With the onset of the sowing season, every gardener is puzzled by the choice of varieties of certain vegetables that are planned to be grown in the conditions of their own plot. Fans of tomatoes are always difficult to make a choice in favor of a particular variety, because today there is simply an unthinkable number of them. In this article we will give a description of "beginner" tomatoes and also share the features of growing this tasty and healthy vegetable. This variety has long established itself as a very tasty and high-yielding. Its popularity is growing every year more and more, so we suggest you get to know this tomato better.
Grade description
Tomato "novice" refers to the determinant type of plants. A compact, non-standard bush has an average leaf density. The height of the tomato bush does not exceed 90 centimeters. To obtain a rich crop, tomato requires constant pinching. The first brush is laid after the fifth or seventh sheet, all subsequent brushes are formed every two leaves. Each brush consists of 5-6 tomatoes of the same weight and size. As shown in the freshman tomato photo, the fruit is egg-shaped and contains no more than five seed chambers. The average weight of a tomato is between 85 and 105 grams. The fleshy and dense pulp has a rich sweet taste and hides under a fairly strong skin, which allows you to preserve these tomatoes whole.
There are two varieties of freshman tomato: pink and red. The main difference between the pink variety is considered more delicate taste and resistance to more diseases. However, the pink "newbie" requires much more frequent dressings. Lack of fertilizer instantly affects the taste of the fruit.
Grade Advantages
The characteristic of the "beginner" tomato consists practically of one of the advantages:
- Ripe fruits are excellent for both freshly picked and canned foods, as well as for making juices and tomato paste.
- This variety is grown in a greenhouse and in open ground.
- Friendly and rapid ripening of fruits occurs within 53-55 days after transplanting seedlings.
- The high resistance of this variety to brown spotting and gall nematodes is highly appreciated by experienced gardeners.
- An impeccable presentation that allows you to grow these tomatoes not only for yourself, but also for sale.
- Long-term preservation of taste and appearance during storage and transportation.
- Tomato "beginner" calmly endures prolonged cold weather, which absolutely does not affect the rate of ovary formation.
Preparing seeds for planting
To obtain a strong and healthy plant, it is important to pay special attention to seed preparation. On average, their germination is maintained for two years. In this section, we will talk about culling, pickling and hardening of planting material.
- Culling is a simple process, but it takes some time. This procedure is aimed at choosing the largest and most full-bodied seeds. To simplify this process, dissolve a spoonful of salt in a glass of water and place the seeds in this solution. After 15 minutes, the pop-up seeds are removed and discarded. The settled seeds are well washed and sent for further preparation.
- Dressing, or disinfection, consists in treating the planting material with manganese solution for half an hour. This procedure will protect the seeds from exposure to harmful insects and the development of diseases.
- Germination acceleration can be achieved by wrapping the seeds in wet gauze or foil paper. At this point, it is important to prevent the material from drying out.
- To obtain tomatoes that are resistant to temperature extremes, soaked seeds are sent to the refrigerator chamber all night. After that, they are again transferred to heat for 10-12 hours. This preparation is repeated several times.
Features of growing seedlings
The most responsible period for growing tomatoes is the preparation of seedlings. The future crop depends on the quality of seedlings.
The sowing procedure begins in late March or early April. The seeds prepared for planting are sown to a depth of about one and a half centimeters. After this, the plantings are sprinkled with a thin layer of earth and moistened a little. Then the seed box is covered with film or glass and placed in a warm and well-lit place.
It is desirable to shed the soil for growing seedlings with a growth stimulator. For self-preparation of the soil mixture, it is necessary to mix two parts of humus, the same amount of mullein and garden soil, as well as five parts of peat. If this is not possible, then you can use the purchased universal primer. The soil should always be loose and moist.
Open transplant
A rather important stage in the cultivation of tomatoes is the transfer of plants to the open ground. Correct and timely planting of the "beginner" tomatoes in the greenhouse guarantees the early ripening of an abundant high-quality crop.
Before moving the seedlings to the greenhouse, prepare the soil for planting. To do this, a hot solution of copper sulfate is introduced into it. This is done a week before the alleged transplant, which provides good protection from pests. After this, fertilizing begins. At least 10 kilograms of humus, half a bucket of ash and 50 grams of superphosphate fertilizer are applied to each square meter of the plot. After that, the entire site is carefully dug up. For planting well-developed seedlings, they dig holes in which a small amount of water is poured. The optimal arrangement of bushes is 40 x 50 centimeters.
It is recommended to grow tomatoes in areas where cucumbers, onions, potatoes and carrots were previously grown. But after eggplant and pepper, planting tomatoes is not worth it. In general, the soil for novice tomatoes should be neutral or slightly acidic.
Watering and feeding
The "beginner" tomato variety needs regular and plentiful watering, as well as periodic fertilizing of the soil. This variety of tomatoes is very photophilous and prefers high air temperature.
Watering should be constant, but moderate, because from excess moisture in the soil, rotting of the root system and death of the plant begin. This is especially true for cool days, when evaporation is significantly slowed down. In dry weather, watering is carried out every three days, preferably in the evening. Falling leaves and drooping ovaries will tell about the lack of water.
This variety does not require a large amount of mineral top dressing - it is quite enough to fertilize the soil with ash and ground egg shells. Top dressing is applied under the bushes, which are then well shed with water. Gardeners also use chicken manure as an organic fertilizer. Spraying with a weak solution of boric acid helps to stimulate flowering. alternation of mineral and organic fertilizing is necessary.
Loosening and weeding
Mandatory procedures for the care of tomatoes ("beginner" is no exception) are: loosening the soil, removing weeds and weeding. The soil for growing plants should always be in a loose and light state - this ensures access of oxygen and nutrients to the root system, which significantly affects the yield. It is advisable to loosen aisles after each watering or every two weeks. The first few weeks after planting, deeper loosening is permissible - by 11-13 centimeters, after which the depth decreases to 5-7 centimeters due to the development of the root system. Weed removal during weeding is also necessary, as parasitic plants take nutrients and water from tomatoes.
Garter
The "novice" tomato bushes, like many other varieties, need a garter. Each bush can be tied to a separate peg or to build trellises. The support must be located from the west or north. The distance between the peg and the bush should be no more than ten centimeters. Garter is carried out with a soft cloth or rags, not pressing against the support with excessive force.
Crop characteristics
Tomato "beginner" refers to varieties of early ripeness. On average, the fruit ripening period from the moment of planting varies from 110 to 125 days. When recounting the time from the day of transplantation into open ground, the ripening period is two months.
With the standard planting scheme, at least six bushes are planted on one square meter. According to reviews of tomato "novice", one bush gives at least two kilograms of tomatoes. Combining the above information, it can be calculated that about 12 kilograms of ripe tomatoes are harvested from one square meter of the plot.
Diseases and Pests
Tomatoes "novice" - a rather middle-aged variety, but attractive due to its resistance to many diseases. However, in order to prevent fungal diseases, tomato bushes are treated with Trichopolum solution. For this, 5-6 tablets of the drug are dissolved in a bucket of water and this solution is diluted with a glass of milk. In rare cases, the plant affects late blight. It can be recognized by the appearance of dark spots on the leaves. Most often, this disease develops due to increased soil moisture. Tattu and Fitoverm drugs help with this disease.
But you can fight pests and folk methods. In addition, excessive use of chemicals negatively affects the quality of tomatoes. For example, marigolds in dry and crushed form, which sprinkle the area around the bushes, save from the bear. To cope with ticks and aphids, an infusion of garlic, elderberry broth and tobacco powder help. To prevent infection with the Colorado potato beetle, parsley and dill are planted around the perimeter of the site. Processing a decoction of burdock, wild garlic and capsicum protects the plant from slugs and scoop.