Content
Tomato Etoile is an indeterminate variety that requires shaping and tying up. The ribbed shape of the fruit and good taste attract the attention of most gardeners. The culture tolerates transportation well and can be stored for a long time if necessary.
Who developed the variety and when?
The inconsistency in information about the origin of the variety does not allow us to name its author with 100% certainty. There are two versions of the history of the selection of the Etoile tomato. The first is that it was brought out by an originator from Switzerland, whose name has not been preserved. According to other sources, the author of the culture is the breeder L. A. Myazina. However, neither one nor the other version has been documented.
The first mention of the Etoile tomato appeared in the 90s
Description of Etoile tomatoes
The plant is not a hybrid, so if desired, you can get seeds from it for further cultivation.
With good care, the fruiting period of the Etoile variety is extended, and accordingly, the harvest volume increases
The bushes are tall, the height of the shoots is from 1.2 to 1.8 m. The unusual shape of the fruit is a feature of Etoile tomatoes; they are ribbed, and when cut they look like a flower or a star. The number of ribs on each fruit is different.
There are voids in the tomato, but they are quite dense, the fleshy walls smooth out this small minus. The quality of the fruit is good, the taste is pleasant and sugary. Light sourness is barely perceptible.
Characteristics of the Etoile tomato
The tomato variety Etoile is characterized as undemanding to growing conditions, but tasty and productive. According to the growing conditions, two options are possible - open ground in the southern regions, and in the rest - in a greenhouse.
The vegetable bushes are well leafy, the plates are imparipinnate, dissected into large segments. The weight of the fruit varies from 100 to 300 g. The cluster usually produces from six to eight red tomatoes at full ripeness; they are dense and not prone to cracking.
The culture belongs to salad varieties
Maturation period
The Etoile variety has an average ripening period - the period from sowing seeds to harvesting is 100-110 days. During this period, the fruits have time to gain the necessary taste qualities and also reach the declared weight. Harvested tomatoes are stored for a long time without loss of taste.
Productivity
Depending on the growing conditions, you can get up to 40 tomatoes from one bush. The average yield of the Etoile variety is from 5 to 10 kg per bush per season.
Red fruits accelerate the ripening of all the others in the ovary, preventing subsequent tomatoes from gaining the required mass on the vine. Therefore, it is recommended to pick tomatoes from the bush at a degree of light ripeness, without allowing them to fully ripen. This will significantly increase productivity.
Resistance to diseases and pests
The Etoile variety has strong immunity and is resistant to a number of diseases. However, you should not rely entirely on this quality, since in unfavorable conditions it can be affected by infections and pest attacks. It is easier to prevent their occurrence than to fight them later without harm to the culture.
In what regions is it grown?
Tomato Etoile is grown not only in Russia, but also in Belarus and Kazakhstan. In the central, western, and eastern regions, good harvests are obtained only in greenhouses. In the south, the bushes bear fruit well without the use of a greenhouse.
Regions with harsh winters are not suitable for growing the crop - short summers reduce taste and yield.
Methods of application
The Etoile variety is intended for fresh consumption due to its thin skin and juicy pulp. The fruits can be used for drying.
Etoile is better than others for decorating dishes, stuffing; lace slices look very impressive on pizza
The high yield of tomatoes allows some of the fruits to be processed. They make excellent sauces, ketchups, and tomato paste.
Subtleties of landing
Preparing Etoile tomato seeds for sowing and sowing seedlings is carried out in early March. Depending on the region, the dates may shift from the end of this month to mid-April.
Properly prepared seeds are the key to a good harvest. Before sowing, they are treated with any of the proposed methods:
- hardening - soaking in water of different temperatures;
- heat treatment - dry heating;
- the use of growth stimulants and solutions with physically active substances.
Seeds of the Etoile variety are sown in containers with nutrient soil prepared in advance; it is important to ensure drainage from below.
Seedlings respond to temperature. The optimal daily value varies between 21-22 °C. Night temperature is reduced to 10-14 °C. This difference prevents the seedlings from stretching.
If necessary, use additional lighting for Etoile tomato sprouts using a phytolamp
Proper watering is of great importance; it is necessary to constantly monitor the soil moisture, preventing it from drying out.
Picking is carried out when the first pair of true leaves appears. Planting in a greenhouse or open ground begins when the seedlings have 6-7 leaves. Moreover, the procedure itself is no different from transferring other vegetable crops to a permanent place of growth.
The soil for planting should be loose, with good air exchange
Be sure to take into account predecessors in the garden. You cannot plant tomatoes after nightshade crops.
Care instructions
To obtain a high-quality harvest, it is necessary to provide the plants with adequate nutrition, since tomato bushes are very demanding in terms of fertility.
Culture reacts negatively to the lack of the following elements:
- Nitrogen - leaves become smaller, stems become woody.
- Phosphorus - leaves curl inward.
- Potassium – young leaves become curled.
- Iron - the leaves turn white, signs of chlorosis appear on them, the plant is stunted in growth.
It is recommended to spray the leaves with Oxygumate. It contains microelements in the most accessible form for the plant.
Abundant watering is carried out only after the top layer of soil has dried. However, make sure that excess moisture does not form, as it provokes the occurrence of rot. It is important to clear the beds and the space between them from weeds in a timely manner; after watering, it is necessary to loosen them lightly.
Pest and disease control
Tomato Etoile is resistant to diseases affecting nightshade crops. However, to obtain a full harvest, it is necessary to carry out preventive measures. It is recommended to spray the bushes with biological preparations with fungicidal properties, for example, Pseudobacterin-2. The treatment is carried out not only for seedlings, but also for adult plants throughout the entire growing season.
Two treatments are carried out with an interval of 10 days, the working solution is 200 ml of the drug per 10 liters of water
Natural antibiotics prevent the occurrence of fungal and bacterial diseases such as late blight, macrosporiosis, brown spot, and rust. On plants damaged by armyworms or aphids, use the drug Fitoverm Forte or other bioinsecticides.
A healthy plant is less damaged by pests, so it is important to monitor the condition of the bushes throughout the entire growing period.
Advantages and disadvantages
The advantages of this variety allow even a beginner to achieve success in its cultivation.
The size of the fruit depends on the number of tomatoes on the bush
Advantages:
- unusual fruit shape;
- high yield:
- long fruiting;
- unpretentiousness.
Flaws:
- bushes need to be formed;
- Garter required.
Reviews from gardeners about Etoile tomatoes
Conclusion
The Etoile tomato is distinguished by abundant yields and easy care. It will not cause any difficulties in growing even for a novice gardener; it is distinguished by its versatility of use and good immunity.
