It often happens that the personal plot is not large, and the owners want a bountiful harvest. Or tomatoes are grown for sale and you need the maximum return from each bush... What to do to increase yields? This review describes in detail the correct technique for growing tomatoes according to the Maslov method.
The essence of growing tomatoes according to the Maslov method
In 1985, the magazine Household Economy published an article Roots looking for soil. Its author, an amateur gardener from Kaliningrad near Moscow, I.M. Maslov described in detail his method of obtaining a large crop of tomatoes by stimulating root formation.
It was based on the fact that in natural conditions, a tomato bush spreads along the ground, so it is easier for him to develop roots and keep fruits ripening in large quantities. And breeders, to save the planting area, tend to breed tall varieties with large fruits. As a result, the plant lives off a poorly developed shallow root, and the crop breaks its branches.
Maslov's rationalization proposal found a great response and is still being used safely as effective.
Long before the publication of the article, a similar agrotechnology was used in our southern Russia for growing dry tomatoes in the steppe.
Seedlings were planted in deep holes and watered only once, when planting. Then they just huddled and covered with mulch. The plant, under the influence of aggressive wind and sun, spread along the ground and developed roots well in search of moisture. The harvest was always plentiful, the tomatoes were medium in size, sweet and thick-skinned.
Maslov proposed two new planting methods in which the plant can grow the root system in proportion to the ripening of the fruit.
The first way to increase the yield
Horizontal planting will seem easy even to a person with minimal experience in plant growing:
- tomato seedlings vertically put in an unheated greenhouseto get an elongated strong trunk;
- then her transferred to open ground, where they are planted in a furrow lying so that not only the root, but also the first pair of stems is covered with earth (the leaves must be removed from it);
- the location of the seedling should be strictly south - this is done so that the plant can easily rise towards the sunlight;
- the more the seedling is covered with soil, the more area for root formation.
This technique also solves the problem of thin, elongated seedlings that are difficult to plant vertically. When laid in this way, weak bushes will quickly gain strength and rise. You can plant two seedlings together at once.
When planting, fertilize the hole with humus and be sure to add superphosphate to stimulate the root system.
By the way, Maslov drew attention to the fact that tomatoes love transplant. He recommended that at the stage of indoor cultivation, dive them twice, each time deepening and increasing the distance between seedlings in order to strengthen the root.
The second way how to plant correctly
Avoiding pinching tomatoes in favor of root formation:
- the bottom pair of stems should not be removed, but let her grow up;
- when the main bush bears the first fruits, remove leaves from stepchildren and, bending to the ground, fix it (you can just pin it with a wire hook) and sprinkle it with earth on top;
- so as not to create strong shading in the center of the bush, shoots must be bent as far from the trunk as possible;
- stepchildren will grow very quickly, the first fruits will appear on them a couple of weeks later than on the main trunk.
At the same time, they will not oppress each other - the tomato will remain a single plant with a common root system. The method is called - growing in three stems.
In order for the root system to develop better, during loosening, tomato bushes can be slightly huddled, like potatoes, this will benefit them.
Please note that these two techniques are not mutually exclusive. You can plant the bush horizontally, and later root the stepsons.
Advantages and disadvantages of planting a tomato using this technique
Maslov's technique is suitable for the cultivation of both low-growing (determinant) and tall varieties. After horizontal planting, tomatoes do not require a special approach, they can be looked after as usual.
The technology allows using less planting material. It is advantageous to grow expensive varieties in this way, which are sold in just a few seeds in a bag.
With the indisputable benefits of planting in three stems, you need to pay attention to some points:
- the fruits of low-growing tomatoes with such a planting are close to the ground, they can rot; to avoid this, the easiest way is to spread fresh grass, which at the same time will retain moisture in the soil;
- special attention should be paid to watering - make sure that there is enough water, but the earth does not remain damp all the time. It is best to establish drip irrigation or irrigate by irrigation ditches.
- also undersized tomatoes decrease in size fruits by increasing their number.
- some gardeners believe that this technique does not solve the problem of space: with an increase in the yield from one bush, the volume of tomatoes taken from the site as a whole does not change. But they have a lot of opponents, so it makes sense to get acquainted with the experience of other gardeners.
Indeterminate - tall tomatoes that produce crops throughout the growing season - are especially beneficial to grow in three stems. These varieties are usually grown in a greenhouse. They grow up to two meters, so they need additional support. After deepening the first pair of stepsons, the rest will also begin to form ovaries. Tiring pinching can be completely abandoned, and the harvest is phenomenal.
A bush bearing three stems will make the operation of the greenhouse more efficient, because the fruits are formed and ripen at the entire height of the plant.
Particular attention should be paid to the gentle garter of such tomatoes. The easiest way is to lower the loops of nylon strips from the ceiling of the greenhouse separately for each shoot.
The most suitable varieties of tomatoes
Tall tomatoes of greenhouse cultivation, early and medium ripening - planted according to the described method, they will give a high yield. If the greenhouse is heated, then it can be successfully harvested for a long time from late varieties of tomatoes. For growing according to the Maslov method, the following varieties are perfect:
Russian giant
Medium late ripening variety. There are varieties with yellow and red fruits. The fruits are very large, suitable for long-term storage. The variety is resistant to diseases, has a powerful trunk.
Ukrainian giant
A variety of medium ripening periods. Fruits are pale red in color, fleshy, large, well preserved.
Giant
A medium-ripening variety with a strong stem, very productive. Fleshy tomatoes of a flat-round shape, slightly ribbed, bright red. They are also good for preservation and fresh consumption.
The fruits of all these varieties weigh up to 600-650 grams. In order to grow them large, in addition to the garter of the bush, you can also take care of hammocks for fruits - mesh bags that will hold the tomato in weight while it is poured and ripens.
To judge the effectiveness of the cultivation technology according to Maslov is best based on your experience with your favorite varieties. Because learning the theory is not enough to achieve results, you still need to be able to observe plants and draw conclusions.