Which low-growing tomato varieties are the most productive?
The variety of vegetable crops is innumerable. No exception and everyone's favorite tomato. Tomatoes were grown by the Aztecs 700 BC. There are about 10,000 types of tomatoes in the modern world. Species are grouped according to stem height, ripening time and method of consumption.
Based on the height of the stem and bush, tomatoes are divided into low-growing and tall. In the article we will consider low-growing varieties, their characteristics and yield.
The benefits of low-growing tomatoes
The low-growing ones grow a small, compact bush with a thick, strong stem. These tomatoes take up little space in the greenhouse and on the ground, do not bend to the ground, do not break. The bushes grow up to a certain point, then growth stops.
It is convenient to care for such bushes, since thanks to the early stabilization of growth, there is no need for pinching. This significantly saves time on caring for tomatoes; there is no need to monitor the appearance of new shoots and remove them.
Bushes of low-growing tomatoes form 2-3 inflorescences. It doesn’t take much time for them to grow, so all the nutrients are used to form the crop. The fruits appear quickly and ripen simultaneously.
In terms of taste and beneficial properties, low-growing varieties are not inferior to, and even surpass, their tall counterparts.
All standard varieties are resistant to pests and weather, they are very low hassle, making them ideal for novice gardeners.
Important! Low-growing tomatoes do not have time to get sick with late blight, as it appears by the end of summer.
Features of cultivation and yield
If you follow some simple rules for caring for low-growing varieties, you can easily and quickly get a harvest. We will find out which tomato seeds are the most productive later in the description of the varieties.
After purchasing seeds, you need to prepare them for planting. The seeds are placed in a solution of potassium permanganate for half an hour (10 g of potassium permanganate per half a liter of water), then laid out on a cloth, covered with film and placed in a warm place. After 2-3 days, the seeds will germinate. It is imperative to observe the sowing time, otherwise growing seedlings will be useless if the plants have greatly outgrown by the planting date.
If the germination of the seeds is 100% and the distance between the sprouts is less than acceptable, the plants that have formed 2-3 leaves are transplanted into separate cups or pulled out. This is called picking.
After the seeds germinate, take the soil, heat it to room temperature and distribute it in containers, for example, plastic cups. The seedlings should grow on a sunny windowsill for about 2 months. While the sprouts are sprouting, you can feed them 1-2 times with mineral fertilizers.
The timing of planting tomatoes in a permanent place depends on the type of planting (in a greenhouse or open ground), as well as depending on the region. This is usually the period from March to April. If you have a heated greenhouse, you can plant in February, but in this case it is necessary to provide additional lighting in the greenhouse.
When planting seedlings in a greenhouse, keep a distance between bushes of approximately 30-40 cm and plant the sprouts in a checkerboard pattern so that it is convenient to reach each bush.
Note. When transshipment - planting seedlings - it is recommended to water them abundantly so as not to injure the roots.
Some varieties of low-growing tomatoes require staking. Since the bush is small and produces a lot of fruits, the stem may break.
It is recommended to plant tomatoes in greenhouses made of cellular polycarbonate. Before planting seedlings, wash the walls of the greenhouse with soapy water and pour boiling water or a solution of potassium permanganate onto the soil. This is necessary to destroy parasites.
It is important that the design of the greenhouse requires a ventilation system and good lighting. The soil in the greenhouse must first be dug up along with humus or rotted manure. Fresh manure cannot be used as it contains fungi and parasites.
Watering begins only after the seedlings have taken root in the soil. It is correct to water once a week, 5-7 liters per 1 m². Water in the morning or evening with settled water. Water at the root so that moisture does not get on the leaves and stems.
Note. To maintain moisture in the soil near the bush, it is recommended to place a layer of straw approximately 4-5 cm thick around the stem.
To allow roots to breathe, it is necessary to loosen the soil around the stems after each watering. Thanks to loosening, the temperature and humidity conditions of the soil and mulching improve.
After the first fruits have set, it is recommended to trim off excess leaves so that the plant spends nutrients on the fruits and not on the foliage.
Tomatoes are fertilized for the first time 2-3 weeks after placing the seedlings in the greenhouse, the second time – after another 10 days. For fertilizer, a solution of water, manure and “Nitrophoska” is used.
Attention! Nitrogen fertilizers and organic matter cannot be applied during flowering and fruiting.
Planting in open ground differs from planting in a greenhouse only in time; all other procedures are carried out similarly.
Once the first tomatoes appear and ripen, you will be surprised how prolific these little bushes are. All fruits on one plant ripen at approximately the same time and grow juicy, tasty, and aromatic.
Low-growing tomatoes for greenhouses
Among the low-growing varieties, there are tomatoes that are more suitable for greenhouses or open ground.
These are suitable for greenhouses varieties, like Alaska, Riddle, Raja, Pink Honey, Hazel Grouse. Let's look at each of them in more detail.
Alaska
Alaska is a high-yielding, early-ripening variety of low-growing tomatoes. The fruits appear already in June, the ripening period is 80-100 days. A distinctive feature of the variety is that the fruits quickly become red and sweet.
The height of the bush does not exceed 0.5 m, so the variety is called dwarf. Thanks to its low bush, this variety can easily withstand difficult weather conditions. However, despite their short stature, the bushes still need to be shaped and tied up so that the fruits do not break the stem. This variety belongs to tomatoes without pinching. It is better to plant 6-7 plants per 1 m².
The harvest is rich (2 kg per bush), the fruits ripen simultaneously and quickly, since the plant is capable of producing ovaries even at low temperatures, which is rare for tomatoes. Thanks to this feature, it is possible to grow this variety all year round on the balcony.
The fruits have a moderately dense peel, making them well suited for both canning and fresh consumption. They tolerate storage and transportation well.
Mystery
The variety Riddle belongs to the determinant (having limited growth) type of tomatoes.This crop has a strong trunk 60 cm high. The bushes grow compact. Above the fifth or sixth leaf, the first cluster grows, on which about five to six fruits are tied.
Tomatoes are bright red, round in shape. The surface is ribbed near the stalk. The weight of one tomato is approximately 112 g. The skin of the fruit is dense and does not crack, so these tomatoes tolerate transportation and storage well. The fleshy pulp has a pleasant taste.
From 1 m² it is possible to harvest 22 kg of crop. The first fruits will ripen in early June. The culture does not require special care.
The recommended planting scheme is 6-8 bushes per square meter of area. Tomatoes should not interfere with each other. Each Riddle variety tomato should receive maximum light and air. Therefore, the holes are placed in a row with a step of 35-40 cm and a row spacing of 70-80 cm is left.
The best option – place the seedlings in 2 rows, leaving 70-80 cm per path. Holes 15-20 cm deep are prepared in advance.
Rajah
Raja is a low-growing, large-fruited tomato variety. Reviews from gardeners about this variety are extremely positive.
The fruits are not standard round, but oval in shape. The weight of one tomato is about 300 g. The pulp is sweet, fleshy, and there are few seeds. The fruits are suitable for salads, canning, and sauces.
Tomatoes look beautiful in a greenhouse; the fruits on the bushes grow in large clusters of 5-7 pieces. The ripening period is 85-95 days, also suitable for the north-west of Russia. The bush is powerful, grows from 1 to 1.5 meters in height, spreading. Requires formation. Very decent yield - from 3-4 kg per bush. Resistant to fungal and viral diseases, does not require preventive treatments.
Planting pattern: between rows - 60 cm, interval in row - 40 cm.If you plant more than three per square meter, the plants will create impenetrable thickets. Watering should be done in the evening, 2-3 hours before sunset. Tomatoes do not like excess moisture; drying out of the soil is also unacceptable.
Although this variety is low-growing, it requires pinching. After 5-7 fruit clusters appear, it is necessary to pinch the plant, that is, remove the crown. Due to the abundant yield, the bushes are tied up no later than 2 weeks after planting, until the tomato has spread across the ground.
Pink honey
The Pink Honey variety is classified as a large-fruited determinate type tomato. The height of the bush is from 60 to 1.4 m. This plant requires tying and pinching. Tolerates drought and adverse weather conditions well. Has average resistance to diseases.
A distinctive feature of the variety is large fruits (up to 1.5 kg) of a pleasant pink color, multi-chambered. The pulp of the fruit is fleshy, sugary, there is no sourness. The shape of the tomato is heart-shaped, ribbed.
The variety is recommended for cultivation in the middle zone and Siberian regions. After the first year of cultivation seeds of the resulting fruits are suitable for sowing seedlings. The ripening period of tomatoes is 111-115 days. Sowing seeds for seedlings begins in early March. The first harvest is harvested in August. It is recommended to form a bush with 2 stems; pinching is required to increase the number of ovaries.
Tomato planting scheme: 50 x 40 cm, 3-4 bushes per 1 square. m. Productivity – up to 6 kg per bush.
From 3 to 10 ovaries are formed on the hand. First tomatoes the largest ones, the subsequent ones smaller - from 600 to 800 g. They have a tendency to crack due to the thin skin. They do not tolerate transportation and storage well. They are most delicious when eaten fresh.The fruits are used in the preparation of salads, juice, pasta, ketchup, as part of winter salads, adjika, soups and even jam.
Tomato Pink honey does not require special care. The seedlings are planted in the soil where cabbage, radishes or onions grew. In this way, diseases typical of nightshade crops can be avoided. The Pink honey variety is drought-resistant and needs watering 2 times a week, and watering should be abundant, at the root.
Grouse
Hazel grouse is a mid-season low-growing variety. The plant is not prone to strong pinching, which eliminates the need for gardeners to pintle. The height of the bush varies from 60 to 75 cm.
Fruiting period is 110–115 days from the formation of seedlings. The shape of the fruit is flattened. The surface is striped, red-yellow, the skin is elastic, so the fruits do not crack. Fruit weight – 200-300 g.
The yield of the crop is high: under normal weather conditions and appropriate care, 5–6 fruits are set on the branch. Tomatoes ripen quickly, almost simultaneously.
Caring for Ryabchik tomatoes is no different from other low-growing varieties.
Vegetable crops are not very demanding on moisture, but the plants need to be watered regularly. Tomatoes of this variety are fertilized with a solution of chicken droppings and manure, and compost.
Low-growing tomatoes for open ground
According to the experience of gardeners, the best varieties of low-growing tomatoes for open ground can be safely called Aquarelle, Golden Stream, Red Fang, Supermodel, Eldorado.
Watercolor
Bushes of this variety are distinguished by a powerful massive stem up to 50 cm high. Tomatoes do not need to be tied, however, when harvest ripens, it is better to support the bushes so that the fruits do not come into contact with the ground and do not rot.
The variety is suitable for regions with different climates and produces a consistently good harvest. Each branch produces 6 identical fruits of the same size with a round, slightly elongated shape. They weigh from 60 to 100 g. Experienced gardeners claim that from 1 m² of land on which the crop grows, from 6 to 9 kg of crop can be harvested per season. The tomato has a sweetish taste, its flesh is quite dense and fleshy.
A characteristic feature of the Watercolor variety are the yellowish spots that are located on the fruit around the stalk.
Watercolor tomatoes can withstand transportation without problems, since their pulp is quite dense. It is recommended to store tomatoes for no longer than 1 month.
The most popular use is canning. Identical in shape, bright, medium-sized tomatoes look beautiful in a jar.
Planting in the ground is carried out in May. Seedlings are planted at the rate of 3-4 plants per 1 m². The variety loves good lighting and regular watering. Tomatoes need to be watered every 10-12 days. The water must be settled and kept to a temperature of +20 °C. It is important to timely apply fertilizing and mineral fertilizer to the soil.
Golden stream
The Golden Stream variety stands out among other tomatoes due to its appearance. The fruits are rich golden in color, oval, weighing up to 80 g, as if flowing through the bush in a cascade.
The taste is excellent: sweet, rich. The pulp is dense. There are from 4 to 6 seed chambers, but they are poorly expressed and there are few seeds. Dry matter in juice is at least 6%, sugar 4.5-5%. The yellow-orange fruits contain a large amount of carotene. It is converted into vitamin A in the body. The increased content of carotene allows it to be included in the number of tomatoes recommended for dietary nutrition.
This is not its only advantage.The variety is ultra-early ripening, from germination to maturity - 82-86 days. Fruit ripening occurs simultaneously. Universal purpose - suitable for all types of processing. Resistance to temperature changes and diseases has been noted. Productivity is from 8 to 10 kg per square meter.
The tomato variety Golden Stream has good immunity. The main pest is the Colorado potato beetle. When it appears, the plants are treated with any insecticide according to the instructions for the drug.
Red Fang
Bushes of the Red Fang variety are small in height (80-90 cm), neat, compact, and do not require pinching. Sometimes you can prop up the bushes to prevent them from falling over.
The color of the fruit is red. The shape is oblong, rounded, often there is a point at the tip, which is why the fruit resembles a fang in shape (hence its name). The pulp is dense and elastic. The taste and aroma of the fruit is classic.
The skin is very durable, the fruits do not crack when ripe and retain their presentation for a long time. They can easily withstand long-term transportation and ripen quickly when picked.
Due to their compact, neat shape and dense structure of the pulp, these tomatoes are most often canned; they look very impressive in jars. However, the fruits are also good for fresh consumption, preparing summer salads, soups and sauces.
Sowing, like other early ripening varieties, begins 50-60 days before planting in a permanent place. The variety does not have individual characteristics for germinating seeds and seedlings. A sunny area is ideal for planting this variety.
Supermodel
Supermodel is an early variety of low-growing tomatoes. The period from germination to harvest is 100-120 days. The bushes are determinate, reach a height of 60-80 cm, and need shaping and tying to a support.
The fruits are quite long compared to other representatives of tomatoes, reaching 10-15 cm, weight rarely exceeds 120 g. The color of the fruits is deep pink. The pulp is dense, with few seeds, usually there are 2-3 chambers. The skin is thin and smooth.
The plants are unpretentious and resistant to major tomato diseases. The variety is recommended for cultivation in all regions.
Growing tomatoes through seedlings involves planting them at the age of 60-65 days in open ground around May 10-25. The first fruits can be obtained already in early July. Thanks to their dense pulp, tomatoes are stored for a long time and ripen well after picking.
El Dorado
The variety is of a low-growing type, stops growing after the formation of 4-6 clusters. The height reaches 90 cm. The plant does not tolerate temperature changes well, so it is more suitable for the southern regions of the country.
Tomatoes of this variety are mid-early; 110-120 days pass from sowing to fruit ripening. The yield of the variety is high: about 5 kg of fruit can be collected from each bush. 4-6 clusters with 4-6 fruits of average weight of about 300 g are formed on the plant. To obtain good results from planting Eldorado tomatoes, it is recommended to form bushes into 2-3 stems. Plants need staking and pinching.
The main feature of this variety is that its fruits are very sweet and belong to the dessert-flavored tomatoes. Another feature is the shape and color of the fruit: they are bright yellow, rounded, heart-shaped. The pulp is juicy and fleshy, of a pleasant consistency, evenly colored yellow.
The skin is strong, ripe tomatoes do not crack and are stored well without losing their taste. The Eldorado variety is suitable for long-term transportation and ripening when removed. The fruits ripen at room temperature. Eldorado is a salad variety.
Conclusion
As can be seen from the descriptions of the varieties given above, all tomatoes are different in taste, appearance, size, but all low-growing varieties share a number of qualities: early ripening of fruits, a small neat bush, ease of care, resistance to weather conditions and diseases.
Such varieties bring a minimum of inconvenience; they do not need to be pinched, pinched, treated against most diseases and pests, or spend a lot of time on gartering. At the same time, the harvest is very good and early.