Indoor tomato with large fruits. How to grow tomatoes on a windowsill in winter

How often to water tomato seedlings on the windowsill, important question, which worries gardeners. Watering is important stage in plant care. It is through water that the bushes receive all their nutrients.

Many people want to have fresh harvest vegetables to the table even in winter. Others do not have the opportunity to grow a plant in the garden themselves, even in summer. Therefore, the question may arise about how to grow tomatoes on a windowsill.

To grow tomatoes in an apartment, you need to invest patience, diligence and perseverance. In this case, on the windowsill all year round You will be pleased with a high-quality fresh harvest. If you want to collect fruits in winter and spring period, it is better to plant in November. To continue harvesting in summer period Seeds are planted in the spring (it is better to sow at the end of March).

Growing tomatoes at home starts with correct selection varieties. It is better to choose low-growing and standard (having a strong stem and compactly located branches) types of tomatoes for growing on a windowsill.

They take up little space, they do not need large containers, they can produce a rich harvest, there is no need to install a support and artificially pollinate.

There should also be behind the seeds special care. Only large seeds are selected from the pack, which are then necessarily disinfected. This will prevent the formation of a fungal infection in the future. You can keep the seeds for 5 hours in a weak solution of potassium permanganate.

A solution of potassium permanganate only prevents the development of diseases, but does not in any way affect the quality of growth. To stimulate growth, it is recommended to use special preparations.

An important point on how to grow tomatoes at home is preparing the soil. It's better to buy soil in a store. It is not recommended to take ordinary land from the garden, since there is almost always a source of infection there. You can prepare the soil yourself. Good mix obtained from tree soil, humus, compost and sand.

Suitable varieties

To grow tomatoes in winter, you need to choose suitable varieties and know how to properly care for them. It is best to choose varieties with early dates maturation, self-pollinating, resistant to various diseases(a closed loggia or balcony is characterized by humid air and the frequent development of fungal diseases).

You should also choose tomatoes for the windowsill, which do not have too pronounced root system to fit in a pot or flowerpot.

When choosing a variety, it is not necessary to take weather conditions into account. But the length daylight hours matters, since plants especially need lighting. For example, in Ukraine the weather allows for growing tomatoes, not only at home. Vegetable growers have been planting varieties such as “Ballerina” and “Pink Honey” for many years.

What varieties of tomatoes are most suitable for the balcony? The following are very popular for breeding: the best varieties: “Room surprise”, “Balcony bonsai”, “Balcony miracle”, “Butterfly”, “Angelica”. The technology for growing domestic cultivated plants has similar stages.

Also popular are tomato varieties such as “Malyutka”, “ White filling", "Greenfinch", "Little Red Riding Hood", "Thumbelina". At home indoor tomatoes These varieties do not exceed 45 cm in height and fit a lot of fruits on a branch.

You can try growing high varieties of tomatoes. Among tall species The most common variety is "Cherry". The small size of the fruit will please you in any season.

Tall and medium-sized tomatoes on the windowsill in an apartment need pinching and bush formation. It is better to leave two or one stem.

Secrets for further care

There are many nuances to how to grow tomatoes at home. In a prepared container with moist soil, seeds are sown in shallow holes (no deeper than 1 cm) at a distance of 1.5 cm. For convenience, you can take a stick with a mark and make holes in which the seeds are sown. Then sprinkle with earth. After all the seeds have been planted, water the soil through a strainer and cover with glass or polyethylene film.

An important rule on how to grow tomato seedlings is choosing its location. Always located near the windowsill heating devices that dry out the soil. Therefore, this place is not suitable for germinating seeds. You need to water the soil using a watering can as it dries.

After a week, the first shoots should be observed. Begin to ventilate the container with the sprouts, and the soil should be constantly moist. Watering is carried out early in the morning with settled water. You can empty the container from the bag when 90% of the sown seeds have sprouted.

Tomato seedlings on the windowsill must be constantly turned with different sides to the window. This helps the stems grow even and strong. If tomatoes grow on one side, they bend, stretch and develop poorly.

Growing tomatoes on a windowsill is not complete without picking. As soon as the first leaves develop, the bushes are transplanted into separate plastic cups, pricked (pinching off the long ends of the root) and the first fertilizing with microelements is applied. Only those that have grown larger and stronger should be transplanted into separate containers, while the rest can be left to grow in a common container.

It is necessary to make holes at the bottom of plastic cups through which excess liquid will escape and fungal diseases will not develop.

Picking is necessary to make a small root system branchy. When picking, it is important not to damage the small roots of the seedling and replant it along with the soil that the roots have covered. From this moment on, fertilizing is applied every 12 days.

To grow indoor tomatoes, all subsequent days they need to be properly watered and loosen the soil. You need to water at the root, with little pressure, otherwise the roots will be exposed. Water should not get on the leaves and stems. In sunny weather, watering should be done in the evening.

After picking, you can immediately transplant the seedling into a permanent large pot or use cups for a while. In the latter option, it is necessary to replant into large containers when the roots of the plant envelop the entire soil in the glass. Ideal option A bucket of about 10 liters is suitable; for the Cherry variety, a pot with a capacity of 3 liters is also suitable.

After potted plants adapt and take root, you can fertilize (approximately 12 days after transshipment).

Further courtship

There are other rules for growing tomatoes on a window. After the tomatoes are on their permanent place, they need additional care.

To grow tomatoes on your windowsill in winter, you need care and special conditions. Small bushes are afraid of drafts and watering cold water. The water temperature intended for irrigation should be approximately 22 degrees. Do not overdo it with water; constantly wet soil becomes a source for the development of diseases.

You need to pour water near the bush, and after moistening, be sure to loosen the soil to reduce evaporation. Loosening should be done carefully, without damaging the roots. Hilling can also be carried out at the same time, as this helps strengthen and develop the root system.

Growing tomatoes on a windowsill is not complete without regular fertilization. The following recipe is popular. A little superphosphate, potassium sulfate and urea are added to a liter of water. You can use mullein or chicken droppings.

After the seedlings are grown, be sure to carry out additional feeding during the period of rapid color, formation of ovaries and during fruiting.

If tall and medium-sized varieties were selected for growing tomatoes on a windowsill from seeds, then additional stems (stepchildren) will form on the bushes. It is necessary to carry out pinching to improve the nutrition of the fruit.

As the plant develops at home in a pot, dry leaves are removed, especially those located close to the root. Dried leaves prevent moisture from reaching the roots.

The appearance of tomatoes

From the moment the ovaries appear, it is required further care behind cultivated plants. Homemade tomato bushes do not require artificial pollination. But to improve the process of formation of ovaries, it is recommended to slightly shake the stem every 4 days during the flowering period. This way pollen from the top flowers will fall onto the bottom row.

Some experienced gardeners They use another method that allows the fruits to take shape faster on the windowsill in winter. For this purpose, the bush is taken at the base and carefully pulled up. During this procedure, small roots are torn off, which are taken nutritional elements. Then it is recommended to water the plant and hill it up.

It is useful to feed tomatoes on the windowsill during the formation of ovaries foliar method. You can dilute 1 g of boric acid in a liter of water.

If the bushes are tall, then it is necessary to fix the branches at a support, otherwise they may break under the weight of the tomatoes.

You should not leave tomatoes on the bushes until they are fully ripe. They are collected unripe.

Facing problems

Not everyone can grow tomatoes without problems at home. Very often, especially beginning gardeners, they are faced with the problem of plants withering and leaves turning yellow. There are several explanations for why tomato seedlings wither:

  • increased indoor humidity or overwatering soil;
  • presence of drafts in the room;
  • a large number of fertilizers, especially those containing nitrogen;
  • cold air or cold water for watering;
  • lack of space for plant development;
  • lack of lighting or prolonged exposure of the plant to the sun;
  • diseases and insect pests;
  • flaw useful components in the soil.

Therefore, homemade tomatoes are not placed near opening windows, the gap between the bushes should be at least 2 cm, and fertilizers are applied no more than once a week. Be sure to monitor humidity and room temperature air.

When bushes turn yellow and dry out, the reason may lie in disease. If the consequences improper care While the plant can be quickly eliminated, for example, by placing the seedlings in another place, replanting or removing wet soil, it becomes more difficult to save the crop from diseases.

The cause of disease is most often poor-quality soil (even if it was purchased in a store). If the plants dry out, wither, or appear brown spots on the stem, then most likely we are talking about fungal disease– fusarium. You can save diseased plants by replanting them in another soil, but before doing this, the container should be disinfected.

If you water the plants in your apartment incorrectly in winter, there is a high probability of a disease such as “Black Leg” appearing. Tomato leaves darken, fall off, and the roots begin to rot. It is better to get rid of such a bush immediately so as not to infect other plants.

Thanks to the efforts of breeders, tomatoes can be grown on a windowsill at any time of the year. There are many varieties that can produce good harvests V room conditions. Growing them is no more difficult than ordinary tomatoes in the garden; moreover, they are not afraid of either drought or Colorado beetle. To enjoy fresh tomatoes in winter cold, you need to study all the nuances of such cultivation, but the most important thing is to choose the right variety.

Features of indoor tomatoes

Indoor conditions differ significantly from those in the garden, so not every variety of tomato can grow and bear fruit normally indoors. Varieties intended for growing on a windowsill have the following characteristics:

  • short stature. Due to limited space, only low-growing and dwarf tomatoes are able to produce a crop. Tall tomatoes not only require a lot of space, but also a large number of nutrients, and there is too little soil in the flower pot for this;
  • standardness. Not everyone knows how to form a bush correctly, but this is important condition for tomato yield. Standard varieties have a strong central stem and a dense crown; it does not need to be pinched or tied up;
  • resistance to lack of lighting and disease. Houseplants They receive less light, especially in winter, and therefore really need additional lighting. But there are varieties of tomatoes that bear fruit normally in conditions short day, and they only need backlighting on cloudy days. Their genetic feature is short internodes, thanks to which the stems do not stretch. Of the diseases that affect tomatoes the most are blackleg (during the period of growing seedlings) and leaf mold. The most resistant to them are hybrids, which make up 90% of total number potted tomatoes.

In addition to these features, indoor tomatoes have the highest taste qualities, and are rightfully considered champions among tomatoes in terms of the content of vitamins and sugars in their pulp. But not all of them can boast of yield, because some varieties are more decorative and form very small, cherry-sized fruits. Of course, they are also edible, but there are too few of them, and therefore they are most often used to decorate dishes.

If you need tomatoes for daily use, choose productive varieties with more large fruits. As a rule, the weight of indoor tomatoes varies between 15-130 g, depending on the variety. The best of them form low bushes completely covered with fruits. On average, one bush can produce up to 2 kg of tasty, presentation tomatoes.

Potted tomatoes have one more feature - they are perennials. If you do not throw away the bush after collecting the last fruits, then after a while new leaves will appear on the stem. Typically, such tomatoes grow and bear fruit within 5 years, although the most abundant harvests are produced in the first 2 years.

The best varieties of indoor tomatoes

The range of indoor tomatoes is smaller than regular ones, but still impressive. Varieties differ in the shape, size and color of the fruit, height and shape of the bush, ripening time and other parameters. Every year their list is replenished with new varieties and hybrids from leading breeding companies. Below are the most popular tomatoes for growing on a windowsill.

Name Main characteristics
This early-ripening variety forms standard bushes up to half a meter high. Its fruits are red, round, and high in sugar. Unlike most potted tomatoes, tomatoes of this variety grow up to 70-100 g. When good care The yield per plant is about 2 kg. The balcony miracle adapts well to lack of light and can bear fruit well in winter
Early ripening, standard. The height of the bushes does not exceed half a meter, and the weight of the bright red elongated fruits collected in clusters is 25-30 g. The pulp of these tomatoes is very tasty and aromatic, they are great for salads. IN winter time the plant needs lighting, otherwise the harvest will be quite weak
A neat, lush bush up to 30 cm high. Tomatoes of this variety have a round shape and a rich red color, the weight of the fruit is 25 g. With good care, each plant produces 1 kg of delicious marketable tomatoes per season
Today it is considered the smallest type of tomato, the height of its bushes is only 12-15 cm. Round, small fruits (10-12 g) are yellow and red. Big harvest You shouldn’t expect anything from it, but in terms of decorativeness the variety is ahead of most potted tomatoes. Ideal for winter growing, since it does not depend on the length of daylight hours
One of the best pot varieties. The plants are not tall, maximum 30 cm, densely leafy, compact. The weight of the fruit is about 20 g, the color is red. One bush produces from 1 to 1.5 kg of tomatoes, which are suitable not only for salads, but also for canning. In summer it can be grown in garden beds, and in autumn the bushes are transplanted into pots and brought into the house
Its fruits ripen 85-90 days after germination. Standard variety, universal use, bears fruit well in short day conditions. His tomatoes are small, weighing 25 g, red in color, aromatic. The bush itself looks very decorative during the period of fruit ripening
A popular variety valued high yield. The bushes have a compact shape, do not exceed 30 cm in height, and do not require pinching. Its fruits are small (20-40 g), red in color, with very sweet pulp. The ovaries are collected in long racemes, and during the ripening period the leaves are almost invisible under the fruits. The variety is resistant to low light and bears fruit well in winter.
Yellow-fruited and early ripening variety. Can be grown on a windowsill or in open ground. The height of standard bushes does not exceed 40 cm, the crown is dense and does not require shaping. The weight of tomatoes is about 40 g, the yield is very high. The skin of the fruit is thin, orange color, the flesh is sweet and juicy
New, still rare variety. The plant is standard, 25 cm tall, during the fruiting period the entire bush is covered with clusters of yellow small round tomatoes. The weight of the fruit rarely exceeds 30 g, the pulp is very sweet. The variety is neutral to low light conditions, so it bears fruit well in winter.
Early ripening popular Dutch variety. Fruits regardless of the time of year and degree of lighting. The height of the bushes is about 30 cm, in open ground it can grow up to 50 cm. The weight of the tomatoes is 12-14 g, the color is red, the flesh is moderately sweet

Ampel varieties

In addition to standard varieties, lovers indoor growing Of tomatoes, ampelous tomatoes are also in demand. They can be planted in hanging planters or in tall pots, from which the shoots will hang beautifully on the windowsill. Caring for them is a little more difficult than conventional varieties, and the yield is lower, but all this is compensated by the excellent taste of the tomatoes and the high decorativeness of the bush. The choice of hanging varieties is still small, and seeds can be purchased only from a few domestic agricultural companies.

Name Characteristics
A spreading bush with shoots up to 50 cm. The stems of the plant are thin, but strong, and do not break under the weight of numerous fruits. There is no need to prun the bush. Round tomatoes weighing 15-20 g when ripe acquire a crimson color and become translucent. One plant can have up to three hundred marketable fruits. The variety is very decorative, feels great indoors and outdoors.
Spectacular early ripening hybrid. Can grow vertically (but then you need to tie up the stems) and how hanging plant. Its tomatoes are round, red, with a characteristic tomato taste, weighing about 30 g. The hybrid is specially bred for growing indoors, so it develops well and bears fruit regardless of the time of year
New productive hybrid for overhead growing. The shoots are sparsely leafy, up to half a meter long, strong. Small red fruits have an elongated shape, attached to long clusters of 8-10 pieces. Tomatoes are suitable for harvesting for the winter, when heat treatment do not crack. IN good conditions the yield of one bush is 1.8-2 kg
One of the new ampelous varieties. Very early, has a cascade bush shape, the weight of the tomatoes is 25-30 g. The fruit has an excellent taste, the average yield is about 2 kg. With a lack of lighting, the number of fruits is slightly less
Already a fairly well-known ampelous variety of domestic selection. It belongs to the mid-early variety, the bush is quite compact, shoots up to 55 cm long. Red ovoid fruits average weight about 40 g. When grown in open ground, the weight of the fruit is almost twice as much. The variety is distinguished by extended fruiting, and very abundant. The tomatoes are juicy, tasty, and can be canned
A very attractive productive hybrid. The shoots grow up to 60 cm; the plant does not need pinching. The clusters are densely hung with small (20g) sweet red fruits, which are suitable for canning. The bush grows quickly, so it needs a lot of space. In winter, the plant must be illuminated, otherwise the yield will decrease

Agricultural technology for growing indoor tomatoes

Like regular varieties, indoor tomatoes are best grown from seedlings. And at this stage there are no differences, except that the timing of sowing the seeds is different. On average, potted tomatoes begin to bear fruit 90-100 days after germination, and if you want to get the first tomatoes by specific date, take this factor into account. For example, to harvest the first harvest in January, sow seeds for seedlings at the end of September.

Before sowing, the seeds are disinfected by soaking for 15-30 minutes in a weak solution of potassium permanganate, and then left in a damp cloth for a couple of days to hatch.

Sow in a common container with ordinary soil or purchased substrate to a depth of no more than 1 cm. The distance between the seeds should be within 2-3 cm so that the seedlings are not thickened.

The seedlings are transplanted into separate containers as soon as the seedlings have formed 2-3 true leaves. The size of the pots is selected depending on the variety of tomatoes: for dwarf tomatoes, a volume of 1.5-2 liters is sufficient, for ordinary indoor ones 3-4 liters, for hanging ones - at least 5 liters. All pots must be with drainage holes. It is very important to properly prepare the soil, because the development and fruiting of the bush depends on its composition.

The best option is the following composition:

  • 5 parts garden soil;
  • 2 parts sand;
  • 5 parts rotted compost;
  • 1 part peat.

To a bucket of such a mixture you need to add matchbox urea and potassium sulfate, a handful of sifted wood ash. Mix all this thoroughly. Now you can start planting seedlings.

Step 1. A drainage layer of fine gravel, pieces of bark, expanded clay or other material is poured onto the bottom of the pots. Fill the containers to the top with soil and make a small depression in the center.

Step 2. Pre-watered seedlings are carefully removed one at a time and planted in pots, deepening to the cotyledon leaves. Water carefully.

The soil must be saturated with moisture so that water reaches the roots

Step 3. Place the pots on the windowsill (preferably with south side) and regularly turn them with the other side towards the light once every 2 days. In the mornings and evenings, as well as in cloudy weather, plants should be illuminated with a phytolamp.

After a week, the plants are fed with half the dose. nitrogen fertilizers necessary for growth. During the flowering period, in order to increase the percentage of pollination, the stems of the plant are shaken very lightly and brushed over the flowers with a feather or a soft brush. After the formation of ovaries, fertilizing is required potassium fertilizer once in two weeks.

In varieties that need to form a bush, the stepsons are removed, the top of the main stem is pinched, and excess inflorescences are cut off to increase the size of the fruit. Tall bushes are tied to supports that are stuck into the ground along the edge of the pot.

If signs of fungal damage appear, all plants are sprayed with phytosporin or another antifungal agent. To prolong fruiting, regularly pick ripe fruits, remove dried leaves, and do not forget about fertilizing and watering. The soil in the pots needs to be loosened periodically, being careful not to catch the roots. With this care, your tomatoes will delight you all winter a bountiful harvest sweet, tasty fruits.

Video - Tomatoes on the windowsill in winter: the best varieties

Video - Tomatoes on the windowsill in winter: the best varieties and procedure for growing tomatoes at home

Growing tomatoes on a windowsill in winter is quite possible. The main thing is to create the necessary light and temperature regime, as well as choosing the right varieties.

Tomato varieties for growing at home

It is best if these are varieties of short tomatoes with medium-sized fruits. Cherry tomatoes are most often grown at home. Ampel and standard varieties show themselves well as indoor tomatoes.

If we take the reviews of those who like to grow tomatoes at home, the most favorite variety is Geranium Kiss and. They also grow Ogonyok, Snowdrop, Garden Pearl, Siberian Dwarf, Little Prince, etc.

Tomato lighting

When growing tomatoes on a windowsill in winter, the optimal daylight hours are 12 hours, and the best option- 14 hours. At this time of year, this can only be achieved by installing additional lighting above the plants.

The most economical and convenient option— illumination of tomatoes with LED or fluorescent lamps. How to adapt them - everyone decides individually, the main thing is that it is convenient.


Indoor tomatoes: growing

Start growing as usual, simply sowing the seeds in a small container rather than in boxes. Since you don’t need a lot of seedlings. After all, each plant will need a capacity of about 10 liters in the future, but such “pots” need to be placed somewhere. So calculate in advance how many plants you will fit on the windowsill.

You can take ready-made soil, or you can prepare it yourself. To do this, mix one part of humus, turf soil and peat, add a liter of sand and a tablespoon of superphosphate and ash to a bucket of this mixture.

Whether or not to soak the seeds is a personal matter; the appearance of seedlings varies by only 1-2 days.

When the plants have 2 true leaves, transplant them into separate cups. As the tomatoes grow, replant them in large capacity, in order for a good root system to grow. If the cup is small for the plant, it begins to grow in height, forming a frail, thin stem, but when transplanted, the root grows massively and the stem turns out to be short and thick, which is what we need at home.

Remember that you won’t get a harvest in a small pot; be prepared to clutter your windowsills with large containers of soil. You can, of course, wrap them in some kind of fabric to make it look more aesthetically pleasing.

But outside, tomatoes on the windowsill in winter look very tempting. It’s snowing, blizzarding, cold outside, and here there are little red tomatoes hanging - beautiful...

Tomatoes should be watered very sparingly, no more than twice a week.

When stepchildren begin to grow from the axils of the leaves, they need to be broken out, since when growing at home, we do not need extra shoots.

Periodically check the soil temperature by inserting a thermometer into the soil. There shouldn't be much difference with the air temperature. If the windowsill is cold, place foam or some other material under the container with tomatoes.

If the soil under the plants is fertile, then it is enough to feed the tomatoes during the flowering period and after the formation of ovaries complex fertilizer for tomatoes.

Those who do not have a garden, but have a love for farming, grow tomatoes on the windowsill all year round. In the summer, of course, this is much easier to do, because you don’t need to bother with temperature and lighting, and tomatoes grow faster in real sun.

Dwarf tomatoes look amazing in flower pots. The compact bush is covered with cherry tomatoes. To be able to enjoy them at any time, read how to grow tomatoes at home.

The content of the article:

A city apartment or loggia can be turned into a real greenhouse. Moreover, not only flowers, but also vegetables can grow here. Having learned how to grow tomatoes in an apartment, you can enjoy the bright, sweet fruits from spring to late autumn.

  • Read the article about the dacha.

Tomatoes - the best varieties for growing in an apartment


Plants should not be tall, have a compact bush and bear fruit abundantly. Some varieties and hybrids meet these requirements. The small bush is simply strewn with delicious tomatoes. Here are the best tomato varieties to grow at home:
  • "F1 Balcony red";
  • "Balconies of Yelou";
  • "Balcony Miracle";
  • "Red Pearl";
  • "Yellow Pearl";
  • "Bonsai";
  • "F1 Bonsai micro";
  • "Pinocchio".
"F1 Balcony red" very early ripening tomato f1. Already 85 days after germination, bright red tomatoes begin to ripen. They are small, but sweet and aromatic. The bush is not tall, reaching a height of thirty centimeters; it does not need to be pinched.

"Balconies of Yelow" A very decorative tomato, the description of this variety can begin with the fact that it belongs to the group of mid-early hybrids. From the moment of emergence of seedlings to the beginning of fruiting, 100-110 days pass. Compact, which is especially valuable when growing tomatoes at home, it grows up to 45 centimeters in height. The fruits are round, yellow color, sweet, with a slight sourness. Suitable for canning and fresh consumption.

"Balcony Miracle"- one of the most famous and time-tested varieties. From a low bush you can collect up to two kilograms of tasty fruits. Mass fruiting begins three months after germination, and the first tomatoes can be harvested after 80 days.

“Red Pearl”, “Yellow Pearl” successfully grown in gardens outdoors and closed ground, on a loggia or windowsill. The bush grows up to half a meter in height. Red fruits are sweeter than yellow ones, but both are very decorative varieties tomatoes.

"Bonsai" It is distinguished by its unpretentiousness and early maturity. Already on the 85th day, red round fruits ripen. The bush is compact, up to thirty centimeters high. From each of them you will collect at least 500 grams of small, but colorful and tasty fruits.

F1 "Bonsai micro". At additional lighting in the morning and evening hours, you can grow these at home in winter. The dwarf bush looks great in a hanging basket and grows to just 15 centimeters.

If you plant seeds of the variety "Pinocchio" at the end of September, then by the New Year you will have red cherry tomatoes. The plant is unpretentious, early ripening. This tomato variety is one of the best for growing on a windowsill.

There are other varieties and hybrids of tomatoes that can be successfully grown at home.

Sowing tomato seeds in an apartment

Before planting, tomato seeds are treated by soaking them for 20 minutes in potassium permanganate, and then in a solution of Epin or another growth stimulant for 10 hours. This technique will help increase germination; tomato seeds will germinate faster.

After these procedures, the tomato seeds are placed in a bowl and covered with a damp cloth. In a warm place, after three days they will have small roots, then you need to plant them in a container filled with soil for seedlings. Tomato seeds are lowered to a depth of 1 cm, the distance between them is 3 cm.

Seedling boxes covered with transparent material are placed in a warm place. After the first shoot appears, place it on the windowsill closer to the light. They can withstand night temperatures at +15 - +17°, daytime temperatures around +22 - +25°.

In such conditions there will be seedlings, the cultivation of which is not special labor. The main thing is to avoid drafts, waterlogging of the soil and watering with cold water. Since these factors can contribute to the development of plant diseases.

Transplanting tomato seedlings into pots


When talking about how to grow tomatoes in winter, it is necessary to note one important detail - increasing daylight hours. It can be achieved by placing it at a height of 25 cm from upper leaves seedlings fluorescent lamp. It is turned on when the weather is cloudy, and the daylight hours are also extended, including in the morning before dawn and in the evening after sunset.

When the seedlings are 3 weeks old, they are fed with seedling fertilizer, diluted with water according to the instructions. To prevent fungal diseases of seedlings, you can spray them with 50 g of milk diluted in 500 ml of water.

After the third begins to form real leaf, plants dive. First, each is planted in a small pot with a diameter of 5 cm. If you transplant the seedlings immediately into a larger container, the root system will develop worse.

After a month, the tomatoes are transplanted from small cups into larger containers. Pots with a volume of 3-5 liters are suitable for this. Can be filled with fertile light soil balcony box, transplant the tomatoes into it, maintaining a distance of 25-30 cm between them.

An interesting way to place plants in a canopy. To do this, they are planted in a hanging pot. Over time, the leaves and fruits will fall down, and the plant will delight not only with fruits, but will decorate a window, balcony, or loggia.

Growing tomatoes at home: care, pollination, harvesting


In the cold season, you need to water infrequently when it dries out. earthen lump. In summer this is done once every 2-3 days.

Tomatoes - heat-loving plants, so they need to be placed on a south or east window. If you notice that the bushes have begun to stretch out, long internodes have appeared between the leaves, most likely this is due to the heat. On a hot July day, the glassed-in loggia gets very hot, so keep an eye on the air temperature. It should not be higher than +30°. To reduce it, hang thin curtains on the glass and open the windows. On such hot days, you can bring the bushes into a room where it is cooler.

Since there are no pollinators in the apartment, do this process yourself. When the tomatoes bloom, shake their trusses lightly in the morning. At this stage, you can spray them with the “Ovary” preparation, which promotes the formation of fruits.


If you planted a variety that produces shoots, break them off as they grow, leaving a “stump” of 5 mm. During flowering and after another 2 weeks, feed the tomatoes with complex mineral fertilizer or ash, diluting 1 tbsp. l. in 500 ml of water.

When the fruits begin to ripen, collect the ripe ones to allow their fellow fruits to grow and develop better. If the tomatoes are sour, it may be due to lack of sun. Place them on a sunny windowsill for 2-3 days and the taste of the fruit will improve.

This is how interesting, exciting and completely easy it is to grow tomatoes at home.

Video tips about growing tomatoes on the balcony:

Video on how to grow tomatoes of the “Grandson” variety on a window:

To grow tomatoes in pots, you must first of all stock up on a high-quality soil mixture, select sunny place, purchase self-pollinating varieties of seeds and install a daytime incandescent lamp for additional illumination during the cold season. The first tomatoes can be harvested three to four months after the plant has sprouted. After a while, it will be necessary to build a support for the bush.

Tomatoes grown indoors do not need pinch. Otherwise the plant will not look good. It is advisable to harvest immediately after ripening. It is not advisable to have a lot of ripe fruits hanging on one bush, as they will draw excess juice from it and the plant will become depleted, and there will be fewer new ovaries.

How to choose seed

Best suited for growing tomatoes on a windowsill self-pollinating hybrid varieties . Considered more suitable small-fruited species, since varieties with larger fruits ripen poorly and take a long time. When growing tomatoes at home, you need to pay attention to the height of the plant. Low-growing varieties are best suited for these purposes.

To grow tomatoes in pots, you need to prepare the following soil mixture:

  • vermicompost - one part;
  • coconut fiber - two parts.

Procedure for planting tomato seeds

Tomatoes are planted indoors in ordinary flower pots three to four liters in volume. It is possible to plant plants immediately in permanent containers or through picking, that is, to begin with, the seedlings are planted in a small glass, and then, as they grow older, they are transplanted into a larger container. There is also another method, but it is more troublesome. But with its help you can choose a stronger and healthier seedling and plant it in a large container.

How to grow tomatoes on a windowsill. Photo

Preparing seeds for planting:

  • Place the seeds on low potassium permanganate solution for two to three hours. The water should be warm.
  • Take out the seed material, place it on cotton material or a piece of cotton wool and let it drain.
  • Recommendations: to get good harvest It is better to choose those seeds that, when soaked, sank to the bottom of the container. Floating seeds do not germinate well.

The order of planting seeds with further transplantation


Planting in large containers

If landing seed material occurs immediately in three to four liter pots, without picking, you must first pour in the soil substrate and compact it a little. The distance from the surface of the earth to the edge of the pot should be 4-5 cm. After this, place 4-5 seeds on the surface and cover with a layer of earth, the thickness of which should be one to one and a half centimeters. After a month, it will be necessary to fill the remaining distance with soil by about two to three centimeters. This is how the diving procedure will be carried out. The seedlings are thinned out several times until the strongest one is selected.

Watering tomatoes on the windowsill

Watering tomatoes is done in different ways. In the first 30 days, moderate regular watering is recommended for seedlings. In the future, to prevent the plant from getting sick, it is necessary to reduce the intensity of watering.

Watering tomatoes on the windowsill. Photo

IN winter period the plant is often not watered. In spring, the intensity of watering is increased. In the summer, especially when fruit buds appear on the plants, it is necessary to ensure that the soil in the pot does not dry out, that is, in the summer it is necessary abundant watering. If there is a lack of moisture, the ovary may fall off. In hot and sunny days It is necessary to spray the plants with water in the evening.

How to grow tomatoes on a windowsill. Photo

Seedlings and adult bushes growing at home must be turned 180 degrees once a day. This is necessary so that the plant does not lean to one side and grows evenly.

Top dressing

Cultivated plants that produce crops quickly deplete the soil. If you do not fertilize regularly, the plants will quickly die. It is recommended to apply fertilizer once every 14-21 days. For this purpose in top part One teaspoon of soil should be placed agrolife or water the plant Height(one cap of the mixture is diluted with two liters of water).




Propagation of tomatoes by cuttings

Tomatoes are considered perennial plants. In order for the bush to produce a harvest for several years, you must do the following:

  • add fresh vermicompost about once every two months;
  • replant the plant into a larger pot;
  • Every year in the spring, do a small pruning of the stems. This is done in order to rejuvenate the bush.

After a few years the plant loses its appearance. During this period, you can cut off a stalk (branch) from it and put it in water for 14-21 days. During this time, the cutting will have normally developed roots and can be transplanted into a container with fresh soil mixture. New bush It will bloom in an average of 14 days.





How to grow tomatoes on a windowsill. Photo

FAQ

You can often hear the question: “How to grow tomatoes on a windowsill?” Answers to this and other questions can be found in this section.

Olga writes: "Good afternoon! I'm thinking about growing tomatoes in a pot this year. I’ve even already bought “Balcony Miracle” seeds. I read the article and thought, is it necessary to fertilize plants in order to get a harvest? Are Growth and Agrolife harmful to health?

Answer: “Tomatoes need a lot of useful elements for normal development and growth. All this plant can only take in the ground. When growing vegetables in pots, their feeding area is limited due to the size of the container. It turns out that both the number of useful and essential microelements also limited. That is why it is our responsibility to provide the plant with all the necessary microelements.

The basic principle of fertilizer is to adhere to the recommended dosage specified by the manufacturer and not to increase it. It is then that the minimum amount of fertilizer applied will have a positive effect on the plant. In the case when the recommended dose of fertilizing is violated, this leads to the accumulation of unnecessary substances in the fruits.”

Tamara writes: “I figured out how to grow tomatoes on the windowsill. But I got a large number of seedlings. Maybe plant some of it near the entrance of a multi-story building? Will they be able to grow up? What size pots are best for growing vegetables indoors? At the moment they are growing in half a liter. plastic cups. By the way, flowers will be released soon. Can you plant 2-3 in one container?”

Answer: “Tomato seedlings can be grown both in the garden and in the flower garden. The only condition: it is necessary that the sun hits the plants at least 3-4 hours a day.

For growing on a balcony:

  • one seedling is planted in a 3-4 liter container;
  • two seedlings are planted in a 5-6 liter pot;
  • three seedlings are planted in a 10 liter pot.

If you plant more densely, the seedlings will not have enough nutrients, and this is the main reason for a poor harvest.”

Inna writes: “Two types of tomatoes grow in my apartment. One of them even has green fruits already appearing on it. But, unfortunately, two bushes began to fade. All the branches of the plants are drooping and the leaves hang like shreds. And these bushes have the most ovaries! I water regularly; I moved the plant to the shade, since it is unbearable in the sun. In the evenings I spray them and fertilize them with Rost. Tell me, why is this? Maybe I flooded them?

Answer: « Excessive watering It is not dangerous for an adult plant in hot weather. The reason that the bushes wither may be overheating. Since rhizomes in a pot overheat much faster than in the garden. I would recommend shading pots from direct action in hot weather sun rays. For these purposes, you can use regular cardboard. It's great that you moved the potted plants into the shade. Try watering them several times during the evening. If in the morning the leaves become elastic, then there is nothing to fear, but if by morning the leaves still hang like “rags,” then most likely the root system has “cooked.” To help the plant, half of the ovaries and flowers must be removed.”

Gregory writes: “This time I decided to try growing tomatoes indoors. I planted the seedlings somewhere in mid-May. By mid-July they had already turned into bushes of impressive size. But flowering never came. This is fine? How long should I wait for flowering or do I need to stimulate the plant?”

Answer: "Do not worry. Over time, your tomatoes will begin to bloom. Maybe you planted mid-season or late-ripening varieties. Seedlings planted in May can bloom in early August. If you want, then stimulate.”

Cherry tomatoes on the windowsill

To grow tomatoes in a pot you need the following:

  • prepare a suitable container for growing and fill it with nutritious substrate;
  • window sill with good lighting;
  • consider additional lighting;
  • plant the seed in a box and cover it plastic film. The box must be kept in a dark place until shoots appear. It is also necessary to observe the temperature regime, which should be within 25-30 degrees. After germination it is necessary to remove the film. It is necessary to start diving after two “real” leaves appear;
  • After the seedlings are planted in a permanent pot, it is necessary to care for the seedlings in the same way as in a regular garden - watering, nurturing, feeding, fighting diseases and tying them to a support.

Fertilizers and soil for planting

The recommended dose of fertilizer should not be exceeded, as this leads to the accumulation of a large amount of unnecessary and harmful microelements in the fruits. Therefore, you can feed the plant with general mineral fertilizers twice every 30 days and simple herbal tinctures.

For better growth also recommends preparing high-quality soil mixture. For these purposes, you can use turf or garden soil, compost, peat and sand. It is also allowed to add charcoal, which contains almost the entire complex of minerals, except nitrogen.

Recommendations: in order to mix the soil more efficiently, simple mechanical mixing of all components of the mixture is not enough. It is necessary to mix with spraying of each layer. Using this simple technique, you can achieve greater structuring of the planting substrate.



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