What are indeterminate and determinate varieties of tomatoes: differences between them, advantages and disadvantages

Terms "determinant" and "indeterminate", indicated by manufacturers on tomato seed packages, can puzzle even an experienced summer resident. Progress does not stand still and sometimes surprises with new and unknown things.

Meanwhile, behind the unusual names and characteristics lie concepts and processes that have long been familiar to us. We will answer the most popular questions from beginners or simply curious and creative gardeners about varieties tomatoes.

Main differences between varieties

Describing the differences between these types of tomatoes will help you choose from the many varieties that will best suit your needs and expectations.

What does “determinant” and “indeterminate” mean?

All plants that have restrictions in their growth are classified as determinant. In contrast, tall ones are called indeterminate.

Determinate tomatoes are varieties of tomatoes that grow to a maximum of 70 cm and stop growing with the formation of a fruit ovary at the end of the main shoot. Further development occurs on the side shoots (stepchildren).

What are indeterminate tomatoes? The fruits of these crops are placed on a central stem, which reaches 2-4 m in height.

We distinguish varieties at all stages of growth

The question is relevant if seeds or seedling were given to you by the friendly owner of a neighboring summer cottage and you do not know exactly what category the plants belong to.

Seeds

At the seed selection stage, you will have to trust the manufacturer: the packaging contains characteristics of the variety. Gardeners prefer hybrid varieties. The selection of hybrids specifically provides for a set of certain qualities. Therefore, unlike pure varieties, they are most resistant to common diseases and are adapted to grow in certain climatic conditions.

Shoots

By the first sprouts you can already determine which variety they belong to. The height of the stem from the root to the cotyledon of a determinate tomato is 1-2 cm, of an indeterminate one – up to 5 cm.

Mature bushes

The length of the stem is not the main difference between an adult plant. There are tall determinate varieties intended for cultivation in greenhouses. And indeterminate standard ones, on the contrary, are characterized by short stature.

A sure sign that determines membership in the categories of interest to us will be the shape of the tomato bush. A formed brush at the top of the shoot and the formation of several inflorescences at the same time indicate a determinate type of tomato. In indeterminate crops, the ovaries are grouped around the central stem along its entire length.

Features of cultivation

These characteristics are so important that they largely determine the fate of your future harvest.

Location in a greenhouse or garden bed

It is advisable to grow indeterminate varieties of tomatoes in a high greenhouse (up to 2 m). Having a long fruiting period, they produce crops most of the year.

Important! Regular ventilation of the greenhouse will create optimal conditions for pollination and protect tomatoes from barren flowers.

Determinate and low-growing standard varieties of indeterminate tomatoes are more suitable for growing in open ground.

Seedling care

An error in the timing of planting and placing seedlings on the site, or ignorance of the rules for caring for them can minimize the result of your efforts.

Sowing dates

Planting tomatoes in the ground or greenhouse is preceded by growing seedlings. Seeds of indeterminate varieties are sown in early March. After 65-75 days, the seedlings are ready to move to the garden bed.

Determinate varieties are sown at the end of March. The ripening time of seedlings is 55-60 days.

Important! The optimal soil temperature for planting tomatoes is not lower than 15°C.

Stepsoning

When caring for tomatoes, it is important to promptly remove from the bush non-fruit-bearing branches (stepchildren) located between the base of the leaf and the main stem. This agronomic technique (pinching) is aimed at eliminating the irrational distribution of nutrients by the plant. Proper formation of the bush increases productivity.

Indeterminate varieties need pinching to a much greater extent than their low-growing counterparts. Remove excess shoots every ten days throughout the growing season. The stepsons are carefully broken off, leaving a stump 1-2 cm high. Next, the bush is formed in one of the following ways: only the central stem with fruit clusters is left, or the most developed stepson is chosen as the main one.

Important! Having chosen the stepson as the main shoot, after the formation of fruit ovaries on it, pinch the former main stem (pruning is not recommended). This will stop its further growth.

Determinate tomatoes are not prone to uncontrolled growth of green mass. For them, stepsoning is greatly simplified. Since the main harvest comes from the first three inflorescences, the process is aimed at accelerating their ripening. It is enough to remove all the stepsons below the branch on which the ovaries formed. The lower two stepsons should be left, otherwise the plant will stop developing and stop bearing fruit. This type of bush formation is called “three stems” and is recommended for determinate varieties.

Important! The efficiency of the process will increase if the stepsons to be removed are not allowed to grow larger than 7 cm.

Advantages and disadvantages

The existing differences will allow you to select and grow a variety in the most favorable conditions for it, and therefore with the greatest return.

What types of tomatoes do you prefer?

IN greenhouse It is rational to grow indeterminate varieties of tomatoes. Bushes formed into one stem and placed in a checkerboard pattern at a distance of 50 cm from each other significantly save space in the garden bed. The distance between rows must be at least 65 cm.

Determinate tomatoes, planted in open ground or a greenhouse, grow in wide bushes and require space. They are placed on the garden bed at intervals of 80-90 cm.The width between rows is at least 1 m.

Important! All types of tomatoes need tying when they reach a height of 45 cm.

Reliable support will protect a plant weighed down with fruits from breakage and will ensure free air exchange around it. In combination with loosening and hilling, proper tying is an excellent prevention of fungal diseases in tomatoes.

The best varieties for growing in the country

Gardeners willingly exchange experiences, which allows them to compile a database of the most popular and recommended varieties of each species for cultivation.

Selecting a type depending on the region

When thinking about choosing a variety, a gardener proceeds not only from his preferences in terms of the early maturity of the crop, the shape, size and taste of the fruit. It is important to correlate the quality characteristics of the variety with the climatic conditions of the growing region. A mistake at this point can have fatal consequences for the future harvest.

Indeterminate tomatoes are famous for their productivity. However, they ripen a month later than determinate varieties. Taking into account this feature, it is necessary to decide on the placement of seedlings on the site. The warm and moderately humid climate of the southern regions of the country makes it possible to successfully grow such tomatoes both in a greenhouse and in open beds. Beyond the Urals and in central Russia, greenhouse cultivation is preferable.

In northern latitudes, standard varieties are becoming the only alternative to completely abandoning the cultivation of indeterminate tomatoes. Low-growing, with a strong thick stem, standard tomatoes are resistant to the vagaries of the weather and require minimal care.

Their happy owners are freed from the tedious chores of tying and pinching bushes. And the fruits will be pleased with early ripeness at the end of June. They tolerate long-term storage and transportation well.

Most determinate varieties are adapted to open and closed types of soil. They take root well in any climate zone of our country. But in conditions of short and cold summers, it is better to grow them in greenhouses.

Tips for Beginners

Basic rules for caring for tomatoes:

1. We decide on the variety according to the expected result. To get an early harvest, we choose determinate varieties; if we want more fruits, we give preference to indeterminate varieties.
2. We choose a place to plant seedlings taking into account the characteristics of the variety and the climatic conditions of your region (greenhouse or open ground).
3. As they grow, indeterminate tomatoes are carefully rooted and tied to a support along the entire length of the stem.
4. Tomatoes of determinate varieties are fed in a timely manner (during the period of mass flowering, ovary formation and fruit ripening).
5. We regularly ventilate greenhouses to maintain optimal temperature and humidity.
6. Properly organized watering (under the root), loosening the soil and hilling will strengthen the health of the plants and increase immunity to infectious diseases.

Conclusion

Keeping abreast of innovations in agricultural technology and freely using creative terms is a matter of honor for a self-respecting summer resident or farmer.And for a novice gardener, this also means the safety of his harvest.

Without knowledge of the unique characteristics of each variety, it is easy to turn a summer cottage into a savannah with sadly drooping sparse bushes. Create comfortable conditions for your plants and receive a well-deserved reward for your work!