Tomatoes can be attributed to the list of the most popular crops among gardeners. When growing them, a variety of techniques are used that contribute to obtaining a high-quality rich harvest. It is worth including in their list another technique involving the use of alcohol in order to accelerate the ripening of fruits.
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Advantages of the method, and for which varieties it should be used
An innovative technology aimed at accelerating the ripening process of tomatoes with the use of alcohol was proposed by chemists-biologists of the St. Petersburg Institute of Food Technologies. Scientists have proven through numerous experiments that ethanol has a beneficial effect on tomatoes, promoting earlier flowering and faster ripening of fruits.
The mechanism of action after the saturation of immature tomato fruits with ethyl alcohol is based on the launch of the following changes, which lead to faster ripening:
- stopping cell division in plant tissues;
- cessation of the intensive set of green aboveground mass;
- slowing down the development of unnecessary and unnecessary stepsons;
- intensification of the process of bud formation and flowering;
- acceleration of filling and ripening of tomato fruits.
They practice a stimulating procedure at different stages of fetal development. After the introduction of a certain volume of alcohol into them with a syringe, according to the scientists - the developers of the technology, ripening occurs 5-14 days earlier than with the usual cultivation of the culture. This fact is of particular relevance for the northern regions, where tomatoes have to be removed unripe.
It is important that tomatoes processed according to the above method do not lose their taste. When consumed, no foreign taste is felt.
It should be borne in mind that not for all tomato varieties, ethanol injections can be used, after which cell expansion is observed, which sometimes leads to rupture of the skin.
Varieties with high resistance to cracking are selected. It can be Bull's forehead, Budenovka, as well as Lyana, Ephemer. The method can be used on hybrids in which the fruits are distinguished by a thick skin, for example, Bobcat F1, Adele F1, Esmira F1. This group includes Ivanhoe F1, Mumston F1.
Growing tips
Sowing seedlings is carried out in mid-March. The seeds are pre-disinfected by keeping them in a pale pink solution of potassium permanganate for half an hour. Then they are rinsed with clean water and laid out to dry on a thick paper towel.
Containers are treated with boiling water. Then it is filled with a fertile substrate. The best option involves the use of a mixture of river sand, rotted manure and garden soil in a ratio of 1: 3: 5. For every 9-10 kg of the prepared substrate, a glass of ash is poured, which is pre-sieved. For soil disinfection, use "Fundazol". You can spill it with a pink solution of potassium permanganate.
Seeds are laid out with a 15 mm gap. Cover with a thin layer of soil. Cover with foil and rearrange in a warm, unlit place.
The shelter is removed after the sprouts appear. The container is placed on a light-colored windowsill. After 40-55 days, the seedlings can be moved to the beds in open ground conditions. Standard further care involves regular watering, weeding, loosening, feeding, removing stepchildren. Tall bushes are tied to trellises or supports.
How to carry out the procedure using alcohol
After setting the fruit, it is necessary to withstand 2-3 weeks. From this moment, you can begin to perform the procedure for the introduction of ethyl alcohol. Choose a sunny day.
Vodka is drawn into a 2 mm syringe. Alcohol (96%) can be diluted in equal volume fractions with cooled boiled water. In each fruit, 4 punctures are made, injecting 0.5 cubes into each of them.
After a week, the tomatoes begin to turn brown. Until full maturation, they still need 10-15 days. Injection marks will heal quickly.
Accelerated ripening tomatoes fully retain their characteristic flavor. There is no need to be afraid that when consumed, the aftertaste of alcohol will be felt, since it is gradually converted under the influence of sunlight into a gas - ethylene, which simply evaporates.
Do you know how to use alcohol to speed up the ripening of tomatoes?
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