Unpretentious, versatile in use, early ripe tomato "Druzhok f1": reviews and secrets of cultivation
Several decades ago, the Druzhok tomato variety was popular among beginners and experienced summer residents. However, gradually the popularity of the variety began to decline due to a decrease in yield and attack by pests. But thanks to breeders, the F1 hybrid appeared on the basis of the variety. Tomatoes are now more resistant to weather changes, protected from diseases and delight with great taste.
The content of the article
Description
Hybrid Druzhok F1 determinant, medium-sized. The height of the bush does not exceed 50-70 cm. The tops are compact, thick-stemmed, which makes it strong.
The first brush from the fruit is formed over the 6th leaf, the rest - after 2-3 leaves. Each cluster produces 6 to 8 tomatoes.
Distinctive features
The peculiarity of the hybrid is its unpretentiousness to growing conditions. Due to this, the fruits ripen in any weather. After the formation of tomatoes on the inflorescence of the main stem, the plant enters the phase of active growth. This is not a group determinant tomatoes.
Reference.To increase yields, bushes are recommended tie up to the support.
When growing tomatoes in greenhouses or tunnels under a film without additional heating, the bush is formed into 2-3 stems. They are obtained from stepchildren that grow in the axils of the leaves located under the first inflorescence. Due to this, 3-4 inflorescences appear on each stem.
Fruit characteristics and yield
A kind of hybrid Druzhok refers to early ripening tomatoes. After germination and before harvesting, an average of 85-90 days pass. The tomato is universal, the fruits ripen almost simultaneously. Tomatoes are harvested in 1-2 times, which is convenient if the bulk is processed or sold. The germination rate of products is 90%. A view of a ripe tomato Druzhok is shown in the photo above.
High yield - 8-10 kg per 1 m². The hybrid is resistant to transportation and long-term storage without loss of appearance and taste. The variety is unpretentious and firmly withstands temperature fluctuations and exposure to direct sunlight. The plant responds well to fertilization and watering.
Fruit characteristics:
- The tomato has a pronounced red color.
- The shape of the tomato is flat-rounded.
- The average weight is 110-115 g.
- With improved care, the weight of the fetus reaches 150-200 g.
- The tomato tastes sweet, fleshy, dense.
- The seeds are in 2-4 nests.
- When processed into juice, dry matter is not less than 5%, sugar - 4%.
Tomatoes are suitable for fresh consumption, conservation and processing. The hybrid is characterized by an attractive appearance, therefore it is in special demand among gardeners and traders.
How to grow seedlings
According to the description on the package, the seeds are sown from April 1 to April 15. If disembarkation is planned in late May or early June, the dates are shifted to April 15-30.
Seed preparation
To protect the plant from fungal diseases and increase the percentage of germination, the seeds are treated with a solution of potassium permanganate with water before sowing (1 g of manganese is diluted in 100 ml of water at room temperature).
The result should be a dark liquid with a thick consistency - a guarantee of high-quality disinfection. Seeds it is placed in it for 25 minutes.If the packaging indicates that the material has already been processed, this step can be skipped.
Attention! Before planting seeds, you need to check their quality - soak for 30 minutes. Floated specimens are not suitable for planting. It is also important to check the expiration date on the packaging.
Next, the planting material is washed with running water and dried with a paper towel. You can use a growth stimulant. A piece of gauze is moistened in the solution, seeds are placed in it, placed in a plate or other container and left warm for 24 hours. For this, such means are suitable: "Epin", "Kornevin", "Silk," Zircon "or sodium humate.
Capacity and soil
It is recommended to plant seedlings in special containers that are purchased at agricultural markets or in stores where seeds are sold. You can also make them yourself. The container should be wide but shallow. Seedlings dive into pots, the volume of which does not exceed 300 ml. The photo below shows suitable containers.
The soil for seeds is made on the basis of humus and black soil. To make the composition softer, it is recommended to add additional sand, sawdust, fine coconut fiber. Additionally, you can include ash and "Fitosporin" in the composition. If you plan to buy a ready-made mixture, it is better to choose one adapted for tomatoes and peppers.
Council.Experienced gardeners advise beginners to use the soil from the greenhouse so that the tomatoes, after planting in the soil, take root faster and easier.
In the ground from the street, although it is in a covered place, there can be many pests. To get rid of them, disinfection is carried out. To do this, the soil is calcined in the oven, poured with boiling water or doused with an aqueous solution of potassium permanganate. It is enough to stand for 30 minutes.
Sowing
After preparing the soil, dimples or grooves are made in it with a depth of no more than 1-2 cm at a distance of 2 cm from each other. Seeds are laid out in the resulting grooves. They are sprinkled with earth on top, but not tamped. It is recommended to moisten the soil with warm water using a spray.
To accelerate germination, containers are covered with foil or glass. Be sure to place the seedlings in a warm room. Optimal compliance with the temperature regime is within 23-25 ° C. In such conditions, the seeds will begin to germinate after 3-5 days.
Growing and care
After the first shoots appear, make sure that the temperature in the daytime is 16-18 ° C, at night - no more than 13-15 ° C. The seedlings remain in this mode until 2-3 true leaves appear (after about 30-35 days). Over the entire period, seedlings should be watered 2-3 times so that they do not stretch out during the low-light season.
Every day, turn the container with seeds the other side to the window so that there is no tilt of the stems. It is not recommended to water the seedlings frequently. Make sure that no water gets on the foliage. In the boxes the seeds are kept without fertilization. After the appearance of 2-3 true leaves, the seedlings dive into pots measuring 8 × 8 cm and leave for about 20-25 more.
How to grow tomatoes
For the hybrid tomato Druzhok F1, the soil is especially important. If it has a high concentration of clay, it is recommended for every sq. m of land add 1 bucket of peat, humus or sawdust.
If there is more peat in the composition, then humus, sod, sawdust or sand are added.
Landing
It is recommended to plant plants in a permanent place at the age of 30-35 days. Often this period occurs at the end of May or the beginning of June, so it is better to place the tomato in greenhouse conditions.
If planting is done directly in open ground, the seeds are sown 2 weeks later than the recommended period. So you can be sure that the air temperature will be stable at the time of transplantation.
It is recommended to pre-disinfect the soil with a hot solution of potassium permanganate (1 g of manganese per 10 l of water). Place the sprouts at a distance of 40-50 cm from each other in the same row. Many gardeners advise planting tomatoes in a checkerboard pattern.
Care
To get a good harvest, the Druzhok tomato must be watered correctly and regularly. The ratio of 85-90% of soil moisture under the bush and 50% of air humidity is considered favorable. After planting in the ground, the seedlings should be well watered at the root and left for 2-3 days. After that, moisturizing is repeated 1-2 times a week.
Important! In the process of inflorescence formation, the plant must receive magnesium.
Top dressing is done 1 time in 2-3 weeks, while it is important to alternate organic and mineral fertilizers. It is recommended to combine soil loosening between rows with weeding.
The depth of loosening during the first 2-3 weeks after planting is no more than 12 cm.When the bush grows up, additional hilling is carried out (the first - 2-3 weeks after planting, the next - with an interval of 15 days).
Features of cultivation and possible difficulties
In the review of Tomato Druzhok F1, it is necessary to touch upon the topic of possible difficulties and features of growing.
Experienced agronomists recommend:
- feed young seedlings with liquid fertilizers;
- treat the roots with strengthening solutions before planting in the ground;
- carefully select seeds and seedlings before planting, do not waste time on weak plants;
- use drip irrigation or add water dosed under each bush;
- soil mulch straw, hay or freshly cut grass.
As for the possible difficulties, the Druzhok hybrid is considered an unpretentious variety of tomatoes. Subject to all the rules of planting and care, you can count on good seed germination and high yields.
Diseases and pests
The main goal of developing a hybrid was to save the agronomist from unnecessary trouble. Therefore, a characteristic feature of Druzhka is its high resistance to diseases and pests.
The stem and leaves contain a large amount of alkaloids that scare away the natural enemies of the nightshade family.
As a preventive measure, it is recommended to regularly inspect the bushes. Additionally, spraying with a solution of laundry soap will protect the plants (dilute 1 tbsp of grated product in 10 liters of water).
The nuances of growing in open ground and in a greenhouse
The hybrid belongs to determinant, therefore, its growth stops after the formation of 3-4 inflorescences. If the tomatoes are grown in a greenhouse, it is best to form a single stem.
Reference. When forming a Druzhok F1 hybrid in one stem, an increase in planting density by 25-30% is allowed.
After the appearance of 3-4 inflorescences, it is necessary to pin the growth point. Every stepson pinch after the formation of 3-4 brushes. Thanks to this, all the energy will be spent on the formation and growth of the fruits of the main stem. Shoots are removed until they reach the top of the greenhouse or maximum growth.
If the tomato is planted directly in open ground, then it is better to form 3 stems. This is done according to the above scheme (pinching the growth points). To make the lateral stems powerful, stepchildren of leaves are left under the first inflorescence. As a result of these actions, a bush up to 1 m high is obtained with 3-4 inflorescences on each stem.
Harvesting and application of the crop
The crop is harvested 85-90 days after the first shoots in one or two times.
Tomato Druzhok F1 - universal application, suitable for raw consumption, adding to dishes, preservation and other processing.
Advantages and disadvantages of the variety
Among the advantages of the hybrid are:
- rapid maturation;
- high productivity;
- the possibility of landing in unheated greenhouses;
- good taste;
- universality of application;
- good presentation.
Among the disadvantages, gardeners note only the need to tie the plant, which takes a lot of time.
Farmers reviews
Reviews of professional and novice gardeners about the F1 Druzhok tomato are mostly positive.
Elena, Krasnodar: “Last year I planted this hybrid for the first time.I am happy with the result, but initially I had to get acquainted with the intricacies of stem formation. Now I will think over in advance in which place it is better to plant tomatoes, prepare places for tying them up. The only thing that is upsetting is the impossibility of self-procurement of seeds. "
Olga, Voronezh: “I grew this tomato in pots that are in my gazebo. After the formation of three stems, I noticed that the bush turned out to be very spreading, while it looked pretty cute. The tomatoes are delicious, even small children liked it. This year I will plant again and I advise everyone. "
Conclusion
The hybrid tomato Druzhok F1 in one season will provide a large family with tasty and fleshy fruits, while the harvest will also be enough for sale. Unpretentious in care, resistant to temperature extremes, diseases and pests, the tomato will allow the agronomist to devote more time to other concerns.