Content
Not all varieties of tomatoes can withstand the Ural and Siberian climate. Local gardeners are forced to choose from zoned varieties and hybrids that are more cold-resistant and hardy. This category also includes one of the recent achievements of breeders - the Siberian dwarf tomato. There is no extensive experience in growing it yet, but the new product is considered promising.
History of appearance
Siberian dwarf tomatoes went on sale in 2018. The originator is the Novosibirsk agricultural company Siberian Garden, specializing specifically in crops adapted to local climatic conditions.
But the original variety was quickly appreciated by gardeners in other Russian regions. “Stress resistance” and “plasticity” allow it to successfully adapt to a variety of features of the local climate and not react to the vagaries of the weather.
The variety is not yet listed in the domestic State Register. There is no information about whether the originator submitted the corresponding application.
Siberian dwarf tomatoes are popular not only in Siberia
Description of the tomato variety Siberian Dwarf
In its homeland, Siberian Dwarf is a mid-early tomato variety. It takes 100-105 days for the crop to ripen from the moment the seeds emerge. But in more favorable conditions for gardening, tomatoes ripen faster - in 90-95 days. Therefore, in central Russia and the south of Russia, the variety can be classified as early ripening.
The bushes are very compact, “squat”, 25-35 cm high. The variety is standard - it is characterized by the presence of a powerful stem, similar to a tree trunk. The leaves are relatively small, with a typical tomato shape. Dense foliage is uncharacteristic for bushes.
There is a place for Siberian dwarf tomato bushes even on the notorious “six hundred square meters”
Tomatoes are large compared to bushes. The average weight of Siberian dwarf tomatoes is 150-180 g; specimens weighing up to 200 g are often found.
The skin is quite durable, classic “tomato” red in color, with a glossy sheen. The pulp is dense, but fleshy, “grainy” when cut. There are a maximum of 3-4 seed chambers, the seeds in them are small, almost imperceptible when eaten. The taste qualities cannot be called outstanding, but they do not cause criticism either. The taste is good, balanced, with light notes of sweetness and noticeable sourness.
The shape of the tomatoes is regular, oval, with a slightly pointed tip.
Characteristics of the Siberian Dwarf tomato
In general, the characteristics of Siberian Dwarf tomatoes are standard for standard varieties. The main indicators that immediately attract the attention of gardeners are compact dimensions with high yields.
Productivity of tomato Siberian dwarf
Carpal type fruiting. The brushes (5-6 on each bush) are tied very often, through one or two leaves. This ensures high yield for plants with such modest dimensions - about 4 kg per bush per season.
High yields of Siberian dwarf tomatoes are due to cluster fruiting
Resistance to diseases and pests
The manufacturer does not provide information about the resistance of the Siberian Dwarf tomato to pathogenic microflora and the presence of “innate” immunity to any diseases. But growing practice shows that the variety’s resistance to fungi and viruses is quite good.
Plants rarely suffer from diseases, even if the weather during the growing season is favorable for the development of pathogenic microflora. Due to the relatively short period of crop ripening, the risk of infection with one of the most dangerous diseases for tomatoes - late blight - is minimized. It develops towards the end of summer. By this time, the entire crop of Siberian Dwarf tomatoes has already been harvested, and the bushes are disposed of as if they were plant debris.
Methods of application
Siberian dwarf tomatoes are good fresh - in salads and slices. They are also used for preparing first and second courses, sauces, homemade ketchup and tomato paste.
But home-canned goods receive only positive reviews. The tomatoes fit completely into the jars. When salted and pickled, the skin practically does not crack and retains its bright color. The pulp also does not change consistency.
The only thing you can’t do from a Siberian dwarf is squeeze the juice
Advantages and disadvantages
Having just appeared on sale, the Siberian Dwarf tomato quickly aroused steady interest among gardeners. This is due to a fairly long list of its advantages:
- possibility of cultivation in open and closed ground, at home;
- endurance and “plasticity” of plants (resistance to weather vagaries, ability to adapt to the local climate);
- simplicity of agricultural technology, ease of care (the variety is suitable even for novice gardeners);
- undemanding to lighting during growing seedlings and after transplanting into the garden bed;
- good immunity;
- cultivation without tying, shaping and pinching;
- early dates and “massiveness” of crop ripening;
- compactness of plants, which allows you to significantly save space in the garden bed;
- high productivity;
- external presentability, large-fruited, one-dimensionality of tomatoes;
- universal purpose of tomatoes, quite good taste;
- good transportability and keeping quality.
Standard tomatoes, as a rule, have a very mediocre taste, Siberian dwarf is a successful exception
No obvious shortcomings have yet been discovered. Some gardeners note the need to regularly feed plants as a relative disadvantage.
Since the variety is new, seeds are not always available for sale. Theoretically, they can be obtained from self-harvested tomatoes, but in practice this poses problems. There are very few seeds in Siberian dwarf tomatoes, the vast majority of them are underdeveloped.
Features of planting and care
Due to the peculiarities of the local climate, Siberian dwarf tomatoes, despite their early ripening, are grown in seedlings. It takes 5-6 weeks to form plants with 3-4 true leaves. They are transplanted into the ground at the end of May or early June, the seeds for seedlings are sown in the second ten days of April.
Preliminary hardening of seedlings facilitates adaptation to changed growing conditions
Good lighting is not the main requirement of the Siberian Dwarf tomato for the planting site. Partial shade will also suit him. The quality of the substrate is more important - it must be fertile, but at the same time relatively “light” and loose. Acid-base balance – neutral or slightly acidic. Therefore, when the bed is dug up (10-12 days before planting the seedlings), humus and complex fertilizer must be added to the soil.
The watering requirements for this variety are the same as for any standard tomatoes with a shallow root system. The “norm” per bush is about 3-4 liters, but the soil should not be allowed to dry out more than 2-3 cm deep. In the absence of precipitation, Siberian Dwarf tomatoes are watered every 3-5 days.
Mulching is highly recommended. Mulch eliminates the need for loosening and weeding (the risk of root damage in the process disappears). It also prevents the rapid evaporation of moisture from the soil.
The bed is mulched immediately after planting tomato seedlings
Siberian dwarf tomatoes are fed three times:
- 8-10 days after planting seedlings in the ground;
- in another two weeks;
- after harvesting the first “wave” of the harvest.
The best option for this variety is complex commercial fertilizers for tomatoes.They provide Siberian Dwarf tomatoes with nutrients in the required amount. Natural organics do not always cope with this task.
Siberian dwarf tomatoes do not need to form, remove stepsons, or even tie up fruit clusters. Powerful plants can support the weight of ripening tomatoes.
Pest and disease control
The originating company in the description of the variety does not mention the presence of “innate” immunity to any diseases in Siberian Dwarf tomatoes. The experience of growing them by amateur gardeners shows that infection with pathogenic microflora for plants is an atypical phenomenon.
Siberian dwarf tomatoes successfully resist pathogenic fungi, even if their “neighbors” in the garden “catch the infection.” Therefore, it can be argued that to prevent the development of diseases, it is enough to follow the planting scheme and follow the recommendations.
Tomato Siberian dwarf successfully avoids late blight infection
An additional preventive measure that many gardeners resort to is treating the seeds in a fungicide solution before planting seedlings. The same copper-containing preparations can be used to treat plants and soil in garden beds if the weather is favorable for the development of diseases. Siberian dwarf tomatoes are processed every 1.5-2 weeks.
Pests are also not very interested in this variety. But in the event of a massive invasion of aphids in the garden, they can also attack Siberian dwarf tomato bushes. They fight insects by spraying plants and soil with solutions of any universal insecticides. For prevention, you can dust the bushes with ground pepper, tobacco dust, and wood ash.
Aphids literally “stick around” tomato bushes, concentrating on fruit ovaries, buds, and shoot tips
Conclusion
The Siberian Dwarf tomato was specially created for Russian regions, the climatic conditions of which cannot be called ideal for gardening. The variety appeared on sale quite recently, but “consumers” have already appreciated it. The compactness of the bushes, high yield, large size and very good taste of the fruits are successfully combined with “stress resistance”, good immunity and ease of cultivation.
Reviews from gardeners about the Siberian Dwarf tomato
