The exquisite female name Linda is assigned to two types of tomatoes - a magnificent cherry variety that can produce good crops at home on the balcony, and an equally successful hybrid tomato bred by Japanese breeders and who prefers open beds. We learn about the features of each of them.
Tomato Linda: characteristics and description of the variety
A characteristic feature of this ultra-ripe tomato is an enviable unpretentiousness, amazing fruiting speed and its duration. The average time required for tomato ripening is 95-99 days, that is, by planting seeds in March, you can get the first fruits by the end of June.
Low-growing, almost dwarf, reaching a height of no more than 25-30 cm, Linda tomato is formed into a compact bush with a strong dense stem and a small number of leaves. The variety is known for good heaping of fruits, high resistance to cold snap and non-critical temperature extremes. Lack of lighting does not affect its quality development, although it must be admitted that with sufficient access to light, ovaries form on the bush much more.
Tomato Linda forms the first brush after the 7-8th leaf. If the containers for planting are quite extensive, then the bushes are placed at the rate of 7-9 pieces per square meter. This tomato is also known for its good resistance to such serious "tomato" ailments as verticillosis and fusarium.
Tomato Linda: reviews, photos, productivity
This determinant variety, according to gardeners and amateurs, has excellent fruit-forming ability: the entire bush is covered with small elastic red fruits weighing 25-35 grams. Experienced gardeners note a fairly high yield of the variety and no less decorative. Those who have first-hand knowledge of this plant noticed that the bush dotted with red tomatoes resembles an inverted grape brush.
A distinctive feature of the variety is long-term fruiting: the last fruits are removed at the end of September. Linda tomatoes are excellent for fresh consumption, decoration of culinary delights, as well as in processing - canning, pickling, salad dressings and semi-finished products.
Cultivation and care
Like many nightshade, tomato Linda loves neutral, fertile, drained soils. Before sowing, it is desirable to maintain the seeds in a solution of any growth biostimulator (Zircon, Epin, Energen, Pennant). At the seedling stage, seedlings are fed with full mineral fertilizer, for example, Kemira or Agricola in solutions recommended by manufacturers.
Peaked young plants should also receive the necessary nutrition throughout the growing season with a frequency of 1 time in 2-3 weeks. Tomato Linda does not need to be planted, supported and tied, in fact confirming the assurances of breeders that this variety will not become a burden for beginners and inexperienced gardeners.
Hybrid Linda F1: description and features
The product of Japanese selection, tomato Linda F1, is a bush of a determinant type with a powerful tuberous stem, reaching a height of 1 meter. It is considered optimal to grow it in the open ground. This is a medium early large-fruited variety with fruit ripening on the 100-110th day from seed planting. The hybrid is characterized by a high yield of high-quality one-dimensional fruits and the preservation of their size throughout the summer growing season. This property is responsible for the great popularity among vegetable growers of such a crop as tomato Linda f1.
Description, reviews of professional gardeners emphasize the advantages of the hybrid:
- resistance to diseases such as fusarium and verticillous wilting, gray spotting, alternative stalk cancer;
- good adaptation to stressful growing conditions - cooling and rapid change in weather conditions;
- the ability to fruitfully set fruit at high temperatures;
- excellent presentation of fruits, high transportability;
- dense peel of fruits, allowing to salt whole tomatoes.
Recommended planting density is 3-4 plants per square meter.
Fruits of the hybrid Linda f1
Ripe tomatoes are large, flat-rounded in shape, weighing 200-300 g. Coloring is even, without green spots at the stalk. Fruits are not subject to cracking. Like many hybrid species, tomatoes Linda F1 are very dense, have a pleasant table taste with a slight acidity. Unripe fruits - light green, absolutely ripe, painted in bright red color. Tomato Linda f1, the description of which is presented in the article, is universal. In home cooking, it is used in the preparation of various salads, sauces, juices, dressings, salting and canning.
Features agricultural cultivation and care
Seeds are sown for seedlings in March, 1.5-2 months before the planned planting in a permanent place. Seedlings dive when 2-3 real leaves appear, after which they are fed with complex fertilizer with a high content of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Watering is carried out as necessary, monitoring moderation and preventing drying of the earthen coma. Top dressing for the period of seedling cultivation is carried out 2-3 times. In order to avoid stretching, seedlings also control the light mode, lighting up, if this is inevitable.
Planted in ridges with prepared fertile, water and breathable soil. The plant, thanks to a powerful stalk, does not need support and tying. It is better to water the crop in the evening when the sun has set. The presented varieties are very promising, but each grower chooses a crop in accordance with their own addictions.