The tomato "Lel" which is gaining popularity among summer residents
A "capricious" variety of tomatoes, according to some summer residents, which grows well and pleases with a high yield in one garden, but may not grow in another - this is Lel. What is the reason for such capriciousness? And is it really typical for this variety? In this, as well as in how to properly care for Lel tomatoes and grow them in our garden, we will understand the article.
The content of the article
Description of the variety
Tomato Lel is a medium early variety with limited stem growth... From germination to fruit ripening takes from 100 to 122 days. The bushes grow lush, but low (up to 0.5 meters). According to the majority of summer residents, they should not be pinned.
Distinctive features
Determinant variety ideal for outdoor usebut is also used for growing in greenhouses. It tolerates heat and cold well. It grows even with a lack of sunlight.
The leaves of the bushes are green, small in size... The inflorescences are simple. Flowering occurs with the appearance of inflorescences between the 6th and 7th leaves, the subsequent ones appear after 2 leaves.
Phytophthora for tomatoes Lel is not afraid... They are ripped off before the onset of the disease.
Productivity and characteristics of fruits
The variety has a high yield... On average, 2 kg of tomatoes are harvested from one small bush. As you can see in the photo, the fruits grow in clusters (5-9 tomatoes on each).
Lel tomatoes are dense and smooth... Their average weight is 60 g, maximum - 75 g. Tomatoes have an elongated shape with a sharp tip. The color of ripe tomatoes is bright red. The fruits are very juicy, have a sweetish with sour taste and rich aroma.
Read about other varieties of tomatoes:
High-yielding and unpretentious Benito tomato
Growing seedlings
Seedlings are sown 2 months before planting in the ground... The most favorable time for sowing is mid-March.
Due to the cold resistance of the variety, seedlings can be placed both in heated rooms and in greenhouses. However, in this case, sowing should wait until April, when the ground in the greenhouse warms up enough, and the temperature at night will not drop below 14 degrees.
Seed preparation
Lel tomato seeds do not require special preparation... It is enough to hold them for some time in a solution of potassium permanganate for disinfection. Next, the seeds are laid out in damp gauze for germination.
Note. Before planting, the seeds are sorted, removing empty and small ones. If it is impossible to clearly determine which seeds are suitable for growing, experts recommend using salt water. In it, bad seeds float to the surface.
Capacity and soil
Lel tomatoes love space... For this reason, the seeds must be sown in deep, spacious containers at a considerable distance from each other.
Important! Bushes of the tomatoes in question, obtained from strong, dense sprouts, give a good harvest. Seedlings should not be allowed to thicken. Otherwise, the sprouts will lack nutrients, which will lead to their stretching.
Lel tomatoes are very demanding on the soil... If the soil for planting seedlings is chosen incorrectly, they will grow poorly, and it will not be possible to get suitable sprouts for planting. It is recommended to use special prepared soil for tomatoes from trusted manufacturers for seedlings.
Sowing
Sowing Lel tomatoes should be shallow... Each seed is immersed in the ground about half a centimeter. This will allow the root system to thrive.
Before sowing, the soil must be disinfected by spilling it with a solution of potassium permanganate. After sowing, the container is covered with foil and the first shoots are expected to appear. Then the film is removed.
Growing and care
When growing seedlings, you should observe the thermal and light conditions.... The optimum temperature is between 25 and 27 degrees. It is better to put the seedlings on the windowsill from the sunny side. In case of a lack of light, it is recommended to use LED lamps. Lel tomatoes necessarily dive when the sprouts have 2 leaves each.
Before planting in the ground, the seedlings are hardened... The sprouts at this time should have a strong stem and dark green leaves. Weak shoots are best removed to allow others to develop.
Reference. To harden Lel tomato seedlings, it is enough to open the window in the daytime. In this case, drafts should be avoided.
How to grow tomatoes
So that Lel tomato pleases its owners with a good harvest, you should follow the basic agrotechnical methods of growing crops. Tomatoes require regular watering, weed removal, and top dressing. An important factor is the correctly selected soil.
Landing
Lel tomatoes need space. The reason lies in the rather voluminous foliage of the plants in question. It is recommended to plant no more than 5 bushes per square meter..
They are located at a distance of 40 cm from each other.... The optimal distance between the beds is 60 cm. Taking these values into account, the plant will grow in conditions of normal shade, receive enough light and ventilate.
Care rules
The correct soil is very important for Lel tomatoes... From it, the plant should receive all the elements necessary for growth and good yield. Regular feeding is required - once a week. In addition to organic fertilizers, an actively fruiting plant requires additional fertilizing with microelements.
Normal setting is guaranteed when using fertilizers containing iron, boron, manganese and zinc... It is recommended to apply up to two liters of a solution of complex fertilizers for tomatoes under each bush.
Water the plant abundantly... However, oversaturation with moisture is fraught with loss of yield. Tomato Lel loves dry air and moist soil, in which moisture will not stagnate. Excessive accumulation of moisture often leads to the development of late blight.
Water the plant at the root... Avoid getting moisture on the stem and leaves. The optimal time for watering is morning or evening. We recommend using warm water.
The plant needs a lot of nutrients... In the presence of "neighbors" in the form of weeds, they must be weeded so that nutrients do not leave the tomatoes.
Important! To provide the roots of tomatoes with air circulation and eliminate stagnant water, mulching is required. A layer of dry grass at the top of the soil also prevents weeds.
There is no need to tie the plant up during the growth period... During the fruiting period, this procedure is recommended, since the fruits grow in massive clusters, under the weight of which the branches can break.
Features of cultivation and possible difficulties
Subject to the basic agrotechnical techniques, Lel tomato grows quickly and gives a good harvest... There are no particular difficulties in growing this variety.The main thing is to use high-quality soil, fertilize it on time, as well as water the plants correctly and place them in a part of the site that is well-lit by the sun and protected from drafts.
Diseases and pests
Diseases of tomatoes can significantly reduce yields... Being exposed to them, the plant can no longer grow normally, and hence bear fruit. Moreover, it becomes contagious to its fellows.
The main diseases of most tomatoes, including the Lel variety, are late blight and cladosporium.... It is easier to prevent them than to cure them. For prevention, it is recommended to use ready-made store formulations, as well as self-prepared mixtures. Experienced gardeners treat tomato plants with the following solution: 1 liter of water, 5 drops of iodine and a glass of milk. Each tomato bush is abundantly sprayed with this mixture.
For the treatment of plants already affected by the disease, it is recommended to use special ready-made mixtures for processing.
Reference. Lel variety is resistant to tobacco mosaic virus.
The main pests that attack the variety in question are the Colorado potato beetle and aphids.... To destroy them, special chemicals are used to spray the bushes. When fighting the Colorado potato beetle, it is recommended to use the drugs Prestige, Mospilan and others. Large beetles are collected from bushes and destroyed.
Aphids are destroyed with solutions of karbofos, bleach or trichlometaphos... Having prepared the solution according to the instructions on the package, it is sprayed with a spray bottle on the outside of the leaves.
More about tomatoes:
The nuances of growing in open ground and in a greenhouse
Growing the variety in question in greenhouse conditions practically does not differ from cultivation in the open field. The only thing is that plants can be planted in the greenhouse 1-2 weeks earlier, since the soil warms up faster here.
The cultivation method does not affect the taste of tomatoes. Both greenhouse fruits and those that have grown in the garden taste great.
There is an opinion that the fruits obtained in greenhouse conditions are slightly larger. For this reason, greenhouse tomatoes must be tied up.
Harvesting and application of the crop
The first fruits of Lel tomatoes ripen 3.5-4 months after planting the seeds... Ripening of fruits is possible even after they are harvested from the bush, however, the fruits ripened on the bush are more aromatic and tastier. This tomato variety is known for its pleasant taste and good keeping quality. It can be stored for a long time and easily transported, keeping its presentation.
The fruits of the variety can be called universal.... They are consumed fresh, canned, and also processed into tomato products. The juice contains about 4% dry matter, 1.8% sugar, as well as a large amount of vitamins and nutrients.
Advantages and disadvantages of the variety
Positive qualities of Lel tomatoes:
- high productivity;
- good taste;
- ease of care;
- resistance to adverse weather conditions;
- external attractiveness of fruits;
- resistance to some diseases of tomatoes;
- long shelf life;
- good transportability.
Numerous reviews of gardeners indicate that the negative qualities of tomatoes There is no Lel variety.
Farmers reviews
On the Internet forums of summer residents, you can read the real reviews of peoplegrowing tomato Lel. This will help you draw conclusions about how much the variety in question will suit you.
Anna: “For the third year I have been planting Lel tomatoes and each time I fall in love with them more and more. Unpretentious, but at the same time they give a high yield. I feed the whole family with them. Everyone likes their taste in any form. "
Vitaly: “Last year I planted Lel tomatoes in a greenhouse. Besides them, there were also other varieties. They fell ill with late blight. I had to remove several Lelya bushes by the roots. I did not notice their resistance to diseases. The harvest was not impressive.I don't plant this variety anymore. There is, of course, the option that they “didn't like” something. I didn't bother with the soil. I planted it after cucumbers. "
Maria: “This variety is one of my favorites. I always plant 15-20 bushes. I have enough for both winter salads and whole salting. We also gladly eat fresh with the whole family. 4 years in prison. There have never been any illnesses. "
Conclusion
Lel tomatoes are the favorites of many farmers. The main criteria that contribute to the choice of this particular variety are their high yields, unpretentious care and resistance to climate change. Such a plant can be grown not only for your own use, but also for sale.
cool tomatoes!