There are certain schemes for how to form tomatoes in a greenhouse. They will allow you to complete the process in a timely manner and without errors. The formation of a central stem is carried out only in tall varieties of tomatoes. The procedure allows you to get a good harvest and reduce the risk of infection.
general information
Tomatoes are a heat-loving vegetable crop, but summer does not always bring favorable weather. Gardeners are increasingly beginning to grow vegetables in polycarbonate greenhouses. Under cover, plants are not afraid of temperature fluctuations, precipitation, wind and other unfavorable factors.
Almost all types Tomatoes require pinching, which means cutting off side branches. The exception is standard species. This is a variety determinate group of tomatoes. Growing standard tomatoes is very easy and simple. They do not require the removal of side branches, the formation of a central trunk and tying to a support.
Standard-type tomato bushes have a strong, powerful stem that stretches up to 60 cm. 4 fruiting clusters are formed on the stem.
Tall varieties of tomatoes without the formation of a main stem begin to branch in different directions, forming many flowers that do not have time to grow into fruits. Therefore, the formation of tomatoes in a greenhouse is considered a mandatory procedure. Cutting off unnecessary, weak inflorescences will lead to the fact that all efforts will be directed to the development of a full-fledged harvest.
Stepping is carried out for three main reasons:
- unlimited growth of the bush leads to the development of numerous lateral flowering branches and ovaries, which require more nutritional components and energy for excess greenery;
- a large number of leaves leads to insufficient penetration of sunlight and air to various parts of the plant;
- a formed tomato bush produces a high-quality and plentiful harvest.
To carry out the procedure correctly, you need to clearly distinguish an ordinary leaf from a stepson. Stepchildren grow between the main stem and leaves. First, the leaf itself appears, and above, after some time, a stepson begins to form. It turns out that they grow from one point. Tear off the top sprout without touching the bottom one.
How to form a bush is up to everyone to decide for themselves. For tomatoes in open ground, it is permissible to have two stems, but in a polycarbonate greenhouse they can be grown with one stem. This is suitable for tall types of tomatoes.Determinate varieties of tomatoes in a greenhouse usually have two main stems, while tomatoes in open ground can have three stems.
If the stem is formed correctly, it will slow down the growth of the vegetable crop and increase the amount of harvest. Growing and shaping tomato bushes in a greenhouse consists of pinching, pinching and other manipulations.
Rules for the formation of the main trunk
As soon as the first extra shoot is formed under the central brush with inflorescences, you need not to miss the moment and pick it in time. A shoot longer than 5 cm will be more difficult to pluck and the stem may be damaged. Therefore, tomatoes need to be inspected regularly.
The formation of tomatoes in a greenhouse is carried out according to a special scheme, during which you need to follow some recommendations. Important tips on how to grow tomatoes in a greenhouse.
- The first shaping is carried out 7-10 days after the seedlings are planted in closed ground. During this time, the seedlings have time to grow stronger, take root and adapt. Forming a tomato bush in a greenhouse for the first time involves identifying the main stem on which the cluster with inflorescences is located. As soon as the shoots grow to 5 cm, they are torn off.
- Subsequent formation of bushes is carried out at intervals of 11 days. During these days, the new side branches that appear will not have time to outgrow. It is better to carry out pinching in the morning or evening hours.
- You need to break off or cut off the side branches not at the root, but leaving a small shoot about 2 cm long. This will prevent the re-formation of stepsons.
- The formation of indeterminate tomatoes can be carried out in several stems.
- When pinching, you need to leave shoots with large, strong flowers. The best option is to have three brushes.You also need to get rid of shoots that form in the root zone.
When forming a tomato into one stem, one central trunk is left, the side branches are cut off. As a result, it is not the number of fruits that increases, but their weight.
How to form tomatoes into two stems? If you decide to form a plant into 2 stems, then leave the central trunk with inflorescences and the stem located closest. When forming into three stems, the trunk is correspondingly left below the second. When forming tomatoes into two stems, the branches that will form on the stems must be removed.
Variety of varieties and appropriate care
How to properly form tomatoes also depends on the type of tomato seeds chosen. All tomato varieties are divided into three different groups. They can be planted both in protected and unprotected soil. When describing the formation methods, the seed variety is taken into account.
A determinate tomato variety reaches a certain height and stops growing (they can grow up to 150 cm). But sometimes this can be a negative point. Early topping results in fewer crops. Often the bushes are medium-sized.
It is advisable to leave one stem at semi-determinate tomato varieties. How to form tomatoes in open ground into 1 trunk? The traditional scheme involves removing excess branches and leaving one stem for fruiting. To ensure that the fruits ripen faster, the tops are pinched at the end of the growing season.
Formation of tomatoes in a greenhouse according to a scheme that involves maintaining several shoots on the stem at once. As soon as shoots form on the side branches, their growth point needs to be pinched.Tomato bushes retain a central fruiting stem and lateral racemes.
The formation of a tomato bush in a greenhouse can take place in stages (the method is suitable for semi-determinate varieties of tomatoes in a heifer). With this method, pinching is carried out periodically, leaving one additional shoot in the middle of the central stem. As soon as the fruits set on it, the growing point of the main stem is pinched.
Growing determinate tomatoes is not difficult. After the formation of several brushes with inflorescences, growth stops. Determinate tomatoes can also be formed with the formation of two or three main trunks. It's easy to form double-stemmed tomatoes. The stepson, which is located under the main brush, is not torn off, but left for the second stem. For the third trunk, a shoot is left, which is located under the second main trunk.
The formation of determinate tomatoes in a greenhouse must be carried out according to all the rules, leaving an additional branch on top. It can save the plant in unfavorable situations and act as the main stem.
It is advisable to form indeterminate tomatoes into one stem. If there is a lot of space in the greenhouse, tomatoes can be formed into two stems. The second main branch is formed from a side branch that grows under the first brush with inflorescences. They tear off the shoots, leaving 4 clusters.
Additional procedures
After the first stepsoning has been carried out, you need to carry out the procedure of tying it to the support. A peg is driven in near each tomato bush or tied to a trellis. Without this procedure, the long stem will break under the weight of fruits and greenery.
Indeterminate varieties of tomatoes cannot do without pinching the top.This will make the plant compact, without the formation of new ovaries. Pinching is usually done twice.
When the required number of clusters with flowers has grown on each stem left during formation, it is necessary to cut off the top of the central stem. The upward growth of the plant stops, and all nutritional components are sent to the fruits.
Many experienced gardeners believe that all leaves should be removed, leaving the trunk bare. This will reduce the risk of infection with fungal and viral diseases. All nutrients will be sent directly to the tomatoes. Sunlight and air will circulate freely. Gardeners with this method leave only a few sheets on top.
Proponents of another version believe that removing all leaves disrupts the movement of nutrients and photosynthesis. They remove only the lower leaves, as well as yellowed and diseased leaves.
All the procedures described above have a positive effect on the development of vegetable crops; gardeners often advise not to forget about them: “I always form any types of tomatoes into two or three stems. This allows you to harvest more. The fruits have a dense skin that does not crack. The pulp is juicy, sweet, not watery.”
