Cherry tomatoes are very popular. Small tomatoes collected in bunches look attractive in salads and canned whole. “Cherry” tomatoes are also appreciated by adherents of a healthy diet, because the concentration of nutrients in them is higher than in large fruits.
Cherries are often difficult to care for and do not take root well in our climatic conditions. But this does not apply to the Barberry f1 tomato. It is easy to grow; with proper agricultural technology, the hybrid gives a high yield, has excellent taste and shelf life. Next, we will look at all the nuances of cultivating and caring for these tomatoes.
General description of the hybrid
The Barberry tomato is a hybrid . It was developed by crossing two varieties. The seeds of its harvest are not suitable for planting, since the plants grown from them in most cases do not retain hybrid characteristics, acquiring parental ones.
The hybrid is produced by many domestic seed producers.
Attention! Reviews from gardeners indicate that some manufacturers produce other varieties of tomatoes called Barberry. Their fruits are not red, but pink, and the seeds are suitable for replanting.
Distinctive features
The main distinguishing feature of Barberry is the miniature size of its fruits.
Tomatoes are oval in shape and resemble enlarged barberries (see photo). This is a carpal hybrid . Up to 100 fruits can grow on one brush, which gives the bush a special decorative appearance.
The tomatoes taste sweet , with a slight sourness. They have a brighter and more pronounced taste than other varieties of tomatoes.
The shape of the bushes is also interesting : they are not very spreading and grow mainly in height.
Main characteristics
Despite the ease of cultivation, the hybrid produces high yields and has excellent taste.
Characteristics of tomato Barberry:
| Parameter | Indicators |
| Bush type | Indeterminate hybrid. Grows up to 2 m. The stems are powerful. The bushes have an average amount of greenery. The leaves are ordinary, medium in size and light green in color. It feels somewhat sticky to the touch. The fruits are formed in clusters. From 70 to 100 berries are formed on one brush. On average, there are 5-6 brushes on a bush. The first flower raceme appears between the 7th and 14th leaves |
| Growing method | Possible to grow in greenhouses and open ground. Gardeners who have tried to grow this tomato in both ways say that in a greenhouse the harvest is of better quality |
| Productivity | High for cherry tomatoes. From 1 sq. m of planting of this hybrid produces 7-10 kg of fruits |
| Fruit | Miniature. The weight of one fruit varies between 25-40 g. The tomatoes are red on the outside (sometimes there are pink tomatoes with the same name). The inside of the fruit is red, without light and green spots at the base. Medium fleshy, non-watery. On average, one tomato has two chambers with a small number of seeds. The fruit tastes sweet, with a slight sourness. Sugar content for tomatoes is high – 8% |
| Transportability | High. Tomatoes have thick skin, making them suitable for long-distance transportation. They are stored for more than a month. Keeping quality increases when storing fruits on a cluster |
| Ripening time | Early ripening variety. The first fruits ripen three months after emergence. Tomatoes ripen evenly on the bunch. Fruiting continues until the end of August |
| Disease resistance | Is immune to viral diseases. Gardeners note that Barberry rarely suffers from fungal diseases. |
Characteristics of Shalun tomatoes
Tomatoes of the Shalun variety were included in the Russian State Register as a crop for cultivation in open ground and under film covers. These tomatoes are suitable for fresh consumption and for any type of canning.
Bushes can reach a height of two meters, so care should be taken to provide support. The variety needs pinching and the formation of a bush into one or two stems. The leaves are small, rich green.
The inflorescences are formed complex and as a result, long fruit clusters are formed, on which up to 40 tomatoes are placed. The fruits are obovate, small, weighing up to 12 grams, colored raspberry-pink. The pulp is of medium density and covered with a thin, durable peel, so the fruits do not crack when canned. Vegetables reach ripeness 105-110 days after sprouts appear.
The advantages of the variety are:
- high rates of transportability
- early ripeness
- abundant and stable yield
- immunity to late blight and tobacco mosaic virus
- endurance in unstable climates
The harvest can be harvested either by clusters or by individual fruits. Three bushes are planted per square meter, the yield of which is up to five kilograms. It is recommended to sow seeds for seedlings 55-65 days before planting in a permanent place.
To obtain earlier harvests, as well as in regions with long winters, tomatoes are grown by seedlings. To get high-quality seedlings, you should pay close attention to each stage.
Sowing seeds
The Barberry tomato is grown in our country exclusively by seedlings . Seeds are sown 55-60 days before planting seedlings in the ground: in central Russia - in the second half of March, in the south of our country - in early February, in the north - in the first ten days of April. For greenhouse cultivation, earlier sowing is possible.
Processing of planting material
Before buying seeds, you need to check their expiration date . Expired planting material has low germination rates.
To select seeds that will germinate , they need to be soaked in salted water (take 1 teaspoon of salt per glass of liquid) for half an hour. The seeds that sink to the bottom are suitable for planting.
Attention! Some manufacturers treat planting material. This information is indicated on the packaging. Disinfected seeds are distinguished by orange or light green color.
If the seeds are not treated in the factory , they do it themselves. Several methods are used for this:
- The seeds are soaked in a solution of potassium permanganate: take 2 g of potassium permanganate per 200 ml of liquid (the solution should turn out light pink).
- In “Fitosporin”: take 0.5 teaspoons of powder or 2 drops of liquid “Fitosporin” per glass of water. The soaking time should be according to the instructions.
- In a soda solution: take 1 teaspoon of soda per glass of water. The seeds are immersed in the composition for 12 hours.
After disinfection, the planting material is treated with a growth stimulator. Epin is often used for this. A solution of honey (1 teaspoon of honey per glass of water) also shows good results.
It is important to use the growth stimulator correctly : saturate a piece of cloth with it, wrap the seeds in it, put it on a saucer, cover with film and place in a warm place. On average, soaking takes 12 hours.
About other varieties of tomatoes:
A find for gourmets - tomato “Moscow delicacy”
Disease-resistant and unpretentious tomato “Pink Stella”
Unpretentious tomato "Marusya" with excellent taste
Preparing soil and containers
The soil for tomatoes should be light but nutritious . Suitable soil is available at garden supply stores. Prepare soil mixtures for tomatoes yourself.
The basis of the soil for tomatoes is peat, turf and humus (one portion each). To make the soil lighter, add sand, sawdust or crushed coconut substrate (half a portion). To increase nutritional value, ash and “Superphosphate” are added to the soil mixture.
Containers for sowing seeds are large and shallow. Stores sell special boxes and trays. Disposable deep plates, instant noodle packages, cake lids, etc. are also used for these purposes.
Plants are planted in deep containers with a volume of at least 300 g. For these purposes, special pots, disposable cups or cut-off 1.5-2 liter bottles are used.
All containers are disinfected by soaking for half an hour in a dark pink solution of potassium permanganate. Some materials are doused with boiling water. To disinfect, the soil mixture is calcined in an oven at a temperature of 100°C or watered with a solution of potassium permanganate. Another option is to put the soil in a colander and pour boiling water over it.
Sowing
The soil is placed in the prepared container so that 3 cm is left free to the edges. The seeds are laid in rows at a distance of 3 cm from each other. The planting material is sprinkled with a centimeter layer of soil on top.
The soil is moistened with a spray bottle with warm water and covered with film. After this, it is removed to a warm place. The warmer the seeds are, the faster they will germinate.
Advice. If mold appears on the soil, it means it is waterlogged. To cope with the problem, the affected layer is removed and the missing amount of soil is added. After this, the soil is watered with a weak solution of potassium permanganate and left to dry without film.
Seedling care
To grow healthy plants, they need to be properly cared for.
Basic nuances of growing tomato seedlings:
- When the first shoots appear, the plants will need 16 hours of daylight. Usually in spring there is not enough natural light, so gardeners use special lamps.
- Seeds and newly germinated seedlings need extreme humidity. It is to ensure this that containers with soil are covered with film. When the first shoots appear, the film is not removed, but is opened slightly every day for several hours. A week later, the improvised greenhouse is dismantled.
- After two true leaves appear, the plants are planted in separate containers. There are different opinions about whether it is necessary to pinch the central root during the picking process. Some gardeners believe that this will only slow down the growth of seedlings, while others believe that thanks to this procedure the plants will become more hardy.
- During cultivation in a common box, the plants are watered with a pipette. A week after picking, the soil is moistened with a watering can. This is done so that water does not get on the ground part of the plants.
- Feed the seedlings three times. The first - two weeks after picking, the second - another two weeks, the last - five days before planting the plants in open ground.
- 14 days before transplanting to a permanent location, tomatoes begin to harden. To do this, the seedlings are taken out into the fresh air every day, gradually increasing the time.
Description of the tomato variety Torquay and its characteristics
To obtain high yields, many summer residents grow vegetable crops on an industrial scale in greenhouse conditions. The Torquay tomato can surprise every gardener with good fruit performance without the use of covering material. This feature lies in the fact that the vegetable crop is endowed with resistance to adverse weather conditions and good immunity to various diseases. In addition, the Torquay variety has a lot of other positive qualities that influence its choice in industrial sales.
Description and characteristics of the variety
Torquay f1 is a hybrid of Dutch selection. Patented manufacturing company - Bejo Zaden. In Russia, the variety has been cultivated since 2007. Tomato is a mid-early vegetable crop with a period of 120 days from seed germination to full ripening of the fruit. Recommended areas for growing the variety for industrial purposes in open ground are Rostov and Vologda regions, Krasnodar Territory, and the Republic of Adygea.
Let's get acquainted with the description of the variety and characteristics of the Torquay tomato fruit in more detail.
Description of the variety
Determinate bush. The height of the plant varies from 50 to 100 cm. The bush is standard-shaped, compact, with a lot of foliage. The leaves are narrow, short, light to dark green in color. The inflorescence is simple. The plant produces copious amounts of fruit clusters. More than five fruits are formed on each cluster.
Fruit characteristics
The fruits of the Torquay variety are medium-sized, weighing on average 60-80 grams. In their shape they resemble an elongated cylinder or a small bell pepper. Tomatoes have a fairly thin but durable red skin. The pulp is dense, with 2-3 chambers. The fruits are endowed with high taste and beneficial qualities.
Universal tomatoes. They have proven themselves well when consumed fresh and processed.
It is worth paying attention: Torquay tomatoes contain a large amount of lycopene, which has a beneficial effect on the human body, reducing the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases, cancer and oncology
Advantages of the variety
A distinctive feature of the Torquay f1 tomato is that even in unfavorable years, more than five kg of fruit can be harvested from one square meter. Also, the advantages of this variety include the following indicators:
- heat resistance;
- taste qualities of fruits;
- high transportability;
- long fruiting;
- good shelf life of fruits.
It is worth noting that f1 tomato is endowed with good immunity to diseases such as verticillium, stem and root rot, and fusarium wilt. Such indicators allow the variety to be used on an industrial scale for small businesses.
Agricultural technology
Reviews from many vegetable growers have shown that agricultural technology affects the yield of the variety and its long fruiting. The plant’s immunity to various diseases depends on proper planting and further care.
Agricultural technology of Torquay tomato:
- Seeds are planted in March.
- Seeds are sown in warm, slightly compacted soil.
- After sowing, the soil is mulched to a depth of 1 cm with peat.
- The planting material is watered with warm water using the air-drop method.
- The container is covered with film and moved to a warm place where the temperature should be within +25 degrees.
- After the seeds begin to hatch, the film is removed from the container and the planting material is transferred to a bright place.
- During the first week, the temperature is maintained at 15-16 degrees Celsius.
- After the specified time, the temperature must be increased to +20-22 degrees.
- When 2-3 true leaves appear on the seedlings, picking is carried out.
In early to mid-May, seedlings are planted in open holes or protected ground. Further agricultural technology consists of fertilizing with complex fertilizers, regular watering, weeding and pinching. After strengthening the root system of the bush, all side shoots are removed, leaving only 2-3 stems.
By following these simple rules for sowing seeds and further timely care of plants, every summer resident will be satisfied with the quality of fruiting of the Torquay tomato. But don’t forget about planting material. First of all, the entire process of development of a vegetable crop will be influenced by the quality of the seeds.
Therefore, when purchasing them, you should pay attention to whether they comply with the State Seed Inspectorate inspection
How to grow tomatoes
Tomatoes are planted in open ground when the soil warms up . In the southern regions this is done at the end of April or beginning of May, and in the middle zone - in the second half of March. In the northern regions, Barberry tomatoes are planted only in greenhouses. Gardeners note better yields in protected soil and in warmer cities.
The growing area must be sufficiently lit. Therefore, to place tomato beds and greenhouses, choose the sunniest place in the garden.
Planting seedlings in a permanent place
The beds for tomatoes have been prepared since autumn .
They are dug up and cleared of weeds. Then dry lime, cow dung and humus are spread over the selected area. In the spring, the beds are dug up again and cleared of emerging roots. After this, holes are dug in rows in a checkerboard pattern . A distance of 60 cm is left between the rows, and 50 cm between the holes. Add 1 tbsp to each hole. l. ash. It is useful to pour long-acting granular complex fertilizers into the seedling holes.
Five days before planting in open ground, the seedlings are watered and fed . Immediately before planting, tomatoes are removed from the pots along with the soil. It is extremely important not to damage the roots. The tomatoes are placed in the holes, deepened by removing the two bottom leaves, and the soil is moistened. Next time the tomatoes are watered after two weeks.
Care
Hybrid Barberry is indeterminate, so it needs a garter so that the plant does not break under the weight of the fruit and does not lie on the ground. For gartering, use a high wooden support or trellis. When choosing a support for a tomato, you need to take into account that the bushes reach 2 m in height. The plant is tied up as it grows.
Barberry bushes need shaping . Usually two or three stems are left. In both cases, high yields are observed. This hybrid produces many stepsons. They need to be removed regularly. This procedure is carried out in the morning or evening, not on cloudy days.
Growing tomatoes
Water the tomatoes as the soil dries in the morning or evening . Watering should be plentiful and infrequent. On the day of planting, the soil is not moistened. Use only settled water. It is important that during watering the liquid does not fall on the ground part of the bush.
During the season, tomatoes are fed 3-4 times, alternating organic and mineral fertilizers . Complex mineral fertilizers are sold in stores, while organic fertilizers are often prepared independently.
To prepare organic fertilizer, you need to pour 1/10 of the manure, 1/3 of the plants into a bucket, fill the rest of the space with warm water and place in a warm place for fermentation. When the mixture ferments, it is diluted with the same amount of water.
Twice a season, plants are sprayed with products containing boron - this accelerates the formation of ovaries.
Features of cultivation
Sometimes there are reviews that speak of an unexpressed taste or insufficient quantity of Barberry fruits. This happens if the gardener does not follow some important rules for caring for a hybrid :
- Uniform ripening of tomatoes in the bunch is ensured artificially. To do this, after the fruits appear, remove all the leaves under the cluster.
- Tomatoes are self-pollinating plants. Despite this, to increase the yield, the bushes need to be shaken regularly.
- All incorrectly formed inflorescences must be removed. This will help high-quality fruits ripen faster.
- The more sun the plant receives, the sweeter the fruits will be.
Protection from diseases and pests
Barberry is resistant to tomato viral diseases . This makes it much easier to care for.
to fungal diseases is not so pronounced. Therefore, to prevent infection of tomatoes, it is important to follow the rules of prevention. The soil, containers and garden tools that interact with tomatoes are disinfected with a solution of potassium permanganate or copper sulfate. Seeds also need to be treated before planting. It is important to follow the watering rules. Dry and waterlogged soil are ideal conditions for the development of fungal infections.
Incorrect stepsoning also causes illness . For prevention, the bushes are sprayed with “Fitosporin”, copper sulfate or a solution of potassium permanganate. During the season, 2-3 such sprayings are done.
To protect plants from pests , they are sprayed with a soap solution or infusion of celandine. Large insects are collected by hand.
Growing and care
In order not to attract pests to the beds with tomatoes and to prevent diseases from developing, tomatoes are not planted after or next to nightshade crops. Aromatic herbs, seasonings and flowers (calendula and marigolds) should be planted between the rows.
Also, sowing green manure before planting tomatoes will be a good disease prevention measure. It is advisable to plant herbs such as white mustard, phacelia or alfalfa in autumn and spring; the roots will improve the soil and drive away unwanted guests, and the greens can be used as mulch.
Tall, and especially such productive tomatoes need strong supports for garter. At the same time, it is necessary to attach not only trunks, but also brushes to various structures. Hilling is not a mandatory procedure, but desirable. But you need to loosen the soil after each watering. The foliage is removed from the bottom of the bush.
Both mineral complexes and organic matter can be used as fertilizers. Tomatoes will not produce well in poor soil. Watering is usually combined with fertilizing. The first time the crop is fertilized 2 weeks after planting in a permanent place, then the sessions are repeated every 15–20 days.
Not every cherry tomato can boast such an enviable number of positive qualities. All 3 Barberry hybrids are able to withstand adverse weather conditions and not lose their fertility. All they need is to follow the basic rules of care.
Features of agricultural technology in greenhouses and open ground
tomato is grown in greenhouses and open ground . There are some differences in cultivating tomatoes using these methods.
to maintain optimal air humidity in the greenhouse It should not exceed 65%. It is not difficult to achieve the desired indicators. To do this, ventilate the greenhouse daily by opening the windows.
In open ground, it is important to protect plants from night frosts. To do this, at first they are covered with film.
To protect plant roots from cold, pests and diseases, open ground beds are mulched with burlap, hay or straw.
Ideal variety for greenhouses
The Barberry variety refers to early-ripening cherry tomatoes that were bred for cultivation in closed ground. This variety is an indeterminate plant that requires special conditions for growth and fruiting. But practice has shown that this variety also feels great in open ground if it is provided with the necessary care and attention.
The main shoot of the tomato, Barberry, constantly stretches upward, but does not spread its branches much and forms 5 or more inflorescences, depending on the conditions created for growth. The more favorable and warmer the climate, the more inflorescences this hybrid will produce. Each of the inflorescences turns into brushes strewn with small tomatoes. The foliage on the shoots is quite strong, slightly sticky to the touch.
The Barberry tomato bush can perform not only its direct function - good fruiting - but also a decorative one. If the plant is planted not in a garden bed, but in a front garden, it will first delight you with friendly flowering, and during fruiting - with bunches of toy tomatoes. From 70 to 100 pieces of fruit are tied in a brush, which ripen 90-95 days after emergence.
The fruits of the hybrid Barberry F1 are round-oval and small in size. The weight of a tomato rarely reaches 25 grams. The ripe fruits of this variety are pale pink in color with a smooth, dense skin that is not prone to cracking. Possessing excellent taste and appearance, they can be considered a worthy decoration for dishes.
Barberry variety tomatoes are ideal for growing in greenhouse conditions. Due to the fact that the bushes are not spreading, but grow vertically upward, they do not take up much space. In this way, the entire space can be distributed efficiently.
You should not reduce the distance between the bushes, this will lead to a decrease in yield. It is better to leave no more than 0.6 meters between rows. The greenhouse must be located in a well-lit place. All tomato varieties are light-loving. Due to lack of light, they ripen poorly and become tasteless.
In order for tomatoes to be well pollinated in greenhouse conditions, it is necessary to maintain air humidity within 65%. Artificial pollination can be used.
Tomato Barberry is grown in greenhouses and open ground. There are some differences in cultivating tomatoes using these methods.
It is important to maintain optimal air humidity in the greenhouse. It should not exceed 65%. It is not difficult to achieve the desired indicators. To do this, ventilate the greenhouse daily by opening the windows.
In open ground, it is important to protect plants from night frosts. To do this, at first they are covered with film.
To protect plant roots from cold, pests and diseases, open ground beds are mulched with burlap, hay or straw.
Harvesting and application
The first Barberry harvest is harvested in July . Fruiting continues until the end of August. The fruits are picked from the bush when all the tomatoes on the bunch are ripe. To do this, cut off the whole brush. Tomatoes are stored directly on it. In this form they will lie for more than a month.
Tomatoes are used for canning, drying and fresh consumption. They are even frozen whole.
Advantages and disadvantages of a hybrid
Benefits of Barberry:
- high yield rates;
- high sugar content;
- miniature fruit;
- simultaneous ripening of all fruits on the cluster;
- long-term storage;
- good transportability;
- resistance to viral diseases;
- decorativeness of the bush.
Disadvantages include the hybridity of the variety (buying seeds every season), the need for gartering and pinching, as well as weak immunity to fungal pathogens.
Reviews from summer residents
Reviews about the Barberry tomato are mostly positive . Most gardeners note the excellent taste of its fruits.
Irina, Belgorod : “I’ve been growing Barberry in my garden for three years now. The hybrid always pleases with tasty and beautiful fruits. To get a good harvest, it is important to remove leaves under the ovaries. I didn’t find any disadvantages, other than the need for frequent stepsoning.”
Valeria, Moscow : “This year I planted a Barberry tomato from two different companies for testing. Only one package of tomatoes turned out the same as in the photo; another manufacturer put in an outright fake. I really liked the barberry itself: it looks beautiful and tastes great.”
