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Domestic and foreign breeders have bred so many different varieties of tomato that gardeners simply do not have time to follow the news. Now we will talk about one rather interesting variety of this vegetable. Fans of original fruits will certainly be interested in the Watermelon tomato, intended for indoor and outdoor cultivation. The variety is of no less interest to farmers, because in greenhouse conditions you can get large fruits weighing more than 0,5 kg.
Description of the tomato
Consider the characteristics and description of the tomato variety Watermelon, let’s start with the fact that the culture is listed in the State Register of Our Country. In most regions, tomatoes are recommended to be grown indoors. On the street, the plant feels comfortable only in the southern regions. Vegetable growers of the middle lane can also do without a greenhouse, but at least a temporary shelter from a film or agrofibre needs to be built.
In terms of ripening, the Watermelon tomato is considered a medium-early crop. Under favorable conditions, the first fruits are ready for use on day 107. The ripening of a tomato can last up to 113 days. The plant is considered an indeterminate type. Tall bushes stretch over 2,1 m in height. With an open method of growing, stem growth is usually limited to 1,9 m. The amount of foliage on the bush is average, the shape is common for most tomatoes.
The variety was bred by domestic breeders and immediately gave it a name because of the appearance of the fruit. A striped marking, characteristic of a watermelon, appears on the skin of a tomato. Seeds stand out clearly on the pulp of the cut fruit. A tall tomato bush requires mandatory shaping. All extra stepchildren are removed from the plant. There is no thickening of foliage, but the green mass is removed from below on the bush. It interferes with the airing of the soil around the plant and obscures the lower tier of fruits.
It is not worth pitying the leaves of the lower tier, since they do more harm than good. Firstly, excess green mass draws useful substances, preventing the plant and fruits from developing. Secondly, in rainy summers, dampness accumulates under the bushes. Foliage prevents ventilation, as a result of which fungi appear. One such dangerous disease is root rot.
Vegetable growers who leave reviews about the Watermelon tomato variety assure that the plant is resistant to phytophthora. If you follow the rules for the formation of bushes, then fungal diseases are not terrible for a tomato. Another advantage of the variety is long-term fruiting.
Characteristics of fruits
The shape of the tomato is typical, as for many large-fruited varieties. On the bush grow simply rounded tomatoes and slightly elongated, but they are all flattened. A distinctive feature of the fruit is the ribbing of the walls at the point of attachment of the stem. On some tomatoes, it even turns into large waves. The pulp and skin of the fruit is dominated by red color. There are light and dark areas in places. In a fully mature fruit, a brown tint appears on the skin. Green watermelon stripes converge to a large dark green spot at the stem.
Continuing to consider the description of the Watermelon tomato, photo, you need to evaluate the size of the fruit and the overall yield of the variety. With the usual care of the crop, the vegetable grower will in any case receive tomatoes with an average weight of 160 g. If you try with top dressing and the correct formation of the bush, then most of the fruits will grow up to 550 g in weight. The yield of the Watermelon variety is average. About 2,5 kg of tomatoes are harvested from one bush. To avoid thickening at 1 m2 plant a maximum of three plants. The total yield from such a plot is approximately 6 kg.
The watermelon variety is considered a salad direction. The presentation of the fruit is good, you can even sell it on the market. However, tomatoes are poorly stored and practically do not withstand transportation. These two minuses prevent the use of the Watermelon variety for commercial purposes.
The scope of fruits is extensive. Tomato is used in any dishes, but not in preservation. Most large fruits will not fit into a jar, and many of them have an unpresentable appearance. However, there are reviews where housewives talk about the possibility of rolling small fruits into jars. It is best to taste the taste of watermelon tomato only in a fresh salad or when eating a fruit just plucked from a bush.
The value of the variety for any housewife lies in the gradual ripening of fruits on the bush. The pulp of the tomato is tender, but this does not prevent the ripe fruit from hanging on the plant for a long time. Every day the fruit will become sweeter and more fragrant. At this time, simply reduce watering to prevent cracking of the tomato skin. The watermelon tomato variety will provide the hostess with a fresh vegetable before the onset of frost.
In summing up, let’s highlight all the advantages of an unusual tomato:
- the appearance of the fruit is of interest to lovers of exotic dishes;
- even if the vegetable grower did not like the color and shape of the fruit, the taste will change the idea of uXNUMXbuXNUMXbthis vegetable for the better;
- long fruiting allows you to get fresh tomatoes from the garden until autumn frosts.
The disadvantages include the complexity of caring for the culture. Tomato bushes require garters to the trellis. However, such actions are applicable to all tall tomatoes. Even many determinate tomatoes also cannot do without a garter to a support. So this issue remains controversial. But really a minus can be considered the impossibility of storing and transporting fruits. Picked tomatoes must be processed or eaten immediately, otherwise they will crack and leak.
The video shows the Watermelon variety:
Growing tomato seedlings
A tomato with an exotic southern name Watermelon is considered a heat-loving crop. In the south, tomato seeds can be sown directly into the ground, but in other regions, seedlings will need to be grown.
Sowing tomato seeds Watermelon begin in March. Then, in mid-July, the vegetable grower will already experience the pleasure of enjoying the first fruits. Culture loves nutrient soil with a neutral balance. In extreme cases, a slight increase in acidity is allowed. Traditionally, tomato seeds can be sown in boxes, but then the seedlings will have to dive when two normal leaves appear on the plants. There will be less hassle if you sow the seeds immediately in cups or special peat tablets.
In any case, the containers with crops are covered with a film until the sprouts germinate. After mass shoots, tomato seedlings are exposed to a bright place. In the house, a window sill is usually used for these purposes. Artificial lighting seedlings need. Light day is not enough for tomatoes. Caring for seedlings of the Watermelon tomato variety provides for timely watering with warm water, loosening the soil, and fertilizing. It is advisable to rotate the containers with plants daily so that the stems do not stretch bent towards the light source.
Seedlings will be ready for planting no earlier than 46 days later. By this time, the tomatoes will form 6-7 leaves and one inflorescence. 1-2 weeks before planting, tomatoes are hardened. Seedlings are taken out into the shade for a short time. Every day, the duration of the hardening procedure is increased.
The bed is prepared from autumn or 1 month before planting tomato seedlings. The earth is dug up with humus. If the soil is heavy, then by adding sand they achieve its friability. As a disinfection, the soil is watered with a pale solution of potassium permanganate. Holes are dug under the tomatoes, following the scheme. 1 m2 beds should grow a maximum of three tomato bushes. The earth in the hole is mixed with a tablespoon of ash and a similar amount of mineral fertilizer.
During planting, the tomato is removed from the cup along with a clod of earth and, without destroying it, is placed in the hole. Now it remains to fill the holes with loose soil, water the plants and install a temporary shelter above them.
Features of tomato care
Many reviews of the Watermelon tomato say that the variety does not require special care. Like all tomatoes, the culture responds well to organic feeding. During flowering and ovary, mineral fertilizers are needed. For better development of plants, as well as the prevention of diseases, the soil under the bushes often needs to be loosened. It is not allowed to overgrow the beds with weeds. Watering, if possible, is organized with warm water, and you need to pour it under the roots.
Appearing extra stepchildren are removed from the plant. They do this when the shoots grow more than 4-5 cm long. The tying of the stems to the support is required. For tall tomatoes, it is better to install trellises. In addition to the stems themselves, I tie branches with tassels to the support, otherwise they will break off from heavy fruits.
Preventive spraying is always welcome. The simplest solution of Bordeaux liquid will prevent the development of such a dangerous disease as late blight. In the fight against spider mites, aphids, whiteflies, a decoction of wormwood, soapy water or tobacco dust will help.
Reviews
As you can see, the culture is easy to care for, and reviews about the Watermelon tomato will help vegetable growers decide to grow this variety on their site.