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Unpretentiousness in care and high yields – these are the requirements that summer residents place on early varieties of tomatoes. Thanks to breeders, gardeners have a very large selection of various varieties, from classic varieties to new hybrids. Among this variety it is difficult to find one that can rightly be called universal in all respects. After all, it is not enough to grow a tomato, it is important that it has an excellent taste and a wide range of applications.
In all of the above parameters, the Fat Jack tomato is in many ways superior to its counterparts. What is the uniqueness of this variety, what are its main characteristics? Is it really unpretentious and high yield? You will find answers to all questions in this article.
Brief description of the variety
Tomato “Fat Jack” has already been appreciated by many farmers and summer residents. And this variety deserves special attention. The variety was bred relatively recently. It was registered in the State Register only in 2014.
Tomato seeds have a very high germination rate (98-99%). Growing seedlings does not require the use of special skills and devices. Plants sprout beautifully and grow without lighting.
“Fat Jack”, according to the declared characteristics, is suitable for cultivation even in open ground, even in greenhouses, even in greenhouses. It belongs to early varieties, since it is possible to harvest the first crop of tomatoes already 95-105 days after active seed germination.
When growing tomatoes in heated greenhouses, it begins to bear fruit already in early to mid-June. In open ground, fruiting begins 2-3 weeks later, which indicates its precocity.
By planting some of the plants in the greenhouse, and some in the open field, you can stretch the fruiting time and get a crop of delicious tomatoes for a longer period.
It is possible to plant seeds of “Fat Jack” tomato immediately in open ground only in southern regions with a warm climate. But in the central and northern regions, it is recommended to grow tomatoes in seedlings. But a tomato lover from Siberia grows “Fat Jack”, planting seeds immediately on the beds, and in a harsh climate gets an excellent harvest.
Bushes of tomatoes are low. Reach no more than 40-60 cm in height, sprawling. The foliage is medium, the color and shape of the foliage are standard.
Tomato “Fat Jack” does not need regular pinching. But this condition should be observed only if you have already formed a bush in 3-4 stems.
Tomato “Fat Jack” refers to determinant varieties. The fruits have a classic bright red color, the shape of the tomatoes is round-flat.
Like all low-growing plants, tomatoes of this variety require timely removal of the lower leaves to improve the aeration of the root part of the plant and prevent root rot.
Tomatoes do not need a mandatory garter. But given the number and size of the fruits, it is still worth tying the plants to a support in order to avoid breaking off the brushes.
Characteristics of fruits
A brief description and characteristics of the fruits of tomatoes “Fat Jack” is reduced to the following parameters:
- Rounded flat shape;
- Bright red color;
- Average weight 250-350 grams;
- The pulp is dense, fragrant, sweet;
- General Purpose Tomatoes.
Among other things, tomatoes are characterized by high yields – up to 6 kg from one bush – with a rather modest size.
Those gardeners who have already planted tomatoes of this variety note that tomatoes have a sweet, rich tomato flavor with a barely noticeable sourness. The fruits ripen in waves, which gives the housewives the opportunity to process the harvested crop without difficulty and excessive haste.
Advantages and disadvantages of the variety
Tomato variety “Fat Jack” was bred for cultivation in a personal subsidiary plot. But given the many advantages, it is also suitable for farms specializing in growing vegetables. The following advantages distinguish “Jack” from tomatoes of other varieties:
- Can be grown in greenhouses, greenhouses or open ground;
- you can plant tomatoes both in seedlings and in seedlings;
- resistant to slight temperature changes;
- resistant to many diseases;
- high seed germination;
- excellent fruit set in any weather;
- with a small size of the bush, excellent yields;
- the size and taste of tomatoes;
- does not require special skills and additional hassle during planting and subsequent care;
- precocity
- excellent presentation;
- tolerates transportation well;
- does not need regular pinching;
- wide scope;
- is not a hybrid, which makes it possible to harvest seeds on their own.
With such a huge number of advantages, Fat Jack has practically no disadvantages, except for two:
- the need to form a bush to obtain high yields;
- the need to take preventive measures against diseases and pests.
But these disadvantages are so insignificant that growing tomatoes will not cause you serious problems or difficulties.
Application area
Initially, the Fat Jack tomato was bred as a salad variety. That is, its fruits are suitable mainly for cutting summer salads and eating fresh. But those gardeners who planted tomatoes on their plot and managed to evaluate the quality of tomatoes speak of him as a universal tomato. Tomatoes can be used in almost any area:
- for the preparation of tomato juices and pastes;
- preparation of various sauces, ketchups and adjika;
- as a component in the process of preparing a variety of dishes, casseroles and pastries;
- for whole-fruit canning;
- for winter preparations – salads, lecho, saltworts.
Housewives who are actively harvesting a generous harvest for the winter also use tomatoes for quick freezing in sliced form or for drying. Subsequently, these blanks are added to the first and second courses during the cooking process.
It is worth noting that in the process of conservation, tomatoes do not lose their excellent taste. Fruits do not crack when whole-fruited canning.
Rules for landing and subsequent care
Tomato variety “Fat Jack” is recommended for growing in greenhouses, open ground and greenhouses. Accordingly, there are two ways of growing – seedling and seedless.
But whatever method you choose, you can be sure that with minimal physical effort you will get a bountiful harvest of fragrant and unusually tasty tomatoes.
Growing seedlings
Growing Fat Jack tomatoes is no more difficult than regular tomato varieties. Self-harvested seeds must be soaked for 2-3 hours in a 2% solution of potassium permanganate (pink). The purchased seed material does not need such processing.
If you wish, you can soak the seeds for a day in warm water with the addition of any compound that stimulates the formation and growth of the root system. But even without this event, tomatoes sprout quickly and amicably.
Seedlings should be sown for seedlings in late March – early April. Picking should be done in the phase of 2-3 well-formed leaves, combining it with the first top dressing with mineral fertilizers.
You need to transplant seedlings:
- in the greenhouse in late April – early May;
- in a greenhouse in mid – late May;
- in open ground in early – mid-June.
Many summer residents add crushed eggshells to each well when transplanting tomatoes. But this type of feeding is completely useless. Yes, the eggshell is rich in calcium and minerals, but at the time of active growth of the green mass, the plant needs nitrogen.
Moreover, before fertilizing the soil with shells, it must be washed, dried and ground literally into dust. Whether the efforts expended are worth it, and whether there is a result from these actions is a moot point.
After transplanting, you need to feed the tomatoes twice: during active flowering and fruit formation.
Despite the fact that the “Fat Jack” garter is not required, it is still recommended to tie the plants to a support – not every bush can withstand a load of 5-6 kg.
You need to form bushes in 3-4 stems. After the formation, the stepchildren do not grow so actively, therefore, it is only necessary to remove excess side shoots from time to time so that all forces and nutrients are directed to the formation, growth and ripening of fruits.
Growing tomatoes in a seedless way
It is possible to plant seeds of “Fat Jack” tomatoes in open ground already in the middle – the end of May. The main condition is a fairly well-heated soil and the absence of the threat of possible spring frosts.
The area for planting tomatoes should be sufficiently lit, and the soil should be loose and fertile. You need to dig the ground in advance, 7-10 days before the proposed planting work.
Immediately after planting, the beds should be poured abundantly with warm, settled water and covered with any non-woven covering material or film. Open the beds in warm, sunny weather, and be sure to close the beds at night.
After 2-3 weeks, you need to thin out the seedlings and feed the tomatoes with complex mineral fertilizers.
The subsequent care of plants consists in the usual activities for any gardener:
- weeding;
- watering;
- loosening;
- bush formation;
- removal of stepchildren;
- top dressing.
The recommended planting pattern is 5-6 plants per 1 m². When growing tomatoes in beds, the distance between plants should be at least 35-40 cm.
It should be remembered that when growing “Fat Jack” tomatoes in open ground, tomatoes ripen a week – one and a half later than in a greenhouse.
To prevent root rot, be sure to remove the lower leaves to ensure adequate air exchange. And one more recommendation – remove weeds from the site so that they do not cause tomato diseases.
Tomatoes are highly resistant to many diseases. But you should not forget about preventive treatments against diseases and pests.
If you follow the recommendations for planting and subsequent care, Fat Jack tomatoes give a bountiful harvest, even when grown outdoors in a seedless method. Residents of the Siberian and Ural regions, whose climatic conditions are famous for the late arrival of spring and late return spring frosts, appreciated this variety.
The author of the video shares his impressions about the Fat Jack tomato variety, its cultivation, and also gives a brief description of its fruits.
Conclusion
The characteristics and description of the tomato variety “Fat Jack”, as well as numerous reviews of amateur gardeners and gardeners, suggest that it is worth growing at least a few bushes on your site as an experiment. Perhaps you will like the taste of tomatoes, and it will take its rightful place in your list of must-plant varieties.