There are many different varieties of tomatoes: large, small, fleshy and even long. So, among the small cherry tomatoes, there is a type called “Thumbelina”. The name already speaks for itself. This variety was obtained through selection and is amazing in terms of taste. It can be grown in the garden, or at home on the balcony.
Description
Now let's look at a short description. This variety “Thumbelina” can be classified as tall, because it can reach a height of about one and a half meters.By the way, it ripens quite early, after planting the seedlings, the first fruits will appear within 90-95 days, and can be planted in greenhouses or under film cover.
If we talk about the fruits, they are small and their approximate weight is only 15-20 grams. The shape of the fruit is round. If you touch them, you can understand that they are smooth, but dense. One brush can produce up to 15 fruits. As for the taste, it has already been said that it is amazing. Anyone will like it. Tomatoes can be eaten fresh or canned. That's basically all the characteristics.
How to plant and care properly
Cultivation is the most important topic. First you need to prepare the seedlings. This is done in March, then the seeds are planted in specially prepared containers to a depth of about one centimeter. After ten days, the first shoots will begin to appear, then the plants should be planted in various containers, preferably their shape should be cylindrical.
When May comes, you need to start transplanting cherry tomatoes into the greenhouse, using a 60 by 70 scheme. Next, you should wait until the bushes gradually grow and reach thirty centimeters, then you can make supports, and as they grow, tie the tomatoes to them.
Tomato care includes:
- Removing stepchildren;
- Regular loosening;
- Watering.
Sowing
Now we will separately consider sowing, because this is a very important topic. First, keep in mind that before sowing, you need to soak the seeds in warm water for 24 hours. You can add special growth stimulants to the liquid, and first soak the seeds of the variety in potassium permanganate for 3-4 minutes.
Regarding the soil for this variety, it is prepared from humus and peat. You can safely add a little charcoal to the soil as a mineral fertilizer. To make tomato seeds enter the ground faster, you need to water it with warm water, preferably at room temperature, before planting. The grains themselves should be planted shallowly in the soil for planting and covered with a thin film, which can then be removed after sunrise. It is very important that there is enough light, make sure that the tomatoes receive enough light and heat, because this is important.
Possible diseases and prevention
Of course, the Thumbelina variety is not afraid of rot, but even it can contract a disease with very bad consequences, for example:
- Mosaic. It affects the leaves of tomato bushes. They become wrinkled and covered with spots, their color changes.
- Late blight. Because of it, a white coating begins to form under the leaves.
- If you water too often, the tomatoes will begin to crack.
All of the above can be easily avoided. To do this, you should loosen the soil as often as possible and do not forget about watering. You can also use special fertilizers as a preventive measure.
How to get seeds
The grains are extracted in several stages:
- An already ripe “Thumbelina” tomato is divided into two parts.
- Using a medical spatula, all seeds are removed.
- They need to be placed in any plastic container and left for several days (from two to four).
- This is necessary for them to ferment. Then they should be washed and all unnecessary grains removed.
- The remaining ones need to be strained and squeezed out using thin gauze.
Next, the grains are washed with water at room temperature and dried by placing them on a sheet of paper.
Pros and cons of the Thumbelina variety
If we talk about the advantages of this variety, then among them we can confidently note the following:
- They are easy to care for, because the variety requires only regular watering and a minimal amount of fertilizer.
- The Thumbelina tomato is capable of pollinating on its own, so if there are no insects, then it’s okay.
- A small root system that allows you to plant and grow tomatoes even in pots.
- They are not afraid of diseases.
- Rapid ripening of tomatoes; within 90-95 days the first harvest will be obtained.
It should also be noted that tomatoes of this variety ripen synchronously, so you don’t have to climb from bush to bush in search of ripened fruits.
The only important drawback of the variety is that these tomatoes are afraid of sudden changes in temperature and cold. It is better to grow them in a greenhouse.
This type of tomato is very good and has numerous positive reviews. Anyone who has planted them understands why, because they grow quickly, do not require much attention and produce very tasty fruits. Follow all the advice we have given and you will be able to grow good tomatoes.
