Contents
Due to the peculiarities of the climate in most of the country, gardeners mainly grow early and mid-ripening tomatoes – late tomatoes simply do not have time to ripen in a short summer. Most early tomatoes have small fruits, and their taste is not as rich as we would like. The exception to their rules is the tomato King of the Early, which pleases with large, beautiful and very tasty fruits.
A description of the tomato King of the Early, photos and reviews of those who planted this variety on their plots can be found in this article. It also describes the recommended agricultural practices that will help grow this large-fruited tomato.
Characteristics and description of the variety
This variety is the fruit of the labor of domestic breeders, and it was brought out relatively recently – 12 years ago. The tomato does indeed have a very short growing season – tomatoes of the Korol Early variety ripen on the bushes already on the 85-90th day from the moment the first shoots appear.
The variety is suitable for growing in open ground and in greenhouse conditions, but the King of Tomatoes feels best under temporary film shelters. In such cases, tomatoes are planted in tunnels or under other shelters, and when the seedlings are well strengthened, the day and night temperatures stabilize, the protection is removed, and the tomatoes simply grow in the garden.
Extended description of the variety King of the Early:
- plant of determinant type, standard;
- the height of the bushes is average – 50-60 cm;
- stems are powerful, well-branched and highly leafy;
- leaves are large, dark green, potato type;
- in the greenhouse, the tomato ripens on the 85th day, in the open field a little later – by the 90-95th day after germination;
- the yield of the Korol Ranny variety is 4-5 kg from each bush or 12 kg per square meter;
- fruits are large, their average weight is 250-300 grams;
- the shape of the tomatoes is round, the tomatoes are slightly flattened on top;
- the peel of the fruit is thin, but strong, so the fruits do not crack;
- the pulp is juicy, sugary, painted in rich red;
- the taste of the King is very high, especially compared to other early ripening tomatoes;
- tomatoes are quite soft, they tolerate transportation well, since the fruits have a high percentage of dry matter;
- resistance to disease in the variety is average, so it is necessary to carry out prevention in a timely manner.
The yield indicators for the tomato variety Korol Rannykh are rather arbitrary – the number of fruits depends heavily on the agricultural practices and conditions in which the tomato will be grown.
Pros and cons of the variety
Tomatoes King of the Early in their short history of existence fell in love with many gardeners and summer residents. And there are several reasons for that:
- productive variety;
- in record time you can get large and tasty fruits;
- the tomato is suitable for growing in the ground and in the greenhouse;
- you can plant a tomato in any region of the country (in the south and in the center – in the ground, in colder areas – under the film);
- You can use the crop for any purpose (eat fresh, prepare juices and mashed potatoes, preserve whole).
Tomato King of the Early is great for growing for the purpose of selling, because the fruits are stored for a long time and do not lose their attractiveness during transportation.
If you read the reviews of gardeners about the tomato King of the Early, you can find out about some of the shortcomings of this variety. For example, farmers note some capriciousness of the tomato, its strong dependence on watering and top dressing. And the variety is also prone to several “tomato” diseases, so you will have to carry out prevention a couple of times over the summer.
Growing Rules for a King
In principle, the tomato variety King of the Early is grown in the same way as other tomatoes with early ripening. First, the farmer will have to grow seedlings or find them on sale.
Step by step agrotechnical measures look like this:
- Sowing seeds for seedlings is carried out in mid-late March. Seeds are sown in soil suitable for tomato seedlings and cleaned in a warm place until seedlings hatch.
- Sprouted seedlings need to be provided with enough light. In the northern regions, you may need lamps to illuminate the tomatoes. If the tomatoes do not have enough light, their stems will become thin and long, the seedlings will weaken.
- In the phase of two true leaves, tomatoes are seated in individual containers. If peat tablets or cups were immediately used for seedlings, then you can not dive tomatoes.
- In the house, tomatoes need light, watering and a couple of top dressings. A week before transferring the seedlings to the greenhouse or garden, it is necessary to harden the tomatoes.
- Tomatoes of the Early King are transferred to the ground in mid-May. If temporary shelter is used, tomatoes can be planted in the first days of the month. An early variety is planted in the greenhouse in the second half of April. By the time of planting, seedlings should be 1,5-2 months old.
- Between adjacent bushes you need to leave from 50 to 70 cm, the interval between rows is 70-100 cm. For such a “squandering” of the land, the King of the Early will thank with a plentiful and tasty harvest.
If the gardener does not follow the rules for planting the “royal” variety, he will not see a good harvest. That is why the reviews about this tomato are so contradictory: a tomato needs space, nutrition and a lot of light, then the harvest will be plentiful, and the fruits will be large.
What is care
This tomato is not one of those that can grow on its own, like grass against a fence. The king of early ripe tomatoes needs competent and constant care:
- Although the bush belongs to the determinant type, it will still have to be stepsoned. The fact is that this variety gives a lot of side shoots, if they are not thinned out, the plant will not have enough light and air, it will inevitably start to hurt. Shoots and whole ovaries are removed, and in the case when there are too many fruits on the bushes, the tomatoes simply cannot ripen in such quantities.
- So that the tomatoes do not get sick and do not rot, it is desirable cut off a few lower leaves. Do this when the fruits of the lower ovaries are formed.
- It will also have to tie bushes, although their height is not too large. The shoots of the King are powerful, but they still often cannot withstand the weight of large fruits. If you do not tie a bush to a support, its branches will lie on the ground, take root, which will lead to decay of both the plant and the fruit.
- Cracks near the stem indicate insufficient watering of tomatoes (as in the photo). To the king of tomatoes need a lot of waterThis variety responds best to drip irrigation.
- The earth must be loosened and weeds removed. It is recommended to use organic mulch (straw, sawdust, humus).
- You need to feed the Early King often and plentifullyotherwise there will be no good harvest. You can use any fertilizer: mineral complexes or individual components, any organic matter, except for fresh manure and chicken manure (liquid infusions can be prepared).
- In intense heat it is desirable to shade the bushesusing mesh or special fiber.
It is necessary to collect tomatoes on time, as the fruits of the King are prone to cracking from overripe. Yes, and it is better to free the bushes from excess weight in a timely manner, then the plant will have enough strength to ripen the next batch of tomatoes.
Write Your Review
Conclusion
Variety King of the Early – a tomato is not for the lazy. He will please with good harvests, give large and tasty fruits only if he is well looked after.
This tomato needs space, it needs frequent top dressing and good watering. But the taste of the fruits among the early varieties of the King has no equal – the tomatoes are juicy, sugary, sweet and very beautiful.