Growing tomatoes at home is no longer unusual. There are special varieties intended for home cultivation and it is important to carefully study the instructions on the seed packet, which indicate the characteristics of the variety and the ripening time. I would like to share my impressions about growing some varieties of tomatoes at home.
My tomatoes grow on a warm balcony and in a south window. Sowing begins by soaking the seeds in a weak solution of potassium permanganate for an hour, after which I wrap them in a damp cloth, label the varieties, and place them in a half-liter jar with a lid to retain moisture. When the seeds swell, I plant them in soaked coconut or peat tablets.
After the shoots germinate, I remove the cover and try to prevent the “black legs” disease. I water it carefully, sometimes adding phytosporin to the water.
When the plants reach 7 cm or develop three pairs of leaves, I transplant them into pots, removing the husk from the peat bar. I place one plant in each 3 liter pot. For the soil, I mix humus with seedling soil and add hydrogel or vermiculite to make it loose.
If the plants grow too large or stretch, I plant them deeper, covering the trunk to the first couple of leaves.
To hold the tomatoes I use supports or ladders. As it grows, I remove the upper and lower leaves, as well as the young shoots.
It is important to periodically ventilate the room where the tomatoes grow. I open the windows when the weather permits and leave them on the balcony even when it’s raining.
Among my favorite varieties:
- “Miracle of the balcony” for its compactness and productivity, although the fruits are small.
- “Elo F1” is a miniature variety with yellow fruits that does not require pinching.
- “Pinocchio” is a mid-season variety up to 40 cm tall.
- “Minibell” is an American variety up to 35 cm with early-ripening red fruits.
- “Mikron NK” for its compactness, with red and yellow fruits up to 20 cm.
Growing tomatoes indoors is a fascinating process, especially rewarding when it’s time to harvest.
