Balcony Bush Tomato Vilma, 40 seeds

Lycopersicon esculentum - Vilma

Belongs to the nightshade family. Native to Central and South America. Plants grow up to 2m tall, covered with fine hairs. Leaves are deeply lobed and pinnate. The inflorescence is a cyme with three to twenty bisexual flowers that are yellow in color. The fruit is a berry, or tomato. Both staking and bush varieties of tomatoes are grown, producing red, yellow, orange, pink, and even white fruits.

In addition to being very healthy, they also have their specific taste. Their use in culinary preparations is manifold. They contain vitamins C, E, A, potassium, iron, carotene, and large amounts of fiber. They support blood formation and benefit the skin, hair, and nails. They strengthen the organism. Plants can be grown not only in the traditional way in the garden, but also in containers, for example on a terrace or balcony!

How to Grow Tomatoes

• They require a sunny and sheltered location. Ideal temperature conditions for growing are between 21 and 24°C. Growing tomatoes in a greenhouse or polytunnel is also an option, but we must be aware that at temperatures above 27 degrees Celsius, tomatoes do not grow. Higher temperatures even cause them to dry out. Generous watering is also necessary. We avoid watering the leaves, as this could cause fungal diseases to attack the plants. Regularly pinch out side shoots to promote fruit growth. For staking tomatoes and tomatoes that grow to greater heights, it is essential to provide support and tie them up so the plants don't break.

• Tomatoes are sown at the earliest in mid-February, but preferably in early March into substrate for sowing and propagation. After 1-2 weeks, we must prick out the plants into seed trays - the substrate is the same. After 3-4 weeks, transplant the plants into pots of at least 8×8cm with horticultural substrate. Low temperature and moderate watering are suitable for growing tomatoes. For plants in pots, a temperature up to 15°C is sufficient. Harden off plants very early - ventilate or place them outside during the day. Plant out in polytunnels in April, and in open ground in May after the last frost.

• Plants are demanding in terms of organic matter and nutrients, so it is necessary to add manure to the growing substrate. It is suitable to use granulated manure - add 300-400g per plant to the substrate.

  Tomatoes grown in beds require soil preparation before planting. On good and humus-rich soils, it is not necessary to apply manure or compost. On poor soils, incorporate 2-4kg per m2 of well-rotted compost or manure into the soil already in autumn.

• Feed plants regularly. Application in the form of liquid fertilizer using Kristalon Start or Fruit and Flower fertilizers is suitable. Fertilize with Kristalon START mainly at the beginning of plant growth; once plants begin to flower, we can start using Kristalon FRUIT and FLOWER. Prepare doses according to the instructions on the product packaging.

• The most common disease in tomatoes is tomato blight (potato blight). It is recognized by characteristic brown spots on leaves, stems, and fruits. This disease must be tackled preventively. If we expect rainy weather, treat plants with products such as Acrobat, Alliete, Ridomil, Kuprikol, etc.

  Blossom end rot in tomatoes is a nutritional disorder - calcium deficiency. It affects the fruits, which then become deformed and a black spot appears at the tip of the fruit. Feed plants regularly. If the disorder appears, treat plants with calcium nutrition products, such as InCa.

  Sucking pests such as aphids or spider mites attack tomatoes very often. It is also suitable to use Agro NATURA Symphony 3 in 1 against fungal diseases and sucking pests.

  For tomato blight, DITHANE is a suitable product. For organic farming, Bioton and Bioan products are suitable.

• Bush varieties of tomatoes are harvested approximately 8 weeks from planting. Staking types are harvested from the 10th to 12th week. Always be guided by the appearance of the harvested fruit. Tomatoes should be red, firm, and not overripe.