Specifics of growing transplants and tomato crops in greenhouses

Creating an optimal thermal regime for growing tomato seedlings in block greenhouses in early spring using biological heating is extremely difficult. To obtain high-quality and viable plants, seedlings are prepared in specialized nursery greenhouses. The entire process takes from 50 to 60 days until the moment of their transplanting to a permanent location.

• Sowing time — February
• Transplanting date to soil — second ten-day period of April and later
• Seedling age before transplanting — 50–60 days
• Diameter of peat pots — 10–12 cm
• Optimal air humidity — 55–65%

For the proper development of seedlings, it is important to carry out thinning (pricking out) and spacing of the plants in a timely manner. This will prevent the seedlings from becoming leggy and ensure good illumination of each bush.

1. Sow seed in boxes or on racks.
2. Upon the appearance of cotyledon leaves, transplant the plants into other boxes at a distance of 4–5 cm from each other.
3. For better development, transplant the seedlings into peat pots with a diameter of 10–12 cm.
4. Place the pots at a distance of 15 cm from each other to avoid mutual shading of the plants.

Technology of transplanting seedlings and care for fruiting tomatoes

Seedlings are transplanted to a permanent location after the plants have formed 8–10 true leaves and buds have appeared on the first flower inflorescence. When growing without pots, seedlings are transplanted at an angle. The planting scheme provides for a distance of 50 cm between rows and 60 cm between plants in a row. Immediately after planting, mandatory irrigation strictly at the root is performed.

The method of bush formation directly affects the timing and volumes of the harvest. To obtain early production, plants are managed strictly in one stem, leaving no more than 4–5 inflorescences. If it is necessary to extend the harvesting for a longer period, several stems are formed with a larger number of flower inflorescences. Unlike hotbeds, in greenhouses, stems are tied up using a trellis method to wire or twine.

During the growing season, the temperature in the greenhouse should remain within 17–30 °C. The plants require abundant irrigation, especially during the fruit enlargement stage, while the air must remain relatively dry. Soil management includes regular loosening and adding fresh soil. To conserve soil moisture, the soil is mulched with peat or straw cuttings.

Tomatoes are sensitive to nutrition. Experienced vegetable growers carry out top dressing every 5–7 days during the harvesting period, alternating or combining organic and mineral mixtures.

The feeding regime is adjusted according to the phases of development: before transplanting seedlings, potash fertilizers are given; before flowering, the proportion of phosphorus is increased, and during the fruit formation period, nitrogenous ones are increased. Nutrient deficiency is easily determined by the appearance of the plants. Phosphorus deficiency colors the leaves with a purple hue, nitrogen deficiency makes them pale green, and an excess of nitrogenous substances leads to the darkening of the vegetative mass to a dark green color.

For growing in greenhouses, the Budenovka, Pierrette, "Best of All", and Bison cultivars are best suited. The latter is inferior to the others in total yield but is valued in protected ground for earlier ripening of red fruits.

Similar agrotechnics are applied for eggplants and peppers. However, these crops are planted more densely during thinning and transplanting to a permanent location: 6 eggplants or 8 peppers are planted per square meter. The best eggplant cultivar is considered to be "Delikates", and for peppers — "Boncharsky sladky".

When growing tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants in rack greenhouses, planting is carried out in bulk soil on racks. The entire technology is analogous to ground greenhouses; however, rack structures allow for more precise regulation of the temperature and air regime, as well as an earlier start to growing seedlings, especially when using electric heating.