Contents
Any vegetable grower who grows tomatoes wants to find that cherished variety that will combine all the best qualities. First, bets are made on the yield and taste of the fruit. Secondly, the culture must be resistant to diseases, bad weather and require a minimum of care. Many gardeners are sure that all these qualities cannot be combined in one variety. In fact, they are delusional. A striking example is the Bobcat tomato, which we will now meet.
Characteristics of a variety
We begin to consider the characteristics and description of the tomato variety Bobkat by determining the place of origin of the culture. The hybrid was bred by Dutch breeders. Registration of tomato in Our Country dates back to 2008. Since then, the Bobcat F1 tomato has gained popular popularity among vegetable growers. The hybrid is in great demand among farmers who grow vegetables for sale.
As for the characteristics of the Bobcat tomato, the culture belongs to the determinant group. The bush grows from 1 to 1,2 m in height. Tomatoes are intended for open and closed ground. In terms of ripening, Bobkat is considered late-ripening. The first crop of tomatoes is harvested no earlier than 120 days later.
About the Bobcat tomato, reviews of even lazy vegetable growers are always filled with positive. The hybrid is resistant to almost all common diseases. The crop yield is high. A lazy vegetable grower can create conditions for tomatoes under which from 1 m2 it will be possible to collect up to 8 kg of fruit. Effortless yields on a plot of 1 mXNUMX2 is from 4 to 6 kg of tomatoes.
Description of fruits
In many reviews, the description of the Bobcat F1 tomato begins with the fruit. This is right, because any vegetable grower grows a crop for the end result – to get delicious tomatoes.
The fruits of the Bobcat hybrid can be characterized as follows:
- When ripe, the tomato acquires a uniform bright red color. There is no green spot around the stem.
- In shape, the fruits of the Bobcat hybrid are rounded, slightly flattened. There is a slight ribbing on the walls. The skin is glossy, thin, but strong.
- Under good tomato growing conditions, the size of the fruits obtained in the second, as well as all subsequent batches of the crop, is stably maintained.
- The fleshy pulp is characterized by good taste. The content of solids is not more than 6,6%. Inside the fruit there are from 4 to 6 seminal chambers.
Picked Bobcat fruits can be stored for up to one month. Tomatoes are transported well. In addition to conservation, tomatoes are processed. The fruit produces a thick puree, paste and delicious juice. Thanks to the perfect balance of sugar and acid, Bobcat is also tasty in fresh salads.
The video talks about the seeds of the Bobcat hybrid:
Positive and negative features of the variety
To summarize the characteristics of Bobcat tomatoes, let’s look at the pros and cons of this hybrid. Let’s start with the positives:
- the hybrid is poorly affected by pests, and is also resistant to diseases;
- The bobcat tolerates drought and waterlogging of the soil, but it is better not to subject the tomato to such tests;
- the crop will bring the crop in any case, even if the care of the tomato was poor;
- excellent fruit taste;
- tomatoes are versatile in use.
The Bobcat hybrid practically does not have negative qualities, except for the late ripening period. In cold regions, it will have to be grown in a greenhouse or completely abandoned in favor of other early tomato varieties.
Growing a hybrid and caring for it
Since Bobcat tomatoes are late ripening, they are best grown in warm regions. For example, in the Krasnodar Territory or the North Caucasus, tomato is grown in the open. For the middle lane, a hybrid is also suitable, but you will have to use a greenhouse or greenhouse. Vegetable growers of the northern regions should not get involved with late-ripening tomato. The fruits will fall off with the onset of frost before they have time to ripen.
Sowing tomatoes begins in March. Bobcat is a hybrid. This suggests that its seeds only need to be bought. In the package they come pickled and completely ready for sowing. The vegetable grower only needs to immerse them in the ground.
Soil mixture for seedlings is better to buy in the store. If there is a desire to tinker on your own, then the land is collected from the garden. The soil is calcined in the oven, disinfected with a solution of manganese, and after drying in the fresh air, it is mixed with humus.
Ready soil for tomatoes is poured into containers. Tomato seeds are sown to a depth of 1 cm. Grooves can simply be made with a finger. The grains are placed after 2–3 cm. The same distance is maintained between the grooves. The spread out tomato seeds are sprinkled with soil on top, moistened with water from a spray bottle, after which the boxes are covered with foil and placed in a warm place.
After friendly shoots, the film must be removed. Grown up tomatoes dive in cups and feed with potash fertilizer. Further care for tomato seedlings provides for timely watering, plus the organization of lighting. Natural light will not be enough for tomatoes, as the day is still short in spring. It can be extended only by the organization of artificial lighting.
When warm days set in in the spring, tomato seedlings will already grow up. In order for the plants to get stronger, they are hardened before planting. Tomatoes are taken out into the street first in the shade. The time spent outdoors is increased during the week, starting from 1 hour and ending with the whole day. When the tomatoes get stronger, they can be taken out in the sun.
The Bobcat hybrid is planted in a checkerboard pattern in holes or grooves. It is important to maintain a distance between plants of at least 50 cm so that they can develop. Before planting seedlings prepare the soil. To disinfect the soil, use a solution prepared from 1 tbsp. l. copper sulfate and 10 liters of water. It is impossible to make a lot of top dressing, otherwise the Bobcat will begin to fatten. It is enough to add humus and wood ash to the ground.
The next important step in growing a Bobcat hybrid is the formation of a bush. You can leave one stem. In this case, there will be fewer fruits, but the tomatoes will grow large and ripen faster. Formation in two stems allows you to increase productivity. However, the fruits will be slightly smaller and ripen later.
To get a good harvest, you need to care for the Bobcat hybrid in compliance with the following rules:
- the bush will not support the weight of the fruit, so it must be tied to a trellis;
- all extra stepchildren are removed so that they do not oppress the plant;
- the abundance of foliage also depresses the culture and it is necessary to partially get rid of it 4 pieces a week so that the tomato does not cause stress;
- Bobcat hybrid loves rare watering up to twice a week, but plentiful;
- moisture in the soil under the tomatoes is kept by a mound of straw or hay;
- in greenhouse cultivation, the Bobcat requires frequent ventilation.
Compliance with these simple rules will help the vegetable grower get a big harvest of delicious tomatoes.
Secrets of vegetable growers for the care of tomatoes
In the process of getting to know the Bobcat tomato, photos, reviews and characteristics indicate that the hybrid allows even lazy vegetable growers to harvest. But why not make a minimum of effort and collect the fruits twice as much. Let’s learn a few secrets from experienced vegetable growers:
- The Bobcat hybrid loves abundant watering and retaining moisture in the soil. Fruits do not crack from water, and the plant is not affected by phytophthora. However, if the heat is constantly established on the street over +24оC, tomato plantations are sprayed with Quadris for prevention. Ridomil Gold showed good results.
- Bobcat can do without top dressing, but their presence will help to significantly increase the yield of tomatoes.
If the hybrid is treated with due respect, the culture will thank with a large number of tomatoes, which will be enough for its own consumption and sale.
Control of diseases and pests
For common diseases, the Bobcat is considered an immune hybrid. However, prevention should not be neglected, especially since it will do without much labor and cash investments. What a tomato needs is compliance with the watering and fertilizing regime, loosening the soil, as well as providing seedlings with high-quality lighting.
Tomato pests are insects. The whitefly can cause harm to the Bobcat. An inexpensive drug Confidor is suitable for the fight. It is diluted in a proportion of 1 ml per 10 liters of water. This amount of solution is sufficient to treat tomato plantations with an area of 100 m2.
Reviews
Now let’s read about the Bobcat F1 tomato reviews from hybrid growers.