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The Big Beef tomato is an early variety developed by Dutch scientists. The variety is valued for its excellent taste, resistance to diseases, temperature changes and other adverse conditions. Plants need constant care, including watering and fertilizing.
Botanical description
Characteristics of tomatoes Big Beef:
- early maturation;
- the period from germination to harvest is 99 days;
- powerful spreading bush;
- a large number of leaves;
- height up to 1,8 m;
- 4-5 tomatoes are formed on the brush;
- indeterminate variety.
The fruits of the Big Beef variety are characterized by the following:
- rounded shape;
- smooth surface;
- mass of tomatoes from 150 to 250 g;
- good taste;
- juicy fleshy pulp;
- number of cameras – from 6;
- high concentration of solids.
The Big Beef variety belongs to the steak tomatoes, which is distinguished by its large size and excellent taste. In the US, they are used to make hamburgers.
Up to 4,5 kg of tomatoes are harvested from one bush. Fruits are suitable for daily diet, fresh consumption or after heat treatment. In home canning, fruits are processed into tomato juice or paste.
Big Beef tomatoes have a long shelf life. The fruits can withstand long hauls and are suitable for cultivation for sale.
Seedlings of tomatoes
Big Beef tomatoes are grown in seedlings. Seeds are planted at home. After their germination, the necessary conditions are provided to the tomatoes.
Preparing for planting
Landing work is carried out in February or March. The soil for tomatoes is prepared in the fall by combining garden soil and humus in equal proportions. The substrate is also obtained by mixing peat, sawdust and sod land in a ratio of 7:1:1.
The soil is placed for 10-15 minutes in an oven or microwave for disinfection. In frosty weather, it is exposed to the street or balcony.
Big Beef tomatoes are planted in boxes or individual cups. First, the containers are filled with soil, seeds are placed on top with an interval of 2 cm and 1 cm of peat is poured. When using peat tablets or cups, seedlings do not need picking.
Containers with tomatoes are covered with glass or film, then left in a warm room. At temperatures above 25 ° C, tomato sprouts will appear in 3-4 days.
Care of seedlings
Tomatoes in the seedling stage need constant care. They are provided with a temperature of 20-26 ° C during the day and 15-18 ° C at night.
The room with tomatoes is regularly ventilated, but the plants are protected from drafts. If necessary, fitolamps are installed so that the tomatoes receive lighting for half a day.
If the tomatoes were planted in boxes, then the seedlings dive when 5-6 leaves appear. Plants are distributed in separate containers. The use of peat tablets or cups allows you to avoid picking.
Before planting tomatoes in a permanent place, they are hardened in the fresh air. First, the period of their stay on the balcony or loggia is 2 hours. Gradually, this period is increased. Immediately before planting, tomatoes are kept in natural conditions for a day.
Landing in the ground
Big Beef tomatoes are transferred to a greenhouse or open beds. In closed ground get a higher yield.
Tomatoes 30 cm high with 7-8 leaves are to be planted. Such plants are characterized by a developed root system, so they are able to endure changes in external conditions.
A place for tomatoes is chosen taking into account the culture that grew on it. Tomatoes are planted after cabbage, onions, carrots, beets, legumes.
The soil for tomatoes is prepared in the fall. The beds are dug up and fertilized with humus. In the spring, deep loosening of the soil is performed.
Tomato variety Big Beef F1 is planted at a distance of 30 cm from each other. When organizing several rows, leave 70 cm.
Tomatoes are transferred together with a clod of earth into a prepared hole. The roots of plants are covered with earth, which is slightly compacted. Landings are watered abundantly and tied to a support.
Care of tomatoes
According to reviews, Big Beef tomatoes bring a high yield with constant care. Plants need watering, fertilizing, pinching stepchildren. For the prevention of diseases and the spread of pests, plantings are treated with finished preparations or folk remedies.
Watering plants
Big Beef F1 tomatoes are watered weekly. For irrigation, they take separated warm water, which is brought under the root of the plants.
The intensity of watering depends on the stage of development of tomatoes. Before flowering, they are watered every week using 5 liters of water. When flowering begins, moisture is applied every 3 days, the watering rate is 3 liters.
After watering, be sure to loosen the soil under the tomatoes to improve the absorption of moisture. It is important to regularly ventilate the greenhouse and prevent the formation of a crust on the surface of the earth.
Application of fertilizers
During the season, tomatoes are fed 3-4 times. Fertilizer is applied as solutions or embedded in the soil in a dry form.
The feeding scheme includes several stages:
- For the first treatment, a solution of mullein is prepared in a ratio of 1:10. Fertilizer saturates tomatoes with nitrogen, necessary for building green mass. In the future, it is better to refuse to use such dressings in order to avoid increased density of tomato leaves.
- The next treatment is performed after 2-3 weeks. A large bucket of water requires 20 g of superphosphate and potassium salt. Fertilizers can be applied directly to the soil. Phosphorus and potassium stimulate plant metabolism and improve the taste of fruits.
- When flowering, a solution of boric acid is obtained, consisting of 2 g of the substance and 2 liters of water. Tomatoes are processed leaf by leaf to stimulate the formation of ovaries.
- When fruiting, tomatoes are re-fed with phosphorus and potash fertilizers.
An alternative is to use natural fertilizers. The complex of useful substances contains wood ash. It is embedded in the ground or used to obtain an infusion.
Shrub formation
Big Beef tomatoes form into 1 stalk. Stepchildren growing from the leaf sinus are pinched weekly.
The formation of the bush allows you to get a high yield and prevent thickening. Leave 7-8 brushes on plants. At the top, tomatoes are tied to a support.
Fighting diseases and pests
Variety Big Beef is resistant to viral diseases of tomatoes. Plants are not subject to fusaoriosis, verticillium, cladosporiosis, tobacco mosaic. Viral diseases are the most dangerous for tomatoes because they have no cure. Affected plants must be destroyed.
With high humidity, fungal diseases develop on tomatoes. You can determine the disease by the presence of dark spots on the fruits, stems and tops of tomatoes. To combat fungal infections, Bordeaux liquid and copper-based preparations are used.
Tomatoes attract mole crickets, aphids, gall midges, whiteflies and other pests. From insects, insecticides or folk remedies are used (infusions with onion peel, soda, wood ash).
Reviews of gardeners
Conclusion
Big Beef tomatoes are grown for their fleshy, tasty fruit. The bushes are powerful and vigorous, need shaping and tying. The variety is suitable for growing in adverse conditions. It is planted under a glazed or film shelter.
