Proper watering of tomatoes in the greenhouse. What is the correct way to water tomatoes after planting and during ripening? What is the danger of violation of the irrigation regime

Excess moisture during cultivation greenhouse tomatoes- this is the main enemy of the harvest, because of this, the culture begins to ache. Consider how to water tomatoes in a greenhouse: the time of the procedure and the rules for maintaining the norm.

Fundamental rules

It is better to water tomatoes in a greenhouse (both made of polycarbonate and in film or glazed) in the evening hours, after sunset. The lack of sunlight protects the plant from burns and prevents strong evaporation (due to this, the water completely goes into the ground, and does not evaporate).

Water is applied at the root, avoiding drops on foliage and stems. Consumption rate per bush - up to 4-5 liters.

Wherein:

  • you can water at any time when the weather is warm (but not hot) and dry;
  • on cool and rainy days, the procedure is carried out before lunch, because for the remaining half of the day, the room will have time to ventilate;
  • you cannot postpone the event until late at night, because in a greenhouse closed for the night, water that has not been able to be absorbed will begin to evaporate, increasing the humidity;
  • once after irrigation, open the windows to provide ventilation.

Regularity

If water stagnates in the soil, the root system cannot cope with its absorption and begins to rot. But deficiency also causes dehydration, and leaves are more likely to suffer from this. As a result, tomato bushes overheat, dry out and die from exposure to high temperatures.

Watering plantings 1-2 times a week, while taking into account the condition of the soil and indicators of environmental humidity.

Humidity standards

Tomatoes, like cucumbers, are demanding on humidity indicators, but dry air in a greenhouse is more suitable for the full development of the aboveground vegetative part.

Optimum conditions: 70-80% - for soil and 45-60% - for air.

Water temperature

Do not water tomatoes with cold water. Plants are stressed by the sudden temperature drop and weaken as a result. The optimal indicator should be at a level of 23-24 °.

Watering methods

Exists different ways watering tomatoes in a greenhouse, with each option having its own characteristics. Let's consider them in more detail.

Manual

The easiest way is to use a garden watering can. The jet is directed strictly to the root of the plants.

Disadvantages of Hose Watering:

  • the inability to regulate the temperature, as a result - there is a risk of hypothermia of tomatoes;
  • lack of control over the volume of liquid that each tomato bush received, as a result of which there is a risk of excess moisture.

The water is settled in large barrels. It is replenished periodically - it should have time to warm up.

If the container is located in a greenhouse, it should be covered with a lid on top. Otherwise, water will evaporate from it, creating increased importance in the greenhouse. And this is fatal for tomatoes.

Drip

In large greenhouses, it is better to organize drip irrigation for tomatoes - this will reduce the time for leaving.

This method has several advantages:

  • the flow of water is directed directly to the root system of the bush, it does not have time to evaporate and does not affect the increase in humidity in the greenhouse;
  • the possibility of drops falling on foliage, stem and inflorescences is excluded;
  • you can water at any convenient time;
  • the soil is not washed out;
  • it is additionally used for feeding with liquid fertilizers.

For the organization drip feed they mount a system that, with the help of the flow of water through the tubes, will bring it to the roots.

Such equipment is commercially available, but you can also organize it yourself.

  • Plastic bottle construction. They are dug in next to the tomato bush upside down (water is poured into it), holes are first made in the sides - through them the liquid flows to the roots.
  • The second option is to bury a tube in the soil and place the bottle upside down on it. The bottom is cut off, water is poured into it, which will gradually penetrate to the roots.

Auto

Such a system is more often in demand for industrial production, where tomatoes are grown on a large scale. But this does not exclude the possibility of using automatic irrigation in a single farm.

The automatic water supply adjusts to the set parameters, maintains the correct temperature and frequency, creating ideal conditions for growing vegetables.

Watering tomato in industrial greenhouses and on farm plots it is carried out by the drip method. At the same time, fertigation can be carried out at the same time - application in liquid form mineral fertilizers and pesticides.

Watering taking into account the growing season

The need for water at different stages of the growing season is different for tomatoes.

  • When planting seedlings in a greenhouse, it should be watered abundantly once (0.5-1 liters per hole). This will speed up the rooting process of young seedlings, which takes 7-10 days. Additional watering for the sprouts is not required at this stage.
  • 7 days after planting, active growth begins, however, a weak root system is not able to fully absorb all the water from the soil. Therefore, seedlings should be watered 2 times a week. Consumption rate: 2 liters per bush.
  • When tomatoes are blooming, the amount of water is increased to 5 liters, while the frequency is reduced to 1 time per week.
  • At the stage of fruit formation, it is necessary to provide the vegetable crop with sufficient moisture. The regularity of irrigation procedures is increased up to 2 times a week, but the volume of liquid is controlled so as not to cause waterlogging.
  • As soon as the vegetables begin to ripen, watering is reduced to 1 time per week and I use less liquid, because excess leads to cracking of the tomatoes.

Signs of improper watering

Signs of improper watering can be detected by the external state of tomato bushes.

Tomatoes that are grown in greenhouses, whether it is a polycarbonate or glass greenhouse, require a slightly different care. And the main criterion for obtaining a generous and healthy harvest is proper watering. So how do you water tomatoes in a greenhouse?

For the full development of tomato bushes in greenhouse conditions, it is necessary to maintain soil moisture at 90%, and the ambient humidity should be 50-60%.

If the degree of soil moisture can be determined mechanically, by simply squeezing a handful of earth in your hand, and at the same time it is slightly compacted, then the gardener will need a hygrometer to determine the dryness of the air.

Do not forget about the quality of water for irrigation.

Water temperature

Do not water tomatoes with cold water, directly from a well or water pipe... Sudden changes in temperature cause stress to plants, which can cause diseases and stunted development.

Water is collected in large containers and allowed to settle and warm up to a temperature of 22-25⁰С. If the tanks are in a greenhouse, then they must be equipped with lids, because evaporation of moisture in hot weather increases the humidity of the air inside the structure, and tomatoes do not like this.

What time to water

Watering time in a greenhouse is directly dependent on the weather outside. On hot and dry days, irrigation is carried out early in the morning or in the late afternoon, when the solar heat subsides. It must be remembered that by the evening coolness the plants had time to absorb most of the moisture, and watering did not cause an increase in humidity.

It is not recommended to postpone watering until late in the evening. in a closed space, a greenhouse effect will be created, air humidity will increase, and this, in turn, will entail an increase in humidity in the greenhouse.

In cloudy weather, tomatoes are watered in the morning and the doors and vents are kept open for airing.

The tomato plant is more drought-resistant than moisture-loving.

  • Excessive hydration soil leads to decay of the root system and provokes the emergence of many diseases, and the most insidious of them - late blight. In a matter of days, she can destroy the entire crop on the vine. This is especially dangerous with thickened plantings.
  • But also a prolonged drought adversely affects the development of tomatoes. Due to the lack of moisture, the leaves begin to curl, wither, which ultimately leads to the weakening of the plant and its death.

You can determine the moisture requirement of plants by outward appearance: leaves lose their turgor and begin to droop to the ground. With prolonged drought, the tips of the leaves begin to dry out, which will certainly affect the amount of the crop.

Tomatoes in the greenhouse are watered on average once every 2-3 days and for each adult plant consume 3-5 liters of water. Again: it all depends on the condition of the soil, its structure and external factors.

Tomatoes are mainly grown due to the long growing season, which means that we are dealing with pampered plants that are not accustomed to providing themselves with moisture and this concern falls on the shoulders of the gardener.

Watering after planting seedlings

Tomato seedlings are planted in moistened soil and additionally watered from above so that the root system is tightly connected to the ground.

During the adaptation period - this is about 10-14 days - the seedlings are watered sparingly and only if necessary. Severe conditions are necessary in order for the plant to direct its forces to the development of the root system, which must go deep into the soil and learn to extract water on its own.

Frequent watering of seedlings after planting will make the plant lazy, and most of the roots will remain in the surface layers of the soil.For young seedlings, 2-3 liters per plant will be enough.

Do not allow the soil to dry out for a long time during the budding and flowering period. Lack of moisture can lead to massive shedding of color, which will lead to a decrease in yield. Tomatoes are watered at least 2 times a week, taking into account the state of the soil, but the volume of water is increased to 4-5 liters per bush.

On a note. During the period of budding and flowering, watering is combined with feeding tomatoes with phosphorus-potassium fertilizers.

During fruiting

During the fruiting period, when the tomatoes begin to turn red, the frequency of watering is minimized: irrigation is carried out once a week. The amount of moisture supplied is also reduced.

Excessive moisture very often leads to cracking of the fruit, which reduces the presentation, quality and quantity of the crop.

It is necessary to water the tomato bushes at the root, avoiding water getting on the leaves and stems of the plant. Water droplets can act as a magnifying glass, causing yellow spots to appear on the leaves - these are sunburns. To eliminate this possibility, several watering methods are used.

  • Traditional (manual),
  • drip,
  • using plastic bottles,
  • dimple,
  • auto.

Any option should provide uniform soil moisture along the entire circumference of the tomato bush stem.

Traditional (manual) watering

In small summer cottages, you can watch the gardener in the evening run between the water tank and the greenhouse, carrying out the next watering. And this is not surprising, because manual watering with the power of a garden watering can or a bucket and a ladle is the most common.

Another thing is that the process is quite laborious and requires considerable physical strength. It is necessary to scoop up water, bring it to the greenhouse, water it, and given the size of the greenhouse and the number of tomatoes grown, when 10 liters of water are consumed for 2-3 plants, one can imagine how the summer resident feels at the end of the working day.

But, despite all the laboriousness, manual watering has a number of advantages.

  • The gardener knows exactly how much water he pours under each tomato bush.
  • It is possible to water the plant carefully, without water droplets falling on the leaves and stems.
  • Combine watering with top dressing, depending on the stage of development of the tomatoes.

Watering the beds with tomatoes in the greenhouse with a hose, of course, makes the work of the gardener easier, but it has some drawbacks.

  1. There is a high chance of damage to plants when the hose is moved around the greenhouse.
  2. There is no way to control the amount of moisture supplied.
  3. With a strong pressure, the soil under the tomatoes is compacted and washed out, which leads to the exposure of root shoots located close to the soil surface.
  4. If the hose is connected to water pipe or well, then low temperature water negatively affects the growth of tomatoes: in extreme heat, watering with cold water causes a sharp cooling of the root system, the plants fall into a stupor and slow down their development.

To facilitate watering tomatoes, you can use drip irrigation. An irrigation line is purchased at a specialized store or made by hand.

I would especially like to note the high efficiency and highlight the advantages of drip irrigation.

  • This method provides a slow and even water supply exclusively to the root system.
  • There is significant water savings.
  • The ability to connect to a conventional container installed at a height, where, if necessary, you can add fertilizers and then watering will be combined with fertilizing with minerals.
  • The soil is not compacted during watering, and, therefore, there is no need to loosen it.
  • The physical and time costs for watering tomato beds in a greenhouse are reduced.

Gardeners with economic ingenuity have found use for plastic bottles, which accumulate in large quantities on summer cottage from drunk lemonade and soda. This is a simplified version drip irrigation.

Option number 1

  • In the walls of a plastic bottle (of any volume), holes are made along the entire height with a red-hot nail or awl.
  • Then the vessel is buried in the ground near the tomato bushes, leaving only the neck above the soil surface. You should be careful and try not to damage the root system. Ideally, this work should be carried out together with the planting of tomato seedlings in a greenhouse.
  • The bottles are filled with water, which will slowly go into the soil, feeding the root system with life-giving moisture.

Option number 2

The plastic bottle must be cut by the shoulders, and holes must be made at the bottom and at the bottom. The vessel is buried in the ground, deepening 2/3 of the height.

Such tanks are installed along the entire length of the bed and filled with water. The top cut is used as a lid to prevent water from evaporating and causing moisture inside the greenhouse to rise.

Option number 3

A hollow tube is dug into the ground, next to a tomato bush. Holes are made in the lid of a plastic bottle, and the bottom is completely cut off - an impromptu funnel is obtained.

The bottle is inserted into a tube and filled with water. The cut off part will serve as a lid, preventing evaporation.

Such an irrigation system is easy to replenish with a new portion of water, and the holes are not clogged with soil, because there is a small distance of the hollow tube to the surface of the bed.

Do-it-yourself root drip irrigation of tomatoes - video

Pit watering

Quite an interesting technology for growing tomatoes, which provides for further care in advance, and in particular, watering.

  1. On the garden bed, before planting tomato seedlings, they dig oval depressions 30 cm deep and 50-60 cm long.
  2. 4 tomato bushes are planted around the edges, observing the spacing between the plants corresponding to your variety. (Therefore, the length of the groove may be slightly different.)
  3. At the bottom of the pit, 1 liter of ash is poured, and in the absence of such a handful of superphosphate and potassium sulfate are poured.
  4. The pit is filled with freshly cut grass so that it rises somewhat above the surface of the ridge.

Tomato bushes will be watered in this recess. At one time, at least 20 liters of water are poured into it, which will last for 5-7 days. In addition, the grass in the pit will protect the soil from moisture evaporation, serve as mulch for the root system and protect it from overheating and hypothermia. Over time, the green mass will begin to decompose, which will serve as additional food for the plants.

Automatic watering

Device automatic watering in a small suburban area, the pleasure is expensive. For this reason, it is mainly used on large scale tomato farms on an industrial scale.

How to determine the need for watering

Before proceeding with the irrigation of tomatoes in any way convenient for the gardener, it is necessary to determine their need for moisture. The appearance of the plant will indicate possible irregularities in watering.

If tomatoes lack moisture, then:

  • by forming a boat, in this way the plants try to minimize moisture loss, reducing the area of ​​evaporation;
  • inhibition of development and the absence of ovaries becomes noticeable;
  • leaves begin to turn yellow, and with prolonged drought and fall off;
  • the same phenomena occur during flowering: flowers and ovaries crumble;
  • during fruiting, lack of water affects the quality of the fruit, they develop slowly and become tasteless.

The excess moisture can also be judged by the appearance of the tomatoes.

  1. The foliage becomes dull and begins to fall off, while maintaining juiciness.
  2. Weeping spots appear at the base of the stem, and the root system decays.
  3. From excess moisture, ripening fruits become watery, crack and lose sugar content.

To avoid disappointment during harvest, you need to remember and follow the basic rules of watering.

  • It is necessary to water in morning hours or after the fall of the midday heat.
  • Avoid getting water droplets on the leaves.
  • Water by evenly wetting the entire area of ​​the root system.
  • Do not use cold water - it slows down the development of tomatoes.
  • If possible, mulch the plantings with humus, at least with a layer of 1 cm.
  • Build the simplest drip irrigation system - this will minimize manual labor.

How and when to water tomatoes in a greenhouse - video

How often and how much to water tomatoes in the greenhouse video

Whatever method of irrigation is used at a summer cottage, it must be remembered that water for any plant is a source of life and tomatoes are no exception. Competent and timely watering will increase the quantity and quality harvested and will provide the gardener with fresh tomatoes in the summer and tasty preparations for the winter.

Tomato is the most favorite vegetable in the garden. It is grown with varying degrees of success by many gardeners. Tomato seedlings are planted both in open ground and in a greenhouse. The difficulty of caring for this plant lies in the correct watering. The fact is that a vegetable is able to assimilate the necessary organic and mineral substances only from solutions, so the soil must be sufficiently moistened. But excessive watering can also lead to various diseases and plant death.

Watering young tomato seedlings

Seedling tomatoes are sown in early or late February with seeds. For good growth crops need to create a greenhouse environment with high humidity, so the soil is moistened from a spray bottle, preventing it from drying out, and the container with future seedlings is covered with a transparent film or glass. As soon as the plant sprouts and 2-3 true leaves appear on it, it is dived into different cups or pots. From this point on, it is important to ensure that the tomatoes are properly watered.

After picking, watering is carried out into the pallet, so it must be taken into account that the pots must have drainage holes. It is best to do this in the morning. Ideally, the water should be warm and settled. The exact watering schedule is determined individually. The main thing is that the earthy clod does not dry out, and the soil is constantly slightly moistened.

Particular attention should be paid to seedlings after planting in the ground. At this moment, she needs to form a powerful root system so that in the future the plant is healthy and strong. If you water the tomatoes too often, then all the strength of the plant will go to the stem, which will be thin and weak due to the lack of useful trace elements. Even if it's too hot outside, after planting in the ground, tomatoes are watered no more than 2 times a week. Thus, in search of moisture, strong roots will form and tomato bushes will not hurt.

General rules for watering

Tomatoes are especially susceptible to improper watering. They need a lot of moisture, but frequent watering and too much moisture can lead to putrefactive processes and various diseases. Lack of water in the soil leads to curling of the leaves. They turn yellow, which also indicates an incorrect watering regime.

Rules:

  1. 1. The main condition for good growth of tomatoes is moist soil and dry air, so you need to make sure that the soil does not dry out. For this, mulching with sawdust or cut grass is used.
  2. 2. It is best to water the plants after loosening the soil, so the water is better absorbed.
  3. 3. Do not use hose irrigation. Moisture should flow into the root zone and not touch the green part of the plant.
  4. 4. Cold water causes the greatest stress on the plant, so it is best to use water from a barrel that has warmed up to a comfortable temperature.
  5. 5. The best time for watering is in the morning, when the strong evaporation of moisture from the soil has not yet begun.
  6. 6. Do not water tomatoes often and in small doses. During the fruiting period, the plant needs a large amount of water; the drip irrigation system will help to ensure a sufficient supply of moisture.

For an adult plant, you need 5 to 10 liters of rain or settled water from a barrel. Water the tomatoes from a bucket or from a watering can under the root.

Optimal soil moisture regime

In a glass or polycarbonate greenhouse, it keeps heat air. In order for tomatoes to grow healthy and strong, as well as to give a good harvest, you need to correctly approach the watering regime. You need to moisten the soil no more than 1 time per week. In this case, water is introduced into the soil up to 10 liters for each bush. If the soil does not absorb moisture well, it must be loosened - this will help a good supply of oxygen to the roots. You can make 2-3 holes next to the bush, up to 50-60 cm deep.

Some gardeners mistakenly believe that the soil under the tomatoes should always be moist. It is not right. Evaporation leads to an increase in air humidity up to 90%, and this is harmful for tomatoes, since they need dry air.

Do not install a container with water in the greenhouse. This leads to an increase in air humidity. If the barrel is still inside the structure, then it must be tightly closed with a lid or polyethylene.

It is necessary to reduce watering during the period of flower setting. And when the fruits begin to form, it is increased up to 2-3 times a week. Reduce soil moisture again during fruit ripening. According to experienced gardeners, frequent watering of tomatoes during fruiting negatively affects their quality, they become less sugary and watery, the fruits crack, and the root system rots.


Tomatoes ripen actively in August, so you need to provide them with dry air and not too frequent watering. Excess moisture, among other diseases, leads to damage to the plant by late blight, which is detrimental to tomatoes. In this case, it is better to "forget" to water the plant once again than to ensure a constant flow of water to the roots. At proper care even in September, you can pick ripe, tasty tomatoes from the greenhouse.

A simple experiment can be done to test if there is enough moisture in the soil. A small handful of earth, taken from a depth of 8-10 cm next to the bush, is squeezed in the palm of your hand to make an earthen lump. If it is easily formed and crumbles when pressed, and does not crumple, then the soil is moistened sufficiently.

Several times per season, you can water tomatoes with the addition of 1 tbsp. l. wood ash per 10 liters of water. With such a top dressing, they will be stronger and healthier.

In the heat, you need to water the tomatoes in the morning. So the moisture will be absorbed into the soil faster, penetrate deeper and will not quickly evaporate, creating increased humidity in the greenhouse. In cloudy weather, you can moisten the soil in the daytime.

For watering young seedlings, use water with the addition of potassium permanganate. Such procedures will ensure the disinfection of the soil and allow the plant to grow stronger faster and form a high-quality root system.

Most optimal way- drip irrigation. In this case, uniform absorption of moisture into the soil is ensured. If the soil does not absorb water well, you can make small grooves along the bushes.

If the summer is cool, then the tomatoes are watered less often. In the heat - more often.

Do not allow water to enter the leaves and stems. Such mistakes will lead to leaf curling, rotting, phytophthora and other common crop diseases.

A great way to keep soil moisture is by mulching. To do this, use sawdust, mowed grass, or cover the ground around the bush with a special covering material. Mulching also prevents weeds.

Plant nutrition and protection

In addition to proper watering in the process of growing tomatoes, it is important to prevent the appearance of diseases that are caused by the fungus. The most common is late blight. An infected culture is very difficult to "cure", often the disease leads to the complete destruction of the fruit and the bush itself. To prevent late blight, gardeners use whey.

Spraying with whey helps protect the plant from fungus. After processing, a protective milky film is created on the leaves and trunk, which prevents harmful microorganisms from penetrating the tissues garden culture... The optimal solution is prepared based on a 1: 1 ratio. Tomatoes are sprayed with a conventional spray bottle. This should be done in the evening, when the heat subsides and leaves burn is excluded. Each gardener determines the frequency of processing individually. Some believe that this should be done no more than 1 time in 10 days, others are ready to spray more often.

Delicate heat-loving vegetables have always required special attention. Therefore, how to water tomatoes in a polycarbonate greenhouse is of great concern to summer residents who have recently installed this structure on the site.

In principle, the material for greenhouses does not greatly affect the care of plants. But nevertheless, it must be borne in mind that the film retains heat much worse than glass or cellular polycarbonate... But glass, in addition to its high cost and fragility, has another drawback, in which plants and soil quickly overheat.

Polycarbonate, modern material, lightweight and strong, much more durable. It perfectly protects our favorite vegetable crops from hypothermia. In addition, it is designed so that only the scattered sunlight that does not harm plants. The irrigation regime in such greenhouses is still slightly different and this must be taken into account.

  • 1 How to properly water tomatoes in a polycarbonate greenhouse
    • 1.1 Watering rates
    • 1.2 Watering mode
    • 1.3 Watering after planting seedlings
    • 1.4 Watering during flowering
    • 1.5 How to water tomatoes in a greenhouse during fruiting
  • 2 Ways to water a tomato in a polycarbonate greenhouse
    • 2.1 How to water tomatoes in a greenhouse video

How to properly water tomatoes in a polycarbonate greenhouse

Sometimes the conditions of protected ground can harm plants if basic maintenance standards are not followed. It's all about biological characteristics tomatoes, they are very fond of moisture, but near the roots. High air humidity is destructive for them. So we have to adapt to the regime of plants and to ours, it is not always possible to visit the greenhouse.

The rates and regime of irrigation depend on the growing seasons; young plants and adult bushes, hung with fruits, require different moisture.

Experienced gardeners are already able to determine by the state of the plants whether they have enough moisture or lack. If not watered enough, the plants curl the top leaves, thus reducing evaporation to retain moisture inside.

In polycarbonate greenhouses, it is easier to monitor humidity and temperature, especially with automatic vents. In addition, many people use different watering methods, which we will talk about below. This saves time and you don't have to worry that while you are away, the bushes will dry out.

Irrigation rates

Since tomatoes do not like dampness, you should try to water them not often, but in sufficient amount of water. For the normal development of plants, one watering per week is enough for them, but five to seven liters under a bush.

In hot months and drought, the frequency of irrigation is maintained, but the amount of water is increased to 15 liters per square of area. In a rainy summer, the same frequency is left the same, and the water rate is reduced to 8 liters per square meter.

Watering mode

To choose the best regimen for plants, it is enough to know that you cannot water during the hottest hours. Morning or evening, choose whichever is more convenient for you. But many recommend watering in the morning so that the humidity does not rise, since the greenhouse usually has to be closed in the evening.

Watering after planting seedlings

Now I want to dwell in more detail on each period of tomato development, or rather, watering them. At the same time, maybe someone will pay attention to their mistakes, because they do not like tomatoes of improper watering, they react to an excess of moisture by cracking the fruit, and to a lack of moisture by overheating and dropping the ovary.

We always plant seedlings in greenhouses earlier than in open ground, in fact, for this we build them. Seedlings are planted in polycarbonate greenhouses earlier than in others, simply because the soil heats up faster in such a structure.

When planting seedlings in a greenhouse, the holes are watered abundantly, depending on the quality of the soil, it takes from 5 to 8 liters per hole. This moisture is enough for plants to root well. That is, the first ten days after planting the seedlings do not need to be watered, excess moisture can only cause root rot.

How do you know when you can start watering? You will notice how the plants will grow, the bushes at this time become rich green. Then we begin to water, adjusting the normal mode. During the growth period, too much water is not required, 8-10 liters per square of area, depending on the weather and air humidity.

Watering during flowering

This is the most important period in the short life of tomatoes. In general, the whole future harvest depends on how the flowering will take place, how many ovaries there will be. At this time, it is important not to overlook, so as not to flood the plants or give them thirst.

Any deviation from the norm can provoke shedding of flowers. Too much watering will lead to increased humidity, then the pollen will not be able to crumble, even with artificial pollination, the yield will be less.

The frequency of watering at this time should remain the same, once a week, the water consumption is about 10 liters per square meter. If it's hot, then increase the rate to 12 liters.

How to water tomatoes in a greenhouse during fruiting

Everyone is looking forward to this time, when the first tomatoes will appear, When they are full of color, you can already roughly estimate the quality of the future harvest.

At such a time, tomatoes need increased nutrition, water, of course, helps to quickly deliver all the microelements introduced to the roots, but more of it is also required. During fruiting, the volume is usually increased to 12 liters, although the frequency of watering is still the same.

If the weather is hot at this time, you can pour 15 liters each, the main thing is not to pour, otherwise the fruits, instead of singing, will burst and deteriorate. And even better - after each watering, mulch the soil, then the moisture will be kept in depth, and the humidity will not increase due to fumes.

Methods for watering a tomato in a polycarbonate greenhouse

It will seem strange to many, but what the harvest will be depends on the method of irrigation. It is good if you have the opportunity to put an automatic irrigation, which will regulate the water supply. There are three ways in total - the main ones:

  • Watering by hand, bucket or watering can. It is more convenient to water with a watering can, just remove the strainer so that water does not get on the trunk and leaves. The water temperature should be the same as the soil temperature. You cannot water the bushes from a hose with running cold water, although tomatoes are not as picky in this regard as peppers or cucumbers.
  • Drip irrigation through plastic bottles- an invention of our craftsmen. Bottles with pre-drilled holes in the bottom are dug under each bush. Thus, water flows directly to the roots, the soil on the surface remains dry, the humidity does not increase, and a crust does not form under the bushes.
  • Automatic irrigation is a whole system that delivers water in a metered dose, also directly to the plant roots. Such a system will last for several years, save time and water.

Whichever method you choose, strictly follow the watering rates. In polycarbonate, and in any other greenhouses, moderation must be observed. Soil mulching will come to the rescue, in which moisture stays longer, less weeding and loosening.

It is important to observe the plants themselves, their development. At the very beginning of growth, they do not need a lot of moisture, otherwise the green mass will grow, and there will be fewer ovaries. When the fruits appear, on the contrary, you need to increase the watering rate so that the plants have enough resources to grow them.

When choosing a mode and method of irrigation, also do not forget about the main procedures that help to increase the yield, about pinching, crowning bushes, removing leaves, mulching. All these actions, together with proper watering, will surely delight you.

How to water tomatoes in a greenhouse video

Tomatoes are the most commonly grown crop in open ground and in greenhouses. Growing this vegetable crop is a fairly simple task, because almost all varieties and hybrids of tomatoes are undemanding to care, grow on almost any type of soil, and their yield is almost always high.

But it should be remembered that with improper care, tomatoes can lose their positive traits, slow down growth, their productivity deteriorates, and this vegetable crop can also be attacked by pathogenic organisms.

Separately, it is worth talking about the mode of watering tomatoes in a polycarbonate greenhouse and in the open field, because an excessive amount of water and high humidity are also destructive for them, as well as a lack of moisture. The basic rules for watering this vegetable plant will be outlined below.

Basic description of tomatoes

Tomatoes are an annual vegetable crop from the nightshade family and can be grown in a greenhouse or greenhouse, in the garden beds. Planting and growing these vegetables hydroponically has also become very popular lately.

Tomatoes

It is important to properly prepare the area where the grower will plant the tomatoes. This vegetable crop requires a fertile and loose soil that has been pre-fertilized with essential minerals (including phosphorus, potassium and nitrogen). The soil should not be acidic, the best will be neutral or slightly alkaline. If on the site there is only acidic soil, in the fall for digging, in addition to organic fertilizers, it is necessary to add lime or dolomite flour.

In the open field for the normal cultivation of this culture, the air temperature should be at least 21-23⸰С, and in greenhouse conditions - 25-30⸰С.

Important! Since tomatoes are thermophilic plants, at low temperatures they can slow down development, the fruits will not ripen well. In addition, in such conditions, in rainy weather, plants can be exposed to fungal diseases.

When growing them, the rules of crop rotation should be observed. Best predecessors for tomatoes: onions, beets, carrots, cucumbers, turnips, herbs, cauliflower and various green manures.

You cannot plant this vegetable after potatoes, peas, physalis, eggplant, pepper and zucchini. Also, you should not grow tomatoes in the same place every season.

Crop rotation table

Melons (watermelons, melons), corn, radish, herbs, garlic, and basil will be good neighbors for this vegetable crop. And if you plant marigolds, nasturtium and calendula in the aisles, their aroma will scare away pests from tomato bushes.

Soil and seedling preparation

In the greenhouse, you should first disinfect the soil by spilling it with a weak solution of potassium permanganate.

In most regions of our country, tomatoes are grown by seedlings in order to get a harvest earlier, besides, the summer in many regions is short, so the fruits may not have time to ripen in such conditions.

Seeds for seedlings are planted 45-60 days before transferring to a permanent place. To make them germinate faster, you can soak the seed in a boric acid solution. When planting, they should be deepened by 1-1.5 cm. Before the seedlings appear, containers with planted tomatoes are covered with plastic wrap for faster germination.

Important! The distance in the beds between the bushes of this vegetable crop is about 0.4 m (for early varieties) and 0.5 m - for later ones.

Seedlings need to be buried when transplanting to the cotyledonous foliage, in this case, additional roots are formed, due to which more nutrients will flow to the aerial part.

Caring for adult plants includes regular watering, loosening the near-trunk circles while removing weed, the introduction of a layer of mulch, as well as regular feeding at all stages of growth and development of tomatoes. As fertilizers, organic matter is used, solutions containing the necessary mineral elements. You can also use and folk recipes to accelerate growth and good fruiting. They usually include cow dung, bird droppings, yeast or iodine.

Bird droppings

How to water tomatoes in a polycarbonate greenhouse and outdoors

The opinion is erroneous that in any conditions tomatoes can be watered almost every day and in large quantities. If in the open field, excess water can evaporate on a hot day and such watering will bring less harm to tomatoes, then in greenhouse conditions, excessive moisture and elevated temperatures can cause the development of fungal diseases or different types rot.

What humidity regime should be maintained indoors and how often should tomatoes be watered in the greenhouse so as not to harm them? In the summer, the humidity in the greenhouse can fluctuate from 55 to 76%, but if the weather is dry and hot, this figure can drop to 35-45%.

If sunny days are replaced by rainy ones, then the humidity in closed ground can jump sharply to 85% and higher.

And if the irrigation regime of tomatoes is violated, the moisture indicator may be higher. But such a microclimate is definitely harmful to tomatoes. They really need the constant presence of water in the soil, but high humidity harms the normal development of the vegetative mass and ripening of fruits.

A certain level of humidity is very important

This vegetable is equally harmful a large number of moisture in the soil and its lack. Root system unable to absorb excess moisture and begins to rot. With a lack of water, the leaves become dehydrated, which leads to overheating of the aerial part and the death of the bush.

Important! The norm of soil moisture in closed ground is 90%, and air humidity is 50%.

How often should tomatoes be watered in the greenhouse to provide the plants with the right microclimate? The correct irrigation regime is achieved with the strict observance of the following rules:

  • depending on the humidity and temperature in the greenhouse, this vegetable crop is watered every 3-4 days;
  • half a bucket of liquid is added under each plant;
  • watering is carried out strictly under the base of the bush. Drops of moisture should not remain on the foliage, otherwise burns will appear on the leaves when sunlight hits;
  • the best time for this procedure is morning or evening, otherwise, under the influence of sunlight, most of the moisture will evaporate, increasing the humidity of the air.

Important! Water for irrigation should not be cold - this is harmful to the root system. The most suitable temperature is 22-24⸰С.

You can water the plants in the greenhouse with a watering can or a hose. In this case, water flows directly to the base of the bushes, without falling on the foliage. When watering from a watering can, you can immediately see how much moisture has got to the plant, moreover, you can always pour warm settled water into this device. But with the help of a hose, watering is carried out from a lake, river or other body of water, and the water temperature will be lower than necessary.

Drip irrigation is organized in large greenhouses, since it is difficult to water a large number of plants manually in such rooms. The advantages of drip irrigation are undeniable:

  • you can apply moisture directly to the root system, preventing evaporation. At the same time, the humidity in the room does not increase;
  • water does not get on the aboveground part of the tomatoes, including on the buds during the flowering period;
  • watering is carried out at a convenient time for the summer resident;
  • leaching and salting of the soil is prevented.

Drip irrigation

V specialized stores you can purchase the necessary equipment in order to mount a drip irrigation system in your greenhouse.

Which type of watering to equip in the greenhouse depends on the desire and capabilities of the grower.

It is easier to water tomatoes outdoors, since there is high humidity only in rainy weather, and on sunny days, the optimal level of moisture in the air is usually established, and the amount of water in the soil can be adjusted by irrigation.

The amount of water consumed by tomato bushes is different and depends on the stage of plant development:

  • after planting the seedlings in a permanent place, it is watered abundantly (up to 5 liters for each plant) and left for further acclimatization. For 1-1.5 weeks, the seedlings of these vegetables do not need moisture;
  • in the period between planting and flowering, these vegetable plants are watered every 3-4 days, the water rate for each bush is 2.5 liters;
  • during the flowering period (from mid-June to mid-July, depending on the ripening time of the variety), half a bucket of water is added under each bush, but watering is carried out once every 7 days;
  • during the period when fruits appear, tomatoes (from mid-July to early August) are watered every 3 days, you need to make sure that upper layer the soil was wet all the time;
  • as soon as the first reddening fruits appear, watering is again reduced. It is enough to add water under the plants every 7-9 days, but in a small amount.

What is the danger of violation of the irrigation regime

Violation of the regime of watering tomatoes in polycarbonate greenhouses sometimes leads to irreversible consequences:

  • plants are affected by fungal or putrefactive diseases due to too abundant watering and stagnant moisture in the soil. As a result, the roots begin to rot, the bushes do not receive sufficient nutrition, weaken and may die;
  • lack of moisture can lead to wilting of tomatoes, poor absorption of calcium, as a result, the bushes are affected by apical rot. As a result, you can lose some of the harvest, and sometimes the whole plant dies;
  • with daily watering, when insufficient moisture is applied, the immunity of tomatoes decreases, and they can be affected by pathogens.

Therefore, when growing tomatoes, it is imperative to adhere to the watering regime in order to prevent deterioration of the condition of the plants and grow a good harvest.

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