Why summer residents love the Altai orange tomato so much, reviews of its yield and care secrets
Those wishing to enjoy the delicious taste of tomatoes are invited to get acquainted with the vegetable culture of Altai orange. In addition, the variety claims to be large-fruited and high-yielding. It is not necessary to be an ace in the garden beds to grow such a miracle.
It is enough just to water and fertilize in a timely manner, and the tomato will respond to such an unpretentious care with juicy tomatoes, rich in vitamins, amino acids and other useful elements so necessary for the health of each of us.
The content of the article
Description of the variety
The Altai orange tomato is an indeterminate, mid-ripening, large-fruited variety to be cultivated in the southern regions, middle lane and in Altai.
The plant reaches a height of 1.4-1.7 m... It is formed by pinching the tops of the shoots, otherwise the culture will consume nutrients only for growth. Formation into 1 stem promotes faster ripening of fruits.
The height of the plant indicates the need for a garter... The foliage of the tomato is large, dark emerald in color. The brush contains 5 inflorescences. The lower racemes grow after the second permanent leaves, each subsequent ones appear after two leaves.
From the moment the first shoots appear until the fruits ripen, it takes about 3.5 months... The largest fruits ripen on the lower clusters, their weight reaches 450 g. In the upper part of the plant, the mass of fruits is not more than 250 g, when formed in 1 stem - up to 650 g.
Productivity is high... One bush ties up to 4.5 kg of vegetables, and from 1 sq. m collect 10-12 kg.
Fleshy fruits, contain in pulp amino acids, lycopene, beta-carotene, which enhances immunity. Sweet taste, seed chambers 3-6. The color of a ripe tomato is orange or, as the gardeners say, orange. When ripe, the fruits do not crack. Perfectly transported over long distances.
Other varieties of tomatoes:
Bright early tomato with large fruits - the "King of the Market" tomato
Large and unpretentious tomato "Family f1"
The time-tested and loved by many summer residents tomato "Dubrava"
The series of this species includes subspecies: Altai red and pink... The main difference between the two is, of course, the color of the mature vegetables. The taste and other qualities are almost the same.
Reviews of the Altai red tomato indicate the popularity of culture among gardeners... All those who are engaged in its breeding note that regular watering, periodic feeding and timely loosening is enough to obtain a stable harvest. Also, the effectiveness of the use of drip irrigation is distinguished.
Characteristics and description of the Altai pink tomato variety includes additions in the form resistance to cold and later ripening of fruits in comparison with its "brothers". Professionals and amateurs alike share their opinions and report that with the right care, results are in line with expectations.
The photo (above) shows the rich color of the fruit Altai pink and orange.
How to grow seedlings
Before sowing seeds, they must be disinfected in a solution of potassium permanganate, rinsed with clean water and dried... Treatment with a growth stimulant will significantly increase their germination. The seedling soil consists of soil mixed with humus or peat. You can also add a small portion of superphosphate and wood ash to this.
Having made small indentations in the soil, they begin to sow seeds... Containers are suitable for both general (wooden boxes) and individual (peat pots, plastic glasses).
Reference. It is more convenient to sow seeds in individual containers. This method avoids subsequent picking.
After sowing, the seeds are covered with peat and sprayed with warm water... The containers are covered with foil. In the room where the seedlings are located, the permissible air temperature is at least 25 ° C.
When the first shoots appear, the film is removed... It is important not to allow the soil to dry out; it must be kept moist.
If seeds were sown in a common wooden box, then the sprouted seedlings need a dive. They dive after the formation of two full-fledged leaves, after which the sprouts are seated in separate containers.
Upon reaching the period of 50 days, the seedlings are ready to continue further development. in a greenhouse or open field.
This tomato can be grown by sowing seeds directly into the ground... But this method is only possible in the southern regions. With this approach, there is a significant drawback: the chance of rejecting weak seedlings is reduced. Growing tomatoes through seedlings is a more effective method and leads to a high qualitative and quantitative indicator.
How to grow tomatoes
Tomatoes are planted in holes at a distance of 50 cm from each other with a row spacing of 80 cm... Put one tablespoon of superphosphate mixed with potassium salts in each well. A sunny area protected from drafts is well suited as a permanent place. Tomatoes are planted in open ground at an established air temperature of + 15 ° C.
Reference. Plots where carrots, cabbage, and legumes were previously grown are well suited for growing tomatoes.
Water the culture with warm, settled water as the soil dries... In greenhouses this is done in the morning, in the garden in the evening. Underfilling and overflowing are equally harmful to the plant. Roots rot from excess moisture, and with a lack of moisture, vegetables form poorly.
Reference. Cold water has a detrimental effect on this tomato crop: the development of its root system stops.
After watering, the soil is loosened and weeds with roots are removed.
They do not feed often, 3-4 times during the whole season... Complete complex fertilizers or organic matter are introduced. As organic matter, bird droppings or mullein infusion are used. Tomato responds well to both root and foliar dressing, for example, spraying with superphosphate diluted in water.
Reference. In case of insufficient feeding, fruiting worsens.
Stepson shrubs before the end of the growing season... Removing the stepchildren above the third brush, we end up with 1-2 stems. In tall plants, the crown is pinched to avoid further growth. If you remove small or deformed flowers, then future fruits will be tied up with larger ones.
Of course, plant height 1.7 m requires a garter... For this, wooden stakes or metal rods are installed next to each bush. Since the fruits grow of considerable weight, it is also possible to tie the brushes, otherwise the stems will begin to break from their own weight.
Diseases and pests
Diseases of the nightshade family are rare... The species is resistant to fusarium, tobacco mosaic. Nevertheless, prevention in the form of spraying with a solution of potassium permanganate will not be superfluous.
Copper-containing preparations serve as protection against late blight.... Tomatoes often suffer from fungal diseases such as root and apical rot. To prevent them from entering your garden, it is enough to periodically loosen the soil and remove weeds. It is also useful to spray the plant with non-toxic biological products, for example, "Fitosporin".
When flowering, young bushes are attacked by whiteflies and spider mites.... Spraying with a weak solution of potassium permanganate will help here.
Colorado potato beetle, slugs, bear bear pose a serious threat to vegetable crops... Mulching the beds with straw and fragrant herbs growing next to tomatoes - marigolds and calendula - helps from the bear. They scare away the bear with a pungent smell. Decoctions of celandine and onion husks are saved from other pests from the insect world.
But the most productive method in the fight against insects is to regularly inspect the tomato crop for pests... Slugs and Colorado potato beetle are harvested by hand, and the stems are sprayed with an aqueous solution of ammonia.
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The nuances of growing in open ground and in a greenhouse
It is possible to plant seeds in open ground only in the southern regions.... This is due to the fact that the growth and development of a vegetable crop depends on the temperature regime. Despite the fact that the variety is cold-resistant, such weather conditions negatively affect the development and formation of fruits.
The point is that Altai tomato species can withstand cold weather only for a short time, so to speak, changes in weather conditions. Prolonged cold snaps are destructive for him. Therefore, in the middle lane, the initial cultivation in greenhouse conditions is recommended. Further, in the settled warm weather, tomatoes are planted in the garden.
As culture tends to grow in height, do not forget about the obligatory pinching the tops, otherwise the beneficial substances will go into the growth of the plant, and not into the fruit that is set.
Timely installed support for garter helps to maintain the integrity of tall clumpsin.
Harvesting and application of the crop
Harvesting ripe vegetables begins in mid-summer and continues until the first frost... Their use is possible both at home and on an industrial scale. Torn off not fully ripe tomatoes are able to blush on their own.
Vegetables especially good fresh - in salads, they will delight any gourmet not only with taste, but also with color. The preparation of tomato products - juice and ketchup - is also widespread. Altai orange is not suitable for blanks in cans due to its large size.
But well suited for commercial purposes, as it is subject to long-term storage in a cool place. This fact allows us to sell them almost all year round.
Vegetables are good for baby and diet food... Doctors recommend red Altai tomatoes for allergy sufferers when other types of tomatoes are not suitable. For children, juices and purees are prepared from tomatoes.
Advantages and disadvantages
Tomato culture from Altai combines many positive qualities, which is confirmed by many assessments of those who planted it for more than one year:
- resistance to major diseases of the nightshade;
- the ability to withstand periodic temperature changes;
- easy care;
- high rate of fruiting;
- rich taste of tomatoes;
- excellent transportability;
- large fruits;
- color variety;
- fruiting for a long time;
- the ability to use for baby and diet food.
Negative properties include:
- mid-maturity;
- obligatory garter;
- obligatory pinching;
- dependence of fruit formation on top dressing.
Farmers reviews
Reviews of the Altai orange tomato indicate, first of all, excellent taste.... They also note the ease of caring for the crop and its high quantitative indicator. And of course, gardeners welcome a prolonged period of fruiting, allowing you to enjoy fresh fruits for a long time.
Alexandra, p. Yartsevo: “Tomato attracted attention with its appearance and the possibility of cultivation in the open field. I want to tell to novice vegetable growers that it is better to plant through seedlings. It transferred to the ground after the end of the spring frost period. Fertilized and watered not often. The fruits are very large, juicy, sweet in taste. Due to the long fruiting period, I used them fresh throughout the season. ".
Oleg, Biysk: “I have been growing orange tomatoes for many years. Usually I breed in 2 stems to get the maximum yield. The vegetables are tasty, sweet with a slight sourness. I am pleased with the opportunity to shoot fresh tomatoes for a long time ".
Conclusion
Altai tomatoes that have taken root in many regions of our country have received high marks in the reviews of gardeners for more than one year for their ease of care, high resistance to disease, a high rate of fruiting and, of course, excellent taste, loved by both adults and children.
Farmers are happy to grow them for sale, generating considerable income throughout the year. This is another undoubted plus that complements the piggy bank of positive characteristics of multi-colored tomatoes.