Content
The tall tomato King of London is appreciated by gardeners. The bushes grow well in closed greenhouses and open ground and produce a large harvest of tomatoes with pulp that melts in your mouth. They are resistant not only to late blight, but also to other diseases.
When and how did it appear
The King of London variety was obtained by amateur breeder N. S. Bykhanov. The tomato is not listed in the register of breeding achievements. But almost immediately it gained popularity among gardeners, which is confirmed by numerous positive reviews. It is respected for its disease resistance, productivity, as well as for its ease of care and unpretentiousness.
In order for the bushes to grow well and develop properly, they must be tied to a strong support.
Description and characteristics of tomato King of London
The description of the King of London tomato and its characteristics classify it as a tall indeterminate plant. The height of the bush reaches more than 1.5 m. The main stem is erect, strong, and not standard.The bush is characterized by strong branching and medium foliage. The leaves are small, potato-like (have dissected and symmetrical lobes), light green in color.
In spring, large yellow flowers are formed on the stem, collected in a brush. In favorable conditions, fruits begin to develop in their place. In this variety they are quite large, each weighing from 800 to 1000 g. They are covered with a durable raspberry-pink skin.
The pulp is fleshy, low in seeds, with a pleasant balanced taste. It contains vitamins, minerals and other nutrients that make tomatoes healthy and tasty.
The fruits are characterized by a heart-shaped shape and slight ribbing.
Ripening and fruiting
King of London is a mid-season variety, and the period from germination to fruit ripening is approximately 110 days, depending on growing conditions. The tomato feels great both in the greenhouse and in the open ground. Its fruiting period is extended. This means that the tomato produces fruit throughout the season.
Tomato yield King of London
The King of London variety has gained great popularity due to its high yield. Gardeners harvest up to 10 kg of marketable fruits from one bush.
During transportation, the fruits are not deformed, so the variety is suitable for growing for sale.
Disease resistance
The tomato is resistant to pathogenic organisms and is practically not susceptible to diseases such as Alternaria, late blight and verticillium.However, it requires systematic treatment against pests, since it suffers from the invasion of aphids, the Colorado potato beetle and the cabbage white caterpillar.
Where is it grown?
King of London tomatoes develop well and bear fruit in the cool conditions of the middle zone and more northern regions of Russia, but in heated greenhouses. Cultivation of the variety in open ground is permissible only in the southern regions.
Purpose and application
Tomatoes of this variety have an interesting shape, dense and meaty texture with a characteristic sourness. Their versatility allows them to be consumed fresh, as well as canned whole or processed to produce juices, pastes, and winter salads. The fruits can be stored for a long time and are well transported over long distances due to their dense skin that is resistant to cracking. They have a very delicate sweetish taste, which children especially like.
Tomatoes are rich in carotene, which makes them an indispensable part of the diet.
Advantages and disadvantages
At the end of the season, it’s always nice to pick a ripe tomato from the bush, prepare a fresh healthy salad from it, or eat it in its original form. The main thing is that the tomato turns out to be unpretentious and productive, and that’s exactly what the King of London is.
Beginning summer residents can grow this variety on their plots.
Pros:
- tomatoes have a rich and sweet taste, and also have a fleshy structure and do not become smaller throughout the season;
- high yield and extended fruiting;
- the bushes are resistant to adverse weather conditions, hardly get sick and are rarely affected by pests;
- ripe tomatoes are well stored without loss of taste and aromatic qualities for a long time, in addition, they can be transported over long distances.
Minuses:
- bushes require shaping, pinching and staking to achieve maximum fruitfulness.
Planting dates and scheme
The main task of any gardener is to obtain high-quality seedling material. To grow strong tomato seedlings, they are placed on a southern windowsill and kept at a daytime air temperature of +20-25 °C.
As the soil dries, the seedlings are watered from a watering can using warm, settled water. The most suitable time for watering is morning. Moisten the plants strictly at the root, trying to prevent water from getting on the tender leaves.
Tomato seedlings are fed with any mineral fertilizer at the stage when they have 5-7 true leaves. Fertilizers are applied every two weeks.
In the south, tomato seedlings are planted in beds already at the end of April or at the beginning of May, and in cool regions at this time the plants are transferred to greenhouses.
Planting pattern:
- On the day of planting, the beds are prepared with the application of fertilizers and drainage material.
- Tomato seedlings are first watered for free and safe removal from the pots along with a lump of earth.
- Plants are placed in prepared holes, the lower part is sprinkled with soil and compacted with hands.
- A support is installed next to the tomatoes and the stems are tied to it.
Under favorable conditions, King of London tomato seeds germinate in 3-4 days.
How to care
Caring for King of London tomatoes includes watering and feeding with nutrients. The bushes require regulated irrigation.
To maintain optimal humidity after watering, the root zone of tomatoes must be mulched with straw or sawdust. Mulch also helps stop the growth of weeds and prevent the formation of soil crust, which impedes the circulation of moisture and air.
Treatment against diseases and pests
Tomatoes that grow in open ground are most often exposed to diseases and pests. It is quite difficult to cure mature bushes, so they are destroyed by burning. When the first signs of disease are detected, the plantings are treated with drugs, for example, Zaslon or Barrier.
To prevent pests, plants are sprayed with garlic infusion. To obtain it, 250 g of fresh crushed garlic are diluted in water with the addition of 1 g of potassium permanganate. Mix everything thoroughly, infuse, and shake before use.
Natural pest control products do not have a negative effect on humans
Conclusion
The King of London tomato is one of the most delicious pink varieties of tomatoes, which is loved by many gardeners. Its large fruits are visible from afar, and its delicate fruity notes will not leave anyone indifferent.In the southern regions, the variety performs excellently in open ground, and in the cool regions of Russia it grows well and bears fruit in greenhouses.
Reviews from gardeners about the King of London tomato
