Tomatoes on the balcony growing step by step pinching. Growing tomatoes on the balcony

Who said that it is impossible to create your own mini-garden on a balcony or loggia? It is absolutely real, besides it is useful and extraordinary. Here I would like to note that tomatoes take root remarkably on the balcony.

Tomatoes can be combined with flowers, and you get a great composition that will set the mood throughout the entire period of its growth and development.

Varieties of tomatoes for balcony conditions

Growing tomatoes on the balcony, of course, involves some nuances. Now we will talk about this.

Important: The main task is to choose the right variety of tomatoes - this is 50% luck.

Please note: Since the seats (pots, boxes) will be with a limited amount of land, the varieties should be chosen undersized.

Tomatoes should have a compact root system and small fruits.

Some of the most common varieties and hybrids are:

• Max;
• Gina;
• Balcony miracle;
• Cascade Red;
• The pearl is yellow;
• Florida petite;
• Balcony Red;
• Bonsai micro etc.

Note that this is only a small part of the varieties that exist. These varieties and many others are bred by breeders specifically for growing in balcony conditions. Let's take a closer look at one of the popular varieties. For example, Balcony Miracle - tomatoes that grow well and bear fruit on balconies.

Characteristics of the tomato variety Balcony miracle

• This type of tomato belongs to the determinant varieties of tomatoes, that is, the growth height of the plant is limited (no more than 50 centimeters).
• This is an ultra-early crop.
• Intended for growing on loggias, balconies, verandas. However, it is also suitable for growing in open ground.

Please note: This tomato variety is suitable for both salads and pickling. In addition, the above-ground system is particularly decorative, and the fruits are of wondrous beauty.

• Each bush can please you with a crop of 2 kg of tomatoes.
• This variety does not require a garter.
• The period until full ripening averages 85-90 days;
• It has not large fruits, their weight is about 65 grams, the shape is round, the color is bright red.

Please note: Balcony miracle tomatoes - growing this variety is great at home.

Especially if you take into account the main advantage - the possibility of harvesting an early harvest.

Please note: Tomatoes can be grown both on a sunny balcony and on a shaded one. The main point is good lighting of the balcony.

It is desirable that the sun appears on the balcony for at least 3 hours.

Highlights in growing tomatoes for balconies or loggias

Sowing seeds

• Sow tomato seeds in February - March.
• The soil mixture is poured into cups and watered some time before planting the seeds in water.
• Seeds do not need to be soaked, they can be sown dry. Place 2 grains in plastic or paper cups.
  The depth of laying the seed is about 1 - 1.5 centimeters.
• After the seedlings have appeared, the stronger plant is left, while the other is pinched, but not removed.

soil for tomatoes

For growing seedlings of future tomatoes, there are several options for the soil mixture, for example, you can take:

• Ready-made substrate called "Living Earth";
• Soil mixture "Tomatoes";
• One part of peat + sod land + manure humus.

Seedling care

Watering

Seedlings are not watered often: about once a week, or even once every 10 days. In this case, the water should not be cold (room temperature) and separated.

Air temperature

In the room where seedlings are grown, the air temperature should not exceed: during the day - 20-22 degrees, and at night - not lower than 16 degrees.

Tip: At elevated air temperatures, you should ventilate the room, for example, by opening the window.

It is very important here that the flow of cool air does not fall on the seedlings.

top dressing

Before planting seedlings in a permanent place, it is advisable to feed 3 times. Fertilizers can be purchased at any specialized store.

Dosages can be found on the packaging.

• The first feeding is carried out after the appearance of sprouts on the 12th day.
• The second top dressing is made in 10 days concerning the first.
• The third top dressing is carried out a week before planting seedlings in a permanent place.

Important: If you want to get perfect seedlings, in other words, beautiful and even, you should turn the cups with seedlings every few days to turn the other side to the light.

Planting seedlings

It is best to plant each seedling in a separate pot, but long ones can also be used for this purpose.

Pre-watered seedlings are removed from the cups and transplanted into the middle of the pot.

Caring for tomatoes on the balcony

• Tomatoes, including balcony tomatoes, are sun-loving and light-loving plants. They should be placed in the sun.
• It is necessary to prevent waterlogging of the soil or drying out. Watering tomatoes is carried out in dry weather every other day, only under the root.

Tip: In order to speed up the process of development and formation of fruits, you can perform the following action, it is called "tearing the roots."

You need to take the plant by the lower part of the stem and gently pull it up. How would you try to pull it off the ground, so the small roots break off.

After that, water the plant and spud the earth around it.

If you don’t have a dacha or a garden plot, but you really want to try growing something with your own hands, then in the summer you can use a balcony or loggia as a home greenhouse. If they are glazed and insulated, then plants can be grown from early spring to late autumn.

Tomato is perhaps one of the most unpretentious "balcony" crops. In addition, the plant is very fruitful and, at the same time, decorative. With skillful care, your own plantation will not only provide you with fragrant fruits straight from the garden, but will also please the eye with a scattering of “berries” that turn red among the bright greenery.

Sowing time for tomato for insulated balconies and loggias is the beginning of March, for open balconies - the end of March - the beginning of April.

Growing seedlings

Seedlings are best grown in separate pots or cassettes. When filling the earthen clod with roots, transshipment is carried out from a small container to a large one, deepening the seedlings almost to the cotyledon leaves. In this way, a good lobe of roots is formed.

The grown seedlings are transferred together with a clod of earth into larger pots or planted in boxes. One plant needs about three liters of soil. For tall plants, the required volume of soil is 5-7 liters. In pots and boxes, it is imperative to make drainage to remove excess moisture from the roots. A layer of expanded clay or small pebbles with a layer of 2-3 cm is laid on the bottom, the bottom should also have holes for draining water. Tomatoes do not like excessive moisture and do not tolerate stagnant air. Therefore, it is necessary to put boxes and pots for better ventilation of plantings for deliveries; hanging planters are also good. Drafts are not terrible for tomatoes.

Balcony accommodation

Tomato is a photophilous culture. Northern balconies are unsuitable for cultivation. Ideally suited southeast and south. On the southwestern balconies it is very hot in the summer heat, therefore, when growing tomatoes on them, it is necessary to shade the plants on hot days and be sure to ventilate.

As soon as weather conditions allow (for glazed balconies and loggias - in early to mid-April, for open balconies - in early May), tomatoes are put on the balcony. With a sharp decrease in temperature to minus, cover with a non-woven covering material. Caring for tomatoes on the balcony is the same as in the greenhouse.

The optimum temperature is +25+28°C during the daytime and +15...+16°C at night. Before flowering and fruiting, the temperature can be 2-3°C lower. Soil temperature should not be lower than +17...+20°С. Regulate the air temperature by ventilation, opening the doors and shutters of the balconies. Airing is mandatory 2-3 hours after watering, especially during the flowering period of plants. During flowering, air humidity should not exceed 65%.

Watering and fertilizing

Tomatoes tolerate direct sunlight well and suffer from a lack of light. Only in very hot weather should the plants be covered from direct sunlight. Tomatoes should be watered rarely, as the soil dries up (no more than 2 times a week), but plentifully, completely wetting the soil. It is better to water in the first half of the day with warm water (+20...+25°С). If the tomatoes are planted in boxes, you need to water the soil around the bush, and not under the bush. After watering, as soon as the soil dries out a little, it is loosened, which slows down the evaporation of moisture from the soil and provides air to the roots. Simultaneously with the loosening of the soil, the plants spud, which contributes to the formation of new roots. If the soil has settled, you can sprinkle a layer of fresh peat or nutrient mixture on top.

Feed the tomatoes with a solution of mineral fertilizers, if necessary (in case of poor growth), you can use organic matter, for example, mullein (1: 5) at the rate of 1 liter of solution per plant.

The first top dressing with complex mineral fertilizers (30 g per 10 liters of water) is carried out a week after planting the seedlings in a permanent place. The rest of the top dressing is done at intervals of 10-12 days, mainly during the fruiting period.

Good results are given by foliar top dressing, i.e. spraying the leaves with a nutrient solution. They contribute to better growth and development of plants and prevent shedding of flowers.

Bush formation

Low-growing tomatoes grown on the balcony are best formed into 2-3 stems, for which, in addition to the first stepson, the second stepson is also left. Tall tomatoes are formed into one stem, cutting off all stepchildren.

The stems of tomatoes are brittle, therefore, as the seedlings grow, the plants are tied to stakes or to a trellis. Recently, the so-called "ampel" tomato varieties have appeared that do not require a garter. In fact, "ampel tomatoes" are not new varieties, but an idea: If you leave 2, maximum - 3 shoots in the upper part of the cherry tomato stem, then they will hang very picturesquely from the pots. The main thing is not to take too powerful and standard tomatoes for this. The latter have a strong stem, consisting of short internodes, maintaining a vertical position for a long time.

During the entire growing period, it is necessary to remove the shoots that develop in the axils of the leaves. Without pinching, the plants turn out to be thickened, they are less illuminated and do not lay inflorescences. A good harvest from such bushes cannot be harvested. To avoid infection of plants with viral diseases, stepchildren are not cut off, but broken off with their fingers, trying not to damage the main shoot and leaves, leaving columns 2-3 cm high. This operation is best done in the morning, when stepchildren break off easily.

Diseased and yellowed leaves are also removed in a timely manner, as well as leaves covering the fruits of the lower brushes of the plant, when these brushes are fully formed.

Flowering and fruiting

Tomatoes are a self-pollinating culture, they do not need artificial pollination, but for better fruit set in cloudy and calm weather, you can slightly shake the flower brushes several times a day during the flowering period so that pollen from the upper flowers falls on the flowers located below. In order for pollen to germinate on the stigma of the pistil, immediately after pollination, it is necessary to water the soil or spray the flowers. During the flowering of the second and third brush, for better fruit set, the plants are sprayed with a solution of boric acid (1 g per 1 liter of water). To prevent falling flowers and improve the quality of fruits, flower brushes can be treated with growth stimulants.

After tying the bulk of the fruit, pinch the top of the main shoot. At the same time, all flower brushes are cut off, since the fruits on them will not have time to form.

To accelerate the formation and development of fruits, you can also use a technique called "tearing the roots." The plant is taken by the lower part of the stem and carefully pulled up, as if trying to pull it out of the soil in order to break off the small roots. Then the plant is watered and spud.

In healthy, strong plants, the upper leaves can be slightly twisted during the day, and straighten out at night - this is the norm. If the leaves of tomatoes are directed upwards at an acute angle and do not twist either day or night, flowers and ovaries fall off, then dry soil, high temperature, poor ventilation and low light of plants can serve as the cause.

With frequent watering and the introduction of a large amount of nitrogen and organic fertilizers into the soil, the plants “fatten” - powerful bushes grow with a thick stem and mighty stepchildren, however, as a rule, a very weak flower brush is formed with a small number of flowers. To straighten such plants, they are not watered for 7-10 days. In addition, to stun growth, it is necessary to make foliar top dressing with superphosphate (3 tablespoons per 10 liters of water). Plants are watered with this solution at the rate of 1 liter per plant.

Diseases and pests of tomatoes on the balcony

The most common fungal disease of tomatoes is late blight, a sign of which is the appearance of dark brown merging spots on leaves, stems and fruits. This dangerous disease can not only destroy the entire crop in a short time, but also spread to other indoor plants. Contributes to the rapid development of the disease, which usually spreads in July-August, heat and dampness. If by this time most of the fruits have already ripened, then at the first signs of late blight it is better to immediately destroy the diseased plants. In this case, unripe fruits should be dipped for 1.5-2 minutes in hot water (+60 ° C), then put to ripen in a dry, warm, dark place.

black leg seedlings are affected, its root neck darkens, thins out and rots. The plant withers and dies. The disease spreads with plant debris, soil lumps, and partly with seeds. Control measures are moderate watering of plants, not thickened sowing, to prevent the disease, Trichodermin is added to the soil before planting (preferably mixed with Ecogel).

Tomato root rot (anthracnose) is a very dangerous disease. Sick plants wither, their root neck rots. Cucumbers also suffer from the same disease. A thorough disinfection of the soil with a solution of copper sulfate is necessary, if possible, it is desirable to remove the infected topsoil and add fresh. Sick plants can be watered with a solution of "Barrier", sprinkled with the drug "Barrier". But it is still better to prevent this disease using a mixture of drugs Alirin or Gamair with Ecogel.

At the end of the growing season with the onset of cold rainy weather, tomatoes may be affected gray mold. Small, rounded spots appear on green or red fruits. Then they enlarge and become watery. The causative agent of gray rot can also develop on other ground organs (stems, leaves, flowers), they are also covered with gray mold. It is necessary to remove the affected fruits and plants; raise the temperature as much as possible. With the spread of this disease, the plants are destroyed, and the soil is thrown away after growing tomatoes.

Brown rot (phomosis) develops only on tomato fruits in conditions of high humidity and excess nitrogen. Phomosis appears in the form of a small brown spot (about 3-4 cm) around the stem. Although it is not large on the surface, the internal tissue of the fetus is also subject to rotting. Green and red fruits are affected. Affected fruits are destroyed .

Cracking of tomato fruit- physiological (not infectious) disease. The reason is a sharp fluctuation in soil moisture. With abundant watering, the walls of the cells of the skin of the fruit do not withstand increased pressure and are torn. Then the wounds dry up, the fruits turn red prematurely, not reaching their size. Control measures - moderate watering at intervals. Many modern hybrids are genetically resistant to fruit cracking.

With a lack of calcium in the soil and an excess of nitrogen in arid conditions, the likelihood of damage to tomatoes is high. top rot. Small watery or dry black spots with a rotten smell appear on still green fruits. To prevent this disease, regular watering and moderate application of nitrogen fertilizers are necessary. Infected plants are sprayed with a solution of calcium nitrate (1 tablespoon per 10 liters of water), the affected fruits are destroyed.

spider mite lives on the underside of leaves, sucking out cell sap and braiding the leaf with a thin cobweb. At the beginning of damage, light dots appear on the leaf, then discoloration of the leaf area (marbling) occurs and the leaves begin to dry out. Flowers and leaves fall off. Treatment of plants with Fitoverm (1 ml per 1 liter of water) is effective against ticks. You can fight the tick by spraying infusions of onion or garlic husks (200 g of husks per 1 liter of water).

whitefly- a small insect 1-1.5 mm long with a yellowish body and two pairs of mealy-white wings. Larvae are flat, oval, pale green in color. They stick to the leaves, sucking out the juice. The affected areas of the plant are colonized by sooty fungi. The leaves are covered with black bloom, dry out, and the plant dies. Control measures - processing with Confidor or Mospilan. Plants are sprayed in the morning or evening hours. During the season, it is recommended to carry out 2 treatments with an interval of 15-20 days.

A photo:LLC "SSF "TomAgroS" , Rita Brilliantova

For many urban residents and not only, it has long been no secret that, for example, you can grow tomatoes on a balcony at home. To do this, you need to know some of the nuances. And if we are talking about tomatoes, then let's deal with them.

To grow a crop of real fruits, you need to consider the following important points:

• variety of tomatoes.

In the conditions of a balcony, a saucer, plants cannot be pollinated by insects, that is, the varieties must be selected appropriately. What are these tomatoes, we will say below;

• temperature and humidity.

It is clear that when growing vegetables at home, they should grow in a warm climate in an apartment, without drafts and excessive dryness;

• lighting.

This is very important and one of the most important nuances in growing any crops and flowers at home. If your apartment does not have windows on the south or east side, then you will definitely need additional lighting lamps. The same applies to unfavorable days, when the sun is constantly hidden behind the clouds. Otherwise, the seedlings will reach up in search of light, become thinner and break at the very base. Or they will be ugly.

So, let's go in order.

Tomatoes on the balcony. Growing step by step

The first thing to do is, of course, buy seeds. For home cultivation, you need to choose certain types. Often, manufacturers indicate on the packaging information that this type of tomato is used for growing indoors and at home.

Another important point is that the conditions on the balcony and, for example, in the greenhouse are completely different. And indoors, often the crop still fails to be obtained, although the seeds were good. Always choose better when buying. They are more resistant to various difficult conditions, they do not require scrupulous care, pollination.

What varieties of tomatoes for the balcony to choose? You can take a closer look at the following tomatoes:

• "Angelica";
• "Pearl";
• "Florida Petit";
• "MiniBell";
• "Romantic";
• "Ballerina";
• "Cascade red";
• "Yellow Pearl"

Tomatoes on the balcony of the Balcony Miracle variety have also become very popular and popular.

Important point!

For a balcony, it is better to take varieties not only hybrid, but also undersized. Then you will avoid problems with the garter. Yes, and high varieties have a well-developed root system, and it requires space.

We grow tomatoes on the balcony: seed and soil preparation

This is a very important stage in the cultivation of any crops. Seeds of tomatoes, cucumbers and other vegetables should always be pre-cooked. Namely, we are talking about:

• selection of viable seeds by soaking in water. After that, according to the floating seeds, they judge the bad seed material that needs to be removed;
• disinfection, which consists in soaking the seeds in manganese for 15-25 minutes, after which they are washed and dried;
• about nutrition. Here, everyone can choose their own method. Someone puts the seeds in "Epin" to improve germination, someone soaks them in various folk solutions, someone uses an effective bubbling method (saturation of the seed material with oxygen).

After the seeds are ready, you need to take care of the soil. So that you are not so troublesome, especially in apartments where it is not very easy to prepare your soil, you can buy soil at any garden store. Take land specifically for tomatoes or general purpose.

planting tomatoes

How to plant tomatoes on the balcony? To grow tomatoes on the balcony, you do not need to spend a lot of effort. Do what is more convenient for you. If you have enough space, then you can immediately plant each seed in a separate pot (peat ones are great for this), if there is not enough space, then plant in a common container, but still you will have to dive seedlings.

Garden shops offer different options for containers:

• you can buy a common long container, which is covered with a plastic lid on top, which is convenient;
• you can purchase a common container, but in which there are separate compartments for each seedling;
• you can buy peat tablets and cups;
• you can use improvised materials: plastic bottles, containers for dairy products.

The seeds are buried in the nutrient soil by no more than 1 cm. After that, the soil is slightly compacted and sprayed with a spray bottle. Further, if there is no special cover, they are covered with a film and placed in the sun. When sprouts appear, the shelter is removed. Now important watering and light. Again, we remind you about lamps - these can be either special lamps or fluorescent and even simple incandescent bulbs.

Seedling care at home

Tomatoes after they have risen must be constantly moistened. For irrigation, use warm water that has stood for a day. Make sure there is no excess moisture. If you planted seedlings in the spring, when it is warm, then open the balcony for ventilation. By the way, it is worth mentioning that all the dates of sowing and other matters must be looked at according to the lunar calendar.

When the seedlings have 2-3 true leaves, the seedlings dive, unless, of course, you planted them immediately in separate containers. After picking, after 10-12 days, the tomatoes are fed. Then they wait another 2 weeks and feed again. During this period, it is good to make complex mineral preparations from the store. After the tomatoes, it is worth feeding again when they set fruit and during fruiting. But here it is already necessary to take fertilizers that will not harm health, that is, without chemistry.

If your tomatoes began to stretch or your variety is tall, then you will still have to build a trellis or just pull on a garter rope. When planting, be sure to take into account information that indicates the presence of stepchildren in a particular species. They need to be removed.

In order for the seedlings to be strong, harden it off with the onset of heat. To do this, open the windows on the balcony, first for a short while, then leaving for the whole day and even for the night.

Tomatoes are healthy vegetables with a specific pleasant taste. You can enjoy them even all year round, growing a crop at home. In addition, it is realistic to do this in an apartment. Growing tomatoes on the balcony is a popular way to get juicy fruits. By following the technology of the process, you can, with a little effort, get an excellent harvest.

About the choice of variety

Growing tomatoes on the balcony will bring positive results only if the variety is chosen correctly. If the dimensions of the loggia allow, then both undersized and tall vegetables can be grown there. In small areas, it is better to plant dwarf bushes of the following varieties: Cherry, Malysh or Oak. The fruits of these varieties of the plant are small, but juicy, and the yields are significant.

Today there are special, so-called "balcony tomatoes". This is a variety of vegetables "Balcony Miracle". It is characterized by limited growth (up to half a meter) and a high rate of maturation (up to 3 months). At the same time, on average, 2 kg of round red fruits are harvested from each bush of culture. It is permissible to use such a crop in salads and preservation. You need to take care of such tomatoes carefully. They need plenty of light, but at the same time, they do not need to be tied up.

At home, you can also grow a culture of varieties White filling or Bull's heart. True, they are tall, so you need to place such plants only on the floor. Experienced gardeners also advise the varieties Angelica, Ballerina, Zhemchuzhinka. The Florida Petit species with yellow fruits is also considered a balcony. All these vegetables bear fruit perfectly on the balcony.

You can also grow cherry tomatoes on the balcony.

Video “Growing tomatoes on the balcony”

A video about how and how difficult it is to grow tomatoes on a balcony or windowsill.

Soil and seed preparation

Tomatoes on the balcony bear excellent fruit only if they grow in the “right” soil. Therefore, special attention is paid to soil preparation. You can get a special soil mixture, which is not difficult to buy. Ideally, it should consist of sod and humus in equal proportions. For greater loosening, sawdust or peat is added to the soil. The best fertilizers are superphosphate, potassium sulfate, saltpeter and even wood ash.

How to grow tomatoes on the balcony? The first step is to prepare the seeds. This procedure falls at the end of February - the beginning of spring. First of all, you need to place the seeds on a cloth and pour warm water over them. After leaving the seed warm until the first sprouts appear.

You can plant plants in different ways. For example, fill the glasses with soil and pour boiling water over it. Instead of glasses for growing tomatoes at home, a plastic bottle with a cut neck is perfect. Then make holes and place them in the seeds. Germinated seeds are placed in containers of 1 piece, not germinated in 2-3.

Holes at the bottom of the glass do not need to be made, because through a small amount of soil the liquid penetrates and absorbs perfectly. After all the manipulations, the containers are placed in heat and covered with cellophane. After a couple of days, sprouts appear. After a few days, the crops are moved to a cool place. Seedlings should be watered as the soil dries out.

Another planting option is to pre-treat the seed with potassium permanganate. Then the material for sowing is placed in a soaked cloth and on a plate, then wrapped in cellophane. Keep the seed in a moist and warm environment. The germinated material is placed in the ground and the containers are covered with glass, again placed in a warm environment.

After the appearance of young sprouts, the containers must be provided with a sufficient amount of light. It is also necessary to provide systematic watering with warm liquid.

Sowing

Tomatoes on the balcony can be grown in garden or purchased soil. The soil from the nightshade bed is best suited. You can prepare the soil mixture yourself by mixing peat, sod and humus in equal proportions.

The main element in preparing seedlings for sowing is the preparation of containers for it. Wooden or plastic boxes, cone-shaped buckets and large pots are great for this purpose. Vegetables require 3 liters of soil.

Next, you need to form a drainage layer that will save the plants from excess water, which significantly harms the culture. The easiest way is to place small pebbles on the bottom of the containers. After that, the soil mixture is poured, filling the container by a third.

When planting a crop, each individual is placed in the ground 2 cm lower than it grew in the previous container. Sprinkle the plant with soil and water it under the root in sufficient volume. Vegetables can be exposed to the sun after 7 days, when the root is well fixed in the soil.

It should be borne in mind that apartment tomatoes suffer from excess moisture and air deficiency. Therefore, on cool nights, containers with seedlings should be placed in a warm room. And vice versa: in hot weather, it is necessary to ventilate balconies well, especially glazed ones.

seedling care

In the middle of spring, the culture needs to be fed with minerals. After that, it is worth organizing the transplanting of vegetables into large containers, for example, buckets. In a plastic container, it is recommended to make holes so that excess moisture flows through them. Also, this operation will enrich the roots with oxygen. The soil is poured into the bucket, the seeds are deepened into it by a couple of centimeters and moistened abundantly. Tall plants require tying to a support. After the culture is left alone for a week for rooting.

The growth of seedlings should be accompanied by tying and adding soil to containers. Systematically organized watering and weekly plant feeding are the main components of plant care.

Over time, stepchildren appear on the vegetables, which must be eliminated, leaving only two stems. If the variety of tomatoes is undersized, then it is possible to form its bush in three shoots. Sick and yellow leaves are subject to liquidation. After the formation of the ovaries, it is necessary to remove the lower leaves.

Complete pruning of leaves in a balcony should not be carried out, as this can disrupt the natural metabolism of the plant. Side shoots growing from leaf axils are subject to liquidation. It is not necessary to allow the thickening of the plant. It is best to carry out all these procedures in the morning.

At least four bunches of ovaries are left on each stem, and the tops of the bushes are completely pinched. A feature of balcony tomatoes is that insects do not need to pollinate them, as these are parthenocarpic species.

When the fruits are finally formed, the top of the bush must be cut off, like all inflorescences. Otherwise, the tomatoes will develop incorrectly. It is better to harvest unripe, the final ripening will occur in an apartment.

Diseases and pests are terrible for balcony vegetables no less than garden ones. At the first signs of late blight (dark spots on the green parts of the plant), the culture is treated with a special preparation.

In addition, pests such as spider mites and whiteflies can attack the plant. They can also spread to other plants, so it is worth keeping a close eye on the culture and not allowing an "enemy" attack on it.

Transfer

When the young sprouts become strong, they need to be planted in a larger container and separately from each other. Usually, the seed packaging indicates the period of their transplantation to a permanent place. Approximately this is 30 days after planting the seeds. You can also start from the state of the plant. As soon as its root grows to the entire glass, it is time for a transplant.

For the "permanent residence" of vegetables on the balcony, a cylindrical container filled with fertile soil is well suited. It is advisable to fertilize the culture after the growth of its roots. Complex feeding is carried out at intervals of 10 days.

The frequency of watering depends on the rate of drying of the soil. Humidification should be such that it completely nourishes the clod of earth with water.

A balcony with open windows is the best place for cultivation, starting from the end of spring, when the air temperature reaches 15°.

On a note

Balcony growing vegetables has its own secrets. Here are some of them:

1. It is best to grow a crop on a balcony on the south or southeast side of the house. This is due to the fact that tomatoes are very fond of heat. The balcony on the north side is a place where it is impossible to grow a culture.
2. On an unglazed loggia, landing should be carried out no earlier than April. At the same time, the daytime temperature should not be lower than 23 °, and the night temperature should be 13 °, and even higher during flowering.
3. Air humidity in the range of 60% - 65% is optimal for plants. Elevated rates can provoke fungal diseases, so the balcony needs systematic ventilation.
4. Water ideal for watering plants is warm.
5. It is better to install containers for seedlings on special slats. The ideal option is to place the slats in the trough, and the boxes in it.
6. Frequent fertilization with nitrogen and organic top dressing will make the crop bushes powerful and tall. But on such plants, color and fruits are formed poorly. Therefore, fertilizers should be carried out no more than once every 10 days.
7. The branches of a vegetable can break under the weight of the fruit, so it's best to tie them to a support.
8. The main secret for accelerating the formation of bushes is breaking off small roots. To do this, simply pull the plant by the bottom of the stem up.

So, everyone can grow tomatoes on the balcony. The main thing is to learn how to do it step by step and follow the recommendations. The growing process will bring only positive emotions, as well as the resulting crop.

Video “How to compactly plant tomatoes and greens on the balcony”

Video from the program “Everything will be fine” on how to grow tomatoes and greens on the balcony in the most compact way.

The balcony can be used for different purposes. Often flower pots and flowerpots are placed on it, arranging a greenhouse. But home gardening can be more practical, too. Growing tomatoes on a balcony or windowsill in winter and summer is a great idea: the plant pleases the eye, filters the air, and will even produce fruits. In addition, it is very difficult to find natural tomatoes in the cold season, and if they are grown by hand, it is doubly pleasant.

Which variety to choose

The process of growing tomatoes at home is not much different from growing tomatoes in a greenhouse or on open ground. Is that the scale and specifics of the microclimate. To successfully achieve the goal, the main thing is to choose the right variety. Indoor tomatoes should develop well in dry indoor air and, possibly, with a lack of natural light.

Tomatoes on the balcony - Balcony miracle

If you plan to grow tomatoes at home, then preference should be given to miniature varieties. They do not take up much space, the bushes are low, but they can give a good harvest. Such varieties as Malysh, Dubok, Rusich, Cherry, Bonsai and Balcony miracle tomatoes are perfect. Their fruits are small, but very juicy, and the plants themselves are fertile.

If there is more free space and it is possible to grow tomatoes in large boxes or flowerpots on a balcony or loggia, you can take varieties with heavier fruits. The best option is White filling or Bull's heart. The bushes themselves are also quite tall, because as soon as they grow up, they will have to be moved from the balcony to the floor. It is important to remember that different varieties on the same balcony behave differently, so you can find the best option only by personal trials.

How to create the right conditions at different times of the year

Tomatoes on the windowsill in winter and summer are quite unpretentious. The hardest part is growing the first batch. It was at this time that the basic theory is studied, and the first practical skills are acquired. And then everything becomes much easier, and the process of growing a tomato does not cause anxiety - only a pleasant contemplation of the result of labor.

Important: If you plan to grow tomatoes in the winter, then this will only be possible if the balcony (loggia) is well insulated and has additional heating.

In order for homemade tomatoes on the windowsill to yield a crop, the following conditions must be met:

• use quality seeds;
• create the necessary microclimate;
• choose the right container;
• choose the right soil;
• ensure timely watering.

Seeds must be taken either from trusted sellers that sell the goods that they work with themselves, or in factory sealed packaging. In the second case, it is important to look after the expiration date - otherwise the seeds run the risk of not sprouting. For the first time it is better to take different seeds(either different firms, but one variety, or different varieties). This will allow you to understand which tomatoes are easier to care for and the fruits of which plants you like best.

For planting seeds, it is convenient to use disposable plastic cups. It is convenient if they are transparent: this way you can observe the amount of water during irrigation. Growing tomatoes on the windowsill in winter and at other times of the year involves strictly moderate watering. A lack of moisture will not allow the plant to develop, and an excess will lead to the formation of weak flower brushes, and possibly rotting.

The best condition for the growth of a tomato is a temperature of 26 degrees Celsius during the day and 15 degrees Celsius at night. It is advisable to have a thermometer on the balcony - it will allow you to determine the actual temperature in the room. It is noteworthy that, unlike many other plants, tomatoes are not afraid of drafts. If the balcony is too warm, you can open the window for short-term ventilation.

Note: Modern window designs have such a mode - "ventilation". If you use it, fresh air will enter the balcony or room through the side slots that open in the window block. This will protect the tomatoes from sharp currents of cold air, which can be detrimental to the plant.

For optimal lighting, it is recommended to hold a fluorescent lamp on the balcony or use special fitolamps. In winter, it gets dark early, and there is not enough natural sunlight for plants. Especially if the windows do not face south. Therefore, the use of additional lighting devices is simply necessary if you want the plant not only to grow, but also to develop, and in the end, to bear fruit.

On the balcony where the tomatoes grow bright lighting should be at least 10 hours a day. At the same time, it is important to remember that glasses let the sun's rays through, but filter some of them, so homemade tomatoes cannot always get everything that plants in the open field get from the sun through the window. In sunny weather in warm weather, if possible, it is recommended to open the windows at least for a short time so that the plants can soak up the sun without any obstacles - this will significantly accelerate the growth rate.

It has already been said about the importance of warming the space for growing and caring for tomatoes. you will find out by reading our article.

For additional lighting on the balcony, you need an outlet. About that, we talked about here.

To store the future harvest, you may need a balcony cellar. How to make it yourself can be found at this link. The article describes various options for homemade cellars.

When interested in how to grow tomatoes on a windowsill, do not forget about the soil. Its composition is also important. For balcony plants, you can choose the same soil as for seedlings. The easiest option: take land from the garden, add some sand and peat or humus. Also, a handful of wood ash and a teaspoon of potassium sulfate and superphosphate should be added to the mixture. It is not recommended to choose too clay soil. An alternative option is to buy a special mixture for planting.

How to grow tomatoes

The process begins, of course, with the planting of seeds. To do this, in separate cups or an oblong container for seedlings, small holes are made at a depth of 1-1.5 cm, and 3 seeds are planted in them (if they are already germinated, you can do one at a time). Then the seeds are carefully sprinkled with earth, watered, covered with a film - and the mini-greenhouse is placed in a warm place.

On about 10-12 days, the strongest and tallest sprouts can be planted in separate flowerpots. Since even domestic tomato bushes are quite large, flowerpots should have a volume of at least 3.5 liters. After transplanting, the tomatoes are watered again and put in a warm place - this will help the plant get stronger sooner. When the bush becomes too heavy, it is necessary to give it support: tie it to a post stuck in the ground, or, for example, to a window handle. So the tomato will continue to develop correctly.

What care is needed for tomatoes? Caring for plants is simple: it is important to water them in a timely manner, as well as feed them with fertilizers.. It is recommended to use mineral and organic fertilizers for top dressing for the first time - a week after planting in flowerpots, and then - once every 10 days - they strengthen the tomatoes and accelerate their growth.

Watering tomatoes should be done every three days with water at room temperature so that the soil does not have time to dry out completely during the break. It is not recommended to pour water on the top layer of soil. It is better to use a syringe with a long needle or a rubber “pear” for these purposes: the container falls along the wall of the pot into the middle of the layer, and water is already sprayed out there, evenly distributed throughout the clod of earth.

In order for balcony tomatoes to properly accumulate their strength, it is important to remove the shoots, leaving one at a time in front of the first inflorescence. This will ensure maximum fertility of the bush and better fruit growth. But if the varieties are undersized, 2 stepchildren should be left to form bushes from three stems.

Tomatoes are self-pollinating plants, which makes it easier for a novice home gardener. But during the flowering period, for a better ovary, you can gently tap on the stem and brushes of the bush. After fruit set, the top of the shoot is plucked. They also do the same with the remaining inflorescences - they will not have time to start.

You can plant not only tomatoes on a balcony or windowsill. Read about the features on our website.

And when there are already cucumbers and tomatoes, then dill is not enough for a full-fledged salad. we told here.

Tomato diseases: how to identify and how to treat

The main indicator of plant health is its leaves. With normal development, they can curl a little during the day, but they definitely straighten out at night. If this does not happen, if they turn yellow or acquire a whitish coating, if they fall off, the plant requires treatment.

First of all, you need to look for pests on the bush itself. Often they hide on the back of the sheet. If there are insects, they must be removed, and then regularly inspected - they may reappear. Their presence prevents the normal, full development of the bush.

Also very dangerous for a tomato is a disease such as late blight. This is a fungal infection that overcomes not only the leaves of the plant, but also the fruits. But that's not all: it easily passes to neighboring plants, therefore it can very quickly infect the entire garden. Favorable conditions for the development of infection creates dampness.

Visually, late blight looks like burgundy spots, which gradually increase in size and merge. When this disease is detected, the bushes are recommended to be sprayed with a mixture of slaked lime and copper sulfate. It is prepared according to the following recipe: dilute 10 g of copper sulfate in 900 ml of water, and 20 g of slaked lime in 100 ml of water. Then, stirring continuously, pour the lime solution into the vitriol solution - and the mixture is ready.

It is important to remember that its shelf life is only 1 day, therefore it is better to prepare the “medicine” immediately before use.

Tip: With the development of late blight, it is better to immediately remove the ripened fruits from the affected bushes; fruits that are almost ripe must be removed and dipped for 2 minutes in hot water, and then folded into a dark and always dry place for ripening.

Knowing how, growing tomatoes on the balcony is not difficult. But how much pleasure the process itself brings, and the harvesting of your crops. Such tomatoes are always more juicy, fragrant and tasty than store-bought ones. And, of course, much more useful - after all, they are grown with their own hands and, most importantly, with love.

Tomatoes on the windowsill video

And here we invite you to watch a video on the topic of our article. In it, an experienced gardener gives his advice.