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All gardeners are engaged in growing tomatoes. But often the crops of this crop do not indulge them. The reason is most likely the wrong choice of variety. There is a huge variety of varieties, so choosing the right tomatoes is not so easy.
We propose to consider one of the varieties of the Dutch selection, named after the great writer Leo Tolstoy. Tomato Tolstoy F1 fully justifies the characteristics given by breeders. It is also important that cultivation and care are practically not complicated by anything, but the harvest is stable and rich.
Description and characteristics of the variety
If you are interested in Tomato Tolstoy F1, description, reviews and detailed characteristics can be found in special reference books. We will also present you the benefits of culture with photos and videos.
The Tolstoy F1 tomato is highly valued by vegetable growers, because it can be grown not only in a greenhouse, but also in open ground. This is a mid-season hybrid. From the moment of sowing seeds to the collection of the first fruits, 110-112 days pass.
Tolstoy tomato variety is a tall plant, so there is a need to attach it to a trellis or stakes. Brushes also need to be tied up, and there are usually about 12 of them. And in each brush there are 10-12 tomatoes weighing almost 125 grams. It is clear that a tomato without a garter will be tight, you can see it in the photo.
Fruit
The fruits of the tomato Leo Tolstoy are rounded flattened, ribbed near the stem. On the lower brushes are the largest tomatoes. Some specimens reach a weight of 500 grams. The higher the brush is, the smaller the tomatoes. Moreover, simultaneously with the fruits, flowers are formed on the brush. Look at the photo below.
The surface of Tolstoy F1 tomatoes is even and smooth. Glossy skin is dense, but not hard. Tomato ripening is friendly, cracking is not observed. The transportability of tomatoes is excellent, they do not crumple on the road and do not lose their taste.
The pulp of the tomato variety Tolstoy F1, as vegetable growers indicate in reviews, is juicy and has an amazing taste. Tomatoes are sweet, acidity is not felt, but fruity notes in the aroma slip through. In each tomato variety Tolstoy, if cut, you can see 5 or 6 chambers with seeds. This is clearly visible in the photo.
The set tomatoes are apple-green in color, and in technical ripeness they are rich red. The yield of tomato Tolstoy, according to vegetable growers, is quite high: 12-15 kg of tasty and fragrant fruits can be harvested from one bush.
Even planted in partial shade, hybrids of the Tolstoy F1 variety practically do not reduce yield. Good return and plants grown in open ground. This is often reported by readers in reviews and comments.
The universal variety Tolstoy F1 of the Dutch selection is resistant to many diseases that affect nightshade crops. He is almost unaffected.
- fusarium;
- cladosporiosis;
- tobacco mosaic;
- verticillosis.
Application and storage
Tolstoy F1 tomatoes, according to the characteristics and description of the variety, as well as reviews, are rich in vitamins and amino acids. All of them have a beneficial effect on human health, for example:
- plant phytosterols have a positive effect on male potency;
- the antioxidant lycopene reduces the risk of cancer;
- thanks to calcium, potassium, magnesium and other trace elements, immunity increases.
The fruits of the tomato Lev Tolstoy F1 are universal. Various preserves, salads, side dishes are prepared from ripe fruits. Pickled tomatoes retain their shape and do not crack. It turns out very tasty tomato juice, you need to add sugar to it to a minimum. Salted or pickled green tomatoes are no less original.
Since the Tolstoy F1 tomato is a high-yielding variety, the storage features are of concern to those who are just about to plant this variety. Due to the fact that the ripening time is extended, in our conditions, even in greenhouses, all tomatoes do not have time to turn red. But this does not matter, because they can be dosed right in the apartment. Tolstoy F1 tomatoes are stored until the New Year.
The main characteristics of the variety Tolstoy F1:
Some disadvantages
Tomato Tolstoy, according to the description of the variety, photos and reviews, is a tall plant with a lot of advantages. But it would be dishonest to our readers to keep silent about some shortcomings:
- On soils with a low nutrient content, the tomato develops poorly, the number of brushes and the weight of the tomato decreases.
- The tomato responds well to heat, so it grows faster in the greenhouse, gives a rich harvest. Plants planted in open ground experience a lack of heat. Yes, and the summer in Our Country has been cold in recent years.
- Those vegetable growers who planted tomato Tolstoy, in the reviews, indicate that the variety’s immunity to late blight is not strong enough, especially in rainy summers. Tomatoes suffer from the disease both in open ground and in greenhouse conditions. Untimely processing leads to the death of plants.
Cultivation and care
The characteristic of Tolstoy tomato and the description of the variety are just given so that there are fewer problems when growing.
Seed sowing
Sow tomato seeds for seedlings at the end of March. Light soil is poured into the planting container. Acidic soils are not used for the Tolstoy variety. It is best to mix garden soil and humus. Feed the soil mixture with wood ash. The soil is shed with boiling water with the addition of potassium permanganate.
Tolstoy tomato seeds are also disinfected with hydrogen peroxide or in a pink solution of manganese. To speed up germination, you need to soak the seed in a growth stimulator for half a day.
Seeds are buried by 1,5 cm, covered with a film and put in a warm place. As a rule, shoots appear on the 4-5th day. Boxes with tomato seedlings are exposed to a sunny window and watered as needed.
Picks
When 3 leaves appear on the seedlings of the tomato Leo Tolstoy, the plants are transplanted into separate containers. The soil must be nutritious. It is also advisable to feed the tomatoes with mineral fertilizers.
Within a few days, the seedlings are shaded, then exposed to a sunny window. If there is not enough light, additional lighting can be installed above the tomatoes using conventional incandescent lamps.
Water the seedlings with small portions of water so that there is no stagnation. You also need to loosen the soil, but only superficially, so as not to damage the root system.
It is necessary to plant Tolstoy tomatoes in a greenhouse when stable heat is established, when there is no threat of frost returning. In open ground only when the average daily temperature is within 15 degrees. But before planting, tomatoes must be hardened, accustomed to new conditions.
The soil is dug up before planting, fertilized and watered.
Holes are dug at a distance of 40 cm, and row spacing – up to 60 cm. Planted tomatoes should be watered with warm water. The next time the plants are watered in a week. Watering should be moderate so that the water does not stagnate, but the soil should not dry out. Better yet, organize drip irrigation of tomatoes, as in the photo.
During the growing season, Tolstoy’s tomatoes, according to vegetable growers, are fed 3 or 4 times, depending on the condition of the plants, with potassium-phosphorus fertilizers.
Tomatoes are harvested during the season, and unripe ones are removed before frost. They blush beautifully at home.
How to protect plants from diseases and pests
It is easier to prevent a disease than to get rid of it later. If you plant tomatoes in the same greenhouse, then the top layer must be removed before preparing the soil and replaced with soil from the ridges on which peas, beans, cabbage or carrots grew. And wrap the soil and the greenhouse itself with copper sulfate. You can also light a smoke bomb.
According to the description, the Lev Tolstoy variety is resistant to many nightshade diseases. But prevention still won’t hurt. But tomatoes planted in open ground must be processed, because spores of fungal diseases can get into the area with wind or rain.
Aisles are best mulched with straw or peat. This will save tomatoes from diseases and pests. Tomatoes, including the Tolstoy variety, can be affected by slugs, aphids, whiteflies, thrips and spider mites. Plants need to be examined, at the slightest suspicion, treated with a special preparation. Experienced growers in the greenhouse hang tea bags soaked in iodine. Numerous reviews confirm the benefits of iodine.
Landings in open ground suffer from the Colorado beetle bear. You can scare away pests with ammonia. In addition, the greenhouse must be constantly ventilated so that there is no high humidity.