What are determinant tomatoes: we understand the concept and get acquainted with the best representative varieties

Tomato is a favorite vegetable of most gardeners. It is universal in use: delicious salads and side dishes are obtained from tomatoes, they are used fresh or as preparations for the winter. Among the varieties of tomatoes, determinant varieties stand out. Consider what they are and how they differ from other tomatoes.

What are determinant tomato varieties

Determinant variety - what does it mean? The answer is simple: this is a tomato variety that is characterized by limited growth of the main stem. The history of this concept goes far into the past: in translation from Latin, the term "determination" means "limitation".

In addition to growth, determinant tomatoes differ in that after the ovary of 3-5 brushes, the bushes no longer grow. They are also better suited for outdoor use than other tomato varieties.

Important! As a rule, determinate tomatoes ripen earlier than other varieties.

How do they differ from indeterminate

Indeterminate tomatoes are not limited in growth, they can reach a height of two or more meters. This plant is most suitable for growing in a greenhouse. Also, indeterminate tomatoes are the same in shape and size, and determinant varieties produce more fruits of different sizes. In care, indeterminate varieties require more attention: they need compulsory garter and pinching.

Growing features

The peculiarity of determinant tomatoes is that it is more profitable to grow them: with a large harvest, they take up less space. This is an important nuance, especially if the land plot is small.

Another point to consider is simple crop care. You just need to form a bush, growth will stop on its own. Of the special skills, only the need to tie the brushes arises. This is to prevent plants from falling to the ground.

Advantages and disadvantages

The advantages of these varieties are as follows:

• take up little space, especially when it comes to planting tomatoes in a greenhouse;
• in addition to practical use, they also perform a decorative function: neat bushes will decorate any land plot;
• determinant tomatoes are unpretentious in care, which means that you will save time and your own energy;
• high productivity;
• even a novice gardener can form new bushes;
• ripen many times faster.

disadvantages:

• short term of fruiting;
• sometimes pinching is required;
• poor resistance to disease and pests.

The best representatives

We present to your attention the top 15 best determinant tomato varieties:

1. Iditarod Red is a deep red rounded tomato with a pointed tip. The pulp is dense, juicy, with a pleasant sweetish taste. The weight of one tomato is about 100 g. The seeds are sown 55 days before planting in the ground. Does not require pinning. Tomatoes are good for preparing various dishes: salads, side dishes, soups, preparations for the winter.
2. Explosion... This hybrid variety has appeared quite recently. It gives an excellent harvest in any region of Russia. Especially the tomato takes root well in greenhouse conditions. Due to its presentation, it is often grown not only for personal consumption, but also for sale.The mass of one tomato is about 250 g, up to 3 kg are harvested from one bush. The taste is high.
3. Sanka... This variety is especially popular among gardeners: it is appreciated for its high and stable yield. The height of the bushes is no more than 60 cm. The variety is early ripe: the first tomatoes appear after 90-100 days from the moment of planting. The vegetables are dense, fleshy. In open ground, the weight of one does not exceed 100 g, in a greenhouse - 150 g. Tomatoes ripen at the same time, the return is friendly. Sanka is versatile in use.
4. Alsou... This variety needs solid support as the plant has a weak stem. The tomatoes themselves are very large: the average weight varies from 600 to 1000 g. The variety has an increased resistance to diseases, including late blight - the main enemy of tomatoes. Gardeners collect up to 9 kg of tomatoes from one bush. Alsou can be grown in any climatic zone. It is unpretentious in care, the main thing is to remove weeds on time and observe the watering regime.
5. Boney MM. Bushes about 0.5 m high will delight you with round red tomatoes. The weight of one is about 80 g, the surface is slightly ribbed, the pulp is tasty. Bonnie MM does not like excess moisture, otherwise vegetables may crack. Disease resistance is high. It has a positive attitude to preventive measures, especially to mineral fertilizing with the addition of nitrogen-containing substances.
6. Turbojet... A small bush - only 40 cm high - is covered with fruits. The weight of one is about 70 g. Despite its low weight, it is better to tie up the plant, since there are a lot of tomatoes. The turbojet is not afraid of harsh climatic conditions and grows well anywhere. Also, the variety tolerates drought and lack of sunlight well. The purpose is universal, due to their small size, vegetables are great for canning and pickling.
7. Alpha... The advantage of this plant is that it can be immediately planted in open ground, bypassing the stage of growing seedlings. The variety is early maturing: the first tomatoes appear within 85 days from the moment of planting. Potatoes, cucumbers and cabbage are considered the best predecessors. Alpha is able to be stored for a long time and does not lose its taste and external qualities. Among the disadvantages is the tendency to cracking.
8. Valentine... It is recommended to grow this determinant variety outdoors. Tomatoes ripen within 100-105 days from the date of sowing. The height of the bush reaches a maximum of 0.66 m. Tomatoes have a pleasant orange-red color. The shape is elongated, plum-like, the weight of the fruit is about 90 g. Summer residents collect about 3 kg from one bush. Differs in good keeping quality and transportability. Among the disadvantages is the need for tying.
9. Bobcat... The plant came to us from Holland. The commercial qualities are excellent - the tomatoes are suitable for long transportation. It is recommended to grow Bobcat outdoors, mainly in the south of Russia. The color of tomatoes is orange-red, the leaves are dark green. They are distinguished by strong immunity to diseases, long and stable harvest. Bobkat is actively used for the preparation of juices, pasta, ketchup.
10. Riddle... The bushes are strong, they do not need garters. The bush reaches a height of about 40-45 cm. The riddle belongs to the ultra-early varieties. One fruit weighs about 150 g, has a beautiful rich color and dense structure. The riddle is suitable for preparing a wide variety of dishes, it is appreciated for its pleasant sweet taste. Among the disadvantages is the mandatory removal of stepsons.
11. Petrusha the gardener - the result of the labors of Siberian breeders. There is no need to graze the variety, which greatly facilitates caring for it. High yield and disease immunity. It tolerates bad weather and lack of moisture. The height of the bushes is about 60 cm, the fruits have an interesting elongated shape, raspberry-red color. Gardeners advise to grow tomatoes in the open field.
12. Danko... This variety is characterized by beautiful orange-red heart-shaped tomatoes.Bushes about 0.5 m form neat beds. From care, they require regular timely watering and weed removal, and the plant also treats organic fertilizers well. The yield of the Danko variety is average, the level of keeping quality and safety during transportation is low.
13. Raspberry Giant It was named so for a reason, large tomatoes were liked by many. The bushes are above average - about 75 cm. Tomatoes ripen early, so they are not afraid of late blight. The yield is high, the tomatoes are tasty, suitable for fresh consumption and as an addition to other dishes.
14. Roma - the elongated, pale red fruits also taste good. No garter required. Most often, the variety is grown for canning and pickling, since small fruits are completely placed in a jar. Roma has an average immunity to pests, therefore, it is important, if necessary, to fertilize the bushes with organic matter or mineral fertilizers.
15. Summer resident - an excellent variety for open ground. Productivity is stable, tolerates low temperatures well. Fruits ripen early - this is a virtue of the variety. The height of the bushes is about 0.5 m. The tomatoes themselves are medium, capable of ripening at room temperature.

Which variety to choose

There are many varieties of determinant tomatoes. Some will delight you with a unique taste, others with a long shelf life, and others with unpretentious care. And yet, in order not to get confused in the variety of varieties, we advise you to follow a few rules:

• choose the vegetable that is suitable for growing in your area. Russia is a big country, and tomatoes, which have got along well in Krasnodar, can give a completely different harvest in Tyumen;
• before buying a particular variety, study the information about it on the Internet or in printed publications. You will surely find something interesting;
• ask your friends summer residents and gardeners. Perhaps the advice of people who have already encountered determinant varieties will help you make your choice;
• carefully read the information on the package with seeds;
• trust only trusted manufacturers.

The choice of a variety depends solely on your preferences. Decide what is most important in the future harvest. For example, if you value unpretentiousness in care, then the Turboactive variety is best for you, and if you want to make delicious tomato juice, Bobkat. If you want to get a universal tomato, opt for the Riddle variety, and if high yields are the main thing for you, think about Alsou tomatoes.

Important! Do not forget about where you plan to grow tomatoes: in a greenhouse or outdoors.

How to determine the type of tomato plant

As we have already found out, according to the degree of growth and development, tomatoes differ significantly and are divided into two large groups: indeterminate and determinant. The latter, in turn, also include several types. Let's consider each of them and identify the distinctive features of plants.

Indeterminate

Such tomatoes are not limited to the central apex of the flower cluster, so their growth does not stop. They can reach a height of 2 to 4 m, depending on conditions, soil and maintenance.

Differences in bushes can be seen already at the seedling stage. On the 4-5th day after the emergence of shoots, the cotyledonous knee "straightens". In indeterminate varieties, it is significantly longer (3-5 cm versus 1-3 cm). The first fruit cluster in such tomatoes begins to form after the ninth leaf or higher (against the level of the fifth leaf in determinant ones). The most popular varieties: Andreevsky surprise, Babushkin's secret, Budenovka, Dulya, Mazarin, Dream of an amateur and others.

Read also:

Top 20 best super early tomato varieties for open ground.

High-yielding and unpretentious Benito tomato.

Features of caring for yellow-fruited tomatoes.

Semi-determinant

This group is between determinant and indeterminate varieties, it is characterized by an intermediate type of branching. When the stem reaches a meter in height, it bifurcates and one part stops growing. In total, the bush can stretch up to 1.5 m.

The first fruit cluster is laid at a height of 7-8 leaves. As a rule, they are formed with an interval of two sheets, but there are gaps of three or more. There are 9-11 brushes on the bush in total.

Such tomatoes are characterized by early maturity. Their marketability is high, as well as resistance to diseases. These tomatoes are usually grown in greenhouses. Popular varieties include Kupets, Baron, Ivet, Krasnaya Arrow.

Determinant

In such tomatoes, the growth of the central apex is limited by the flower race: an ovary with fruits forms at the end of the shoot, and then it stops growing. Further development occurs at the expense of the stepson located in the axil of the leaf closest to the apex. During fruiting, the distance between the fruit clusters in tomatoes is three or less (if they have already grown 5-6 pieces).

Especially popular are such varieties as Raketa, Nevsky, White filling, Demidov, Honey-sugar, etc.

Superdeterminate

This type includes early maturing varieties. Flower brushes are formed after 1-2 leaves, no more than 4-5 of them are formed on each plant, after which a flower ovary appears, which limits the growth of tomatoes.

The crop ripens in about 80 days. The height of the bush, as a rule, is no more than 70 cm, but there are exceptions: in favorable conditions, tomatoes can grow up to 1-1.2 m.

Among the most popular varieties are Alpha, Valentina, Don Juan, Explosion, Maksimka and others.

Ultra-determinant (super-super-determinant)

These tomatoes include the earliest, dwarf and most productive varieties. The growth of the stem stops after the formation of 4-5 clusters. They can form 2-3 in a row without gaps. The first brush appears immediately after the fifth true leaf. Tomatoes do not require pinching, because it is on the stepsons that the fruits are tied.

Ripening period - from 80 to 90 days. Since the crop ripens quickly, it is not exposed to late blight. The tomatoes are small or medium-sized and contain a lot of juice. Their shape and size are about the same. The most common representatives: the Far North, Betta, Dwarf, Antoshka.

Stamp

Early ripe high-yielding tomatoes are industrial varieties. The first fruit cluster is formed over 4-5 leaves, then new ones are laid every 1-2 leaves. The fruits appear at the end of June.

Outwardly, the bush resembles a dwarf tree. Thanks to their thick, powerful stem and small-sized roots, tomatoes do not require a garter or special care. There are practically no stepsons, so there is no need to delete them.

Standard varieties are unpretentious: resistant to temperature changes, well stored. Some of them can be grown on the balcony. For example, tomatoes Antoshka.

Conclusion

Determinant varieties have many benefits. Therefore, it does not matter if you are a beginner gardener or already an experienced gardener. Getting your own tomato crop will not be difficult. The main thing is to be attentive to the choice of the variety, study its advantages and disadvantages. It is important that they do not need special care, and their taste is no worse than that of other tomatoes.