At the mention of tomatoes, most people come to mind the beautiful fruits of red color, but maybe not everyone knows that there are tomatoes of an unusual black color. Such varieties are a recent invention, approximately the middle of the twentieth century. We got a wonder by crossing the varieties we are familiar with growing in the wild.
Today, the popularity of aronia tomatoes is very high due to the excellent taste. The most famous variety is called "black pear". It is interesting not only for its excellent taste, but also for the decorative features of its fruits and leaves. Immediately it is worth noting the unpretentiousness of this variety, as well as the simplicity of growing in a summer cottage.
What you need to know about the variety: description
"Black pear" refers to mid-season varieties of tomatoes. It is distinguished by powerful, tall bushes, which in the fresh air can grow up to 1.7 m, and in greenhouse conditions - up to 2 meters. To prevent the plant from breaking, it is necessary to create supports and tie up bushes in time. Interestingly, this type of culture has no growth restrictions.
After the first shoots appear and after planting the tomato in the open ground, it will take about 125 days to wait for the crop. The fruits are pear-shaped, slightly ribbed and have a brown-burgundy hue. The average weight of tomato is 60–80 grams. This amazing variety is characterized by prolonged fruiting. You can use the crop for the preparation of salads with fresh vegetables, preparations for the winter or for tomato juice.
Such is the characteristic and description of the tomato variety "black pear".
Land preparation for landing
So that tomatoes bring a long-awaited crop, it is recommended to prepare the soil in the autumn months. In the place where black tomatoes will grow, humus is introduced into the soil, which will saturate it with useful elements. It is worth noting that the acidic environment is not suitable for a vegetable crop. To reduce this indicator, chalk or charcoal is used. Soil pH can be determined from some plants that feel good on acidic soil. This applies to sorrel and horsetail.
Together with humus, you can make potash and phosphorus fertilizing. The greatest benefits are potassium nitrate with a nitrogen content. In order not to miscalculate with the choice of fertilizers, it is worth paying attention to those formulations whose components will remain in the soil layer for a long time.
The peculiarity of the introduction of ammonium nitrate is that it is more suitable to use it in the spring. A similar tool has the ability to quickly dissolve and will be washed out of the soil during precipitation.
Where to plant on the site?
Tomato "black pear" needs a long daylight hours and direct sunlight. This feature indicates that the landings need an open space with good lighting, but it is best to refuse a place in the shade. Lowland beds are also bad for tomatoes. A large accumulation of water leads to the development of certain diseases.
If we talk about predecessors in one or another part of the garden where planting is planned, then beds with solanaceous crops or corn for planting tomatoes will not work. But you can use the place after radish, cabbage, salads.
How to grow tomatoes without seedlings?
For growing tomato "black pear" is suitable for both open ground and greenhouse premises. If we talk about the rules of planting, then there are no strong differences from working with traditional tomatoes. When resorting to growing without seedlings, it is recommended that the gardener pay attention to the following factors:
- Soil preparation. Loose, fertile soils are suitable for tomatoes. During gardening, it is worth taking care of the application of phosphorus and potash fertilizers. Wood ash is perfect - at the rate of 2 kg per 1 square meter. Then you need to dig the soil layer properly.
- Compliance with distances. Between seedlings it is necessary to maintain a distance of at least 0.4 meters. This must be taken into account when sowing. If the plants are too close to each other - this will negatively affect the amount of yield.
- Care after landing. A place with black tomatoes needs plentiful watering, which will require warm water. Then the bed is covered with plastic wrap. Covering material can be removed when the weather is nice, not cold.
- As soon as the seeds germinate, it is worthwhile to deal with thinning the bushes as necessary.
Features of outdoor care
To increase productivity, many gardeners form two trunks on one shrub. There is nothing complicated about this. It is enough for a tomato "black pear", cut the shoots and leave only the one that grew under the very first brush. From it the formation of the second stem will go. Fruit bearing periods are extended by pinching the top of the plant after the appearance of several brushes. Do not forget about the tall culture, as well as the timely tying of bushes.
As for care activities, they look as follows:
- fertilizer application;
- after watering, it is imperative to loosen the soil;
- timely garter;
- weed removal.
Watering plays an important role in the care of tomatoes, and its frequency depends on climatic characteristics and dry soil. As soon as the earth begins to dry, you can take on a watering can. Gardeners should not allow the beds to completely dry out.
If precipitation is not expected in the near future, then you need to water vegetables once a week. In the presence of rainfall, the frequency of watering is reduced. Productivity depends on the amount of water, lack of moisture leads to the fact that the fruit ovaries may fall or not reach the desired size, and the skin cracks on ripened fruits.
Greenhouse care
Plants in greenhouses need fertilizing. The first time fertilizers are used after transplanting seedlings. You can determine the period of need for fertilizer by the active development of the bush. An excess of nutrients leads to a rapid growth of the green part of the culture and to a reduction in the ovaries.
The second top dressing is carried out at the time of the appearance of the first ovaries. Ammonium nitrate is the most suitable fertilizer at this time, and a solution of 0.3% is best.
Diseases
Like the rest of the plants, the "black pear" may cause some illnesses.
With increased soil moisture, a fungal disease called the black leg begins to spread along the leaves and stems. To minimize the occurrence of infection, it is recommended to use the drug "Trichodermin", which is introduced into the soil layer during the digging of the earth. Also, do not forget about maintaining the distance between the bushes, do not abuse watering and timely weeding.
Fusariosis develops with a lack of lighting and too high temperature indicators. Most often, a similar disease occurs in young tomatoes in greenhouse conditions. When a fungus appears, it is necessary to get rid of the plant, not forgetting the basal earthen lump. The remaining plantings are treated with Fitosporin.
The spider mite is the most dangerous insect that destroys plants. The death of tomatoes occurs due to the loss of juices, which the parasite uses to feed itself. They struggle with ticks with the help of Fitoverm.
It is interesting that the "black pear" is resistant to late blight, various types of rot, cladosporiosis.
About the advantages and disadvantages
Any vegetable culture has its pros and cons, the same applies to this variety. The advantages include:
- excellent taste of fruits;
- fruiting duration;
- the crop retains its presentation for a long time;
- the peel does not crack.
Among the shortcomings noted:
- demanding plants to the composition of the soil layer;
- mandatory removal of stepsons.
What do experienced gardeners say?
Most owners of suburban areas characterize the variety as suitable for planting. Noting the fact that if the conditions of the promised yield are not met, you may not get it. People who have harvested large crops, put such a variety of tomatoes in the list of favorites and continue to plant both in greenhouses and in open ground. These are the reviews about tomato "black pear".