Tomato Red Arrow F1: reviews, photos, yield

There are varieties of tomatoes that are reliable in growing and practically do not fail with crops. Each summer resident collects his proven collection. Tomato variety Red Arrow, according to summer residents, is characterized by high productivity, disease resistance. Therefore, it is very popular and in demand among gardeners and gardeners.

Variety description

Variety Red Arrow F1 has a hybrid origin and belongs to semi-determinant types. This is an early ripe tomato (95-110 days from seed germination to the first harvest). Bush foliage is weak. The stems grow to a height of approximately 1,2 m in the greenhouse and slightly lower when grown outdoors. On each tomato bush, the Red Arrow is formed by 10-12 brushes. 7-9 fruits are tied on the brush (photo).

Tomatoes have an oval-rounded shape, smooth skin and dense structure. A ripe tomato of the Red Arrow variety weighs 70-100 grams. Tomatoes have a pleasant taste and, according to summer residents, are great for canning or fresh consumption. Tomatoes are perfectly preserved and transported over long distances, the fruits do not crack and retain a pleasant presentation.

Advantages of the variety:

• resistance to adverse weather conditions;
• early yield;
• bushes perfectly tolerate the lack of light (therefore, they can be placed more densely) and temperature changes;
• the Red Arrow variety is immune to many diseases (cladosporiosis, macrosporiosis, fusarium, tobacco mosaic virus).

So far, the variety has not shown any particular shortcomings. A distinctive feature of tomatoes of the Red Arrow variety is that the fruits can remain on the bush for up to a month. From one plant, 3,5-4 kg of ripe tomatoes are easily collected. Approximately 27 kg of fruits can be removed from a square meter of beds.

Tomato variety Red Arrow has proven itself in areas of risky farming (Middle Urals, Siberia). Also, the variety grows well and bears fruit in the European part of Our Country.

Planting seeds

The optimal time for planting seedlings is the second half of March (approximately 56-60 days before planting seedlings in open ground). The soil mixture is prepared in advance or a suitable ready-made soil is selected in the store. A drainage layer is first poured into the box (expanded clay, small pebbles can be put) and covered with soil on top.

Stages of growing seedlings:

1. Seed is usually tested and decontaminated by the manufacturer. Therefore, you can simply hold the Red Arrow F 1 tomato seeds in a damp cloth bag for a couple of days for germination.
2. For hardening, the grains are placed in the refrigerator for about 18-19 hours, and then heated near the battery for about 5 hours.
3. In moistened soil, grooves are made about a centimeter deep. Seeds are sprinkled with earth and slightly moistened. The container is closed with a film or glass. As soon as the first sprouts appear, you can open the box and put it in a lighted place.
4. When two leaves appear on the seedlings, the sprouts are planted in separate containers. You can pick up peat pots or use plastic cups (recommended capacity is 0,5 l). 9-10 days after plant transplantation, fertilizer is applied to the soil for the first time. You can use solutions of both organic and inorganic fertilizers.

A week and a half before planting tomatoes in open ground, it is recommended to start hardening the sprouts. To do this, the cups are taken out into the open air and left for a short time (for an hour and a half). Gradually increase the hardening period. Due to the gradual adaptation to low temperatures, the seedlings acquire resistance to new conditions and become stronger.

Care of tomatoes

Red Arrow tomato seedlings at the age of 60-65 days already have 5-7 leaves. Such seedlings can be planted in mid-May in a greenhouse, and in early June – in open ground.

In one row, tomato bushes are placed at a distance of about 50-60 cm from each other. The aisle is made 80-90 cm wide. Ideal places for planting Red Arrow tomatoes are areas that are well warmed up, illuminated and protected from the winds. In order for the seedlings to quickly take root and not get sick, it must be planted after pumpkin, cabbage, carrots, beets or onions.

How to water tomatoes

The frequency of watering is determined by the rate of drying of the soil. It is believed that one watering per week is enough for the normal development of tomato bushes of this variety. But a severe drought should not be allowed, otherwise the tomatoes will be small or completely fall off. During fruit ripening, the volume of water is increased.

When watering, do not direct jets of water at the leaves or stems, otherwise the plant may become ill with late blight. If tomatoes of the Red Arrow variety are grown indoors, then after watering the greenhouse is opened for ventilation. In general, it is desirable to organize drip irrigation in a greenhouse – this way, an optimal level of humidity will be maintained and water will be saved.

After watering, it is recommended to weed the ground and cover the surface with mulch. This will keep the soil moist longer. For mulching use mowed grass, straw.

Feeding rules

Tomatoes in any period of development and growth need to be fed. There are several main stages of fertilizer application.

1. The first time fertilizers are applied one and a half to two weeks after planting seedlings on the site. A solution of mineral fertilizers is used: 50-60 g of superphosphate, 30-50 g of urea, 30-40 g of ammonium sulfate, 20-25 g of potassium salt are diluted in a bucket of water. You can add about 100 g of wood ash. Approximately 0,5 l of mineral solution is poured under each bush.
2. Three weeks later, another portion of fertilizer is added. 10 g of double superphosphate, 80 g of urea, 3 g of potassium salt and 50 g of wood ash are dissolved in 300 liters of water. So that the solution does not damage the roots or stem, a hole is made around the tomato at a distance of about 15 cm from the stem, where the fertilizer is poured.
3. During fruiting, lovers of early harvests add nitrophoska or superphosphate with sodium humate to the soil. Supporters of organic fertilizers use a solution of wood ash, iodine, manganese. To do this, 2 liters of ash is poured into 5 liters of boiling water. After cooling, add another 5 liters of water, a bottle of iodine, 10 g of boric acid. The solution is insisted for a day. For irrigation, the infusion is additionally diluted with water (in a ratio of 1:10). A liter is poured under each bush. You can also combine the use of organic and inorganic additives. In a normal solution of mullein add 1-2 tbsp. l drugs Kemir / Rastovrin or other stimulants for the formation of fruits.

The best option is to apply fertilizer when watering plants. In order to choose the right top dressing, it is necessary to observe the appearance of tomatoes of the Red Arrow F 1 variety. With increased growth of green mass, the dose of nitrogen fertilizers is reduced. Yellowing of the leaves indicates an excess of phosphorus, and the appearance of a purple hue on the underside of the leaves indicates a lack of phosphorus.

To accelerate the formation of ovaries and the ripening of fruits, foliar top dressing of tomatoes is practiced. Diluted superphosphate is used as a mineral solution.

Fighting diseases and pests

This variety of tomatoes is distinguished by high resistance to damage by many diseases. To prevent infection with late blight, it is recommended to carry out preventive work. To do this, in the fall, the remnants of the sheets are carefully removed from the greenhouse. The top layer of soil (11-14 cm) is removed and fresh soil is refilled. It is best to use soil taken from the beds after beans, peas, beans, carrots or cabbage.

In the spring, before planting seedlings, the soil surface is treated with a manganese solution (blurred pink). It is desirable to spray plants with Fitosporin solution. This should be done in the evening so that the tomatoes are not damaged by the sun’s rays.

Tomato Red Arrow F 1 is very popular among experienced and novice gardeners. Due to the mass of advantages and the almost absence of disadvantages, this variety is increasingly found in summer cottages.

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