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For more than twenty years, Dar Zavolzhya tomatoes have been especially popular among vegetable growers due to the excellent taste of fruits, high yields and unpretentiousness in cultivation. In 1992, this variety was included in the State Register, and is intended for cultivation in open ground in the Central Black Earth, North Caucasus and Lower Volga regions. But later the variety was successfully zoned, and now these tomatoes are grown almost throughout Our Country.
Characteristic of the variety
Tomato “Dar of the Volga”, according to the characteristics and description of the variety, belongs to heat-loving and light-loving plants. Therefore, it is most often grown in areas where there is a long summer and enough sunlight for the full ripening of tomatoes.
You can grow tomatoes in greenhouses, greenhouses and in open ground. But in the beds it is recommended to grow tomatoes only in the central and southern regions.
The “Gift of the Volga Region” is characterized as a determinant, that is, tomatoes grow no higher than 70-80 cm. They have a powerful root system. The leaves are similar in shape and color to tomatoes of other varieties – medium in size, light green in color. There is no need to pinch the tops of tomatoes. The stem is thick, powerful, with medium foliage.
In terms of ripening, the tomato belongs to medium-early varieties; the first harvest can be harvested already 100-110 days after seed germination. Fruit formation occurs in clusters of 6-8 medium-sized tomatoes. The first brush is formed over the 6-7 sheet, the next – after 1-2 sheets.
The variety is distinguished by a high yield for determinant, medium-early tomatoes – up to 5-7 kg per 1 m². But subject to the rules of agricultural technology, up to 5 kg can be collected from a bush.
A brief description of the fruits of the tomato “Gift of the Volga” is as follows:
- The average fruit weight is 80-150 grams;
- Tomatoes have a rounded shape, slightly flattened, with a slight ribbing at the stem;
- The color can vary from pink to deep pink;
- The skin is soft, thin;
- The pulp is quite fleshy, juicy and dense;
- Dry matter content – up to 5%
- The sweet taste prevails over the sour taste.
Tomatoes can be transported over long and short distances without the risk of losing the crop. The presentation and taste of tomatoes are perfectly preserved during transportation. Thanks to this, it is possible to grow tomatoes of this variety both on a personal plot and on farms.
Those vegetable growers who have already grown the “Dar Zavolzhya” tomato note that the results are consistent with the characteristics indicated in the description. Reviews about this variety are extremely positive.
Advantages and disadvantages
For a quarter of a century, many gardeners have already managed to appreciate the advantages of the “Gift of the Trans-Volga” tomatoes, their characteristics, description and leave their feedback. The main advantages include:
- High seed germination – up to 99,6%;
- Easily tolerate picking and transplanting into the ground;
- No special skills and abilities are required when growing;
- Friendly flowering and fruit formation, simultaneous ripening of fruit clusters;
- With moderate watering, tomatoes do not crack during the ripening period;
- High yield;
- Excellent taste qualities;
- Long shelf life;
- Excellent trade dress;
- Resistance to many diseases and pests;
- Wide scope.
Vegetable growers who have managed to evaluate the Dar Zavolzhya variety tomatoes note that with high humidity and excessive watering during the ripening period, tomatoes acquire a too sour taste. And the second disadvantage of this variety is the low resistance of plants to frequent and prolonged changes in ambient temperature. Tomatoes also react sharply to gusty winds and drafts.
Peculiarities of growing
For seedlings, tomato seeds “Dar Zavolzhya” can be sown in mid-late March. In order to prevent putrefactive and fungal diseases, the soil must be calcined in the oven or disinfected with a solution of potassium permanganate. If you decide to use a store-bought soil mixture, in this case, disinfection is not required.
Self-harvested seeds need to be disinfected. Soak them in a light pink solution of potassium permanganate for 3-4 hours. The purchased seed material does not need this procedure.
The soil for growing tomato seedlings should be sufficiently loose, fertile, with low acidity.
In the prepared, heated soil, grooves are made 1,5-2 cm deep. The optimal distance between the seeds is 2 cm. The seeds laid in the grooves are covered with soil no more than 2-2,5 cm thick. It is recommended to water the plantings with warm, settled water.
Tomato seeds germinate very quickly, 8-10 days after planting. At the stage of appearance of 2-3 true leaves, seedlings need to dive. When transplanting seedlings into other containers, you need to follow a few recommendations:
- The composition of the soil for diving should be as close as possible to the soil in which the seedlings were grown;
- Plants should be transplanted in thin, cloth gloves. You need to take tender sprouts only by the leaves or roots. It is not recommended to take tomato seedlings by the stem – the damaged edge of the stem is not restored.
- It is necessary to deepen the seedlings to the first, cotyledon pair of leaves;
- Disposable peat cups or pressed paper containers are deservedly considered ideal for diving. In this case, when transplanting tomatoes into the ground, the roots will remain intact, and the plants will start growing faster.
- After picking boxes or containers with transplanted seedlings, it is better to put them in partial shade for a couple of days. Only when the tomatoes are accepted, it will be possible to rearrange the plantings on the windowsill;
- Planting should be watered 2-3 times a week, as the top layer of soil dries;
- Seedling containers should be rotated 180˚С around its axis daily. All plants will be exposed to the sun equally, and seedlings will grow evenly.
- 7-10 days before transplanting plants into the ground, seedlings need to be hardened off.
It is possible to transplant grown tomatoes into the ground already when during the day the thermometer readings are stable + 22˚С + 24˚С, and the earth warms up to + 16˚С + 18˚С. The optimal planting scheme involves planting 4 plants per 1 m².
Within a few days after transplanting, the plants need to be shaded so that they take root and start growing as quickly as possible. Water plantings only with warm water. Watering with cold water has a negative effect on growth – tomatoes stop growing and take a long time to move away from stress.
Further care for the “Gifts of the Trans-Volga Region” involves the following activities:
- Timely watering, weeding, loosening;
- Tomatoes need top dressing no more than once every 3-4 weeks;
- During the period of active flowering, 2-3 flowers can be removed in each brush, then the tomatoes will grow larger;
Despite the fact that the “Dar of the Volga” tomatoes, according to the characteristics, are highly resistant to common diseases and most pests, it is necessary to carry out spraying in a timely manner for prevention purposes.
Application area
The scope of the “Dar of the Volga” tomatoes, according to the reviews of many housewives, is quite wide. Due to their excellent taste, the fruits can be used in the preparation of any dishes and preparations, where tomatoes and their derivatives are indicated as a component.
The first harvest can be eaten fresh, pink tomatoes are perfect for cutting summer vegetable salads and the first omelettes with tomatoes. Fans of picnics and kebabs will also find a use for “Daram”.
The second and subsequent wave of ripe tomatoes can be used for winter harvesting. From sweet, dense, juicy tomatoes, you can prepare any salads, sauces, pastas, ketchups. However, due to excessive density, tomato juices from the “Gifts of the Volga” are too thick and do not have a bright red, saturated color.
“Gifts” will also look flawless in jars, in general. Many housewives note that with whole-fruit canning, the skin of tomatoes does not crack.
Every diligent housewife will find where to apply the harvest.
The author of the video will show how the “Gift of the Volga” tomatoes look on the beds and in the context
Conclusion
True connoisseurs of tomatoes have long appreciated the merits of the “Gift of Zavolzhya” tomatoes. The rich, rich taste has long found its admirers, and therefore this variety is no longer a guest in many garden plots. We offer you to grow these tomatoes. Perhaps you will add them to the list of varieties required for annual planting.