Tomatoes of this variety were named after the epic Russian hero. This is not surprising: the size of the fruits and the plants themselves are amazing. Bushes can grow up to a height of two meters, and the weight of one tomato often exceeds 300 grams. Muromets belongs to the category of universal tomatoes, you can eat fruits both in fresh and in processed form. The variety is resistant to disease, and its fruits are distinguished by excellent gastronomic qualities. We bring to your attention a description of tomatoes Ilya Muromets, especially sowing and seedling care, the positive and negative sides of the variety.
Varietal characteristics
Ilya Muromets is a variety of domestic selection included in the list of the State Register of the Russian Federation. The tomato is intended for cultivation both in greenhouse conditions, and on an open bed. The manufacturer declares: tomato Ilya Muromets is mid-season. You can enjoy tomatoes after 100 days from the moment of the appearance of the first shoots. The variety is indeterminate, which means that the stem part must be fixed on the supports, formed and necessarily stepson. The leaves are medium in size, the bushes are medium leafy.
Tomato Ilya Muromets: characteristic of fruits
Five tomatoes are tied on one brush, which are characterized by a yellowish or orange hue. The peel is thin, glossy and even, the fruits are rounded. Large size vegetables. The severity of the seed chambers is practically absent. The inside of the fruit has an orange tone. Thanks to the dense pulp and strong peel, tomatoes can be stored and transported over long distances. Vegetables will not lose their excellent presentation, which allows them to be successfully sold in retail.
Grade Benefits
The main positive qualities of tomato Ilya Muromets gardeners include stable fruiting, high productivity. If you believe the reviews, from one bush you can collect about 11 kilograms of large fruits - when growing it in greenhouse conditions. In open ground, the weight of the crop will be about 8 kilograms. The summer residents are delighted by the lack of voids inside the vegetable, its dense consistency, an insignificant amount of seeds, which is combined with excellent taste. Ripe tomatoes of this variety have a bright aroma, rich color and delicious taste. Tomatoes Ilya Muromets (in the photo below you can see them in the context) are perfect for canning, however, because of their large size, putting them in jars is not so simple. But for the preparation of tomato juices and winter salads, the variety is just perfect. gardeners note the resistance of the variety to fungal infections and viral diseases. Plants are resistant to too high air temperatures and soil overheating.
Speaking about the use of tomatoes, Ilya Muromets, gardeners note: you can use it as an ingredient in various dishes, fresh, baked or salted.
Variety disadvantages
There are not so many flaws in a tomato. The main gardeners call the need to regularly make mineral fertilizing, tie up bushes, form them. In addition, varietal tomato often affects the Colorado potato beetle. He also reacts negatively to excessive waterlogging of the soil.
Features of sowing and growing seedlings
The first thing to do after choosing a quality planting material for tomato Ilya Muromets is to process it. To do this, you need to immerse the seeds in a weak solution of potassium permanganate or hydrogen peroxide. Soil will also require disinfection: it can be shed well with a slightly pink solution of potassium permanganate, and can be dried in the oven at a temperature of no higher than 100 degrees. After this, the seeds should be buried in the soil a centimeter, sprinkled with soil, moisten with a spray bottle. Experienced gardeners recommend covering containers for seedlings with glass or film, which will speed up the process of emergence of seedlings. As soon as they appear, the shelter should be removed.
The next stage is a pick. This procedure should be performed when the first real leaf appears in the plants. True, some vegetable growers suggest immediately planting seeds in individual cups, preferably peat. Tomatoes can be planted in a permanent place right in them.
Landing in a permanent place
According to reviews, tomato Ilya Muromets is one of the most productive varieties. However, in order to get the maximum yield, it is necessary to take into account some features of growing plants. In order to use the space of the greenhouse rationally, without planting tomatoes too closely: it is not recommended to place no more than two or three bushes on one square meter. The plant will need a garter to supports or trellises. If you plan to grow Ilya Muromets in the garden, you can use an arc or portable frame. To establish such a construction is necessary directly on the bed, above the ripening vegetables. The first garter is recommended to be performed a week after planting seedlings in the ground. Otherwise, the plant may settle under the weight of its own fruits, break down. Lead tomato bushes of this variety is recommended in two stems. From time to time, yellowed leaves will need to be removed to improve air exchange and reduce the time that tomatoes need to ripen. Gardeners say the need for timely soil moisture, loosening and mulching, ventilation of the greenhouse.
By the way, tomatoes of this variety, which are grown in an open area, have a brighter color, better taste and aromatic qualities. The taste of varietal tomatoes is also affected by conditions such as sunlight and temperature conditions. The abundant amount of sunlight helps to increase the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of the future crop.
Fertilizing Tomatoes
The first fertilizer should be applied one and a half to two weeks after you have planted seedlings in a permanent place. The best option is a solution of bird droppings, mullein is also suitable. Immediately after applying fertilizers, it is necessary to mulch the soil in order to preserve moisture in the soil and prevent the growth of weeds. When the tomato has a second brush, you should wait half a month and do another feeding. For tomatoes of this variety, the following composition is suitable: 2 liters of mullein solution, one spoon of “Solution” and three grams of copper sulphate and manganese. The same fertilizer must be applied during the collection of the first fruits of Ilya Muromets.
Pest control
The most common Colorado potato beetle is the most dangerous for tomatoes of this variety. The insect gnaws young bushes, which leads to their death. The best way to deal with this problem is to spray with the use of specialized drugs that have an insecticidal effect. Spraying should be carried out in strict accordance with the instructions on the packaging.
Tomato Reviews
Vegetable growers say: Ilya Muromets is attractive both from the gastronomic point of view and aesthetically. The tomato is distinguished by its original appearance - with a pleasant yellow or orange color. The shape of the vegetables is almost perfect. Speaking about caring for tomatoes of this variety, gardeners add: there are no special growing conditions, the variety has quite standard requirements that practically all garden crops make. These include weeding, fertilizing and timely watering. Gardeners note the excellent taste of tomatoes, especially if they were grown in open ground.