Persimmon tomato is a relatively young variety that was bred in Russia by amateur breeders. It got its name due to the outward resemblance to the fruit of the same name, as it has the same yellow-orange color and shape of the fruit. Many gardeners are happy with it and plant it every year. We will talk about the features of growing persimmon tomato further.
Description
This tomato variety is a powerful plant. The height of the bush of “persimmon” tomato under normal conditions can reach 70-90 cm, and in favorable conditions - up to 1.5 m. Since the plant is very leafy, it needs timely pinching. Representatives of the variety have medium-sized leaves, have a light green color, inflorescences are simple.
On each of the fruiting brushes, 5-6 tomatoes are formed. Usually the fruit ovary is formed above the seventh leaf. Experienced gardeners advise pinching plants three or four weeks before the onset of cold weather. This will significantly accelerate the ripening of tomatoes.
Persimmon Tomato: characteristics of the fruit
Perhaps the main advantage of the variety is the large size of the fruit. Tomatoes can weigh up to 500 g. They look beautiful, but inside they are very juicy and sweet. These tomatoes are extremely rich in carotene and lycopene, they are almost completely absent organic acids. That is why they are an ideal product for dietary followers.
Their taste is in no way inferior to the red tomatoes more familiar to us, and sometimes even surpass them. Despite the fact that the peel of the fruit looks quite strong, in fact it is thin and delicate. If you cut a tomato, then it will reveal 6 or 8 small chambers in which there are few seeds and free juice. This means that their solids content is at the level of 6-7%.
Tomatoes of this variety can be grown both in greenhouses and greenhouses, and in open ground. It is known that seed germination is at least 90%. The productivity of tomato "persimmon" - from 2 to 4 kg of fruit from one bush. Agree that such high rates cannot fail to interest amateur gardeners.
In still unripe tomatoes, in the place where the stalks are attached, there is a green speck. As soon as it disappears, the fetus is considered fully ripe. You can pick up tomatoes and unripe. They keep up well outside the bush, retaining all their qualities. Fruits perfectly tolerate transportation, do not lose their appearance, are well stored. It was noted that growing tomatoes in greenhouses and greenhouses gives a greater yield than on open ground.
Seed preparation
It can be started at the end of February. First of all, you need to choose high-quality seeds, which should be large and heavy. To determine this is quite simple, you just need to lower them into salted water and wait a bit. Hollow and light float to the surface, and those filled with nutrients will settle to the bottom. Good seeds are wrapped in gauze and heated on a battery for three days.
It is no secret that the persimmon tomato, the description of which is located above, is susceptible to various diseases (it has medium resistance). Therefore, the next step will be aimed at combating them. It is necessary at the initial stage to rid the future plant of various viruses and bacteria. For this, the seeds are placed in potassium permanganate diluted in water for no more than 20 minutes. It can be replaced with three percent hydrogen peroxide, heated to 40 ° C.
After that, the seeds are fertilized by pouring them with a nutrient solution, sold in specialized stores. Leave the seeds in the solution for a day, and then lay them out to dry. Then they need to be soaked in warm water, previously placed in gauze or filter paper. This procedure should last about 12 hours. During this time, water is changed several times.
Soil preparation
The best time for planting persimmon tomato seeds is March and early April. To do this, you need a landing box, the bottom of which must be covered with a film with holes made to remove excess moisture. In addition, you can create drainage by pouring a layer of beaten eggshell or coarse sand there.
Ready-made universal soil for sowing seeds can be purchased in a specialized store or made by yourself. To do this, you will need the same amount of sifted river sand, peat, turf land, humus and coconut substrate. All this is mixed and calcined in the oven at 90-110 ° C for at least 25-30 minutes. After this, the soil is impregnated with Fundazole or a solution of potassium permanganate.
Sowing seeds
First, grooves are made in the soil. They spread the seeds at a distance of 2-2.5 cm. Then they are lightly sprinkled with earth and pressed a little. It is best to moisten the soil with a spray gun. After that, the container is covered with glass or film. The temperature should be maintained at a level not lower than +22 ° C.
Growing and caring for seedlings
It is necessary to constantly monitor the growth of seedlings. With the advent of the first shoots, the cover needs to be removed. Most often this happens after six days. Now the containers with the sprouted seeds are transferred to a sunny place and wait for the first full leaflets to appear. Do not water the plants too often. Once every five days will be enough. First you need to use warm water, and then you can simply defend it. After watering, it is recommended to ventilate the room.
When the third leaf appears on young shoots of persimmon tomatoes, they begin to pick. This procedure for the separation and transplantation of seedlings into separate containers is necessary for the formation of a complete root system and the further development of seedlings. No need to be afraid that some roots will be damaged. Most gardeners specifically pinch them so that they sprout faster.
As for irrigation, it is carried out only when the topsoil is dry. Seedlings also need additional nutrition. Usually it is carried out with an interval of two weeks. To do this, use both mineral and organic fertilizers.
Transfer to a permanent place and subsequent care
Persimmon tomatoes love warmth. Therefore, the optimal time for their transplantation into the open ground is the end of May. As for the northern latitudes, there tomato cultivation is carried out exclusively in greenhouses and greenhouses.
For planting seedlings choose sunny places. There it grows more actively throughout the season. Given this feature, tomatoes need to be planted no closer than 30 cm from each other, as well as periodically pinch them. This variety is unstable to diseases, especially late blight, and the close location of plants contributes to its appearance. In this case, the entire landing may die.
Careful care is the key to a large crop, so you should not forget about it. As you know, persimmon tomatoes do not tolerate excessive moisture, but if the summer is too hot, you will have to refresh the soil every day. This procedure must be accompanied by loosening the soil. Watering is carried out with water, the temperature of which should not exceed +15 ° C. In this case, the jet must be directed downward and to prevent moisture from entering the leaves, otherwise there is a risk of developing fungal diseases.
Organic fertilizers are introduced into the soil in the fall. You can also carry out mineral fertilizing, which will enrich the soil with potassium and phosphorus. Thus, the land will be prepared for spring planting. When it gets warmer, nitrogen-containing compounds can also be added.
Persimmon Tomato: reviews
Almost all gardeners who have already tried to grow these tomatoes on their land speak of their excellent taste. Fruits can be eaten both fresh and canned. Sometimes the autumn harvest manages to be maintained until the New Year holidays. Most gardeners note that they did not have problems with the cultivation of this tomato variety.
Judging by other reviews, persimmon tomatoes have several disadvantages. First of all, they are susceptible to diseases characteristic of this culture. Especially tomatoes suffer from late blight. The bushes must be tied up without fail, otherwise the plants begin to break under the weight of their own fruits.
Pros and cons of the variety
The undoubted advantages of the variety include the following factors:
- High yield.
- The unique taste of fruits, their juiciness and aroma.
- Ability to grow in open ground.
- Large fruit size.
- Extreme utility of chemical composition.
- Successful transportation and long shelf life.
This tomato variety has only one significant drawback - it is vulnerability to all kinds of diseases and pests. However, they can be dealt with if prophylactic treatment is carried out in time, using alternative methods of control or specially designed chemicals.