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Tomatoes can be attributed to the mandatory vegetable crops that the gardener grows. When choosing varieties, many prefer tall tomatoes because of the good yield and beautiful appearance of evenly formed bushes.
Characteristic of the variety
Chukhloma indeterminate bushes grow above two meters, which must be taken into account when planting plants in a greenhouse. Small structures will limit the development of Chukhloma tomatoes and this will affect the yield. Therefore, lovers of balcony gardens are not recommended to choose this variety for apartment conditions.
When growing Chukhloma in a greenhouse, it is recommended to form one stem, which will allow the plants to be well ventilated and illuminated. And in the open ground, you can leave more stems (two or three). However, it is undesirable to completely abandon the formation of a bush, otherwise it will grow greatly and the yield will decrease.
The Chukhloma variety is considered mid-season and the first ripe tomatoes can be harvested in 109-114 days. In long racemes that grow on a bush, 12-15 fruits weighing 100-120 g each are formed. Chukhloma tomato can be attributed to high-yielding ones, since 5-6 kg of fruits are collected from each bush, subject to the rules of agricultural technology.
For bright orange fruits (10-12 cm), an elongated shape is characteristic (as in the photo). The peculiarity of the tomato variety Chukhloma is to hold firmly on the brush, it is well preserved during transportation. Tomatoes look interesting with whole-fruit canning. Tomatoes have firm flesh and tough skin.
Advantages of the Chukhloma variety:
- decent yield;
- resistance to certain diseases (fusarium, cladospariosis);
- suitable for growing in various regions;
- excellent staying power.
Therefore, in regions with strong winds, it is undesirable to grow Chukhloma tomato in open ground.
Growing rules
Plants can be planted both in a greenhouse and in open ground. In any case, it is advisable to use seedlings.
Seed sowing
To ensure a high yield of Chukhloma tomatoes, it is necessary to adhere to the seedling germination technology. It is better to sow tomato seeds in March 10-15.
To ensure the rapid growth of Chukhloma seeds, it is advisable to prepare fertile soil: soddy, humus soil and peat are mixed in equal proportions. For seed germination, you can use shallow boxes – 5-7 cm high. The earth is moistened before planting.
In the ground, grooves are made about 1 cm deep, at a distance of 3-4 cm from each other. Seeds are laid in increments of 1,5-2 cm.
The grooves are covered with soil.
Containers with seedlings are placed in a warm place (temperature approximately + 25-30˚ C). To prevent the soil from drying out, the boxes are covered with polyethylene or glass. Soil moisture should be monitored daily. When drying, the soil is plentifully irrigated. If suddenly mold appears on the ground, it is carefully removed, and the surface is watered with a solution of potassium permanganate.
As soon as the seeds of the Chukhloma variety of tomatoes germinate (after about 5-6 days), the seedling containers are placed in the most lit place. It is believed that in the first 2-3 days after germination, sprouts must be provided with round-the-clock lighting.
After the appearance of two leaves (as in the photo), the seedlings of Chukhloma variety tomatoes dive – they are seated in separate pots. For about a month, the seedlings grow at one constant temperature of + 23-24˚ C. And then they start hardening the seedlings – they lower the temperature by one or two degrees.
Two weeks before planting seedlings in open ground, they begin to take them out into the open air for a short time. Every day, the hardening time is gradually increased.
Before planting an indeterminate tomato variety, trellises are pre-installed to tie up seedlings. Stakes / sticks are installed with a height of 2-2,5 m. Gardeners come up with a variant of trellises themselves: plastic mesh, individual stakes, rows of wire.
Tomatoes of the Chukhloma variety are planted in the ground in increments of 45-55 cm, 70-80 cm are left on the aisles. It is recommended to make a furrow for seedlings. Thus, the plants will be better moistened, and later, when hilling, grown Chukhloma tomatoes will grow already on the ridge. This will prevent the stems from getting wet during watering and will be an excellent prevention of disease prevention.
Watering rules
Like any tomato, the Chukhloma variety is watered under the root. If you arrange grooves in advance, then there will be no problems with soil moisture.
Mulching is used to prevent fluctuations in soil moisture. This is especially important when fixing tomatoes on trellises, when the soil is not shaded and dries quickly. And just mulching eliminates this problem.
The frequency of watering the tomato variety Chukhloma is regulated, taking into account the planting region, the growth phase of the plant. Adult tomatoes need more water, and the air temperature rises by the middle of the season. It should also not be overlooked that the indeterminate variety Chukhloma constantly blooms and fruits are tied on it.
Tomato fertilizer
Chukhloma tomatoes respond well to top dressing. Although excessive use of supplements is harmful. Tomatoes are better to “underfeed” than to give an excess portion of fertilizer. Therefore, it is desirable to gradually introduce top dressing.
The first feeding is carried out a week and a half after transplantation. The best option is to use special water-soluble mineral mixtures. Top dressing is applied to the soil during irrigation and it is desirable to mulch the soil afterwards.
As soon as the fruits are tied on the second brush, fertilizers are applied again. A solution is used: a tablespoon of mineral supplement is added to 10 liters of organic infusion. Two liters of solution are poured under the Chukhloma bush.
As soon as the first ripe fruits appear, it is necessary to fertilize the third time. You can also use the composition of organic + inorganic. Moreover, 2-2,5 liters of solution are already poured under each bush.
There is no specific composition of fertilizers. Each gardener uses his own set of dressings. But it is necessary to take into account the structure of the soil, its composition, the condition of the tomatoes.
Diseases of tomatoes
It is believed that the Chukhloma variety is resistant to many nightshade diseases. But to protect the tomato from late blight, it is better to use preventive measures.
This fungal disease usually appears from the middle of the season, when heavy rains begin. The disease spreads at high humidity and low temperatures. The whole plant and even fruits are affected. The disease manifests itself in the form of grayish-brown spots.
As a preventive measure, it is recommended:
- avoid planting Chukhloma tomatoes next to potatoes or after potatoes, peppers;
- regularly pinch the plant and weed the ground;
- if Chukhloma tomato is grown in a greenhouse, it is necessary to ventilate it often and prevent condensation on the walls;
- the remains of the tops are burned, and the greenhouse is treated with bleach.
Chukhloma tomato responds gratefully to timely feeding and constant care. Therefore, with due attention, even a novice gardener will reap a decent harvest.
