August is the time for harvesting and preparing the garden for the winter cold. At this time, the nights become chilly and foggy. This is a favorable environment for the emergence and development of many tomato diseases. In order to preserve the harvest, it is important to take a number of measures.
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Removing stepchildren
The procedure is carried out during the entire growing season. Particular attention is paid to determinant and semi-determinant varieties, since they are prone to strong tillering.
An excessive amount of green mass greatly inhibits the ripening of fruits, taking away the strength from the plant. It interferes with the ventilation of the bush and causes the appearance and development of fungal diseases.
On the side shoots, stepchildren of the second order are formed. They are removed first. During the procedure, a stump of 1 cm is left, this will prevent the reappearance of stepsons.
If ovaries have formed on some, then the crown of such branches is pinched.
Timely pinching
The measure is the removal of the top of fruiting shoots. It is necessary to limit the growth of the bush and accelerate the process of formation and ripening of fruits.
The procedure is carried out in early August:
- Pinch tall plants, removing the top of the main and lateral shoots.
- Leave a maximum of 2 leaves above the top brush.
Low-growing varieties are able to limit their growth themselves, as soon as they form 2 ovaries.
In determinant varieties with three shoots, flower brushes are removed, on which fruits have not yet set.
In August, a full inspection of low-growing varieties is carried out, with special attention to those growing in the open field. Pinching of lateral shoots is carried out, leaving only brushes with ovaries on them and no more than 2 sheets above them.
Removing thickening leaves
The lower yellowed leaves on tomato bushes are removed, since they do not fulfill their functions.
The following are cropped:
- That touch the ground
- Have contact with mulch.
- Are in constant humidity.
Also, the leaves are cut off above those brushes that are going to be removed from the bush, the lower pair on the side shoots up to the 1st brush.
This procedure improves air circulation, prevents the appearance of fungal diseases, and accelerates the ripening process of fruits.
Do not remove a large amount of green mass at one time to avoid stress on the plant. No more than 3 sheets are removed per day. It is recommended to carry out the procedure in dry sunny weather, in the morning. This will dry out the cut site quickly.
A minimum of 2 feed leaves are left above each brush. If this is not done, the crop will turn out to be small, with low taste.
Disease prevention
In the second half of the growing season, tomatoes are especially susceptible to diseases such as:
- cladosporia;
- late blight;
- black bacterial spot.
Daily inspection of plants for signs of these diseases is an important preventive measure to save the bush and future crops. Diseased leaves are immediately cut off and burned. During the period of fruit ripening, only biological preparations are used for processing.
For example:
- Fitosporin;
- Trichoderma Veride;
- "Bisolbicide".
Folk remedies have proven themselves well. For example, based on turmeric.
Components:
- turmeric powder - 10 g;
- ground pepper - 2 g;
- vodka - 20 ml.
The ingredients are mixed and infused for 24 hours. Then 500 ml is diluted in 5 liters of soft, settled water and the plants are sprayed.
An infusion of garlic is effective.
Components:
- garlic - 150 g;
- water - 9 liters.
The cloves are crushed and filled with warm water. Insist in a dark, warm place for 1 day. Then the plants are filtered and sprayed.
In August, it is important to carry out a number of tomato care activities. They will keep the bushes healthy and get a good harvest.
Do you know how to care for tomatoes in August?
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