Many summer residents want to harvest the first tomato crop at their site as soon as possible. To do this, you need to choose early or mid-early varieties. One of these is the tomato variety Peter the Great. We offer to talk about its advantages and disadvantages, features of care and productivity right now.
Varietal characteristics
The variety belongs to the indeterminate category, it is a hybrid of F1, the first generation. Speaking about the characteristics of tomato Peter the Great, it should be noted that it belongs to the mid-early: from the moment of the appearance of the first seedlings to the harvest about 105-110 days will pass. In central Russia, it is recommended to grow it in greenhouses, but in the southern regions it is possible to grow it in open ground. The yield of tomatoes of this variety is high, vegetables are suitable for both fresh consumption and processing. The bushes are high, because they need a garter to the trellises.
Bush description
The stalks of tomato Peter the Great are quite strong, they are slightly pubescent, less leafy. Long leaves are painted dark green. On each brush there are simple flowers - about 8 pieces. After the pollination process passes, about 6-8 ovaries can form on the hands.
Productivity
Fruits are pepper-shaped tomatoes with a sharp nose. The color of the tomato is raspberry or deep red. In reviews of tomato Peter the Great, gardeners note: the variety is quite harvested, from one square meter you can collect about 10 kilograms of aromatic fruits.
Vegetable growers also say that Peter the Great is best suited for canning. Thanks to the elastic skin and dense pulp, vegetables do not crack under the influence of high temperatures. Suitable variety for the preparation of vegetable salads with butter. In addition, it can be used for cooking adjika, ketchup, tomato juice with pulp and dressings for main dishes.
It is worth noting that tomatoes of the variety Peter the Great tomatoes (in the photo above you can see them in section) are stored for a long time, they can be transported over long distances. Cracks and dents do not form on tomatoes. The strong peel preserves the integrity of the fruits for a long time, and therefore they will not leak or rot.
Tomato Peter the Great: a description of the preparation of seeds and soil
Let's say right away: for growing seedlings of tomatoes of this variety, only seeds that can be purchased in a specialized store are suitable. The thing is that Peter the Great belongs to the category of first-level hybrids. This means that the personally harvested seed will not allow you to save all species qualities. The fruits will be small, of a different shape. In addition, the plant can be sick and affected by viruses and bacteria.
Before sowing seeds in previously prepared containers, they should be decontaminated and held in a growth stimulator. For disinfection, a slightly pink solution of potassium permanganate is suitable. The seeds need to be immersed in it for 7-12 hours. Immediately after this, the seeds can be held in a growth stimulator - so that the shoot is early and friendly. In containers or containers designed for hatching tomatoes Peter the Great, there should be small openings. They are needed so that excess water comes out. Soil can be purchased at the store, or you can do it yourself. To do this, you must take garden soil, which is roasted in the oven at a temperature of no more than 100 degrees. This allows you to rid the soil of viruses and parasites. You can not do without fine-grained sand, which provides friability of soil for tomatoes. As fertilizer, manure is suitable, preferably rotted. And so that the soil does not stray into hard lumps, small sawdust of fruit trees can be added to it. True, when planting tomatoes at a permanent place, sawdust will need to be removed, because when decomposed, they are able to absorb the nitrogen necessary for the growth and development of tomato bushes.
Seedling Care
In prepared containers, it is necessary to first pour drainage, and then the prepared soil. Seeds that must first be flushed with stimulants are laid out on a flat soil surface, sprinkled with a layer of soil no more than a centimeter. Using a spray gun, you need to moisten the earth, and then cover the containers with film or glass.
In the daytime, the temperature inside the container should not be lower than + 25 ° C. At night, it is possible to drop to +18 degrees. If the seedlings lack lighting and heat, the first shoots will appear on day 5-6. At the same time, you can remove the shelter. When a second true pair of leaves forms near the seedlings, it can be dived. For this, disposable cups are suitable. Two months later, the seedlings are completely ready for transplanting to a permanent place. It is advisable to harden it before this: daily it is necessary to take the seedlings out into the open air, on the first day the plants will last five minutes, gradually this time needs to be increased.
Transplanting to a greenhouse or garden
In order to plant tomatoes Peter the Great in a permanent place, it is necessary to mark the paths and rows for future plantings. Experienced gardeners say: on one square meter there should not be more than three plants if it is planned to leave two stems. When forming bushes in one stalk per square meter, 4 bushes can be placed. Strong supports must be installed next to the prepared holes, the soil must be moistened, and only then can the tomatoes be planted.
Tomato Care
Tomato Peter the Great is unpretentious and undemanding to care. Even novice growers can cope with plant care. The first thing to do: provide the plant with adequate lighting. Of course, weeds must be removed, so that they appear less frequently and in smaller quantities, after each watering, the soil under the bushes must be mulched. It is time to destroy any small insects that attack the bushes, recommend gardeners and fertilize tomato Peter the Great. Please note: all fertilizers must be applied only to moist soil.
Features of watering
In order for the root system of the plant to be healthy, you can water the bushes with exceptionally warm water. But the cold liquid can even destroy the ends of the rhizome, which will lead to the death of tomatoes. Do not pour water on the ovaries and leaves.
Disease prevention
Quite often, gardeners encounter such a disease of tomatoes as gray rot. To avoid the occurrence of such a problem, it is recommended to plant the bushes not too tightly. Mechanical damage to seedlings is unacceptable. Any infected tomatoes covered with short gray fluff should be removed in a timely manner. Tomatoes can hit the black leg. When this disease appears, the basal part of the bushes blackens and dries. The main reasons why tomatoes are sick with a black leg, experienced experts include thickening of bushes and excessive waterlogging of the soil. The following measures are suitable as prevention:
- timely ventilation of the greenhouse;
- moderate watering;
- the use of proven planting material;
- sterile soil.
Fusarium may appear at any stage of plant development. With this lesion, the lower part of the leaves turns yellow and fades, and on the section of the stem you can notice the dark contours of the vessels. If such a lesion develops, the tomatoes cannot be cured. In order not to destroy the tomato bushes, it is necessary to dig and disinfect the soil first, use healthy planting material and control the acidity of the soil. Experts say: at a pH of 6.5-7, the development of a harmful fungus slows down significantly.
Fertilizer application
The first top dressing of tomatoes Peter the Great should be done 10 days after planting seedlings in a permanent place. For this, an infusion of mullein is suitable. The concentrated solution must be diluted with water in a ratio of 1 to 10. One bucket of such fertilizer is enough for 10-15 bushes. The second feeding should be carried out during the flowering of tomatoes, the third - during the formation of fruits. Complex fertilizers for tomatoes are suitable. In August, spraying the bushes with a solution of boric acid will not be out of place. For one bucket of water you need 2-3 grams.
Reviews of vegetable growers
In the reviews of tomato Peter the Great (in the photo diagram above you can see a great way of watering), gardeners say: the fruits of the variety are ideal for processing, and if there are surpluses, they can be successfully implemented. The bush is best formed in two stems, and the extra stepsons - in time to remove. In this case, the crop will be more plentiful. Some summer residents say that tomatoes are too dense, and therefore not particularly good in salads. But they are ideal for preparing workpieces: pepper-shaped tomatoes retain an excellent appearance and delight in excellent taste.