Excess moisture - the main enemy of tomatoes.
Unfortunately, many gardeners who grow this crop in greenhouses, there is misconception that they need to be watered often and abundantly.
As a result, the plants start to hurt, and the harvest decreases significantly.
Features microclimate greenhouses
Before we determine how often and correctly water the tomatoes in the greenhouse, let's look at the features of the microclimate created inside the greenhouses.
Humidity in summer is approximately 60-80 %. The exception is too hot and dry periods when the humidity drops to 40 %. At the same time, hot weather can alternate with rains, and then the humidity reaches 90 %.
With improper watering in the greenhouse, these figures can be even higher, and this is detrimental to tomatoes. A feature of this culture is demanding of moisture in the soilbut prefers with dry air for the successful development of the aerial parts. It is these conditions that are necessary to provide the tomatoes in the greenhouse with the right watering.
Tomatoes are harmful both too abundant and poor watering.. If the moisture in the soil is too much, the roots are unable to absorb it and begin to rot. Lack of moisture leads to active dehydration of the foliage, and plants can overheat and die.
IMPORTANT. If you notice that the leaves of the tomatoes began to curl along the central vein, it means that they lack moisture.
The norms of soil moisture and air for tomatoes
Watering tomatoes in the greenhouse should provide ninety percent soil moisture and fifty percent air. These conditions are capable of ensuring normal growth and development of the bush, and optimal protection against fungal diseases.
How often and at what time should be irrigated tomatoes in the greenhouse? In order to achieve a similar microclimate in the greenhouse, watering tomatoes should be subject to the following rules:
- water the plants need no more than once or twice a week, depending on the level of humidity and air temperature;
- every bush should get 4-5 liters;
- water the tomatoes need strictly under the root, not falling on the bush. Drops of water in the sun become peculiar lenses and cause burns;
- recommended time is morning or early eveningso that the sun does not create the greenhouse effect and all the moisture goes into the soil, and does not evaporate.
IMPORTANT. Do not water the tomatoes with cold water, they are experiencing stress. Water temperature should be at least 23-24 degrees.
Types of watering organization
How to water the tomatoes in the greenhouse? There are several ways to organize the irrigation of tomatoes in the greenhouse:
Manual
This method is most acceptable in small buildings. With the help of simple devices - watering cans or hoses - water is poured strictly under the root.
When watering with a hose, water often comes from the well and the water supply, so there is root overheating hazard. The disadvantage of hose irrigation is the inability to control the amount of fluid per plant.
It is more expedient to organize hand watering from watering can with separated water. To do this, it is better to put a barrel next to the greenhouse, which you should pre-fill with water for its heating.
ATTENTION. If a barrel of water is directly in the greenhouse, be sure to close it with a lid or plastic film. In open form, a container with water in the greenhouse creates excessive air humidity, and this is harmful for tomatoes.
Drip
Effective his organization in large greenhouses, because manual watering in this case requires a large investment of time and effort. It is better to simplify it by building a drip irrigation system in the greenhouse. Benefits such irrigation obvious:
- water flows directly to the roots, not evaporating from the surface and not increasing the humidity of the air;
- eliminates the risk of water droplets on the leaves, stems and flowers of plants;
- watering can be carried out at any convenient time;
- the soil is not washed out and is not salted.
In order to organize drip irrigation of tomatoes in a greenhouse, a special system is installed that provides moisture supply through special pipes to the roots. Such a system can be purchased in finished form in specialized stores or mounted independently. The advantage of such irrigation is also an additional opportunity to fertilize plants.
If there is no possibility of building a drip irrigation system, you can use a very original and simple way - drip irrigation of tomatoes in the greenhouse with the help of plastic bottles. For this, bottles with holes are dropped into the ground next to the bushes of tomatoes upside-down with their necks. Water is poured into the bottle and through the small holes it gradually flows to the roots, since one bush of tomatoes in the greenhouse requires up to 5 liters per irrigation, it is better to use plastic bottles of the appropriate volume.
Another option for homemade drip irrigation is to dig a tube into the ground, on which a bottle is put on upside down. In the bottom there is a hole for the water inlet. The filled bottle gradually through the tube delivers water to the roots.
Auto
Most often, this method is used in industrial greenhouses, because at the household level, its cost is too high. But if the owner can afford such a structure on his site, then the use of it optimally.
Peculiarities of watering at different stages of tomato growth
The need for moisture in tomatoes depends on the stage of their development. Therefore, in different periods, they need a special frequency of irrigation and the amount of moisture used.
- When planting tomato seedlings in the greenhouse, it is poured abundantly (4-5 l. in one hole) and leave for rooting for 7-10 days. Tomatoes do not need additional watering during this period.
- A week after planting, tomatoes begin to actively grow. But their root system is still weak, and so far it is not capable of extracting moisture from the depths of the soil. therefore before flowering tomatoes are watered two times a weekspending on every bush 2-3 liters of water.
- During flowering amount of moisture increase to five litersbut the frequency is reduced up to once a week.
- Once on the bushes fruits begin to appear, the frequency of watering increase up to two times a week. But do not pour too much water under each bush, so as not to cause waterlogging of the soil and rotting of the roots.
- The signal to reduce watering is the appearance of the first tomatoes to start blushing. In the period of fruit ripening procedure again begin to carry out once a week and a little water. Abundant watering during this period can lead to cracking of fruits.
When to water?
When and how often to water the tomatoes in the greenhouse? Gardeners do not have a common opinion in this matter, but still it is recommended to be guided by weather conditions and structural features of your greenhouse.
If the weather is warm and dry, the watering time does not matter. Especially if you spend it carefully and the possibility of sunburn of the leaves is excluded. It is better to carry out watering in the afternoonbecause the water is already warm enough for this hour, while in the morning it is still cool.
Watering in the late evening is not recommended.. As the greenhouse closed for the night creates excess humidity of air, and it is harmful for tomatoes.
If watering is carried out in the evening, after it requires a long airing of the greenhouse, in order to evaporate excess moisture and the tomatoes remain healthy.
In wet and cool weather it is better to water the tomatoes before noon so that the space is well ventilated during the day and the excess moisture from the air evaporates.
IMPORTANT. At whatever time you did the procedure. Leave the windows and doors open after it. If you close the greenhouse immediately after watering, excess moisture in the air will contribute to the development of fungus.
Proper organization of watering tomatoes when growing them in a greenhouse will allow you to get a large crop of healthy and tasty fruits.
