Miniature bushes with tomato crumbs - decorating the bed: Caramel tomato and tips for growing it

Tomatoes appeared in Europe at the dawn of the 17th century. And now, centuries later, this vegetable has occupied an honorable niche on the table of cooks and in the garden plots of gardeners. The variety of varieties, shapes, colors, sizes and tastes of fruits is dizzying: round and oval, black and red, sweet and sour.

Among all the tomatoes, those that have an interesting appearance and original taste stand out. One of these varieties is the Caramel tomato, which will be discussed further.

Description of the variety

Caramel tomatoes are a hybrid developed by breeders. In hybrids they try to combine the strengths of different varieties. For example, in Caramel it is resistance to disease and bad weather. Also, the variety is loved by many because of its high yield and excellent taste. Detailed characteristics and description are presented below.

Subspecies Caramel red

Red Caramel tomato bushes are neat and serve as a real decoration for the garden. However, they reach a height of 2 m, so gartering and pinching are required.

There are many leaves, they are very dense and dark green in color. The tomatoes are small, deep scarlet in color. The aroma is classic, sweetish.

Tomatoes ripen in clusters, 40-50 pieces each. The pulp is very juicy, with a high content of vitamins B and C.

They are grown both under film and in the open air. Well stored and transported.

Subspecies Caramel yellow

Yellow caramel ripens early, approximately 90 days from planting. Tomatoes resemble plums and have a pleasant yellow tint. From 1 square meter, gardeners harvest about 4 kg of ripe tomatoes. The variety is great for whole canning and preparing various dishes.

Experienced gardeners grow the variety exclusively in greenhouses and greenhouses. The plant is sensitive to soil, so you need to regularly feed the bushes. In addition, the variety must be tied up and bushes formed.

Distinctive features

Variety Caramel is characterized as indeterminate, reaches a height of about 2.3 m. The stem is powerful and long. The plant is not afraid of a long absence of sun or spring frosts. Even an inexperienced gardener can get a rich harvest of Caramel.

Characteristics of tomatoes, yield

Tomatoes reach a maximum diameter of 3 cm, the average weight of one is about 30-35 g. The color is even, rich red. The skin is dense and smooth. The shape is round, slightly elongated. The taste is juicy and rich.

Preparing seedlings

Growing in seedlings will help the plant to sprout faster and better adapt to climatic conditions. Therefore, it is important to comply with all necessary requirements when preparing seedlings.

Seed preparation

Since Caramel is a hybrid, the seeds are purchased only in stores. The bag contains all the information about the manufacturer, as well as planting tips. First of all, pay attention to seed treatment. Some gardeners claim that the seeds of hybrids are already pre-treated with disinfectants.

However, it would not be a bad idea to carry out the operation again yourself. For this we use a solution of hydrogen peroxide:

• take a 3% solution and heat it to a temperature of 40 degrees;
• place the seeds in a fabric bag;
• lower it into the solution for 10 minutes;
• remove and pour the seeds onto a napkin;
• leave on a napkin until completely dry.

Important! In addition to processing, the seeds need to be coated. This saturates the young shoots with nutrients and vitamins. We recommend the Zircon solution - soak the seed in it for 3 hours. It increases germination and develops disease resistance.

Container and soil

The best soil for seedlings is a mixture of garden soil, humus and vermiculite. The latter is a natural material that performs a number of important functions:

• makes the soil more loose and water-retentive (for the greatest effect, manure or grass is added to it);
• sprouts develop faster, while vermiculite strengthens their root system;
• reduces the risk of developing fungal infections;
• saturates sprouts with magnesium, calcium and iron.

Important! Before planting seedlings, add 3-4 tablespoons of vermiculite to each hole.

As for containers for seedlings, any clean and dry boxes, crates, or pots will do. If you don’t have such containers at home, you can always find special cassettes or containers in a gardening store.

Sowing

Seeds are planted for seedlings 2 months before the intended planting in the ground. Soil is poured into the prepared container, holes are made in it using a small cutting, seeds are placed in them and soil is sprinkled on top.

The sprouts should be 10-15 cm apart from each other. It is better to cover the top of the container with seedlings with cling film, after thoroughly watering the seedlings with warm water.

Growing and care

Place the sprouts in a warm, well-lit place.Seedlings love warmth and sun, so choose the brightest place in your home. The first watering is after 7-10 days. Under no circumstances should you water the seedlings with cold tap water, as this may cause the hybrid to become infected with microbes. As soon as the first shoots appear, remove the film. Try to avoid drafts - this is harmful to the seedlings.

After 20 days, we recommend organizing the first feeding. A solution with bird droppings is suitable for this. Do subsequent fertilizing until the plant is planted on the site. Also, do not forget about hardening off the seedlings. Take the containers out onto the balcony, increasing the time it stays every day. The procedure will help the plant quickly get used to climatic conditions.

How to grow tomatoes

Caramel is planted in mid-May. Gardeners from the southern regions boldly place the variety in open ground, and gardeners from central Russia are recommended to plant the tomato in a greenhouse or hothouse.

Landing

The land for planting is prepared in the fall. It is dug up, cleaned of weeds and previous plants. The best predecessors of Caramel are Bulgarian pepper, carrot, zucchini. Avoid planting potatoes in beds. In the spring they are dug up again and all the garbage is burned. It would be a good idea to water the soil with a solution of potassium permanganate - this will destroy larvae and dangerous microorganisms.

Bushes are planted at a distance of 40-50 cm from each other. After planting, the beds are watered with warm water. Make sure that it does not get on the leaves and stem, otherwise there is a high risk of developing fungi and viruses. When planting, do not allow the sprouts to break and be careful.

Care

First of all, follow the watering schedule. Do not allow the soil to become waterlogged, otherwise the tomatoes may crack or, even worse, get sick.It is better to water them in the evening or in the morning. For prevention purposes, you can add milk or whey to the water. The solution will not only moisturize, but will also have a preventive effect against diseases and parasitic insects.

The beds need regular loosening. This gives the bushes more oxygen. Also, do not allow the garden to become overgrown with weeds. Weeds take nutrients from tomatoes.

Due to their high growth, the bushes need shaping. Tie them to wooden stakes - they also need to be disinfected with potassium permanganate first. Twine works great for garters. Remember that Caramel forms stepsons that should be removed every 7-10 days.

Important! Do not forget about mineral fertilizers and organic fertilizers. Liquid mullein, wood ash, urea, ammonium nitrate, and superphosphate do an excellent job of this role. For best plant nutrition, alternate between organics and minerals.

Features of cultivation and possible difficulties

Most of all, tomatoes need nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus. The lack of the latter reduces the degree of nitrogen absorption, which leads to a delay in the tying of clusters and cessation of growth. The effect is called “mineral starvation”, which is why the leaves acquire a gray-green color. To prevent this from happening, superphosphate is added at an early stage of development.

Remember that too much nitrogen is harmful. Beneficial substances go into the leaves, an increase in green mass appears, which is why the tomatoes lack nutrition. In addition, due to an excess of nitrogen, nitrates accumulate in tomatoes.

Diseases and pests

Although the hybrid is resistant to many diseases, it is also susceptible to diseases and pests.

Most often you can find the Colorado potato beetle in the garden. This is especially true if the beds with potatoes and tomatoes are nearby. The beetle is capable of destroying not only leaves and stems, but also the fruits themselves. To prevent its appearance, treat Caramel with a solution of Bordeaux mixture. Dry concentrate or solution is sold in stores.

In addition to the beetle, wireworms can damage tomatoes. The insect penetrates the soil and eats the root system, as a result of which nutrients are not supplied to the plant. We recommend fighting the parasite using the drugs “Prestige” or “Bazudin”.

The most common disease is late blight fungus or tobacco mosaic virus. Late blight appears in the form of brown spots, in a mosaic in the form of yellow patterns on the leaves. The causes of diseases are high humidity and heat. For prevention, use “Fitosporin” or a solution based on wood ash.

The nuances of growing in open ground and in a greenhouse

In open ground, Caramel tomatoes are planted in a sunny place where cold winds do not penetrate. Under no circumstances should you plant vegetables in low, damp areas where groundwater is close. All this creates unfavorable conditions for the root system.

In a greenhouse, it is important to maintain temperature and humidity levels. Ventilate the room daily, especially if the summer is hot and dry. For ventilation, experienced farmers advise making special windows. Also, avoid over-watering the room. If there has been a lot of rain, reduce the number of waterings. Inspect the plant regularly for signs diseases.

Harvesting and application

Caramel has an extended ripening period.Before harvesting vegetables, pinch off the tops. Remove the caramel tomatoes carefully, without damaging the unripe tomatoes. Do not allow vegetables to overripe; this is harmful to the entire plant. To store vegetables, place them in a cool, dry place. This way they will retain their nutrients and vitamins longer.

Like most small varieties, Caramel is used for whole canning. Both yellow and red tomatoes look appetizing in the bank. In addition, lecho, ketchup, tomato juice and paste, and adjika are made from them. For piquancy, add cloves, a mixture of Provençal herbs, bay leaves and dill.

Caramel is delicious fresh. For example, it is used to prepare salads and sandwiches, and added to side dishes and soups. The sweet and sour taste goes well with chicken and poultry.

Advantages and disadvantages of the variety

The advantages of the Caramel variety are its excellent taste and original appearance. The variety is productive and versatile in use. With proper care, it is recommended for cultivation in any region of the country. Caramel is planted as in greenhouses, and in the open air. The plant has excellent immunity to disease.

Among the disadvantages, they note the need to form a bush, namely, the obligatory garter and pinching. Otherwise, Caramel is not inferior to other popular hybrids.

Farmer reviews

Online opinions of farmers about Caramel are not always clear.

Elena, Tatarstan: “I really love cherry tomatoes and small tomatoes. In my opinion, this is better than large and awkward vegetables. I planted the Caramel variety last year for the first time and I liked it. There is no hassle in care, and the tomatoes taste like honey.”

Evgeniya, Voronezh region: “Yellow Caramel is an excellent hybrid for growing outdoors.I water and fertilize with grass and manure three times a season. I collect them for a long time, I use them mainly in canned form.”

Maria, Moscow region: “The tassels tied quickly, there were few stepsons. But a month later the plant got sick with black leg - I had to destroy 3 bushes. I followed all the rules and took preventive measures, I don’t know why the disease developed. I haven’t decided yet whether to plant it or not.”

Conclusion

Tall bushes of the Caramel variety will bring a harvest of delicious small tomatoes, and the rich yellow color will decorate your garden. The tomato is unpretentious in care, although it needs shaping. Suitable for growing in any climate. Remember that he loves feeding and fertilizer. “Caramel” vegetable will advantageously decorate both a festive table and a simple family dinner.