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Outlets offer a huge selection of tomato varieties. Most vegetable growers traditionally prefer new selections and most often of foreign origin. Old domestic varieties are gradually fading into the background, but in vain. Such crops are more adapted to our climate. A simple example is the Cosmonaut Volkov tomato, which bears large fruits.
Characteristic of the variety
It is worth considering the characteristics and description of the tomato variety Cosmonaut Volkov from the fact that the culture is not so easy to grow. Tomato is suitable for any type of planting: in shelter and in the garden. The domestic variety is endowed with good immunity from common diseases. The complexity of caring for a tomato arises from its growth. The bush grows in height from 1,5 to 2 m. With an open method of growing, the stems of the plant must be carefully fixed to the trellis so that they do not break off from gusts of wind and under the weight of fruits.
Variety Cosmonaut Volkov belongs to the group of indeterminate tomatoes. Bush type – standard. In terms of ripening, a tomato is considered medium-early, since the first harvest can be obtained in 110 days. The high yield of tomato Cosmonaut Volkov at one time made the variety popular among domestic vegetable growers. Having created good conditions for growth, the vegetable grower will be able to take up to 7 kg of fruit from a bush. When recalculating the yield from 1 m2 you can get up to 18 kg of tomato.
From the considered description, the following advantages of the variety can be distinguished:
- A high yield is always in the first place in the characteristics of any garden crop. Variety Cosmonaut Volkov fully meets the requirements in this regard.
- Excellent adaptation to our weather conditions and good immunity have made the tomato immune to many viral and fungal diseases.
- The fruits are characterized by good taste and large size. Tomato goes for any kind of processing, salads, decoration of dishes. But for whole-fruit canning, tomato is not used. Large fruits simply do not fit into the jar.
Many vegetable growers consider the high growth of the bush to be a disadvantage of the variety. Caring for a plant takes a lot of time and effort. Tomatoes need to make a trellis, constantly tie growing stems, support heavy clusters with fruits. Most of all there are problems with the branches of the lower tier. The largest tomatoes are tied on them. You need to manage to make props so that the fruits do not touch the ground.
Finish the review of the description and photo of the tomato Cosmonaut Volkov is a characteristic of the fruit. The variety is considered large-fruited. The average weight of a mature tomato varies from 500 to 650 g. On the lower tier, the fruits usually grow larger. Their weight can reach 800 g. The shape of the tomato is round with a strongly flattened part at the stem. The top of the fruit is rounded or slightly flattened. The pulp is sugary, when ripe it becomes red. The size of tomato seeds Cosmonaut Volkov is medium. The grains are evenly distributed over 6 or 7 chambers. The content of solids in the tomato pulp is not more than 6%.
Despite the fact that the fruits are quite large, they can be stored for a long time. Tomatoes are transportable. From the fleshy pulp, a thick paste, ketchup, juice is obtained. Small fruits can be used for salting in a barrel.
The video shows proven varieties of tomatoes:
Rules for growing a variety
So, we got acquainted with the characteristics and description of the tomato Cosmonaut Volkov. Now it’s time to learn the secrets and rules of growing crops. To get a good harvest, you need to follow these steps:
- Tomato is characterized by high bush growth. It is a must to tie it up. In a greenhouse, the plant can stretch up to 2 m. You can only tie long stems of a tomato to a trellis. The structure is usually made of posts on which a rope or wire is pulled. Under the open sky, bushes grow smaller. Usually their height is limited to 1,5 m, but a garter is still needed. If there are few bushes, you can do without trellis. Wooden stakes driven into the ground will serve as a good support.
- When growing tomatoes in greenhouses, Cosmonaut Volkov must take care of good lighting. The lack of light will affect the development of the plant. The bush will constantly reach for the transparent ceiling of the greenhouse. The stem of the tomato will turn out thin and fragile. As a result, the fruits will receive less nutrients, which will affect their quality and yield.
- Tomatoes are grown from seedlings. It is bought ready-made on the market or obtained from seeds themselves. Sowing is carried out no earlier than 2 months before planting seedlings in the garden. Self-harvested grains from a tomato before planting must undergo a procedure of disinfection with potassium permanganate, hardening and germination. Store-bought seeds are usually ready for sowing.
- Boxes are usually used for sowing tomato seeds. When the plants form two full-fledged leaves, they dive, seated in separate cups.
- Tomato seedlings are planted in the greenhouse from the middle or at the end of March. On the open ground, planting tomatoes occurs when warm days have set in the street and the ground has warmed up. It must be remembered that Cosmonaut Volkov is a tall variety. Bushes need freedom to develop. It is advisable to maintain a gap of at least 70 cm between each tomato.
- In mid-July, you need to limit the growth of bushes. This is done by pinching the tops of the tomatoes. Growth retardation is required for the full formation of the bush. Appearing late brushes should not be regretted. They are cut off. The fruits still do not have time to reach even technical ripeness by the time the main tomato crop is harvested. The formation of the bush requires the removal of excess stepchildren. The process is the same as for any tall tomatoes. The plant is formed in one or two stems.
- Cosmonaut Volkov does not like frequent watering. It is better to do this less often, but pour more water. The frequency of watering is increased during the ovary period. It is undesirable to use cold water from a well. It will slow down the growth of the tomato. It is good to have a storage tank on the site in which the water will warm up during the day. Water the tomatoes in the early morning or late evening. The second option is preferable in hot weather.
- When the water is absorbed after irrigation, the soil must be loosened. When growing tomatoes in greenhouses, ventilation is required. This process is required after each watering. Fresh air is needed for the full development of tomatoes. Plus, insects fly into the greenhouse through open doors and vents. They are needed for pollination of flowers.
Tomatoes Cosmonaut Volkov are characterized by friendly ripening. If the fruits need to be put into storage, it is better to pick them a little unripe. Tomatoes in a warm, dry place will ripen on their own.
Top dressing of tomatoes
For the entire season, tomato plantings require three mandatory top dressings. They are introduced into the soil before the fruit sets. In general, a tomato variety is considered unpretentious to the composition of the soil, but it will be difficult for the culture to develop without fertilizers. Large fruits pull a lot of nutrients from the plant, and they need to be replenished.
One humus and wood ash is not enough here. Tomatoes need complex fertilizers containing minerals. They are bought in the store. The dose of fertilizer is written in the instructions on the package. Experienced growers regulate it themselves. The poorer the soil, the more the dose of top dressing of tomatoes is increased.
Preventive measures and pest control
Despite the resistance of the Cosmonaut Volkov variety to various diseases, during the period of the epidemic, it is worth taking care of preventive measures. In addition, pests are not averse to feasting on juicy foliage and fruits. To save plantings of tomatoes, you need to take the following measures:
- A malicious tobacco mosaic can completely kill a plant. If infected branches are found on a tomato, they must be cut and burned. The wound on the plant is treated with a cool solution of manganese.
- From the mistakes made by the vegetable grower, brown spotting occurs on the tomato. This is due to improper watering or violation of the temperature regime. After regulating these actions at the initial stage, this disease can be eliminated. If everything is running, and the tomatoes are severely affected, you can try to save the plants by spraying with chemicals. An extreme way out is to remove the affected tomato bushes.
- The whitefly is a nasty white moth that damages tomato foliage. You can get rid of the enemy with the drug Confidor. A solution consisting of 10 liters of water and 1 ml of the drug is sprayed with tomato plantations. This volume is enough to process a plot of 100 m2.
- Outdoor tomatoes are at risk of being attacked by spider mites. An ordinary soap solution will come to the rescue. They are sprayed with tomato bushes, and severely affected areas can even be washed.
- If dampness is often kept under the bushes, there is a possibility of slugs appearing. The fighting method is simple. Ashes or ground hot peppers are scattered around the tomato bushes on the ground.
From any pest or disease, it is better to protect yourself with preventive measures. In advanced cases, no drugs can help.
Reviews
There are different reviews about the tomato variety Cosmonaut Volkov. Some vegetable growers like tomato, others failed to grow it. Let’s read what ordinary gardeners say about this vegetable.