Tomato Andromeda, popular and beloved by summer residents: we grow and enjoy a rich harvest

The Andromeda tomato is interesting for its multicolored subspecies. After all, if all three varieties are planted on one site, you get a real tomato flower garden! Ripe vegetables attract not only with a variety of colors, but also with excellent taste. Tomatoes are rich in vitamins and beta-carotene, which are essential for the health of all of us. Therefore, we invite all lovers of early ripening hybrids to get acquainted with a unique tomato from a Russian breeder.

Feature and Description

The breeder of the f1 hybrid Aleksey Alekseevich Mashtakov bred the crop in 1998. All his work was carried out in the Rostov region. Thanks to his merits, he is known not only in Russia, but also in the countries of the Near Abroad.

The hybrid has several subspecies: pink, gold, red. Outwardly, they are all similar: they are determinant non-standard plants intended for open ground and greenhouses. The main difference between the subspecies is the color of ripe vegetables and their unequal weight.

Golden Andromeda has the largest fruits of the three subspecies weighing up to 320 g... The pulp of ripe vegetables contains vitamin B, dietary fiber, lycopene and beta-carotene. This composition strengthens the immune system and suppresses depressive conditions. The fruit has a sweet taste with a slight sourness.

The photo shows the Golden Andromeda tomato f1.

The fruit weight of the tomato Pink Andromeda f1 is 135-150 g, the appearance is attractive due to the delicate raspberry color. It is also interesting for its high fruiting rates: from 1 sq. m collect at least 8 kg. The taste is excellent, sweet. Ripe vegetables have a long shelf life and can be well transported over long distances. This subspecies has the earliest ripening periods - up to 90 days.

The photo shows the pink Andromeda tomatoes.

Distinctive features

Of the three varieties, the red subspecies is considered the main one.

The type is determinate, not standard, the height of the bush is up to 70 cm. The leafiness is medium, the leaves are bright green, the branches are semi-spreading. The inflorescences are simple, the first inflorescence is laid over 6 leaves, the subsequent ones - every 2 leaves. One brush sets 5-7 fruits.

The ripening period is early, from the moment of sowing to full ripening, 90-110 days pass.

The yield is high, from 1 sq. m are harvested up to 10 kg, provided that 4 seedlings are planted per 1 sq. m.

The variety is not highly resistant to diseases of the Solanaceae family, it often gets sick late blight.

Tomatoes are grown in open ground and greenhouse conditions. It perfectly withstands a drop in air temperature.

The culture does not require compulsory pinching in the southern regions. In the northern ones, in order to avoid thickening of the plantings, the plant is pinned, forming into 2 stems.

Despite its short stature, the garter cannot be avoided, otherwise the fruitful branches will spread along the ground under the weight of ripe fruits.

Fruit characteristics

The average weight of one fruit is 80-120 g. Rounded shape, bright red color. The taste is excellent, sweet with barely noticeable sourness, the pulp is juicy, the rind is dense, does not crack. There are 4-5 seed chambers, there are many seeds.

The tomato is versatile in use: it is suitable both for fresh dishes and for winter preparations. It is used for wide production of pickles.Ripe vegetables are added to mousses, cocktails and pizzas.

Long-term storage, vegetables can be stored in cool rooms for 4 months. Withstands long distance transportation to any point.

How to grow seedlings

Sowing seeds for seedlings is carried out from 1 to 15 March. The final dates depend on the region and growing conditions. But do not forget that plants are transplanted into the ground at a soil temperature of at least 15 ° C.

Seed preparation

Hybrid seeds cannot be prepared on their own, since they do not retain their parental properties in the next generation. The purchased seeds do not need to be disinfected, the hybrid manufacturer has already taken care of this.

The seed is carefully inspected for visible defects and checked for emptiness. To do this, dissolve 1 teaspoon of salt in a glass of water and place grains in it for 10 minutes. Those that surfaced are not suitable for landing.

To improve germination, the grains are soaked in a growth stimulator for 12 hours.

reference... The most commonly used growth stimulants are Epin, Kornevin, and Zircon.

In addition to specialized products, aloe juice is used as stimulants. It not only improves germination, but also additionally disinfects against fungal infections.

Capacity and soil

The soil is prepared from garden soil, peat, humus and river sand in equal amounts. After thoroughly mixing all the components, the earth is spilled with a hot solution of dark potassium permanganate to destroy the pathogenic flora. Harmful microorganisms are destroyed by steaming the soil in an oven at a temperature of 50 ° C for at least 10-15 minutes.

For sowing, use a common wooden box or individual containers: plastic cups, peat pots, paper honeycombs. Further care depends on the method of growing seedlings. With individual sowing, it is minimized.

reference... When sowing in peat containers, transplanting seedlings is not required: they are planted in open ground together with a pot. It dissolves in the ground, feeding the root system with additional useful substances.

Sowing

Seed material is placed in planting containers to a depth of 1-2 cm, sprinkled with earth on top, leveled and covered with film or glass to create a greenhouse effect. The containers are left in a warm and bright room at a temperature of 22-24 ° C.

The film is periodically removed for ventilation. The top layer of the soil is moistened as it dries up with warm, settled water using a spray bottle.

Further care of seedlings

When the first shoots appear, the containers are rearranged on the windowsill to provide the seedlings with a full daylight hours. If there is a lack of natural light, they are supplemented with phytolamps.

Watered as needed with warm, settled water using a shallow watering can or a tablespoon. After watering, the soil is loosened, creating conditions for better oxygen penetration.

When 2 true leaves appear, the seedlings dive, seating them in separate containers. If the seedlings are left in a common container, the distance between the bushes is increased to 15 cm.

reference... The picking procedure allows you to select stronger plants for further development.

2-3 weeks before planting in the ground, the seedlings begin to harden. To do this, she is taken out into the street in the daytime at a temperature of 16 ° C for 1 hour. Gradually this time is increased to 12 hours. At the same time, the night temperature is reduced to 13 ° C.

How to grow tomatoes

After 2 months, the seedlings are ready for planting in the ground. In terms of time, this is mid - end of May. By this time, the bushes have 5-7 true leaves and well-formed young roots.

Landing

They are planted in pre-prepared holes, at the bottom of which a little wood ash and mineral fertilizers are added.

Planting pattern: 40 cm - distance between seedlings, 65 cm - between rows. For 1 sq. m place no more than 4 plants.

After transplanting, the holes are watered with warm water, the soil is loosened and the seedlings are left to adapt to new conditions for 1 week.

Advice... Transplanting tomatoes is best in the morning or after sunset. So young plants are more likely to adapt to new conditions.

Care

Tomatoes are watered regularly, no more than 2 times a week. Tomatoes love moisture, so they are watered abundantly, at least 3 liters of water under each bush. But you cannot fill the beds: waterlogging can provoke the development of fungal infections.

After each watering, the soil is loosened and all weeds are removed. These simple procedures serve as a necessary preventive measure against pests.

reference... Weeds are a favorite habitat for many parasitic insects.

The hybrid has a weak root system, so it needs dressing... Otherwise, he will not be able to provide all the ovaries with the necessary nutrients.

The first feeding is carried out during the formation of the first fertile brush. They are fed with a full range of mineral fertilizers or organic matter. For 1 sq. m use no more than 30 g of fertilizers. Iodine, yeast, wood ash or boric acid are used as organics. Also fertilized with bird droppings or mullein infusion in a ratio of 1:15. Such feeding is carried out regularly, once every 2 weeks. Phosphorus and potassium are added to the obligatory top dressing once a month to strengthen plant immunity.

reference... It is not recommended to fertilize tomatoes with fresh manure, as they begin to intensively increase the green mass.

Features of cultivation and possible difficulties

When breeding in a greenhouse, plants need pinch and tie up... For a garter, wooden or metal supports are installed next to each bush, to which the fruitful branches are fixed as needed.

Bushes are formed into 2 stems. To do this, leave one stepson growing under the first inflorescence. The rest of the inflorescences are removed. If the greenhouse crop is not pinned, the amount of yield will noticeably decrease.

Diseases and pests

The hybrid is susceptible to late blight, but due to the early ripening period, the bushes often do not have time to get sick.

Late blight Is a fungal disease that requires high humidity to develop. Therefore, it is important to control the moisture level in the beds, avoiding waterlogging. Closed structures are ventilated on a daily basis so that there is no stagnation of moisture.

In the fight against late blight, fungicides of systemic action are used, for example, "Fitosporin". As a preventive measure, in the spring, the land is treated with copper sulfate, since fungal spores successfully winter in the soil and begin to develop in warm weather.

Outdoors, tomatoes are susceptible to pest attacks... The most dangerous of them are the whitefly butterfly, the Colorado potato beetle, the bear, aphids and slugs. From the bear, the root system is protected by chopped cloves of garlic dug into the beds. Treatment of the stems with soapy water helps from aphids and slugs. Tomato is protected from other insects by pungent-smelling plants planted nearby.

Nuances for open ground and greenhouses

The hybrid is intended for breeding in the Central Black Earth Region and in the North Caucasus. Nevertheless, it has taken root well in cold regions in greenhouse conditions.

When grown in a greenhouse, the height of plants reaches 1 m, which is significantly different from open ground.

In the southern regions, the variety does not require pinching; a sufficient distance is left between the seedlings so that each bush receives the required amount of light. There is no thickening of plantings in open ground. And in the greenhouse, plants are stepchild without fail, otherwise thickening cannot be avoided, which will lead to the spread of diseases and pests.

On open beds, so that the fruitful branches can withstand the weight of the fruits, additional supports are installed under them.The stem does not need a garter, although it is often fixed to a support installed next to the plant.

In rainy and cold weather, fruiting is delayed for 5-10 days.

Harvesting and application of the crop

An early ripe hybrid pleases with a harvest 90 days after sowing the seeds. Fruit ripening is amicable, with whole brushes, which greatly simplifies collection.

The use of vegetables is universal: they make summer salads, hot and vegetable dishes, mousses, various snacks, pizzas, freshly squeezed juice. Small tomatoes retain their flavor perfectly in whole-fruit canning, pickles and pickles. Tomatoes go well with dill, horseradish, eggplant and meat. Ripe vegetables make delicious juices, lecho, adjika, ketchup.

Ripe vegetables retain their presentation for 4 months if stored in a cool room. They can be transported long distances to any point, the dense skin protects vegetables from cracking.

Advantages and disadvantages

Benefits of the Andromeda hybrid:

• variety of species: pink, orange and red;
• cold resistance;
• good adaptation to any climatic conditions;
• uncomplicated agricultural technology;
• does not require pinning;
• high rate of fruiting;
• excellent taste of vegetables;
• versatility in cooking;
• long transportation;
• safety of presentation for a long time.

The negative sides include:

• susceptibility to phytophthora;
• impossibility of self-selection of seed material.

Farmers reviews

The characteristics and reviews of the Andromeda tomato are almost exactly the same. Those who planted a hybrid note full compliance with the declared qualities. Here are the opinions of some gardeners:

Lyudmila, Rostov-on-Don: "Great view. I have been breeding for more than five years, and have never failed. I gave up on others for a long time, but I plant this one in a greenhouse and in open beds. Vegetables ripen at once with whole brushes, so it is not difficult to collect them. The twists are the most delicious. "

Dmitry, Belgorod: “I plant the hybrid on the street and in the greenhouse. Compared to other varieties, this one is much better. There was no late blight, but I treat it with Bordeaux liquid twice a season. He is not particularly whimsical in leaving, but the result is excellent. "

Conclusion

Tomato Andromeda f1 evokes an irresistible desire to make it your guest in the garden. The hybrid is unpretentious to care for, high-yielding, cold-resistant, perfectly takes root in the open field and in greenhouse conditions. A few bushes will give a rich harvest even in cold areas with a short summer.