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Sometimes, when coming up with interesting names for tomato varieties, it happens that the breeder wants the best, but it turns out as always. The name of the tomato variety Scarlet Candles is very romantic, besides, the shape of the tomatoes really does somewhat resemble burning candles. But … after all, the colors of tomatoes of this variety are pink! Meanwhile, the buyer, having read only one variety name, is convinced that they must be red, and complains that he was again deceived with seeds. And there is no deception – just the imaginative thinking of the authors-breeders let them down a little in this particular case.
However, many other characteristics of the Scarlet Candles tomato in the description of the variety given by the manufacturer are more or less true. In this article, you will have the opportunity to get to know the characteristics of this variety, and with a photo of its fruits, and with the reviews of those who have grown it at least once on their site.
Variety description
Tomato Scarlet Candles was bred by the joint efforts of the famous Siberian breeders Dederko V.N. and Postnikova O.V., who have already presented agrarians with many wonderful varieties of tomato. In 2007, this variety was officially included in the State Register of Breeding Achievements of Our Country with recommendations for cultivation in all regions of Our Country, both under film and in open ground conditions.
Plants belong to the indeterminate type, that is, theoretically their growth is unlimited, but in practice it can be inhibited only by the roof of the greenhouse or by a set of nutrients present in the soil. Bushes of the Scarlet Candles variety really grow tall, up to 1,8-2 meters, very powerful, well leafy. True, they become so closer to the middle of summer.
But after flowering, with good care, the bushes look very picturesque. The variety has a peculiarity – stepchildren practically do not deviate to the sides, but grow almost parallel to the main stem. And tomatoes ripen on brushes, each of which can have from 3-4 to 6-7 fruits. Therefore, with the right garland, garlands of tomatoes are located around the entire bush. Manufacturers promise that the Scarlet Candles tomato has another positive property – the ability to set fruits with almost 100% results in any conditions, both in separate brushes and on different tiers.
Of course, such a tall powerful bush needs a mandatory garter and shaping, that is, the removal of stepchildren. Usually use the formation of 2-3 stems. In colder regions with insufficient illumination, it is advisable to keep these tomatoes in one stem, carefully removing all unnecessary stepchildren.
Producers claim that the tomato variety Scarlet Candles is medium-early, that is, 105-115 days pass from germination to the appearance of ripe fruits. Many gardeners in their reviews note a certain belated ripening of the Scarlet Candles tomato and therefore classify it rather as mid-ripening, or even late-ripening.
Another outstanding characteristic of this tomato is its yield. In a greenhouse, from plants of this tomato variety, you can get up to 12-15 kg of tomatoes per square meter. In open ground, the yield may be less, but still worthy of respect.
The manufacturer does not say anything about the resistance of the variety to diseases. But the reviews of gardeners in this regard are rather favorable – many note the resistance of the Scarlet Candles tomato to late blight, and the tomatoes themselves do not crack either on the branches or after harvest. When growing tomatoes in greenhouses, many are faced with an unpleasant disease – brown spotting (cladosporiosis). This tomato variety is also resistant to this disease. In addition, it is not prone to blossom end rot, which is already quite surprising for tomatoes of this shape.
Characteristics of tomatoes
The fruits of the tomato Scarlet Candles have an original shape – they are elongated in the form of a cylinder, while the tomatoes taper towards the end and are characterized by the presence of a small spout. As a result, their appearance really resembles either a burning candle or an icicle that has begun to melt.
At the same time, the fruits themselves are plump, with a dense and smooth skin, which can be easily removed if desired. The flesh is quite fleshy, retaining its shape in cans even if the skin accidentally bursts.
Ripe tomatoes have a pronounced pink color and a bright tomato flavor and aroma.
Their taste can be enjoyed fresh, tasting them straight from the bush, and they are very good in salads, because they do not flow, retaining their shape.
The size of tomatoes is medium, tomatoes have a mass of 100 to 130 grams. This allows you to use them anywhere. They are perfect for pickling and pickling. And the dense pulp makes them very suitable for drying, drying and freezing.
Advantages and disadvantages
Tomato Scarlet Candles has a number of advantages that have allowed it to gain popularity among many gardeners:
- Attractive and unusual appearance of tomatoes.
- Sweet, great fruit flavor.
- Excellent fruit set in any conditions, and as a result – high yields.
- Prolongation of fruiting.
- The versatility of using tomatoes.
- Resistance to many diseases and adverse environmental factors.
At the same time, the variety has some disadvantages:
- Thin stems, combined with a powerful growth force, require constant bush formation and care.
- Fruit ripening is delayed.
Peculiarities of growing
Seeds of this tomato variety can be sown for seedlings approximately 60-65 days before the planned planting dates for a permanent place. Under the conditions of the middle lane, this will fall in the middle – the second half of March, if we are talking about growing in open ground. In the southern regions or when planting seedlings in a greenhouse, you can start growing seedlings earlier, you should just not forget about the additional illumination of young plants. For Siberia, the sowing dates, on the contrary, are shifted to the end of March, so that the seedlings do not outgrow by the time they are planted in open ground.
If you grow up to 5-10 bushes, then you can immediately sow them in separate containers so that in the future you do not dive seedlings, but simply transfer the grown plants into large pots. If you are going to grow a lot of plants of this variety, then it would be more advisable to first sow the seeds in a common container, and then, after the appearance of two true leaves, pick the tomatoes in separate cups.
When planting seedlings in the ground in a permanent place, no more than 3-4 plants should be placed per square meter. In order not to get confused later in the ramifications of a rapidly growing tomato bush, it is advisable to immediately provide for the construction of horizontal trellises made of wire or thick twine. It is necessary to regularly tie tomato bushes Scarlet Candles to them as they grow. All extra stepchildren are also checked and removed at least twice a week.
Feeding and watering should be carried out regularly, at least once a week. In hot weather, daily watering may be required. If possible, it is best to mulch the bushes with straw or other organic material so that watering can be done less frequently. Mulching can also help control weeds.
Testimonials from truck drivers
The reviews of those who have grown the Scarlet Candles tomato in their gardens for at least one season are positive. The taste of tomatoes satisfies absolutely everyone, many note resistance to various diseases.
Conclusion
The Scarlet Candles tomato, despite its relative youth, has already managed to win the hearts of many gardeners with its yield, delicious taste and resistance to many common tomato diseases.
