Growing tomatoes in greenhouses is a popular way to get high yields regardless of weather conditions. The use of phytolamps allows you to provide optimal conditions for the growth and development of plants even in winter.
In this article, we will consider in detail all aspects of growing tomatoes in greenhouses, paying special attention to lighting with phyto lamps.
We will also discuss the choice of fertilizers, feeding formulas, necessary trace elements, light spectra, power, humols, light periods and much more.
Preparation for growing tomatoes in greenhouses
Choice of variety
Choosing the right tomato variety is an important step for successful growing. Varieties with high yield, resistance to diseases and pests are suitable for greenhouses. Popular varieties for greenhouses include Cherry, Determinant, Indeterminate, and others.
Soil preparation
The soil in the greenhouse should be rich in nutrients, well drained and aerated. The best option is to use compost, peat, sand and perlite. It is also recommended to add organic fertilizers and humus to improve the soil structure.
Lighting with phyto lamps
Lighting is a key factor for successful tomato growing in greenhouses. Phyto lamps provide the necessary spectrum of light for photosynthesis and healthy plant growth.
Types of phyto lamps
- Light-emitting diode phyto lamps (LED) : Energy-efficient, long-lasting, with an adjustable light spectrum. Ideal for greenhouses.
- Fluorescent lamps : Suitable for young plants and seedlings, but less efficient compared to LED lamps.
- High-pressure sodium (HPS) lamps : Produce intense light, but consume more energy and emit a lot of heat.
Spectra of light
Blue and red light spectrums are important for optimal tomato growth:
- Blue spectrum (440-460 nm) : Promotes growth of vegetative mass, development of leaves and stems.
- Red spectrum (640-660 nm) : Promotes flowering and fruiting.
- White light : Combines all spectrums and creates more natural lighting conditions. White light can be warm (2700-3000 K), neutral (4000-4500 K) or cold (6000-6500 K).
Power and humoli
The power of phytolamps is determined in watts (W) and depends on the area of the illuminated surface. Recommended phytolamp power per 1 square meter:
- For seedlings: 20-40 W/m²
- For green crops (lettuce, parsley): 25-50 W/m²
- For flowering and fruiting plants: 40-60 W/m²
Jumole (µmol/m²/s) is a unit of measurement of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) that reaches the surface of plant leaves. The corresponding values of humols depend on the type of plants:
- For seedlings: 200-400 µmol/m²/s
- For green crops: 300-600 µmol/m²/s
- For flowering and fruiting plants: 600-900 µmol/m²/s
Lighting periods
For optimal growth of tomatoes, certain lighting periods must be observed:
- At the seedling stage: 14-16 hours of light per day
- During vegetative growth: 12-14 hours of light per day
- During flowering and fruiting: 10-12 hours of light per day
Feeding and fertilizers
Proper nutrition is essential to ensure healthy tomato growth and high yields. The main nutrients include nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, as well as trace elements: magnesium, calcium, iron, boron, zinc and others.
Basic power elements
- Nitrogen : Stimulates the growth of green mass and the development of leaves.
- Phosphorus : Important for the development of the root system and flowering.
- Potassium : Increases the resistance of plants to diseases and promotes the formation of fruits.
Feeding formulas
Here are some examples of feeding formulas for tomatoes:
- At the initial stages of growth : 20-10-10 (nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium)
- During flowering : 10-20-20
- During fruiting : 5-15-30
Plant care
Watering
Tomatoes need regular watering, but excessive moisture can lead to rotting of the roots and the development of diseases. Watering is carried out as the top layer of the soil dries, keeping it moist, but not too wet. Use warm water for watering and avoid getting water on the leaves to prevent the development of fungal diseases.
Support and formation of bushes
Tomatoes in greenhouses can reach a considerable height and need support. Use supports or garters to prevent the stems from breaking under the weight of the fruit.
Shrub shaping is also an important aspect, which includes removing the stepsons (side shoots) to improve aeration and concentrate nutrients on the main stems and fruits.
Protection from pests and diseases
Even in greenhouses, plants can suffer from pests and diseases. Inspect plants regularly for signs of pests (aphids, spider mites) and use insecticides or natural remedies to control them.
Prevention of diseases
To prevent the development of fungal and bacterial diseases, it is important to ensure good ventilation of the greenhouse, avoid overwetting the soil and maintain cleanliness around the plants. The use of fungicides and biological preparations can also be an effective way of preventing and treating diseases.
The importance of phytolamps for growing tomatoes in greenhouses
Phyto lamps are an integral part of the successful cultivation of tomatoes in greenhouses, providing optimal conditions for the growth and development of plants.
The use of phyto lamps has a number of advantages that make them an indispensable tool for everyone who wants to get high yields regardless of external weather conditions.
Advantages of phyto lamps
- Optimal light spectrum: Phyto lamps are specially designed to provide the necessary light spectrums (blue and red) that stimulate photosynthesis, growth and fruiting of tomatoes. This ensures faster and healthier plant development.
- Energy efficiency: Modern LED phyto lamps consume significantly less electricity compared to traditional light sources, which reduces electricity costs and makes them a cost-effective solution for greenhouses.
- Long service life: LED phyto lamps have a long service life, providing stable lighting over many growing seasons without the need for frequent replacements.
- Light regulation: The ability to adjust the intensity and spectrum of light allows you to create ideal conditions for different stages of plant growth, from seedlings to fruiting.
The importance of a stock of phyto lamps
Ensuring a sufficient number of phytolamps are available in advance is a critical aspect of successful greenhouse tomato cultivation.
Planning and stocking phyto lamps will help avoid problems with insufficient lighting, especially during periods when natural sunlight is limited, such as in winter or during extended periods of overcast weather.
Additional lighting in cloudy weather and extension of the daylight hours
- Additional lighting in cloudy weather : Even in greenhouses, plants can suffer from a lack of light during cloudy days. Phyto lamps make it possible to compensate for the lack of natural light, providing the necessary level of illumination to maintain normal photosynthesis and plant growth.
- Daylight extension : Tomatoes need long daylight hours for optimal growth and development. The use of phytolamps allows you to extend the daylight hours, providing plants with additional hours of light. This is especially important in the autumn-winter period, when natural daylight is short.
Phyto lamps are an indispensable tool for growing tomatoes in greenhouses, providing the necessary light spectrum, economy, durability and the ability to adjust lighting.
Planning and stocking phytolamps in advance will avoid problems with a lack of light and ensure stable growth and development of plants.
The use of phytolamps for additional lighting in cloudy weather and the extension of daylight are important aspects that contribute to obtaining high yields and healthy plants.
Applying the above recommendations and using phyto lamps will allow you to create optimal conditions for growing tomatoes in greenhouses and enjoy a rich harvest regardless of the season and weather conditions.
Conclusion
Growing tomatoes in greenhouses using phytolamps is an effective and productive way to get healthy plants and a high yield. The correct choice of phytolamps, feeding, plant care and disease prevention are key success factors.
Use the given recommendations to create optimal conditions for your tomatoes and enjoy fresh and tasty fruits at any time of the year.
