One of the few varieties that grow well both in a greenhouse and in open ground is the Cranberry tomato in sugar. It is possible to grow it in an apartment: the variety gives an excellent harvest even when cultivated on a windowsill. The tomato is able to adapt to various conditions, is resistant to the development of late blight and is well resistant to pests. A small bush covered in fruits is capable of producing an excellent harvest in almost any conditions.
Cranberry in sugar is an incredibly beautiful and decorative tomato. The bush is quite compact, its height does not exceed 60 cm, it does not require staking or pinching.Bright red small fruits, the weight of which in most cases does not exceed 15 grams, are very sweet and juicy, and receive only positive reviews.
Description of the variety
This tomato variety was bred by Russian breeders working at the Aelita agricultural company. There are no restrictions on the method of cultivation or region of cultivation. You can plant these tomatoes as follows:
- in open ground;
- in a container that will be located on the windowsill;
- to the greenhouse;
- in boxes and flowerpots outdoors.
Sugared cranberries are an excellent helper for people on dietary restrictions, because the calorie content of the fruit is extremely low. This is an excellent dietary product. The wonderful taste and magnificent aroma of the fruits are given by both organic acids in combination with chemical elements and medicinal properties:
- lowering cholesterol levels;
- normalization of the heart and blood vessels;
- improvement of general blood condition;
- reduction in the number of disorders in the gastrointestinal tract.
Representatives of this species belong to the category of small-fruited tomatoes. Small tomatoes gain weight of 12–15 grams and no more. The shape of the fruit is even, round, and there is practically no ribbing in the area of the stalk. The skin color is classic red.
Tomatoes Cranberry in sugar are a variety whose fruits ripen early. The average duration of the growing season is 70 - 75 days from the moment the seedlings were moved into the ground. Tomatoes ripen together, low bushes are completely covered with tassels.
With a compact bush - its height does not exceed 60 cm - the variety shows excellent yield for this type of tomato: up to 3 kg per square meter.The compactness of the plants even allows them to be planted in spaces between other, taller bushes, making the cultivation of all crops convenient and practical. This way you can save space in the greenhouse or garden bed.
The taste of Cranberries in sugar is slightly sour, but sweet. The pulp is not watery, dense, quite juicy.
Seed chambers are small in size. The skin of the fruit is shiny, soft, but very dense. Cracking of tomatoes does not occur, so tomatoes are perfect for canning, pickling, and use as part of various assorted vegetables. Eating fresh will only leave a pleasant impression, because the fruits are small and sweet. It is not only tasty, but also very interesting.
Advantages and disadvantages
This type of tomato is very popular among summer residents because it has a number of undoubted advantages:
- Unpretentiousness. Even a gardener who is just taking his first steps in the agricultural field can take care of such plants. The plasticity with which a plant adapts to environmental conditions sometimes surprises even experienced gardeners.
- Versatility. Sugared cranberries are successfully grown even in those regions that are usually classified as “difficult” in terms of the availability of natural conditions for agricultural development.
- Determination, standardness. These facts make caring for a plant bush simpler, because there is no need to form a bush. When the genetically determined maximum height is reached, growth stops. At the top, the formation of a cluster with fruits begins. Subsequently, the growth of the bush continues in width.
- Disease resistance. It is extremely rare that this variety is affected by fungal diseases and late blight.
- Decorative.The undoubted advantage of Cranberry tomatoes in sugar is their visual appeal. During the period of fruit ripening, a bush strewn with bright red tomatoes creates a very impressive impression. You can get a harvest even on the window.
- Excellent taste. Sweet, but with a slight sourness, the fruits are perfect for making sauces and dressings, gravies and preservation. Preservation of shape during conservation is an undoubted advantage of this variety. Eating fresh will leave only pleasant impressions.
Cranberries in sugar also have disadvantages. Reviews contain information that the thick skin may be slightly tough. This is most often felt when tomatoes are eaten fresh. According to some who grow this variety, they do not like the sourness present in the taste of these tomatoes.
Some gardeners express the opinion that the description of the variety does not always correspond to what is stated, because the compactness of the bushes in some cases is not as stated by the manufacturer. Planted in a greenhouse, tomatoes can reach a height of 1.5 meters. All shortcomings are easily compensated by high yield and excellent consumer qualities.
Features of cultivation
A competent gardener begins to think about the future harvest in the spring, when it is time to plant seeds for seedlings. To obtain large yields, it is recommended to treat the material with a growth stimulator and then sow it in a container with well-moistened soil. The depth of embedding is 2 centimeters.
As a rule, Cranberry seeds in sugar germinate quickly within 4 – 6 days. After the first shoots appear, it is necessary to remove the film and place the seedlings in a warm place. As soon as the cultivation reaches the second leaf stage, it is worth picking.In the future, until the plants are planted in the ground, it is necessary to feed them twice with complex fertilizers.
Planting in the ground can occur after the end of frost. This is the second half of May or the beginning of June. In any case, there is no need to rush, otherwise the plants may suffer.
Landing in the ground
Before planting plants in the ground, the soil should be prepared and the seedlings should be sprayed with a weak solution of boric acid. The concentration should be as follows: 1 gram of product per 1 liter of water. This will make growing easier, reduce stress for the bush and not lose the first color.
The soil in which Sugar Cranberries are planted should be loamy and fertile. The land can be protected from infections and pests using peat-humic fertilizers.
Tomatoes should be planted in holes, maintaining an interval of 40 - 45 centimeters. Between the rows you should leave at least 60 cm, preferably in a checkerboard pattern.
If the seedlings are of high quality, they will not cause any inconvenience: they will not stretch or become deformed. During the period of abundant fruiting, even with a large amount of harvest, the plant does not require staking. The earthen lump that it forms will be strong and dense.
Features of care
Tomatoes of any variety have high care requirements. First of all, this concerns watering, which is carried out exclusively with warm water. The most preferable time for watering is the morning. Before the buds appear, moisturizing should be done weekly; during the flowering period, watering should be more generous.
Immunity is good. Damage to dangerous diseases occurs extremely rarely; Cranberries in sugar and late blight with fusarium are not scary. The biggest misfortune that can await a tomato is — mosaic disease. There are currently no treatments for this viral disease, so great attention must be paid to prevention.
To prevent the development of fungal diseases, it is necessary to spray tomatoes with a weak fungicidal solution 2–3 times a season. Well-known copper sulfate and Bordeaux mixture are well suited for these purposes. You can use modern preparations that make it easier to grow tomatoes.
If signs of mosaic disease appear, the bush should be removed from the garden bed as quickly as possible and burned. The disease is spread by insects; a microscopic crack in the leaves or trunks of plants is enough for infection. The virus retains its ability to live for a long time, so the soil must be disinfected after eliminating diseased plants.
The tomato variety Cranberry in Sugar is an excellent option for lovers of exquisite decorativeness and excellent taste. Light sourness and delicate round sweet fruits make the variety indispensable for decorating dishes and giving food exquisite shades of taste. Growing such a tomato is easy.
