What is good and why is it worth growing an early ripe, high-yielding and disease-resistant and weather-resistant tomato "Moskvich"

In the conditions of central Russia, the successful cultivation of many varieties of tomatoes in the open field is unlikely. This is prevented by the short summer and frequent frosts. It is difficult for beginner gardeners to get a good harvest without a greenhouse. Therefore, breeders have put a lot of effort into breeding crops that can cope with all negative external factors.

Thanks to the efforts of agronomists, the Moskvich tomato variety was bred. This culture is resistant to frost, temperature extremes and unpretentious care.

Description of Moskvich tomato

The Moskvich tomato was bred in 1976 by Russian breeders by crossing the varieties Semyon 373 and Nevsky. And despite the fact that many other varieties of tomatoes have appeared during this time, this culture is still not considered obsolete.

The fruits are medium in size and red in color. The taste is sour-sweet, classic for tomatoes.

The variety was bred for outdoor cultivation in the extreme conditions of the northern regions. This is one of the few varieties that, withstanding low temperatures, gives a good harvest within three months after sowing the seeds.

Muscovite bushes are determinant. On average, plant height reaches only 40 cm.

Advice! Due to its low growth, the Moskvich tomato is suitable for cultivation not only in the greenhouse and in the open field, but also on the balcony and on the windowsill.

Features of the variety

Moskvich tomatoes are a variety bred specifically for growing in the extreme conditions of the middle zone of our country. The fruits of this crop are of medium size and a uniform red color.

The taste of tomatoes is classic sweet and sour. The fruits are fleshy, with few seeds. They contain up to 6% dry matter.

The main feature of the variety is frost resistance and unpretentious care. Tomato is not afraid of night frosts and is suitable even for the most "lazy" gardeners.

Moskvich has immunity to a number of plant diseases. He is rarely amazed late blight, which is considered one of the most dangerous tomato diseases.

Tomatoes are suitable for conservation, cooking tomato sauces, juices and hot dishes. Moskvich fruits can be used raw. Therefore, the variety is considered universal.

Tomato characteristics

All characteristics of the Moskvich tomato correspond to the climatic realities of our country. This is one of the few varieties that can be grown outdoors in all regions of Russia.

Description of the variety:

Growing seedlings

Sowing of planting material for seedlings is carried out 55-60 days before planting tomatoes in open ground. For the Moskvich variety, the optimal time for growing seedlings is late or mid-March.

Preparing the seeds

Seed preparation will speed up and improve seed germination. Therefore, this point must be taken seriously.

Preparation of planting material:

1. Soak the planting stock in salted water for 30 minutes. Remove floating seeds. They won't come up.
2. The seeds that have sunk to the bottom must be washed and soaked for another 20 minutes in a light pink solution of potassium permanganate. This will disinfect them. Make sure that the potassium permanganate crystals are completely dissolved, otherwise they will burn the seeds.
3. Place the seeds in a growth promoter. To do this, soak pieces of gauze in the solution and wrap the seeds in them. This will speed up the germination of tomatoes.
4. Dry the seeds after soaking. This can be done with a paper towel.

How to choose containers and soil

There are two options for sowing seeds. Each of them has advantages and disadvantages.

Seeding options:

1. One large capacity. You can sow all the planting material in one large container - a special tray or box, cut juice boxes or a cake stand. In this case, after the plants germinate, they will have to be dived into separate pots. The advantages of this method lie in its cost effectiveness and in the ease of growing seedlings. The disadvantage is the need for an early pick.
2. Separate containers. You can sow seeds directly into individual cups or peat tablets. In this case, it will be possible not to transplant them for a long time and not to injure the root system. The disadvantage of the method is its cost, especially when using peat tablets.

For diving plants, you can use not only purchased pots, but also homemade containers made of plastic cups, cut bottles, etc. In this case, the container should not be too small.

To prepare the soil mixture on your own, turf and humus are taken in equal proportions. You can add one part of ash and one matchbox of soil fertilizers to the mixture.

The prepared soil must be disinfected. To do this, the earth is calcined in an oven at a temperature of 100 degrees or spilled with boiling water.

Sowing planting material

When planting in a common container, grooves are made in the soil into which the seeds will be placed. They should be 1 cm deep and 3 cm apart.

The seeds are placed in grooves at a distance of 2 cm from each other. Sprinkle them with earth on top.

The soil is well moistened with a spray bottle. To do this, use water at room temperature.

To create a greenhouse effect, the container is covered with glass or foil and placed in a warm place. The temperature in it must be at least 25 degrees.

Water as the soil dries. If the soil is too wet, remove the plastic and ventilate the plants. Otherwise, mold may develop.

Seedling care rules

In order for the seedlings to grow healthy and be ready for transplanting into open ground, you need to properly care for them. The list contains basic rules.

Seedling growing rules:

1. After the seeds germinate, the pot of seedlings must be rearranged in a well-lit place. If the plants do not have enough light, use special lamps.
2. The film can be removed when all the seeds have germinated and the plants are a little stronger.
3. Water as the soil dries. After germination of seeds, it is necessary to moisten the soil so that water does not get on the greens of the plant. Use a pipette or syringe for watering.
4. If the plants turn yellow and have lost their turgor, do not rush to water them vigorously. The same symptoms occur with excessive soil moisture. Therefore, if the ground is wet, it needs to be slightly dried.
5. A pick into separate containers of tomatoes is made after the first leaves appear on the seedlings.
6. The first watering and feeding are done a week after the pick. For this, complex fertilizers are used.
7. The seedlings are hardened two weeks before they are planted in the ground. For this, tomatoes are taken out into the fresh air during the warm season, starting from 15-20 minutes and gradually increasing the time.

Growing tomatoes

Planting seedlings in open ground is done when the soil warms up enough. The ideal time is mid to late May.

Seedlings need to be prepared. For this, all plants are watered abundantly.

Transplanting

Before planting tomatoes, you need to prepare the soil. To do this, sprinkle each square meter of land with 40 g of superphosphate, 15 g of dry chlorine and 20 g of ammonium nitrate and dig up.

The holes are dug in a checkerboard pattern. The distance between the rows should be 60 cm, the distance between the plants should be 30-40 cm.

The depth of the holes should be about 35 cm. When the plants are planted, the lower leaves are removed.

Tomatoes are planted in the holes along with a lump of earth that was in the pot. The depressions are covered with soil.

Plant care

Tomato Moskvich is unpretentious in care. Even a novice gardener can cope with its cultivation. It can be grown even in the country, which you will visit once a week.

This variety does not need tying. The bush grows only 40-50 cm in height. But it grows strongly in breadth.

It is also not necessary to make a tomato sauce. In the evening, it is enough to pluck yellowed and withered leaves. The yield of the Moskvich is explained precisely by the large number of ovaries.

Water as the soil dries up. It is important not to flood the plants.

Fertilizers are applied once a week. Tomatoes are fed organic and mineral compounds. You can use complex fertilizers. Foliar dressing should include boron.

What rules must be followed when growing tomatoes

In order not to face difficulties when growing Moskvich tomatoes, follow some rules.

Tips for growing Moskvich:

1. It is better to plant tomatoes not in the sunniest place, but in partial shade.
2. You should not grow tomatoes in the place where other tomatoes or nightshades (potatoes, eggplants) were grown last year. Such plants will feel best in the beds after cabbage, cucumbers and onions.
3. If there are too many fruits on the bush and it leans towards the ground, it may be necessary to support or garter... It is important that the tomatoes do not lie on the ground.
4. Watered bushes in the morning or evening. Water must be poured at the root without affecting the greens of the tomatoes.
5. It is important to regularly weed tomatoes, especially in the first weeks of transplanting them outdoors. Weeds can kill immature tomatoes and increase their risk of contracting diseases.
6. Loosening the soil around tomatoes will improve air exchange in their root system.

Diseases and pests

Tomato Moskvich is not susceptible to many plant diseases. But for some diseases, tomatoes still have to be processed.

Late blight occurs in conditions of excessive humidity. Muscovites rarely get this disease. To prevent its development, you can use the "Barrier" tool.

Dry spotting is caused by a fungus that attacks the plant at elevated temperatures. Treating tomatoes with copper preparations will help in the fight against this disease.

Tomato stem necrosis without timely treatment can lead to the death of the plant. To get rid of this problem, use "Fitolavin".

Differences between growing tomatoes in open ground and in a greenhouse

Moskvich is grown mainly in open ground, greenhouses are used for more heat-loving and fastidious varieties. There are a few rules to help keep plants healthy in extreme conditions.

The first time after planting tomatoes in open ground, they need to be covered with foil overnight. This will save them from night frosts. You can remove the greenhouse structure in early June.

Water in the heat tomatoes are not allowed. Do this in the morning or evening.

Feedback from farmers suggests that Moskvich tomatoes grow better in open ground than in a greenhouse. In protected ground, they grow in breadth and give small fruits.

Harvesting

Moskvich is an early ripening variety. The first harvest is obtained in early July.

Pluck the fruit as soon as it ripens. Overripe tomatoes can cause tomato infections. Unripe fruits can also be picked. They can also mature at home.

Moskvich tomatoes are good fresh. But they are best suited for conservation. Due to their small size, they fit easily into any size jar.

Pros and cons of the variety

Moskvich has many advantages over other varieties of tomatoes. It is thanks to them that he still has not lost his popularity.

Benefits of Moskvich tomatoes:

• unpretentious care;
• resistance to most plant diseases;
• excellent transportability;
• high productivity;
• early maturity;
• frost resistance.

Disadvantages include the usual taste and small size of tomatoes.

Farmers reviews

Reviews of the Moskvich tomato are contradictory. The residents of the cold regions of Russia praise him more.

Farmers feedback:

Bloodless Maria, Arkhangelsk: «This is not the first year I have been growing Moskvich. This is one of the few tomatoes that can take root in the open field in our area. I use fruits mainly for conservation. For fresh consumption I grow tomatoes in a greenhouse. "

Kravets Oleg, Zelenograd: “On the advice of a friend, I tried the Moskvich tomato. An excellent variety for growing in the country. Unpretentious and needs minimal maintenance. I can’t say that I really liked the taste of these tomatoes, but for preservation, it’s just it ”.

Vasily, p. Udomlya: “I am a busy person, I work a lot. I can visit my summer cottage only on weekends. I would like to grow my own tomatoes, but there is no time to bother with a garter and cut off my stepsons. This year I sowed the old proven Moskvich variety. There is no need to cover or reveal it. I fed it 3 times a season, and rained tomatoes for me, of which there were a lot. I thought that I could not wait for the harvest. But then the sun came out and the tomatoes began to sing together. In a word, I'm happy with the variety. "

Conclusion

The Moskvich variety is one of the most unpretentious and frost-resistant tomatoes. It produces many small fruits within three months after sowing the seeds. It is not afraid of frost and rarely suffers from plant diseases.

This crop can be grown in the country, and it will suit even the most inexperienced gardeners. Even if you miss one watering of these tomatoes, it will not lead to their death.