Tomato Sergeant Pepper: reviews, photos, yield

Tomato Sergeant Pepper is a new variety of tomatoes, the originator of which is the American breeder James Hanson. The culture was obtained by hybridization of Red Strawberry and Blue varieties. The popularity of Sgt Pepper in Our Country is only gaining momentum. A photo of Sergeant Pepper’s tomato and vegetable growers’ reviews will help you get a general idea of ​​uXNUMXbuXNUMXbthe culture and make a choice in favor of the novelty.

Description of the Sergeant Pepper tomato variety

Tomato variety Sergeant Pepper belongs to indeterminate species, the end point of growth is about 2 m. The height of the plant is adjusted to the trellis, the top is broken at about 1,8 m. The generative type tomato forms a half-stem bush. Vegetation is aimed at the formation of fruits due to the minimum number of stepchildren and leaves. A distinctive feature of the variety is short internodes and exotic fruit color.

The culture is intended for cultivation in open ground and in closed structures. In regions with a warm climate, the plant is grown in an unprotected area, in more severe weather conditions – in a greenhouse. External characteristics of tomato Sergeant Pepper:

1. The bush is formed by 3–4 equivalent processes of the first order, the stems are of medium thickness, weak, the structure is flexible, rigid. Shoots are painted in light green color with a brown tint.
2. The leaves are opposite, dark green, mounted on thin long petioles. The leaf plate is rough with a fine pile, corrugated, the edges with large sparse teeth.
3. The root system is fibrous, superficial, slightly overgrown. Without additional feeding and constant watering, it cannot provide the plant with a sufficient amount of trace elements.
4. Fruit brushes are complex, of medium length, the filling is from 4 to 6 ovaries. The first are formed after 4 sheets, the next after 2.
5. The flowers are dark yellow, the variety is self-pollinating, it forms ovaries in 98%.

According to the ripening time, it belongs to the medium-early type, the collection of the first fruits is carried out 120 days after the seedlings are placed in the ground. Fruiting is long: from August to September. The last tomatoes are harvested at the stage of technical ripeness, they ripen safely in a cool, shaded room.

Description of fruits

The variety is represented by two varieties: tomato Sergeant Pepper pink and blue. Varietal characteristics are the same, representatives of the species differ only in the color of the tomato. Description of the fruits of the tomato Sergeant variety Blue Heart:

• near the stalk, the shape is rounded, tapering to an acute angle upwards, in cross section it looks like a heart;
• the weight of the fruits of the first and last round is different, varies between 160-300 g;
• has an exotic color (bicolor), the lower part with a pronounced anthocyanin, dark purple pigmentation can reach the middle of the fruit, the top is saturated burgundy at the time of ripeness;
• the peel is thin, without proper watering it is prone to cracking;
• the surface is smooth, glossy;
• the pulp in the context is dark brown, turning into burgundy, juicy, dense, without hard fragments;
• there are few seeds, they are located in four testes.

A variety of tomato, Sergeant Pepper Pink Heart, has the same characteristics, the fruits differ only in color: anthocyanin is weakly expressed, distributed along the shoulders, the main color of the tomato is pink.

The taste of the tomato is sweet with a caramel flavor, the acid is completely absent.

Table-grade tomatoes have a good taste and aroma, they are consumed fresh, vegetable salads are prepared. The mid-early variety is suitable for processing into juice, ketchup, tomatoes are used in home-made preparations for the winter.

Main characteristics

Tomato variety Sergeant Pepper is a plant of medium frost resistance. In unprotected ground, with the threat of return frosts, shelter is required. The plant does not tolerate shade, light-loving, the taste of a tomato is fully revealed in good light and high temperature. Tomato drought resistance is low, the bushes must be watered from the moment of planting until the last fruits are removed.

Tomatoes, under comfortable growing conditions, give a high yield. An incorrectly located bed, a lack of moisture and ultraviolet radiation can reduce the indicator. Under optimal conditions, the yield from 1 unit. is 3,5–4 kg. The plant is quite compact, at 1 m² planted at least 4 tomatoes, harvest up to 13 kg. The variety is medium early, the first wave of harvest reaches biological ripeness in the second half of August, fruiting lasts until the first frost. In the greenhouse, ripening occurs 2 weeks earlier. The level of yield does not depend on the method of cultivation.

The selection variety of tomato Sergeant Pepper has good immunity to most diseases. In greenhouses, the appearance of tobacco mosaic or cladosporiosis is possible. In greenhouse structures, pests do not affect the plant. In the open ground, the plant rarely gets sick, but the larvae of the Colorado potato beetle can parasitize on it.

Advantages and disadvantages

Tomato Sergeant Pepper is characterized by a number of advantages:

1. Good yield.
2. Long fruiting period.
3. Blue and pink varieties produce fruits with exotic coloration.
4. Fruits are valued for their chemical composition, which is unusual for ordinary varieties.
5. Tomatoes of universal use, with a high glucose index.
6. Fruits do not lose their varietal characteristics during artificial ripening.
7. Suitable for cultivation in the greenhouse and open ground.
8. The variety resists infection and pests well.

The downside is the exactingness to heat, light, watering. Not everyone likes the complete absence of acid in the taste.

Rules of landing and care

Tomato varieties Sergeant Pepper are bred by seedlings. It is theoretically possible to plant seeds directly on the garden bed, but this method is rarely used. The variety is medium early, fruit ripening will be much later. In a temperate climate, this factor matters; tomatoes do not have time to ripen in a short summer.

Seeding for seedlings

Seeds are planted for seedlings at the end of March, the dates are selected, focusing on regional climate features. Seedlings are placed on the site after 45 days of growth. In the southern regions, sowing is earlier; in areas with a cold climate, seedlings are grown later.

Containers for tomato are prepared in advance, containers made of wood or plastic are suitable. You need to take care of the soil. It can be purchased or mixed independently from peat, compost, sand, soil from the site in equal proportions, nitrogen is added to the mixture at the rate of 100 g per 10 kg of soil.

Seedling bookmark:

1. Soil is poured into the boxes, longitudinal recesses are made by 2 cm.
2. Seeds are spaced 1 cm apart.
3. Furrows fall asleep, moisturize.
4. Cover with glass or film, put in a lighted place.

After germination, the film is removed, watered every day. After the appearance of the third leaf, the seedlings are dived into separate containers, complex fertilizers are applied. 1 week after planting, they are taken out to a permanent bed.

Seedling Transplant

Sergeant Pepper tomato seedlings are planted in the greenhouse in the first half of May:

1. Pre-dig the site.
2. Remove fragments of last year’s plants.
3. Bring in organic matter.
4. I make longitudinal furrows 15 cm deep.
5. The plant is placed at a right angle, the root is laid reclining, so the plant will take root better.
6. Fall asleep to the lower leaves, mulch.

The sequence of planting in a greenhouse or in an open area is the same. In unprotected soil, the plant is planted after the soil has warmed up at least +18⁰ C. At 1 m² place 4 plants.

Care of tomatoes

Variety Sergeant Pepper is demanding on illumination, after placement in the greenhouse, additional lighting is installed and the structure is periodically ventilated. In an open area, the garden bed is placed on the south side without shading. Follow-up tomato care includes:

• preventive treatment with copper sulfate, which is carried out before flowering;
• loosening the soil and removing weeds;
• hilling and mulching with straw;
• the tomato needs constant watering, the drying of the soil should not be allowed;
• they form a bush with 3-4 shoots, the stepchildren are removed, the lower leaves and the fruiting brushes are cut off;
• for the entire growing season, the stems are fixed to the trellis.

Sergeant Pepper is fertilized every 2 weeks, alternating organics, superphosphate, potassium and phosphorus agents.

Conclusion

Tomato Sergeant Pepper is a selection mid-early variety suitable for growing in an open way and in a greenhouse. The culture produces good yields of exotically colored fruits. Tomato has a sweet taste and pronounced aroma, versatile in use. A variety with good immunity, practically does not get sick, does not require complex agricultural technology.

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