Content
The Mikado Black tomato is a variety that has been cultivated by vegetable growers for several decades. The variety is considered quite common. It is grown both in the regions of Russia and in other countries. The variety was especially loved for its taste and unique appearance.
The chocolate color of the fruit is atypical for the crop
History of selection
This variety is not new; it appeared quite a long time ago. Little is known about the history of its breeding. Supposedly, Mikado black was created by an amateur breeder.
Description of tomato Mikado black
This type of culture belongs to the indeterminate standard type. Its bushes are tall, their height can reach two meters when grown in greenhouse conditions and is about 170 cm when cultivated in open areas.
The stems of the plant are healthy, strong, thick, but quite flexible.Leaf blades cover the bush in moderate quantities and have a distinctive feature in that they are very similar to potato leaves. Their color is expressive, dark emerald, and their size is large.
The fruits of Mikado black are large, flat-round in shape, up to five pieces are formed on one cluster. Their average weight is 200-350 g, but some specimens can reach a weight of 0.5 kg. The color of the vegetable is brown or chocolate. The taste is sugary, with pronounced sweetness and fruity notes.
The more sun the bush receives, the tastier the tomatoes will be. The pulp inside the fruit is quite juicy, not watery, dense and fleshy, with a pleasant tomato aroma, dark red in color. The seed chambers are small, about seven in number.
Mikado black is suitable for growing both in open and closed ground
Characteristics of tomato Mikado black
Black Mikado is considered a medium-early tomato variety that usually ripens, depending on weather conditions, about three months after sowing. The ovaries on the bushes form together and quickly. The collection period extends from July to early autumn.
Since the variety’s immunity is quite strong, the bushes can safely withstand natural disasters, but develop and grow best in sunny and warm weather. When ripe, tomatoes do not last long, no more than five days. Cultivation of the variety on an industrial scale is not practiced due to loss of commercial qualities during transportation.
Productivity of tomato Mikado black
The maximum yields of the black Mikado tomato are observed when grown in the Rostov and Astrakhan regions, on the Crimean Peninsula and in the regions of the Krasnodar Territory.
If the gardener follows all agrotechnical rules for growing Mikado black, then the harvest will be good. From one square meter of plot you can collect up to 15 kg of fruit.
On average, a bush of this variety produces about 5 kg of tomatoes
Resistance to diseases and pests
The variety's resistance to diseases and insect attacks is considered quite high. Bushes are most susceptible to brown spot disease, and among insects, small white butterflies (whiteflies) can attack the Mikado black tomato.
Methods of application
In particular, the black Mikado tomato is consumed fresh. The main purpose of the fruit is to add to salads. Due to the fact that the vegetable is large in size and its skin is tender and thin, it is not suitable for preservation. The only exception would be the production of juice, tomato or ketchup from fruits.
Advantages and disadvantages of Mikado black tomato
The variety has a peculiar color, which is why it is considered an amateur tomato. It has a large list of advantages, but it also has disadvantages.
Mikado black changes taste after heat treatment
Advantages:
- large fruits;
- strong immune system;
- keeping quality when unripe;
- resistance to adverse weather conditions.
Flaws:
- need for shaping and gartering;
- unsuitability for transportation;
- cracking of fruits due to untimely harvesting;
- unsuitable for whole canning.
Features of planting and care
Mikado black tomato seeds begin to be sown two months before the intended planting in the ground. Usually this is the end of February or the first half of March. In the case of cultivation in northern latitudes, sowing of planting material is allowed until the second half of April.
Sowing should be carried out in a container with holes, to a depth of 1 cm, at intervals of 1-2 cm from each other, in moist soil. Next, the container needs to be covered with film and placed on a windowsill in a warm room; after the shoots emerge, remove the cover. Ten days before transplanting the seedlings to a permanent place, they should begin to harden.
After flower clusters have formed on the tomatoes, they should be planted in the beds. To do this, choose a fertile and well-lit area with slightly acidic soil, preferably if carrots or onions grew there. Bushes are planted at a distance of 0.5 m from each other in cloudy weather. After the work is completed, the beds are watered and covered with covering material. This is done so that the plant adapts faster.
As for care, until the Mikado black tomato seedlings take root, they are given regular watering as the soil dries out. Next, moisturizing is carried out a couple of times a week.Periodically, the beds are loosened, weeded and mulched. The bushes must be tied to supports and formed into three stems. Stepchildren on this variety are removed at least twice a month. In addition, Mikado black needs frequent feeding. Every two weeks the bushes are fertilized with either organic or mineral compounds.
It is impossible that the predecessor of Mikado black was a potato
Pest and disease control
The variety has fairly strong immunity. It is very rarely affected by fusarium and resists nematodes. The main disease to which Mikado black is more susceptible is brown spot. The disease can be identified by spots that appear first on the lower shoots and then spread to the entire bush. The sooner you detect signs of damage and begin appropriate treatment with Anthracol or Consento, the greater the likelihood of saving the crop.
As for harmful insects, the black Mikado can attract the attention of whiteflies. Spraying the bushes with a solution of Confidor (1 tbsp per bucket of water) helps to remove it.
Conclusion
The Mikado black tomato is a heat-loving variety of tomatoes with an unusual color. The fruits are large and tasty; they grow well even in northern regions, but under cover. The variety is quite demanding to care for; it requires tying the bushes to the trellises, as well as pinching. Since the tomato is natural, you can collect the seeds from it and use them to plant seedlings for the next year.
Reviews from gardeners about Mikado black tomato
