Tomato Metelitsa is considered one of the most unpretentious and easy to grow varieties. It is also preferred by those who have been gardening for more than a year. This variety was bred by the Research Institute of Siberia and the Russian Agricultural Academy at the beginning of the 2000s. The variety belongs to determinant hybrids about half a meter high, with an average ripening period.
Tomato Description
The tomato variety Metelitsa is characterized by small growth. Leaves are medium sized. The first fruit brushes are laid over the 6-8th leaf, the next - every two leaves. Fruits ripen 110 days after emergence.
Tomato Metelitsa is used for planting in open ground, in greenhouses, under temporary shelters. It bears fruit well under any growing conditions.
The variety is characterized by increased frost resistance and resistance to typical nightshade diseases. Because of their characteristics, plants are practically not damaged by late blight and bear fruit until the first frost.
Specifications
The fruits of the Metelitsa tomato have a slightly pronounced ribbing. The shape of the tomatoes is flat round. In ripe form, the fruits acquire a bright red color.
Inside the fruit are four nests with seeds. The average weight of a tomato is about 100 grams, but under favorable conditions it can reach 200 g.
The pulp is fleshy, tasty, with a characteristic acidity. The appearance of the tomatoes is excellent. The fruits have a universal purpose: they make salads, preserve in general, boil sauces, prepare pastas, salt, and pickle. After collecting from the bush, they retain their taste characteristics and appearance for a long time.
Grade Benefits
According to reviews, tomato Metelitsa has a high yield and a number of other positive qualities.
- They are easy to grow, which is why the variety is recommended for beginners.
- The fruits have a universal purpose.
- From one square meter collect from 17 and more kilograms of fruit. High productivity, which is confirmed by reviews and photos of tomatoes Metelitsa.
- The plant bushes are highly resistant to a number of tomato diseases.
- Ripe tomatoes are stored for a long time, perfectly tolerate transportation.
- Plants perfectly withstand sudden changes in temperature, cold.
The variety is often grown by farmers due to the high yield of marketable products - about 96% of tomatoes have a marketable appearance and can tolerate long-distance transportation.
Growing Features
To get the Metelitsa tomato, as in the photo, you need to choose the right place for planting seedlings. It is recommended to grow it in well-lit places, especially in the northern regions.
Sowing seeds for seedlings is carried out three months before the expected date of planting. Seeds are planted in the soil for tomatoes or a self-prepared substrate with a planting of 1-1.5 cm. In about 7-14 days, seedlings appear. As soon as three true leaves blossom, the plants dive in separate containers. Seedlings are planted in a permanent place at the age of 60 days from the time of emergence of seedlings.
Seed preparation
Before you start sowing seeds, you need to prepare them. For this, the seed is soaked in salted water (a spoonful of salt is dissolved in a liter of water). Those that come up are unsuitable for sowing. They should be removed, and the rest, settled down, washed with salt from clean water and soaked for twenty minutes in a pink solution of potassium permanganate. After that, the seeds are washed again with water and dried. To improve germination, it is recommended to harden the seed in the refrigerator, putting it on the lower shelf for a day.
Sowing
Seeds are sown in separate containers or common boxes. The soil is poured into them, grooves are made to a depth of 1-1.5 cm. Seeds are laid out at the bottom of the grooves by the piece. Sprinkle them on top of the substrate. At a temperature of 22-24 degrees, seedlings appear after about a week.
Pick
After the appearance of 2-3 real leaves, seedlings are dived in separate containers. If the tomato is grown immediately in separate cups, then there is no need to dive - the plants are simply sprinkled.
During growth, seedlings are fed with ash solution, complex mineral fertilizers (from the tenth day). Before transplanting seedlings to a permanent place, it should be hardened.
Plant care
Plants are planted in open ground when the average daily temperature does not drop below 15 degrees. In greenhouses, planting is done earlier. No more than five bushes are planted per square meter.
It’s easy to take care of the bushes, the main thing is to water the weeds on time, weed, apply fertilizers, loosen the soil under the plants, stepchild and carry out disease prevention measures. To this end, remove all lower leaves to the first flower brush.
When growing plants in high humidity, preventive treatments with fungicides and preparations for fungal and viral diseases are carried out.
Harvesting
According to the characteristic, the Metelitsa tomato has a long fruiting period. Harvesting is carried out gradually, as the fruit ripens, and can stretch until October.
According to reviews, tomatoes can be harvested at the stage of milk maturity, as they ripen very well without loss of useful qualities and presentation.
Harvest tomatoes in dry, clear weather, preferably in the morning. During the collection, the lower leaves are removed. Harvested crops are stored at room temperature. If they are stored at low rates, then they lose their taste and useful properties, and can also rot.
More useful information about the variety is suggested in the video posted in the article.
Observing all the rules of agricultural technology, you can get from one plant from seven kilograms of fruit.