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Cherry tomatoes Is a group of varieties and hybrids that differ from ordinary tomatoes, primarily in the size of the fruit. The name comes from the English "cherry" - cherry. Initially, cherry tomatoes resembled cherry fruits. Now a huge number of varieties have been bred, differing both in shape (elongated, round, drop-shaped) and in color (traditional red, orange, yellow, black).
The benefits of black cherry tomatoes
The red color of tomato fruits is due to the lycopene contained in the fruits. Black color, although not entirely accurate definition of color, rather dark purple, is formed due to a substance such as anthocyanin. Anthocyanin has a bactericidal effect, destroys some types of bacteria. During colds, it helps the body fight viral infections, increases human immunity.
Anthocyanin accumulates well in the eyeball, helps to strengthen the capillaries and the outflow of intraocular fluid. Those who regularly eat foods rich in anthocyanins have good eyesight, are less computer fatigued, and recover faster.
And one more property of anthocyanin is antioxidant. Anthocyanin removes free radicals from the body, protects our body from the onset of cancer. The unique substance anthocyanin is found in eggplants, beets, berries, black tomatoes.
Black cherry tomatoes have long ceased to be exotic. Our gardeners successfully grow black tomato varieties on their backyards. The obvious benefits for the body are complemented by excellent taste characteristics. Due to the high content of sugars (glucose and fructose), acids become less pronounced. Therefore, the taste is more balanced. Moreover, those who regularly eat dark tomatoes claim that regular tomatoes are now tasteless to them.
Cooking use
Cherry tomatoes are used in cooking to decorate dishes, for preservation. They can be dried and dried. Housewives add cherry when preserving cucumbers and ordinary tomatoes, which makes the blanks aesthetically attractive. And it makes it possible to maximize the volume of the canning container, filling the voids with small tomatoes between large vegetables. The unusual color of cherry tomatoes prompts a person to eat the fruit or be sure to try it. Children like cherry very much, who, most often, cannot be persuaded to eat vegetables. And another huge plus of cherry tomatoes, they ripen with a brush, there is no need to collect tomatoes one by one. Cherries are distinguished by their high keeping quality. They are stored for a long time without losing their taste.
Growing
The cultivation of black cherry tomatoes is no different from the cultivation of traditional tomatoes. Cherry tomatoes are resistant to temperature extremes, to diseases, sprout well, actively grow and bear fruit both in protected ground and in the open. Features of growing cherry tomatoes:
- Cherry tomatoes are grown only in seedlings. At the end of winter, seeds are planted in containers with prepared soil. How to grow tomato seedlings, see the video:
- At the beginning - the first half of May, seedlings are planted in greenhouses, and in open ground, when the threat of recurrent frosts has passed. Observe the planting scheme 50x50 cm, 3 - 4 plants per 1 sq. m.
- In a greenhouse, plants grow very high up to 180 cm, indeterminate varieties up to 2 m, and give a huge number of stepchildren. The task of gardeners is to form a bush, tie it up and remove stepchildren in time. It is better to form a bush in 1 - 2 stems. The second stem is formed from the most viable lateral stepchild. If there are a lot of fruits, then remove the stepsons without regret, otherwise the ripening of the fruits will be difficult. The peculiarity of cherry tomatoes is that they are especially tasty when plucked from a bush at the stage of biological ripeness. If you pick cherry in technical ripeness, and they ripen at home, then tomatoes lose a significant part of their taste.
- It is imperative to tie up so that the bush does not break off under the weight of the fruits and so that the fruits do not lie on the ground, which is why they crack. Choose a method of tying to a trellis, it is much more convenient than a garter to a support.
- Tomatoes, especially cherry tomatoes, love watering regularly. If you neglect watering or watering from time to time, then the cherries will crack.
- Cherry tomatoes bear fruit abundantly and for a long time. Until the first frost, you can harvest.
Most gardeners and gardeners are familiar with the agricultural technology of growing tomatoes. Growing cherry tomatoes is not difficult, since the growing techniques are similar.
Diseases and pests
Despite the fact that cherry tomatoes are resistant to diseases, preventive measures should still be taken to protect plants from certain diseases. Timely measures taken will save you from losing your harvest.
- Late blight manifests itself in yellowing and leaf fall. The most dangerous disease for tomatoes... Caused by high humidity. To avoid phytophthora, ventilate greenhouses and tear off affected leaves. You can use folk methods: dilute milk whey with water 1: 1, spray the plants. You can sprinkle the aisles with ash a week after planting the plants in the ground. For drastic measures, the following preparations are suitable: 1 tablet of Trichopolum is diluted in 1 liter of water, the plants are sprayed with this solution every 2 weeks. Or use the following drugs: Fitosporin, Mikosan, Bordeaux liquid. Dilute according to the instructions.
- Top rot tomatoes are manifested in the fact that the top of the tomato turns black or brown. Preventive measures: When planting plants in the ground, add 1 tbsp of wood ash and calcium nitrate to each hole. spoon.
- Rolling the leaves in tomatoes it is caused by a lack of trace elements or insufficient watering.
- Aphid affects plants both in greenhouses and in the open field. It literally sucks out all the juices. Spraying with an infusion of chamomile, tobacco or yarrow will help. Or the drug "Verticillin".
- Brown spot quite a dangerous disease. It starts with the appearance of brown spots on the leaves, and everything can end with the death of the plant. "Fitosporin" will help from this misfortune.
Many people want to grow plants without any chemistry. In this case, try folk methods. But there are cases when you cannot do without serious treatment. There are always several options, some are helped by some means, some others.
Varieties
The most famous and popular among gardeners are the following varieties of tomatoes - black cherry.
Black Cherry
Black cherry or Black cherry is a determinate type of plant. A tall, powerful shrub suitable for growing in open and protected ground. Black cherry is a mid-early plant; it takes about 115 days from germination to first fruits.
Advantages of the variety:
- High yield: You can get up to 5 kg of fruits from 1 bush;
- Pinching is not required, since the bulk of the fruits grows on lateral shoots;
- Very tasty fruits, unusually sweet, unusual color. Children like it very much;
- Suitable for fresh consumption, salads, for canning;
- Ripen quickly.
Disadvantages of the variety:
- Thin skin. The fruits crack during the ripening process.
- The fruits are poorly stored.
- The plant requires constant tying, since the fruits ripen in large quantities and there are many of them.
The plant is grown in seedlings. Suitable for central Russia and Siberia for growing in greenhouses. It tolerates climatic fluctuations well. In the southern regions, it can be grown outdoors. Black cherry responds positively to regular feeding with organic and mineral fertilizers, regular watering.
Cherry Black Zebra
Mid-season variety, striped fruits. They look very unusual. Delicious fruits for universal use. The skin is dense, does not crack.
Cherry Chocolate Apples F1
An early ripe variety, it takes about 100 days from germination to first fruits. Fruit weight is about 30 - 40 g, they are resistant to cracking. Maroon color. Delicious, very sweet.
Cherry Chocolate Pearls
The variety has a high resistance to diseases, resistant to temperature fluctuations. Long-term fruiting. Fruits are elongated teardrop-shaped with excellent taste. The variety is collectible.
Cherry dance with the Smurfs
The variety is named after the hero of the children's cartoon "The Smurfs". Sweet, fragrant fruit, intense purple color, almost black, with a reddish spot on the tip. Resistant to disease and temperature fluctuations.
Cherry Amethyst Cream Cherry
A rare variety, recommended for cultivation in greenhouses and open ground in the southern regions. The height of the bush is up to 2 m, the best yield is obtained when a bush is formed in 2 - 3 stems. The fruits are creamy-yellow in color, dark in color only along the shoulders. The skin is dense, does not crack. Stored well. They taste good. The use of fruits is universal. Fruiting is long, abundant until frost.
Conclusion
In recent years, more and more unusual varieties of seemingly familiar vegetables have appeared. These include black cherry tomatoes. They will become a real decoration of your garden due to their unusual colors, abundant fruiting. The taste of the fruits, which are perfectly manifested both in fresh and canned form, will also delight.
