Typically, for the preparation of winter preparations and canning summer residents use certain varieties. The fact is that not all tomatoes are able to maintain their shape and taste when canned. One of the suitable varieties appeared on the beds of gardeners not so long ago. Hybrid tomato Empress, the description of which is waiting for you below, was created specifically to ensure that the fruits retained excellent taste in the preparation of blanks and placed in a jar!
Grade description
The empress was bred by Russian breeders. The tomato is intended for cultivation in film or capital greenhouses. The variety belongs to the indeterminate type, in greenhouse conditions its height can reach two meters. There are many leaves on the bushes, they are large, have a saturated green color. The Empress is characterized by a well-developed root system.
Gardeners note that in the southern regions of the country this variety feels great in open ground. The main condition is to have time to pinch the growth point at the end of summer, otherwise the tomatoes simply will not have time to ripen before the onset of cold weather.
Tomato Empress: characteristics of the fruit
The variety belongs to the mid-season category, with one square meter you can collect up to 20 kilograms of plum-shaped fruits. At the stage of full maturity, the tomatoes acquire a rich red color, at the tip they have a small nose. When cut, you can see two chambers in which there is a small amount of seeds. The stalk does not show a green spot.
Pros and cons of the variety
Gardeners say that the Empress is one of the best varieties of tomatoes for greenhouses. Among the positive characteristics of the variety are the following:
- Ovaries can form even if the growing conditions are not respected.
- The hybrid is quite resistant to various diseases, from which members of the nightshade family often suffer.
- The stems of the plant are long, a large number of brushes with fruits are formed on them.
- The size of the fruit is small, they are dense, with elastic skin. Due to the fact that the Empress has excellent trade dress and transportability, it can be grown even for commercial purposes.
- Great yield. During the season, from one bush of tomatoes, you can collect about 7 kilograms of tomato cream.
- Tomato Empress is suitable for the preparation of salads, juices, sauces and salting.
As for the shortcomings, according to gardeners, this hybrid simply does not have them. Breeders tried to develop a variety resistant to diseases and pests, having good keeping quality and taste.
Preparing planting material
Start by treating the seeds with hot water. The optimum temperature is 60 degrees. Instead of water, a lamp and the same temperature will do. Experts say: this procedure helps prevent diseases. Another method of seed disinfection is immersion in a one percent solution of potassium permanganate for a day. After that, the seeds can be sown in boxes. Previously, the soil can be watered with a weak solution of potassium permanganate. In order for the seedlings to grow well, to gain strength, but not to stretch, she will need lighting for at least 10 hours a day. If there is not enough natural light, use fluorescent lamps.
Planting tomatoes in a greenhouse and features of agricultural technology
According to the manufacturer, the Empress is one of the most unpretentious varieties. But in order to get the maximum yield, you should consider the features of growing tomatoes.
So that the space of the greenhouse is used rationally, but at the same time, the tomatoes are not crowded, only two or three bushes can be placed on one square meter. Since the Empress is of the determinant type, garter is required for supports or trellises. The first garter should be done already 7 days after you have planted seedlings in the ground. Otherwise, the plant either settles under the weight of the fruit, or simply breaks down.
It is best to drive tall type tomatoes into one stem. From time to time, old yellowed leaves should be removed. This will improve air exchange and significantly reduce the time required for fruit to ripen. Do not forget to moisten the soil, loosen and mulch it, and also ventilate the greenhouse.
An important rule: it is recommended to water all tomatoes of a determinant type exclusively under the root. Moisture should not fall on either the leaves or the fruits. On cloudy days, you can water the bushes once a week, and on hot days - once every 2 days.
Fertilizer application
The first top dressing, experts say, should be done 10 days after planting seedlings in a greenhouse or soil. The best option is a solution of mullein or bird droppings. Ready fertilizers are also suitable. Immediately after top dressing, it is necessary to mulch the soil, which will allow moisture to remain in the soil and prevent weeds from germinating. After 2 brushes bloom in the plants, you should wait two weeks and conduct a second top dressing. Under each bush, fertilizer should be applied, consisting of two liters of mullein or bird droppings in combination with one tablespoon of "Mortar" and three grams of manganese and copper sulphate. During the collection of the first fruits, the same fertilizer must be applied under each bush in an amount of 2.5 liters.
Reviews
In reviews of the tomato Empress, vegetable growers say: caring for it differs little from caring for other tall varieties. The Empress rarely gets sick, the hybrid attracts summer residents with high yields. In hot weather, when growing tomatoes on beds, you need to water the bushes more often, and also cover them from scorching sunlight.