Contents
Eggplant has long been one of the useful and favorite vegetables and is successfully grown in different regions of our country – under film or in open ground. Among the many varieties, eggplant Roma F1 is especially popular, the description of the variety of which indicates its excellent taste.
The early ripe hybrid F1 quickly won the recognition of gardeners for its high yield, versatility of use, and high commercial characteristics.
Characteristic of the variety
Roma eggplant height reaches 2 m, it forms powerful bushes with large wrinkled leaves of bright green color. They form elongated pear-shaped fruits of a traditional dark purple color, characterized by:
- early ripening – they are 70-80 days after transplanting seedlings into open beds;
- light tender pulp and lack of bitterness;
- smooth, shiny surface;
- uniformity – the length of the fruits of the Roma F1 variety, on average, is 20-25 cm, and the weight is in the range of 220-250 g;
- high yield – from 1 sq. m you can get up to 5 kg of eggplant;
- a long period of fruiting – before the onset of frost;
- excellent keeping quality;
- disease resistance.
Growing seedlings
Eggplant Roma F1 loves open light areas with fertile soil, grows well on loams and sandstones. The most convenient way is to grow through seedlings. Seeds are planted by the end of February or in the first decade of March.
Seed sowing
Seeds of the hybrid variety Roma F1 do not require pre-soaking. They are planted in soil prepared from garden soil and humus, taken in approximately equal parts with the addition of a small amount of sand. If the seeds are pre-germinated, then the soil should be warmed up to +25 degrees before planting. Eggplant seeds are planted to a depth of 1,5 cm and covered with foil. It will speed up seed germination. The temperature in the room should be maintained at 23-26 degrees.
After 15 days, after the appearance of the first shoots, the film is removed, and the crops are transferred to a well-lit place. At this time, it is desirable to reduce the temperature in the room to + 17-18 degrees in order to ensure the development of the root system. A week later, you can again raise the daytime temperature to +25 degrees, and at night maintain about +14. Such a contrasting temperature mimics natural conditions and promotes hardening of seedlings.
Roma F1 eggplant seedlings are dived after the appearance of cotyledon leaves. Tender sprouts are transferred carefully, with a lump of earth, trying not to damage the roots.
Preparing seedlings for transplanting
The description of the variety recommends that young sprouts of Roma eggplant ensure regular watering, preventing the soil from drying out, as the eggplant painfully tolerates a lack of moisture. However, waterlogging the soil is also impossible. Roma eggplant should be watered with settled water, the temperature of which is not lower than that maintained in the room. Many gardeners use rainwater for irrigation. In order not to expose the roots of plants, it is better to use a spray bottle. After watering, carefully loosen the surface of the soil so that a crust does not form. In addition, loosening reduces the evaporation of moisture.
In order for Roma F1 eggplant seedlings to turn out strong and healthy, you need to provide them with good lighting. If there is not enough daylight, you need to connect additional lighting. The lack of lighting will lead to stretching of the sprouts, a decrease in their immunity, after transplantation it will be difficult for them to adapt to new conditions. With proper care, two months after sowing the seeds, Roma F1 eggplant seedlings will be ready for transplanting to open soil.
Two weeks before transplanting, seedlings begin to harden off, taking them out into fresh air and gradually increasing the holding time. After the end of night frosts around May – early June, Roma eggplants are transplanted under film shelters or in open beds. By this time, they should already have a strong root system and up to a dozen true leaves.
Peculiarities of growing
Eggplant varieties Roma F1 grow well after predecessors such as carrots, onions, melons or legumes. Among the features of their cultivation are the following:
- thermophilicity – the growth and pollination of eggplants are inhibited at temperatures below +20 degrees; “blue ones” do not tolerate frost very well, which must be taken into account when transplanting seedlings;
- plants should be provided with sufficient moisture, otherwise the ovaries will begin to fall off, and the fruits will become deformed;
- the yield of Roma eggplant is highly dependent on soil fertility.
Roma eggplant beds should be prepared in the fall:
- dig the selected area to the depth of the shovel bayonet;
- clear the land of weeds;
- at the same time add mineral fertilizers to the soil and mix well;
- in the spring, dig the beds again, removing the remaining weeds and destroying the larvae of harmful insects in the soil.
Transplanting to beds
The day before transplanting Roma F1 eggplant, all seedlings should be well watered. If it is in boxes, you need to water it immediately before excavation and planting in the ground. Eggplant seedlings are deepened into the ground by 8 centimeters, the root neck is also hidden in the soil by 1,5 cm. Plants need to be transplanted with a clod of earth, if it crumbles, you can make a mash of clay with mullein and lower the root part into it.
If seedlings grow in peat pots, they simply need to be placed in prepared holes filled with water. The soil around the pot should be compacted and mulched with peat. The optimal scheme for planting eggplant Roma F1 is 40×50 cm.
At first, seedlings should be protected from night cooling. You can organize a film shelter for them using wire arcs. You can remove the film when constant heat is established – approximately in mid-June. However, even at this time night cold snaps can occur, these days the bushes should be covered with foil at night.
Roma eggplant needs some time to adapt to new conditions, so the first weeks they will develop slowly. These days it is better to create partial shade for them, stop watering and replace it with spraying the bushes with a weak aqueous solution of urea. You can provide air access to the roots by systematically loosening the soil under the bushes.
eggplant care
As evidenced by the characteristics and description of the variety, Roma F1 eggplant does not require complex care. Agricultural technology is:
- in regular loosening of the soil under the bushes after watering or rain to avoid its compaction;
- systematic watering with settled and sun-warmed water, while avoiding waterlogging;
- timely top dressing with mineral fertilizers and organic matter;
- careful hilling of bushes for the development of adventitious roots;
- periodic inspection of bushes and removal of weeds;
- preventive treatments for diseases and pests.
Some recommendations will increase the yield of bushes and speed up the ripening of fruits:
- after the formation of 8 fruits, remove side shoots;
- pinch the tops of the bushes;
- when flowering bushes cut off small flowers;
- for better pollination, shake the bushes from time to time;
- periodically remove yellowed leaves;
- watering in the evening.
Reviews of summer residents
Eggplant Roma F1 has earned the best reviews from farmers and gardeners.
Conclusion
Eggplant hybrid Roma F1 will provide a high yield of tasty fruits, subject to simple rules of agricultural technology.
