What to do if tomatoes are frozen
Despite the fact that tomatoes are absolutely not frost-resistant, many people prefer to plant a crop much earlier than the recommended date. As a result, the seedlings suffer from sudden temperature changes (especially in March and April). Also in the fall, if the tomatoes are frozen, the harvest should be saved.
Frozen tomatoes
Unfavorable temperature conditions
The first damage to seedlings appears when the air temperature drops to 0 ° C. With the onset of cold weather, tomatoes are stressed. As a result, all surface hairs rise, moisture forms on them. It is these drops of water that create a shield on the surface, preventing the inside of the trunk and leaves from freezing.
If the temperature drops to -1 ° C, all planting material dies, and it is no longer possible to reanimate the bushes.
Tatiana Orlova (Candidate of Agricultural Sciences):
Tomato is a plant with an increased demand for heat. At temperatures below +15 degrees, it does not bloom, at temperatures below +8 degrees, it stops growing. Long-term stay at this temperature (10-15 days) leads to irreversible consequences and death of the plant.
Rescue frozen seedlings
If the tomato bushes are caught by frosts, and the upper part of the seedlings is affected by dark spots and withers, resuscitation should be carried out immediately.
Seedlings die at temperatures below -1 ° C. The plant does not withstand such indicators and ceases to bear fruit. If the tomatoes are frozen in the open field or greenhouse, rescue occurs in different ways.
Tatiana Orlova (Candidate of Agricultural Sciences):
If the parts of plants that have died as a result of low temperature damage are not promptly removed, tissue necrosis (as well as, for example, gangrene) will spread to the tissues located below and the entire tomato bush will die.
Rescue of seedlings in the open field
If the seedlings are planted in open ground, after which the tomatoes are frozen, you can try to save them as follows:
- Trim the damaged area completely.
- Introduce a growth stimulant (Zircon) into the root system or feed it with urea. This must be done carefully so that drops of the drug do not fall on the stem.
- Fertilize the root system with poultry or cow droppings. Thanks to this method, you can even reanimate damaged roots after morning frosts.
- Cover the planting with foil for a period of at least 7-10 days. Typically, tomato plants leave during this time.
After the seedlings begin to gradually warm up, they are sprayed with special preparations. It is recommended to use such substances as "Zircon" and "Epin". They help the root system to recover and absorb moisture faster. The preparations should be diluted in a ratio of 2 mg of the substance per 10 liters of warm water.
Tatiana Orlova (Candidate of Agricultural Sciences):
It takes time to restore frozen tomato plants. Therefore, the fruiting dates of such tomatoes may be postponed to a later period.
Many people think that in greenhouses and greenhouses the plant is not susceptible to frost, but low temperatures harm even a greenhouse plant. If this happens, the film cover is completely removed from the greenhouse, after which it is irrigated with warm water. It is better if its temperature is around 30-33 ° C. The next step is spraying. For this it is recommended to use "Epin". It is dissolved in boiled water at the rate of 1-2 drops of the substance per 0.5 l of water. The spraying interval is about 10 days. Care must always be taken to protect the tomatoes before freezing. When the temperature drops significantly, containers with seedlings are placed on soaked newspapers, after which the greenhouse is covered with a double layer of spandbond. After completing these procedures, you must not enter the greenhouse for several days. After a specified time, the bushes are sprayed with a manganese solution and all damaged tops are cut off.
Prevention of frost damage
Timely prevention of frost damage to tomatoes allows you to save the harvest and your own time. So that the seedlings are not damaged when planted in open ground, the rows are covered with several layers of plastic wrap. Warm blankets or several sheets of cardboard are placed on top of it.
If a slight cold snap (about 0 ° C) is expected, cover the bush with a paper cap. Each edge of the cap should fit snugly against the soil so that the cold snap could not penetrate the soil and freeze the root system.
When planting in a greenhouse, rags are thrown onto the frame. They are not removed until the air temperature returns to normal. Plants are opened only after the temperature is above 12 ° C. If the seedlings are hardened for several hours every day, they will be more resistant to temperature changes.
To protect tomatoes from frost, care should be taken to create a shade for the tomatoes. Bushes should not get too exposed to excessive sunlight. To avoid this, small metal arcs are installed on the site and covered with a dark film. Agrofibre is also used for these purposes.
Tatiana Orlova (Candidate of Agricultural Sciences):
Before planting tomato seedlings, you should always monitor the weather conditions in your area and find out short-term and long-term forecasts. You need to start protective measures (sheltering seedlings, heating the greenhouse, etc.) if the temperature in the evening with a clear sky dropped to +7 degrees. This means that there will be frost at dawn.
Conclusion
If spring frosts violate the quality of the garden plot, you need to immediately take measures to save it and not be afraid of losing a few bushes. It is not difficult to save plants. If you do all the above procedures correctly, the plants will move away from frost much faster, the ripening process will go faster. We must not forget about preventive measures, because it is much easier to protect tomatoes from unpleasant situations.
