The variety of tomatoes "Balcony Miracle" was created specifically so that lovers of fresh tomatoes had the opportunity to grow them both within their own apartment and in the open field. In our article we will tell about the description and characteristics of this variety, as well as about all the nuances of its cultivation, so that the resulting crop has excellent taste and quality.
Variety description
The Balcony Miracle Tomatoes were bred by breeders from Germany. This variety belongs to the determinant (small). The trunk in height reaches 50-60 centimeters and differs in a strong bole. The fruits of the "Balcony Miracle" - bright red, round shape, small size.
They are versatile in use and suitable for both fresh consumption and canning. The positive characteristics of the variety include low growth, high yield and simplicity in the care.
Did you know? The Aztecs used tomato foliage to repel insects with its smell.
The disadvantages of this variety are dense skin and the need to collect immature fruits to develop the following. The peculiarity of this variety of tomatoes is in good fruit setting, even under adverse conditions.
Get acquainted with the nuances of growing such varieties of tomatoes as "Flashen", "Klusha", "Kiss of Geranium", "Pinocchio", "Rocket", "Liana", "Sevruga", "Sugar Puddle", "Cardinal", "Makhitos" , "Golden Domes", "Mikado Pink", "Krasnobay", "Bokele F1", "Malachite Box", "Doll Masha F1", "Hospitable", "Apparently Invisible."
Fruit characteristics and yield
Their size is small, and the average weight is 50-60 grams. For an ornamental variety, the yield of these tomatoes is high, one bush gives about 2 kilograms of tomatoes. This is a ripening variety, the fruits are removed from the bushes within 85-100 days after planting the seeds for seedlings.
Selection of seedlings
When buying seedlings should pay attention to its appearance. Good seedlings should have a pronounced floral brush and 7-8 leaves formed. The stem should be strong, and the lower leaves - whole. If the plants are stretched out and their lower leaves are yellowed, it is definitely not worth purchasing such seedlings. You should not take seedlings from the boxes in which they are planted tightly - during transplantation there is a high probability of damaging the roots of the plant.
Do not buy seedlings with already formed tomatoes. When planting tomatoes with ovaries, there is a high probability of losing the first hand (and its time).
Soil and fertilizer
Considerable importance for the cultivation of this variety of tomatoes is soil. It should be nutritious, slightly acidic and light. The simplest option is to buy ready-made soil in specialized stores, but you can make it yourself.
We recommend to read about what types of soil exist, how to independently determine the acidity of the soil at the site, as well as how to deoxidize the soil.
To do this, take an equal amount of chernozem, humus and peat. As a nutrient, some gardeners are advised to fertilize the soil with superphosphate, urea and potassium. It is not recommended to take the soil for tomatoes after it has grown potatoes, peppers and eggplants.
Important! When using the soil from the garden, it must be disinfected by placing the oven for 20-30 minutes or in the microwave for 1 minute.
In the period of growth and fruiting bushes can not do without additional fertilization in the soil. Fertilizing soil with special preparations for tomatoes is recommended every week. During the flowering period, it is recommended to apply organic fertilizers to better cross the plant.
Growing conditions
In order for tomatoes to fully develop, they need the sun, in the rays of which they must be at least 6-8 hours a day. It is recommended that the windows on which there are containers with tomatoes, facing south or south-west. Plants need to be turned to the sun on different sides, so that they are smooth and do not lean to one side.
It will be useful for you to read about how to choose the optimal time for planting tomato seedlings, as well as how to germinate and how to plant tomato seeds.
The Balcony Miracle Tomatoes need air, but care must be taken to ensure that there is no draft. It is recommended to grow tomatoes of this variety at a temperature of at least +16 ° C, but the optimum temperature for them is from +22 to +26 ° C. Humidity index should be in the range of 60-65%.
Growing from seed to seedlings at home
To be sure of the quality of the seedlings, it’s best to grow them yourself from seeds, for which you need to follow simple instructions.
Seed preparation
Before planting it is necessary to decontaminate the seeds of the “Balcony Miracle”. To do this, they need to soak for 20 minutes in a weak solution of manganese. Then they should be washed with clean distilled water and put on a damp cotton cloth.
Important! To check the seeds for germination it is necessary to immerse them in water for 10 minutes. Floats are considered to be a marriage, and those who sink to the bottom are used for landing.
Content and location
Planting seeds is carried out in a common container with a further dive or in a separate container for growing without transplants. If landing occurs in winter, additional lighting will be required.
You will probably be interested to find out how and when to pick the tomatoes correctly after germination.
On the windowsill, on top of the containers with seedlings, they install a fluorescent lamp, which is switched on before dawn and after dark, thereby prolonging the light hours necessary for the quality formation and growth of seedlings.
Seed planting process
It is possible to plant seeds all year round, but not less than 3.5 months before the expected harvest period. The most suitable time for disembarkation is February-March (if you are planning further cultivation in open ground).
Video: planting tomato seeds Two grains are planted in each container to a depth of 1.5 centimeters and watered well. When using the general capacity, seeds are planted at a distance of 2-3 centimeters from each other, deepening into the soil by 1.5 centimeters, after which they are watered.
Before germination, seeds should not dry, otherwise they will die. In order for the seeds to germinate well, it is necessary to cover the dishes with a film and maintain the temperature at +22 ° C.
Seedling care
Seed germination occurs after 1-2 weeks, after which the capacity with seedlings is moved to a bright and warm place with a temperature not lower than +18 ° C. In a pot set pegs or ladders made of wood.
After seed germination, it is recommended to move containers with them to a cool place with a temperature of +15 ° C for 2-3 days. It is necessary that the plants are hardened. After this, the containers are returned to heat again. Water for irrigation should be at room temperature. It is necessary to recruit it in advance in watering bottles so that it will settle. Watering should be done every 7-10 days. Before transplanting into open ground, seedlings are hardened, bringing it outside for 1-2 hours. Such hardening should take at least 10 days.
Transplanting seedlings to ground
When the saplings reach 10-15 centimeters in height, they must be transplanted into separate pots with a drainage hole, if it is planned to continue growing indoors.
Learn more about how and when to plant seedlings of tomatoes in open ground.
The seedlings are transplanted into the open ground after the frosts have passed, and the night temperature will be at least +10 ° C. Landing is best done on a windless and cloudy day.
When transplanting grown seedlings into the ground, it is necessary to maintain a distance between plants of 30 centimeters. Stems need to be deepened by 2 centimeters. After a few days, additional roots form around the stem, which will help the root system to harden.
Video: growing tomato on the windowsill
Agricultural technology of growing tomato seeds in the open ground
Seeds of the "Balcony Miracle" can be planted immediately in open ground, but for this you need to pay attention to some subtleties.
Outdoor conditions
Without using seedlings, tomatoes can be grown both in the greenhouse and in the open field. In the greenhouse, the plants will be protected from natural disasters, therefore, they can be planted earlier. However, in the open field, tomatoes "Balcony miracle" will be better provided with direct sunlight and fresh air.
By the process of planting seeds need to prepare in advance, after plowing the land on the site and adjusting the pH level. The seat should be in an open area with good lighting. Direct sunlight should reach the shoots of the “Balcony Miracle” for at least 8 hours. Also the plot for tomatoes of this variety should be protected from strong wind.
The process of planting seeds in the ground
Before planting, the ground must be watered with hot water or a solution of potassium permanganate. Sowing seeds is best done in two rows with a distance of 50 centimeters. The holes must be made in a staggered manner after 30 centimeters.
4-5 seeds are stacked round each well, then they should be covered with earth 1.5 cm and watered with warm water. Each hole must be covered with a jar or a cut off plastic bottle. From above, the cans are covered with covering material, which is well pressed on all sides to the ground. Shelter removed after germination. After sprouting, 1-2 best bushes are left in the hole, the rest are transplanted.
Video: seedless way of growing seedlings
Watering
Tomatoes of this variety have low water demand, and waterlogging can cause a number of diseases. Watering is carried out as necessary after drying the soil 2-3 cm below the surface. On hot days, watering should be done every day.
Important! When watering the soil, water is poured around the tomato plant, in no case touching the leaves and stem.
Watering varieties "Balcony Miracle" is best done in the morning, so that during the day the excess moisture evaporates, and the roots get the right amount of necessary moisture. Water temperature should be at room temperature.
Soil loosening and weeding
Loosening procedure should be carried out regularly, every two weeks. It is necessary to loosen the soil to a depth of 4-6 cm. Fokin's flat cutter is good for this purpose, because it also helps to get rid of weeds. During the cultivation will need and manual removal of weeds (as needed).
Masking
Parting is done in order to remove excess shoots and obtain a good harvest. Tomatoes "Balcony Miracle" do not need to be sure to stick, but if you still want to remove unnecessary shoots, you should do it right.
We recommend reading about how to pinch tomatoes in the greenhouse and in the open field.
Extra branches should be removed small, when they reach no more than 5 centimeters in length, in this case for a tomato it will pass unnoticed and painlessly. The process of stading is carried out in warm and dry weather, so that the wounds of the plant heal faster.
Garter
The garter of tomatoes is made in order that under the mass of fruits the plant would not be bent down to the ground and not broke. The “Balcony Miracle” variety is characterized by compactness, so it doesn’t need a branch garter, however, if these tomatoes are grown in cool rainy regions, the garter is not enough.
The easiest way - a garter to a peg made of wood or metal with ribbons or straps. The bush must be tied near the top of the stem.
You can also use trellis, which must be placed at a distance from each other and to stretch between them the rows of wire at a distance of 45 centimeters. Rows of bushes will be attached to them.
Top dressing
When growing the Balcony Miracle, it is recommended to carry out at least two dressings with liquid complex fertilizers with the addition of phosphorus. You can use a diluted mullein or chicken droppings.
In rainy weather and at high humidity, “Balcony miracle” tomatoes are fed with dry mineral fertilizers, scattering them by hand near each bush at a distance of 8-10 centimeters. After the soil need to plow and spud tomato.
Pests, diseases and prevention
Tomatoes "Balcony miracle" are resistant to diseases, but late blight can develop from errors associated with care: dark spots can be seen on the stem and leaves of the plant. If you do not pay attention to it, you can not only lose the bush, but also infect the rest of the tomatoes with the disease. Tomato late blight Treatment of late blight complicated, it is recommended to destroy the plant. To prevent this disease, it is necessary to water the tomatoes correctly, to loosen the soil regularly and not to abuse the nitrogen fertilizers.
Unlike home cultivation, in the open soil tomatoes "Balcony miracle" can be affected by such pests:
- Colorado beetle. To fight it is necessary during the period of the mass emergence of larvae to conduct spraying with "Konfidor" or "Aktara";
- caterpillars scoops. Loosening the spacing and spraying with the help of Fitoverma and Aparina will help reduce the number of these pests;
- Medvedka. Tomato roots are affected by this pest. You can fight it with the help of the drug "Thunder".
Harvesting and storage
You need to pick tomatoes when they are just starting to ripen and leave them to ripen. This makes it possible to ripen other fruits. Before putting into storage, tomatoes should not be washed, they should be shaken off the ground and wiped with a dry cloth.
For long-term storage, dry and clean tomatoes with no signs of damage are placed in tight rows in wooden boxes, the lid of the box should not damage the fruit. The box is placed in a non-residential, cool and well-ventilated area. Subject to all of the above conditions, tomatoes will be stored for an average of 2 months.
Did you know? Tomatoes in the US for a long time were considered poisonous. The third US president, Thomas Jefferson, once tried a tomato in Paris and sent the seeds home, but even this was a weak argument for many, the vegetable was still considered a poison.
Possible problems and recommendations
If the tomatoes of this variety develop normally, during the day you can observe the twisting of the leaves in the upper part of the bush. If there is no twisting, it means that the development of the plant is distorted. As a result, a decrease in yield and a drop in color may occur.
In order to get rid of this problem, it is necessary to prevent the growth of tomatoes at low temperatures, and regularly moisten the soil. When a plant is stunted, it is necessary to feed it with superphosphate.
To do this, 3 spoons of superphosphate are diluted in 10 liters of water and watered at the rate of 1 liter of top dressing per a tomato bush. If there is a strong growth of the bush, there may be weak flower formation and fruiting. This occurs when excessive moisture and excess fertilizer. To solve this problem, you need to stop watering and feeding the bushes for 10 days. Using the example of a variety of tomatoes "Balcony Miracle", one can make sure that growing tomatoes in one's own apartment is absolutely real, but if desired, this variety of tomatoes can be grown in open ground.
Adhering to all the rules for the care of tomatoes in this class, you can provide a rich harvest that will delight with taste in any time of the year.