Content
The Black Icicle tomato is a tasty vegetable, unusual in shape and color. But gardeners love this variety not only for its appearance, but also for its characteristics and versatility of use.
History of selection
The crop appeared on the market relatively recently. The variety was developed thanks to the efforts of Ukrainian breeders. The tomato was included in the State Register in 2018. The authors of the variety are V. Kachainik, M. Gulkin, O Karmanova, S. Matyunina. But the patent for the Black Icicle tomato is registered to LLC Agrofirm AELITA. The variety is recommended for widespread cultivation.
Description of the tomato variety Black Icicle
The culture belongs to tall indeterminates. The height of each bush can reach 1.8 m. It should be taken into account that in greenhouse conditions the plant stretches up to 2 m. When grown in open ground, the height of the tomato reaches 1.5 m.
The leaves of the tomato are large and simple in shape. The bush is of medium foliage, characterized by excessive vegetation, and therefore needs pinching.The green mass does not prevent the ripening of fruits, but it is recommended to remove leaves from the lower part of the crop. Side shoots grow slowly.
The Black Icicle tomato is a mid-season variety, the fruits are ready for consumption in 114-122 days
The average weight of each ripe tomato varies from 100 to 120 g. The shape of the vegetable is elongated and elongated, similar to a plum. On the outside, it is colored reddish or dark brown. The pulp is dense, sugary in taste, juicy. Between the inner walls there are usually 3-4 seed chambers.
The skin of the fruit is of medium thickness and dense. Thanks to these characteristics, ripe tomatoes do not crack and are not afraid of late blight and blossom end rot. The crop can be transported over long distances. Unripe vegetables ripen well at room temperature.
All tasters note that Icicle Black tomatoes have a salad-like, bright taste.
Characteristics of the black Icicle tomato
Before purchasing seeds, you should study the characteristics of growing the variety. This will allow you to get a decent harvest.
Tomato yield Black icicle
The manufacturer guarantees the owners of the shrub abundant fruiting. From each plant you can get 7-9 kg of vegetables. To increase productivity, it is recommended to form tomatoes into 2-4 stems. As a result, 6-7 clusters should remain on the main shoot, and 3-4 ovaries on the additional shoots.
To provide the tomatoes with the necessary lighting, it is recommended to tie the plant to a mesh trellis
Resistance to diseases and pests
The Black Icicle tomato has a strong immune system.The plant is not afraid of rot and fusarium, tobacco mosaic virus. But if you do not provide the variety with proper care, then if the tomato’s immunity is weakened, it may suffer from the activity of pests and pathogenic bacteria.
Methods of application
All owners of the Black Icicle tomato note the versatility of using the ripe vegetable. The fruits have a marketable appearance, tolerate transportation well, so they can be sold for sale. It is recommended to add the vegetable to salads and use it to prepare various dishes. Tomatoes can be frozen.
Small size and dense peel - this is an ideal option for whole-fruit canning of tomatoes
Advantages and disadvantages
The advantages of the variety include the unusual shape and color of the tomatoes. The appearance attracts the attention of amateur gardeners who want to grow a curiosity on their plot.
Advantages of the Icicle Black tomato variety:
- abundant fruiting;
- strong immune system;
- resistance to drought and frost;
- low maintenance requirements.
Among the shortcomings of the culture, only indeterminate growth of the bush can be highlighted. This forces gardeners to regularly shape the plant.
Features of cultivation
Work with seedlings should begin at the end of March or at the beginning of April. It is necessary to purchase proven seed material. The soil for tomatoes should be a mixture of black soil with peat and sand. Boxes must be equipped with ventilation holes.
Before sowing, seeds should be soaked in a manganese solution for a day. Move the soil to a box. The planting process itself consists of spreading the seeds along the grooves to a depth of 1-2 cm. Spray them with water from a spray bottle on top. The box must be covered with film or glass.
Move containers with future seedlings to a well-lit, warm place. The room should have an optimal temperature of +23-25 °C.
Caring for seedlings involves watering, airing and removing weeds.
Picking is a mandatory process of working with seedlings, which is carried out after 2-3 true leaves appear on the plants.
Before planting Black Icicle tomatoes in open ground or a greenhouse, you should harden the crop. To do this, it must be periodically taken out into the open air, gradually increasing the time the seedlings stay.
The Black Icicle tomato should be transferred to the beds 50-60 days after sowing. If the seedlings have stretched out, it is recommended to lay the seedlings in a lying position in the furrows to a depth of 20 cm. 3-4 leaves should remain on top. Gradually the plant will straighten and begin to develop.
Next to the Black Icicle tomato, you must immediately install trellises or a wooden support.
Care consists of the following actions:
- pinching, carried out throughout the season, involves the removal of lateral shoots in the leaf axils;
- pruning the first two clusters to activate fruiting and increase the number of inflorescences;
- pinching the top of the bush 30 days before harvest.
The rules of agricultural technology remain common: watering, weeding, loosening, tying and fertilizing. It is recommended to fertilize the Black Icicle tomato every two weeks with universal complex preparations.
Pest and disease control
The plant is characterized by a strong immune system. But this does not provide absolute protection against disease. With an excess of moisture and insufficient feeding, the bush gradually weakens, so it may suffer from septoria and fusarium.
White spot causes drying of leaves covered with plaque, which negatively affects the yield. First, the lower shoots are affected, then the entire plant. Most often, septoria develops in August-September.
There is no cure for white spot; all affected shoots must be removed
Fusarium affects Black Icicle tomatoes if the plants are planted too densely and the soil under them is waterlogged. Excess nitrogen in fertilizing and lack of sun also contribute to the development of the disease.
Fusarium causes wilting of tomatoes. The leaves gradually turn yellow and curl, and the stems dry out. The plant slowly dies without help. When cut, yellow veins are visible on the shoots.
There is no cure for fusarium: the affected tomato will have to be removed and the principles of agricultural technology will have to be reconsidered
The best prevention of pest activity is regular inspection of plants and compliance with the rules of agricultural technology. It is possible to use biological preparations: Fitoferm or Lepidocid.
Conclusion
The black Icicle tomato is a young but increasingly popular variety. An indeterminate type shrub will delight the owner with a bountiful harvest and strong immunity if it is provided with proper care. The collected vegetables have a universal scope.
Reviews from gardeners about the black Icicle tomato
