody
Broody
Mid-early determinant variety (ripening time up to 3 months). Low-growing bushes rarely reach a height above 45-50 cm. At the same time, the crown is densely leafy and spreading. Pasynkovanie is not required.
In fact, it is not an ampelous variety, since it has a standard stem. However, due to its compact size, as well as very thick brushes, characteristic of ampelous forms, it is often referred to this group.
An interesting feature of the Klusha variety is the location of its fruits - fragrant tomatoes hide under the foliage in the depths of the bush. The fruits themselves are quite large (which is also not typical for ampels), weighing more than 80 g. The berries have a universal use - they are eaten fresh, used for cooking first and second courses, or canned.
De Barao
De Barao
A variety that is also not related to ampelous by formal characteristics, but has a carpal arrangement of fruits. It has a powerful stem that grows up to 2 m.
The variety is indeterminate, has immunity to late blight. It belongs to the late ones (4 months pass from sowing seeds to fruiting), it is mainly grown in greenhouses and hotbeds.
The fruits are oval in shape. Their mass is small - from 60 to 70 g. In one brush there can be more than a dozen fruits. The color depends on the particular variety: the berries can be red, black, pink or yellow. The pulp is fleshy, sweet with a slight sourness, very tasty.
The purpose of De Barao tomatoes is universal - they are used to prepare salads, first and second courses, go into preservation.
yellow miracle
yellow miracle
Late-ripening determinate variety with a growing period of 3.5 to 4 months. Fruits for a relatively long time. Height - up to 50 cm. The stem has a high branching. When grown in the usual way, it requires a garter.
Fruits of yellow color weighing up to 35 g have an attractive appearance. They have a round elastic skin. The taste is classic tomato with a barely noticeable sourness. Productivity up to 3.5 kg per bush.
Cherry
Cherry
Classic ampel variety, known to almost everyone. Among amateur gardeners, it is considered one of the best in terms of cost-benefit ratio. It belongs to medium early, fruits appear 2 months after planting.
Bred as a result of many years of amateur selection, due to which it is distinguished by shade tolerance and disease resistance. It is able to endure short-term cooling, is not afraid of drafts and does not need shelters.
The height of the bush can reach 1 m. The fruits of the classic variety are bright yellow, weighing from 10 to 70 g, with excellent taste. There is also a variety with red fruits.
The disadvantage is that the uneven size of the fruit. On the other hand, it has a fantastic yield, reaching 4.5 kg per bush. The optimal scheme for planting plants is 60x60 cm, so that per 1 sq. m there were 4 bushes.
Mascot
Mascot
It is considered an ornamental variety, but with proper care it can produce good yields. It is mid-late, matures approximately 3.5-4 months after planting.
A feature of the variety is its resistance to cold snaps and, in general, unpretentiousness. The bush is relatively high (up to 1.2 m), the degree of branching is medium.
Fruits of a reddish-orange hue can reach a mass of up to 80 g. It is believed that the fruits of this variety can be used immediately after harvest, without going through the ripening phase. This has a certain rationale, since the ripening of even fruits in one hand does not occur simultaneously.
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Features of the cultivation of ampelous tomatoes
Ampel tomatoes grown on the balcony
In terms of agricultural technology, ampelous varieties practically do not differ from ordinary tomatoes. Their cultivation is carried out in the classical seedling method, with the only difference being that adult seedlings are planted not in open ground, but in containers of a limited volume. Here you need to understand that, depending on the use of the culture, the approach to the container will be slightly different, different from other vegetables (the same tomatoes, cucumbers, eggplants, etc.)
If the ampelous tomato is used as an ornamental plant, the container volume may be small. A container with such plants can be hung almost anywhere. Indoors, flowerpots with a plant are mainly placed near windows, outdoors - on terraces or near various arches and columns.
When growing ampelous tomatoes, the plant needs top dressing. A small amount of soil can be compensated by abundant fertilizing, consisting mainly of nitrogen fertilizers.
With a productive plant, this method of cultivation is not suitable, since nitrogen-containing fertilizers alone cannot be dispensed with, and their quantity with a small volume of soil should be too large, that is, eating such varieties, to put it mildly, is undesirable.
Ampel tomatoes
It is undesirable to hang larger pots. As a rule, they are placed either on elevations, or simply placed on the floor. A suitable option for an ampelous tomato would be a flowerpot, or a plastic pot located on a stable high leg.
Often ampelous varieties (both decorative and fruitful) are grown on a balcony or veranda. At the same time, the crown is not just allowed vertically down, but forced to braid the balcony structure.
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Ampel tomatoes
The general approach to growing this crop is similar to regular tomatoes. Therefore, planting dates, preferred locations for adult plants, soil composition and other details will be very similar.
Below they are discussed in more detail.
Location selection
South windows - the best place for ampelous tomatoes in the apartment
Ampel tomatoes prefer sunny areas. If it is a productive crop, containers with it should be located on the south side of buildings, south of fruit trees, near south-facing windows, on south balconies, window sills, etc. The use of northern walls or shaded areas is undesirable. If it is necessary to decorate these areas, it is better to use other crops - petunia, dichondra, verbena, etc.
The place where the ampelous tomato will be located should be illuminated by the sun for at least 8 hours a day, otherwise, even the vegetation of the plant will be scarce, and there is no need to talk about productivity.
Used soil
Peat
Mature plants do not need any specific soil or substrate. Considering that agricultural technology implies abundant fertilizing, the composition of the soil can, in principle, be anything. Of course, this does not mean that very poor soils, such as sandstones, should be used.
The optimal soil composition for ampelous tomatoes will be as follows:
- sod land;
- peat;
- humus.
All components are taken in equal proportions.
Ornamental varieties can be grown in the substrate for indoor flower crops, but this does not play a special role.
Packaging features
Container for ampelous tomatoes of productive varieties
The recommended minimum volume of the container for the comfortable cultivation of ampelous tomatoes is 5 liters. For a productive variety, you will need twice as much.
Stagnation of moisture in pots is undesirable, so they must have a draining hole. It is not necessary to lay a special layer of drainage (pebbles or gravel) on the bottom, but for hanging pots, care should be taken about where excess moisture will drain.
Usually, a special design is used for this purpose, allowing you to adapt some small container to collect excess water. It can be a saucer, a small jar, etc. It will not be noticeable, since the crown of the plant will almost completely hide the pot.
planting
Seedlings of ampelous tomatoes are recommended to be grown in individual containers.
Depending on the chosen method of cultivation, planting dates differ by several months. The seedlings of the culture that will be grown in the room are planted at the same time as ordinary tomatoes - in February. Outdoor crops are planted in March. In any case, planting seedlings is carried out approximately 40-45 days before planting the plant in open ground.
Many gardeners are wondering why it is necessary to grow seedlings in culture, which will grow in room conditions anyway? The answer to it is relatively simple: usually, seedlings are planted in a special, more nutritious soil, which will not be so useful for adult plants.
In addition, the seeds have a certain percentage of germination and it will be very unpleasant if the seeds planted in a stationary place do not germinate. Seedling cultivation allows you to get guaranteed seedlings for planting in a permanent place. Of course, at any time you can transplant a plant, but it is better not to do this so as not to injure the roots of young plants once again.
Seedlings can be immediately planted in separate containers, or you can first use a common container. Before sowing seeds, they must be treated with a 0.3% solution of potassium permanganate. A pick into an individual container (and sometimes directly into a stationary pot) is made when two true leaves appear at the seedlings. Usually, this happens 10-15 days after germination.
tomato seedling
Seedling care is standard - daily watering, and 10-12 hours of daylight per day. Seedlings are regularly ventilated. Top dressing is carried out twice during the growing period. Usually they are done at 3 and 5 weeks. It is recommended to use nitrogen and potassium mineral fertilizers in dosages corresponding to seedlings.
Transfer to a permanent place
As containers for ampelous tomatoes, you can use decorative pots and baskets.
As mentioned earlier, the optimal time for planting in a stationary container occurs approximately 1.5 months after planting the seeds. Ampel tomatoes grown in open ground conditions do not require hardening.
The convenience of compact forms allows you to perfectly protect them from frost in the simplest way - bring containers with plants during a dangerous cold snap directly into the living quarters. While return frosts are still possible, this will not be a problem due to the small crown of tomatoes.
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Caring for ampelous tomatoes
Growing ampelous tomatoes
The procedures for caring for ampelous tomatoes repeat similar procedures for ordinary varieties. They include watering, fertilizing, loosening the soil, etc.
A feature of growing indoor varieties is the presence of additional lighting (if necessary) as well as artificial pollination.
watering
Watering both seedlings and adult plants is carried out with a thin stream of water.
Watering is done as needed. Usually, the criterion for the onset of watering time is the dried topsoil. It is better to water the plants with a small amount of liquid to avoid excessive moisture in the root system, leading to the appearance of fungi.
Watering is done in the evening. For them, settled water is used with a temperature of 2-3 ° C higher than the air temperature.
Approximately 60-90 minutes after watering, it is necessary to loosen the topsoil to a depth of about 3 cm. In hot weather, do not increase watering rates, but reduce the time between them.
top dressing
Double superphosphate
Ampelous tomatoes are fed once every two weeks. For that purpose, it is best to use a complex mineral fertilizer for ornamental plants. The application rate depends on the volume of the container. It is recommended to use 5 g of the mixture per 1 kg of soil.
Top dressing is carried out during irrigation, while the mixture is dissolved in water. In dry form, top dressing is not applied.
Sometimes, instead of a specialized fertilizer, ordinary superphosphate is used. It is suitable in its pure form for feeding seedlings (1 tablespoon per liter of water is enough to fertilize 40 bushes).
During disembarkation to a permanent place, 15 g of the substance is placed in the hole. But for fertilizing adult plants, superphosphate should be combined with other top dressings (potassium salt, mixtures of Foxamide or Effecton, mullein, etc.)
Bush formation
Rack in the garden for growing ampelous tomatoes
Despite the fact that ampelous tomatoes are predominantly low plants, they, like ordinary tomatoes, are divided into determinant and indeterminate varieties. Accordingly, for each of them apply their own methods of forming the crown of the plant. For ampelous tomatoes, the pinching procedure is also used.
The experience of growing tomatoes recommends the following method for forming the crown of bushes: indeterminate varieties - for two stems, determinant - for two or three stems.
Features of care for indoor varieties
Artificial pollination of tomato flowers
Plants grown indoors need light for 10-12 hours a day. In order to extend the daylight hours, sodium or LED lamps are used.
These varieties also require artificial pollination. It is carried out with a soft brush, transferring pollen from the stamens to the pistils. Usually, the flowering of ampelous tomatoes is slightly longer than that of ordinary ones, but in any case, it is recommended to carry out the pollination procedure 1-2 days after the blooming of the inflorescences.
It will be possible to check whether the ovaries have formed about a week after the end of flowering. If there are no ovaries, the brushes should be removed.
Harvesting
Harvesting of ampelous tomatoes is often done with whole bunches
Harvesting of ampelous tomatoes is carried out at the stage of technical ripening, without waiting for the full one. At the same time, the fruits acquire a greenish-red tint, that is, in fact, green tomatoes are still harvested from the plants. Often, not an individual collection is used, but several berries are plucked along with a brush.
This is followed by a ripening phase, which takes place in a dry and warm place. Ornamental varieties do not harvest crops. The fruits, which additionally give the plant an attractive appearance, are simply left on the branches. They can be used for food, but the taste of such fruits will be worse than those that were collected in advance and underwent a ripening procedure.
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Manifestations of late blight
Ampel varieties of tomatoes, like ordinary species, are susceptible to various diseases (fungal and viral), as well as pest infestations. The main cause of fungal diseases is excessive humidity when growing plants.
Next, the most characteristic diseases and pests of ampelous tomatoes will be considered.
Blackleg
Seedlings affected by blackleg
Symptoms of the disease - the appearance of rot on the roots of young seedlings. The reason is too strong wetting of the plantings. There is no treatment, the affected plants should be removed along with a clod of earth.
For preventive purposes, it is recommended to treat the soil before planting seeds with trichodermin, as well as moderate watering.
late blight
The cause of the disease is phytophthora - fungi from the class Oomycetes. It manifests itself in the appearance of dark areas on the leaves or fruits of tomato bushes. The disease can attack plants at any time of the year - both at the seedling stage and at harvest time.
There is no treatment. To avoid the spread of the disease to neighboring crops, the diseased plant should be completely dug up and destroyed (burned).
If the disease has affected the crop in a state close to technical ripeness, a bunch of tomatoes should be completely cut off and placed in hot water for 1 minute, then sent for ripening.
Gray rot
Early stage of gray mold
Mostly appears in the second half of summer. It affects the stems, leaves and fruits of the plant.
Plaque on the stems can exist for a long time, without too much inhibiting the vital functions of the plant. But if the fruit is damaged, they quickly become unusable.
There is no treatment, the affected plants are destroyed along with the crop. A good way to prevent the disease is to periodically treat plants with Bordeaux liquid or sulfur preparations.
Mosaic of tomatoes
Leaf damage by tobacco mosaic
A viral disease that first affects the foliage, then the stems and fruits. The causative agent is the tobacco mosaic virus that attacks almost all Solanaceae. Initially, the disease manifests itself in the form of the appearance of separate areas of yellow color, then twisting and deformation of the leaves is observed in the affected areas.
There is no treatment, but if the affected areas are removed from the plant at an early stage, its death can be avoided. Anything can be the source of the disease: insects can infect the virus (very often this is done by aphids or ants), it can get on plants from contaminated equipment, etc.
Recently, many seed producers have begun to carry out their antiviral treatment. It is advisable to purchase just such a planting material.
insect infestation
The Colorado potato beetle is the main pest of nightshade crops.
Of all the pests, ampelous tomatoes are most often affected by the following types of insects:
- spider mite;
- Colorado potato beetle;
- whitefly;
- aphids.
Depending on the type of insect, the appropriate insecticide is used. There are also universal products that have a wide range of applications: Aktara, Atkllik, Karbofos, and so on.
Often to repel insects near the container, in which there are ampelous tomatoes, put a container with garlic or another plant that has a characteristic smell.
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