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It's time to plant small fruits and tomatoes in spring
In the past two years, the variety of small-fruited tomatoes available in the local market has decreased significantly. Most of them were "Virgin Women" tomatoes, while golden-yellow varieties occasionally appeared but lacked the sweetness and flavor of the red ones. Among the red tomatoes, "Cuihong" and "Dragon Girl" have become popular choices due to their superior quality, better growth characteristics, and notably high sugar content and excellent taste. During trial planting in the Sichuan Plain over the last two years, it was found that the best time for sowing seedlings is between mid-January and late February. Sowing beyond two months can negatively affect both quality and yield.
To cultivate strong seedlings, it's recommended to use nutrient-rich seedlings. Before sowing, seeds should be disinfected to prevent diseases. A common method is to soak them in a 12.5% trisodium phosphate solution for 20 minutes, then rinse with running water for an hour, dry, and sow. Alternatively, soaking in 55°C warm water for 30 minutes and drying is also effective. The growing medium should be a mix of loam, dry compost, sand, and rice husks in a ratio of 3:1:1:1, sieved and enriched with compound fertilizer and superphosphate. Each pot should contain one seed, covered with about 0.5 cm of fine soil. Due to cold weather, it’s important to keep the seedlings warm, ideally in a hotbed. Seedlings usually emerge within four days and are ready for transplanting after 30-40 days. During this period, foliar sprays of urea and potassium dihydrogen phosphate can help develop strong, healthy plants.
For planting, choose sandy loam soil that is deep, fertile, and well-drained, with a pH of 6.8–7.5. If the soil is too acidic (common due to acid rain), lime can be used to adjust it. Avoid planting in areas previously used for solanaceous crops to reduce the risk of soil-borne diseases. Before planting, apply a base fertilizer of 2000–3500 kg of organic manure per acre, along with 80 kg of superphosphate and 20 kg of potassium chloride. After plowing, create raised beds 1.2 meters wide with two rows, spaced 70–80 cm apart, and 50 cm between plants, totaling around 1200 plants per acre. Cover with plastic mulch to conserve moisture, reduce weeding, and improve drainage. Water the plants before transplanting, and when moving seedlings to the field, handle them carefully from the base to avoid damaging root hairs. After planting, water with a 1000–1500 times dilution of thiophanate-methyl to prevent rot and increase survival rates.
Field management includes timely top dressing. Small fruit tomatoes require substantial nutrients, especially nitrogen during flowering and fruiting stages. Three main applications are recommended: the first 14 days after planting, the second 35 days later, and the third at the first harvest. Each application should be around 7.5 kg of urea per acre, depending on plant growth. Later, foliar sprays are more effective. Pruning begins 3–4 weeks after transplanting. For "Cuihong," a double-stem pruning method is used, removing unnecessary buds to conserve nutrients. For "Dragon Girl," all lateral shoots should be removed promptly. Weeds must be controlled through herbicides or manual removal, avoiding soil disturbance near the plants to protect roots.
Staking is necessary around 20 days after planting. Use herringbone stakes 1.8–2.5 meters high and tie branches to them to prevent lodging. Ensure the stakes are secure against wind. Flowering may be affected by low temperatures, so artificial pollination or hormone treatments like procymidone can help ensure early yields, especially in regions prone to gray mold. Avoid using 2,4-D due to its difficulty in handling.
Maintain consistent soil moisture, especially during fruiting, but avoid overwatering to prevent disease. Fertilizer management should focus on balanced nutrition, avoiding excessive nitrogen. Foliar sprays of flower-enhancing and fruit-quality improving agents can boost yield and marketability. Prune fruit clusters to select 20–30 well-formed fruits per panicle, removing excess to enhance size and quality. Early inflorescences may need to be removed if the plant is weak.
Harvesting timing depends on transport distance. Close-range sales allow full ripening, while long-distance transport requires earlier harvesting. For local markets, fully mature fruits are preferred, ensuring the calyx and stem remain intact during collection. (Chengdu Agricultural Quality Monitoring Center)