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Every gardener is constantly experimenting with new varieties of tomatoes, selecting the optimal vegetable crop for growing in their region. At the same time, many people prefer tomato varieties with exotic fruits. This is exactly what the Chocolate tomato is, the bushes of which produce tomatoes with a unique appearance and excellent taste.
History of appearance
The Chocolate tomato was bred in 2004 by Russian breeders. After passing all the tests, this exotic variety of tomatoes was included in the State Register of Russia and was allowed to be planted by private farmers in 2007.
Description and characteristics of the tomato variety Chocolate
Tomato Chocolate – small-fruited nightshade crop of indeterminate growth
Mid-ripening hybrid tomatoes are distinguished by their obovate shape, brown fruit color with small inclusions of a greenish tint. At the initial stage, the color of the fruit is completely green.
Vegetable bushes reach a height of up to two meters, have a fairly elastic central stem, large green leaves, a developed root system and simple inflorescences. Each cluster bears small fruits, the number of which reaches 11 pieces.
Chocolate tomatoes have a dense peel with a glossy surface, which is almost imperceptible when eating tomatoes.
Strongly overripe fruits are prone to cracking, but those collected in a timely manner without cracks have a marketable appearance, tolerate transportation well and are stored for a long time.
The tomato pulp is bright red, juicy and oily. The tomato tastes sweetish, there is a hint of spice.
Ripening time
The Chocolate tomato is a mid-season variety. After the seeds germinate, the fruits of the vegetable crop appear in 115-120 days.
The plant bears fruit for a fairly long period; the tomatoes ripen gradually throughout the season. Around mid-July is the peak fruiting period for the crop.
Tomato yield Chocolate
The first cluster of chocolate tomatoes is formed above the eighth leaf of the plant
Each bunch produces 9-11 tomato fruits, but the weight of each does not exceed 40 g. Despite this, the brown tomato variety is characterized by high yield. Following the basic rules for growing tomato crops, gardeners harvest up to 2-3 kg of tomatoes from one bush, and from 1 m2 land plot - up to 6.2 kg.
Resistance to adverse factors
Hybrid tomato Chocolate is characterized by increased resistance to many plant diseases, such as root rot, tobacco mosaic, late blight and others. But preventive measures must be taken to protect the plant from diseases and pests.
This variety of tomatoes is also characterized by resistance to temperature changes, short hot periods and drought.
Where is it grown?
The Chocolate tomato can be grown in almost all regions of Russia. But the crop grows and bears fruit best in the central and southern climatic regions of the country, in the Volga region. In regions with harsh climates, it is recommended to grow the crop exclusively in greenhouse conditions.
Methods of application
Chocolate variety tomatoes are distinguished not only by their unique color, but also by their taste. Juicy, sweetish tomatoes can be eaten fresh or canned for the winter.
Advantages and disadvantages
The taste is absolutely different from traditional red fruits. When you bite into this tomato, you first feel its sweet notes, which are then complemented by spice.
Unique taste is the key feature of Chocolate tomatoes
Pros:
- high yield of tomatoes;
- attractive presentation;
- possibility of growing in open ground and greenhouse;
- suitable for cultivation in almost all regions of Russia;
- delicious, versatile tomatoes.
Minuses:
- small fruits – up to 40 grams;
- in the northern regions of the country they are suitable exclusively for growing in greenhouse conditions.
Landing dates and rules
The Chocolate variety is recommended for planting by both farmers and private gardeners.
Tomatoes are grown using seedling technology. Planting material is planted from March 1 to March 15. The seeds are pre-sorted and treated against infections. Next, a layer of fertile soil is poured into a wide container, the seeds are laid out, then covered with soil and covered with plastic wrap until the first shoots.En masse chocolate tomato sprouts begin to emerge from the soil within a week.
The vegetable crop in question loves light, so it is recommended to grow seedlings in a warm room (+20-22ºС) near a window located on the sunny side. It is important to provide the crop with lighting up to 12-14 hours a day.
When 2-3 leaves are formed on the plant, a dive is performed. It is also worth remembering to regularly water and fertilize the soil. Before planting in a permanent place, it is recommended to prepare and harden the seedlings. To do this, containers with young sprouts need to be taken out into the fresh air for a day, and brought back into a warm room at night.
Seedlings are planted on an open plot of land (after May 15) or in a greenhouse (at the end of April) 50-55 days after seed germination. The optimal planting scheme is 40x50 cm or 3 bushes per 1 m2.
How to care
Tomato Chocolate loves fertile and loose soil that allows air and moisture to pass through well.
Crop care is standard - timely watering, adding the necessary fertilizers to the soil, loosening the soil after irrigation, removing weeds, treating diseases and pests.
During the growth process, the plant needs to be formed into two stems and stepsoned. This will maximize the productivity of the tomato crop. When the stems of a bush grow very tall, they need to be tied up, having previously driven a wooden peg into the ground nearby. In hot weather without rain, the plant needs to be watered more often.
Disease and pest control
To get a good harvest of Chocolate tomatoes, you need to prevent the plant from diseases and pests
When forming flowers, it is recommended to treat tomato bushes with an aqueous solution of potassium and sodium humate. To prepare the mixture, use 10 liters of water and 10 ml of humate. This solution prevents diseases, increases the immunity of vegetables, and improves yield.
To prevent fungal diseases, the plant is treated with fungicides
Experienced gardeners use folk remedies: garlic solution, whey with water. They also use a mixture of milk (10 l) with iodine (up to 20 drops), which simultaneously prevents many plant diseases and repels insect pests.
Insecticides are used to combat whiteflies, mole crickets, Colorado potato beetles, and spider mites.
Slugs are fought with a tincture based on onion peels, ammonia, or special preparations that contain metaldehyde.
Conclusion
The Chocolate tomato is one of the most exotic varieties of tomatoes with small fruits, the weight of which does not exceed 40 g. At the same time, small brown tomatoes have an individual taste, are suitable for growing in almost all regions of Russia, they can be consumed fresh and canned. Therefore, the Chocolate tomato is very popular among domestic gardeners.
Reviews of summer residents about the Chocolate tomato
