Tomato, or tomato in our opinion, is the second most popular vegetable in Europe and North America. So many tomato varieties have been bred that gardeners have a hard time making a choice in favor of any one of them. When choosing, it is worth considering not only the yield of a particular variety of tomato, but also its geographical origin. For our latitudes, preference should be given to domestic and varieties. It is they who in our climate will be able to demonstrate high yields and resistance to diseases. Alsu tomato belongs to one of the best varieties of selection.
Characteristic of the variety
The variety of tomato Alsou is a fairly new variety of breeding. It is perfect for both greenhouses and open beds. At the same time, it should be borne in mind that when grown in open ground, determinant Alsu bushes can reach a height of 80 cm. In a greenhouse, the height of the bushes will be about 1 meter. Despite such a height, a standard form, plants of this variety do not accept.
The green leaves of this variety are medium in size. The abundant fruiting of the Alsu variety is due to the fact that the ovaries are formed every 2 leaves. Moreover, the higher the tomatoes are located on the bush, the smaller they are in size.
Alsu tomato is an early ripe variety. This means that it is possible to harvest its first crop in 90 – 100 days from the appearance of the first shoots. Tomatoes of this variety are heart-shaped with a slightly ribbed glossy surface. They have rather large sizes and an average weight of up to 500 grams, but specimens of 700 – 800 grams are also possible. Unripe fruits of the Alsou variety are colored green. Near their stalk, the color is darker by several tones. When ripe, the tomatoes acquire a bright red color, and the dark spot at the stalk disappears. Distinctive features of Alsu tomatoes are simple inflorescences and articulations on the stalks.
The taste of this variety is excellent. Dense and juicy pulp of Alsu tomatoes has 6 nests. Dry matter in it is at an average level. It’s perfect for salads and juices. The pulp of this variety contains a huge amount of useful vitamins and minerals. In particular, it is rich in vitamins A and C. In addition, it contains the strongest antioxidants: vitamin E and lycopene. This composition makes Alsu tomatoes not only tasty, but also healthy.
The main advantages of the Alsu variety include:
- resistance to cold snap and drought;
- undemanding to the soil;
- high yield – from 7 to 9 kg per square meter;
- good immunity to diseases and pests;
- excellent taste and product characteristics;
- large fruit size.
In addition to the advantages, Alsu tomatoes also have disadvantages:
- seedlings, young seedlings and the stem of an adult plant are rather weak;
- Tomatoes of this variety are not suitable for canning as a whole.
Despite the shortcomings, the Alsou tomato variety is quite successful. It is actively grown for sale. Subject to agrotechnical recommendations, he will give the gardener a rich harvest of large fruits.
Recommendations for growing
The Alsu tomato variety is grown in seedlings. In order to get strong and healthy seedlings, you need to properly prepare the seeds. Their preparation includes several stages:
- Selection of small and damaged seeds. After such sorting, it is recommended to immerse all seeds in water and select those that will float to the surface. These seeds are empty and unsuitable for planting.
- Treatment with a weak solution of potassium permanganate. It is very important to achieve exactly a weak solution. Strong concentration can spoil the seeds. Keep them in the solution for no more than 20 minutes, and then rinse with warm water.
- Soak seeds for up to 12 hours.
This seed preparation is optional. But its implementation can increase the germination of seeds and strengthen their immunity.
Alsu variety tomatoes are not as demanding on the soil as other varieties. They can grow well even in universal soil. But in order for young seedlings not to experience stress after transplantation, experienced gardeners recommend planting seeds in garden soil. Suitable land from any garden, except for potatoes and tomatoes.
It is necessary to plant the Alsu variety for seedlings no earlier than the beginning of March. You can plant seeds in separate containers, or in one large one. The main requirement for planting is the sowing depth. It should be 1,5 cm. If the planting is deeper, then the seedlings will be weak. Seeds can dry out when planted on the surface. Ensuring an optimal temperature of 20 – 26 degrees will allow seedlings to appear as early as 5 days. After their appearance, the temperature can be lowered to 14 – 16 degrees during the day and up to 12 – 14 degrees at night.
To do this, at night, containers with seedlings are placed at an ajar window. In order for the plants to get stronger, but not to freeze, they need to be covered with a draft film. If this is not done, then the seedlings may stretch. Hardening should be carried out for 1,5 – 2 weeks, after which the temperature must be increased by several degrees.
If the seeds were planted in one container, then when the first two leaves appear, they must be planted. It is very important to water young plants before transplanting – this will preserve their root system. In no case should you pull the seedlings. They need to be carefully digged with a thin stick. All damaged, weak and diseased plants must be discarded without pity.
The video will help you avoid mistakes when growing tomato seedlings:
Ready seedlings of Alsu tomatoes are planted in a permanent place after 55 – 60 days from the moment the first shoots appear. It should be borne in mind that regardless of whether it is planted in open or closed ground, there should be 50 cm of free space between adjacent plants of this variety. The optimal distance between rows will be about 40 cm. One square meter of land can accommodate from 5 to 9 Alsou tomato bushes.
Caring for the Alsou tomato variety is no different from caring for any other tomato variety and includes:
- Timely watering. Despite the fact that the Alsu tomato variety has good resistance to drought, it is still not worth allowing the soil to dry out too much. If tomatoes grow in a greenhouse, then they should be watered no more than 1 time per week. When grown in open ground, watering is carried out 1 – 2 times a week. It is very important when watering not to fall on tomato tops.
- Mandatory garter and pinching. In addition, bushes of this variety must be formed into two or three stems.
- Weeding and loosening.
- Regular feeding. Alsou tomatoes are undemanding to fertilization. They will respond equally well to both mineral and organic top dressings.
How to properly form a stem of tomatoes can be found in the video:
The Alsu tomato variety is one of the best varieties bred in recent times. It is quite undemanding to care and has a high yield.