Content
Tomato Starling is a new generation hybrid vegetable crop. These are early-ripening large tomatoes that can be grown both in a greenhouse and on open land plantations. The variety was specially bred for the harsh Russian climate, and therefore is very popular among domestic farmers and private gardeners.
History of selection
The Starling tomato was bred in 2017 by domestic breeders
After carrying out the necessary tests, the vegetable crop was included in the State Register of the Russian Federation in 2019 and allowed for cultivation in Russia. The seed material is supplied by the Russian agricultural company “Partner”. Tomatoes of this variety are cultivated in greenhouses, under plastic film, in garden beds.
Description of tomato Starling
The Starling tomato belongs to a standard variety of determinate growth; the height of the bushes depends directly on the location and growing conditions. The plant does not require pinching.
The bushes of the selected tomato variety are characterized by spreading nature and require effective ventilation with fresh air to minimize the risk of plant diseases.
The root system of the crop develops in the upper soil layer and grows in different directions by an average of 15-20 cm.
Tomato leaves are standard sizes, shapes, and green. The first inflorescence is formed over the 5-7th leaf of a young plant, the next ones are formed every 2 leaves.
On one cluster of Starling tomato, 3-6 large tomatoes are formed
The growth of the bush stops when 5-6 clusters with fruits are formed on it.
Characteristics of the Starling tomato variety
The tomato variety Starling is a fairly compact yet strong plant. In favorable climatic conditions, depending on the place of growth (open bed or greenhouse), vegetable bushes grow in height from 50 cm to 120 cm.
The plant is distinguished by a strong, powerful and straight stem, intense branching and moderate thickening. The green leaves are slightly oblong in shape. The root system develops almost under the very surface of the soil. The inflorescences are simple, forming a stalk with an articulation.
Ripening and fruiting
The Starling tomato is an early-ripening tomato crop. After the sprouts emerge from the soil, the first tomato fruits ripen after 95-100 days.Harvesting, depending on the place where the vegetable grows, begins from July 15-30.
Tomato yield Starling
The hybrid tomato variety Starling is characterized by an extended fruiting period, which can last for a month. When providing the culture with proper growing conditions from 1m2 a tomato plantation can harvest up to 17 kg of fruit.
Resistance to adverse factors
Tomatoes of the hybrid variety Skvorets are characterized by increased resistance to many plant diseases characteristic of tomato crops
Early ripening of fruits protects the plant from late blight disease. But when growing tomatoes in an open garden bed, if the season turns out to be quite rainy, preventive measures should not be neglected. It is recommended to treat the crop with fungicides in a timely manner.
Also, this hybrid tomato variety does not strongly attract harmful insects. Most often, the crop is attacked by slugs, so it is advisable to sprinkle the holes of tomato seedlings with wood ash or tobacco dust.
Where is it grown?
The breeding tomato variety Skvorets was bred specifically for Russian regions. Therefore, the crop can be grown in almost any climatic conditions, for example, in the North-West and South of the country, in the Far Eastern, Siberian and Ural regions.
Methods of application
Large juicy and very tasty tomatoes of the hybrid variety Starling can be consumed fresh, in vegetable salads, and added to hot dishes
The fruits are excellent for preserving tomato juice, making tomato paste and ketchup. But sealing large enough tomatoes whole in jars is very problematic.
Advantages and disadvantages of the Starling tomato
Hybrid tomatoes Starling have many advantages, thanks to which they are very popular among domestic private gardeners and farmers.
The variety is an early ripening variety
Pros:
- standard care inherent in all tomato crops;
- no pinching required;
- fairly high yields;
- the possibility of growing both in greenhouse conditions and on open land plantations;
- increased resistance to plant diseases;
- does not attract harmful insects;
- large tomatoes do not crack after full ripening;
- very tasty fruits;
- Wide range of applications.
Minuses:
- requires tying the bushes to individual supports;
- possibility of late blight;
- fairly large fruits are not included in the whole canning jars;
- It is impossible to independently collect seed material.
Landing Features
The seeds of the hybrid tomato Starling are sown in March. It takes about two months for young seedlings to grow stronger and develop leaves. Seed material is planted in individual containers or in a common seedling container.
The procedure for sowing tomato seeds Starling:
- The selected seedling container is filled with a special soil mixture or fertilized and disinfected soil taken from the land intended for planting seedlings.
- Several furrows are made in the ground, with a distance of 3 cm between them.
- Using a spray bottle, moisten the soil with warm water.
- Seed material is placed in the grooves to a depth of 1-1.5 cm and covered with soil.
- The sown area is sprayed with water, also using a spray bottle.
- Cover the seedling container with the planted seeds with transparent glass or plastic film.
- Leave the seedlings in a warm, well-lit room with no drafts.
Small tomato sprouts should come out of the soil in about 7-10 days
At this stage, the glass or film is removed, and the container with the seedlings is transferred to a cooler place. After the sprouts have formed several leaves, they are picked into separate containers.
When stable warm weather remains outside without the risk of night frosts, ready-made Starling tomato seedlings are planted on a well-drained plot of land with good natural light.
Seedlings are transplanted into open ground in early July, into a greenhouse or greenhouse - two weeks earlier.
Care instructions
At all stages of growth and development of tomato crops, standard care procedures are carried out. It is necessary to timely fertilize the soil, water the plants at the roots and loosen the soil around the bushes.
Watering
Starling tomato is a drought-resistant variety. When the top soil layer dries completely, the plants are watered. To do this, use settled warm water.
Top dressing
During the season, the soil on which tomatoes are grown is fed at least three times. Two weeks after transplanting the seedlings to a permanent place, fertilizers containing nitrogen are introduced into the soil. This is necessary to accelerate the development of the root system of the crop and above-ground greenery. Next, potassium and phosphorus fertilizers are added to the soil.
Loosening
Loosening the soil around tomato bushes is carried out every time after watering to prevent the formation of a dense crust on the surface of the earth, which will delay the flow of oxygen to the root system of the plant.
Growing the Starling tomato
The emerging stepsons in the axils of the plant are pinched.And to improve the ventilation of seedlings and increase the yield of vegetable crops, it is additionally recommended to remove the lower leaves on the bushes.
How to form a Starling tomato
To obtain a high yield of Starling tomato bushes, the plant requires the mandatory formation of 1-2 trunks. In this case, immediately after planting the seedlings, fertilizing must be applied to the soil. It is also necessary to additionally fertilize the soil at the stage of fruit formation on the branches, incl. when they mature. Greenhouses need to be ventilated regularly.
Pest and disease control
Despite the fact that the hybrid variety Starling is resistant to diseases and pests, preventive measures are recommended. To do this, you can use both special factory-produced chemicals and old, but quite effective folk methods.
Spraying the bushes will help prevent the appearance of insect pests
Recommended means for preventing diseases of vegetable crops and improving its growth:
- Sodium humate promotes the development of tomato culture. Minimizes the risk of fruit ovaries falling off.
- Potassium humate helps to activate the plant's absorption of useful microcomponents from the soil and increases productivity.
- Epin improves plant immunity, increases the number of tomato ovaries, and increases vegetable yields by 30%.
To prevent common infectious diseases and harmful insects that attack tomato bushes, it is recommended to use FAS sulfur bomb in greenhouses.
Conclusion
Tomato Skvorets is a hybrid tomato variety bred by domestic breeders specifically for cultivation in Russian regions. This is an early-ripening vegetable crop of determinate growth with large bright crimson fruits.Characterized by high productivity - up to 17 kg/m2. The crop is characterized by increased resistance to plant diseases and pests. Depending on the climatic region, seedlings can be planted both in greenhouses and in open ground.
Reviews from gardeners about the Starling F1 tomato
