Content
The African Liana tomato is a mid-season variety that is recommended to be grown indoors in a greenhouse. During the ripening process, fruits of a rich crimson color appear; in appearance, they resemble a large elongated plum with a slight point at the end. This variety is distinguished by excellent taste, long-term storage and attractive appearance. Some vegetable growers note that a ripe African Liana tomato resembles a bright heart.
Description of tomato African liana
Tomatoes of the African Liana variety are classified as mid-season varieties. A distinctive feature is the tallness of the bushes. This species is an indeterminate variety that was bred by breeders in Canada. As a rule, it is recommended to grow fruits in a greenhouse.
The bush grows thin and can reach a height of 2 m, so it needs support. This is due to the fact that it can easily break under the weight of ripe fruits. The leaves grow of the usual type, thin. It is necessary to carry out pinching at the moment when 2 full stems are formed.
Description and taste of fruits
Ripe fruits weigh on average about 120-180 g; cases have been recorded when the maximum weight of a tomato was 400 g. The skin of a ripe African Liana tomato is a rich pink color; crimson shades can also be found.
Some experienced gardeners note that the ripe fruit resembles a heart in appearance, but in most cases it can be compared to an elongated plum. Tomatoes grow medium to large in size. The seed chambers contain a small number of seeds.
It is worth noting that the flesh is quite fleshy and has a rich red color when cut. Ripe African Liana tomatoes are distinguished by their delicate skin and sweet taste, which contains hints of pineapple.
Since tomatoes are versatile, they can be used for canning. Excellent for making salads - the fruits can be cut. Unfortunately, due to the small amount of juice, it is impossible to use the variety for making tomato juice and puree. In cooking they are used to prepare first courses, salads, and tomato soups.
Varietal characteristics
If we consider the varietal characteristics of African Liana tomatoes, it is worth noting the following points:
- the variety is mid-season, as a result of which you can begin harvesting the finished crop 100-110 days after planting the seedlings in greenhouses;
- ripe fruits can be picked in late autumn;
- the weight of a ripe fruit varies between 130-180 g, the maximum weight is 400 g;
- this variety is indeterminate;
- formation is carried out in 2-3 stems;
- It is recommended to grow exclusively indoors - in greenhouses;
- bushes can grow up to 2 m in height;
- fruits of a rich pink or crimson hue;
- excellent taste;
- attractive appearance;
- due to its versatility, it can not only be consumed fresh, but also used for canning;
- is highly resistant to many types of diseases and pests:
- a small amount of seeds.
If you provide the planting material with proper care and apply fertilizing and fertilizers on time, you can get a good harvest.
Pros and cons of the variety
Unfortunately, despite the fruitful work of breeders around the world, not a single variety has been bred so far that does not have disadvantages.
If the gist is based on photos and reviews, then the African Liana tomato has the following main advantages:
- ripe fruits have excellent taste;
- the bushes grow tall, the tomatoes are quite large;
- the harvested crop, if necessary, can be stored for a long period of time, while the appearance and taste will not be lost;
- when growing seedlings, a small number of stepsons are formed;
- the ripening period is quite long, as a result of which fresh tomatoes can be harvested until late autumn;
- Tomatoes of the African Liana variety are characterized by a high level of resistance to many types of diseases and pests.
Despite such a large list of advantages, African Liana tomatoes also have a list of some disadvantages. Among them it is worth noting:
- the yield is average for these varieties of tomatoes, but this deficiency is compensated by the excellent taste and versatility of ripe fruits;
- in most cases, African liana is recommended to be grown in a greenhouse;
- Since the bushes grow quite tall, they must be tied up, otherwise the bushes may break under the weight of the fruit.
Before you start purchasing seeds, you should first study all the advantages and disadvantages of the selected tomato variety.
Rules for planting and care
To obtain a high yield, it is worth providing African Liana tomatoes with proper and high-quality care. During the growth process you will need:
- apply fertilizers;
- water the bushes in a timely manner;
- mulch the soil;
- remove weeds;
- take care of supports;
- carry out preventive measures to prevent the occurrence of diseases and pests.
Only in this way can you get a high yield with excellent taste.
Sowing seeds for seedlings
As a rule, it is recommended to sow seeds 65 days before the intended planting of seedlings in a permanent place of growth. Before sowing, it is worth disinfecting the seeds. To do this you will need:
- Prepare a weak solution with the addition of potassium permanganate - the water should turn out to be pale pink.
- Wash the seeds in this solution.
- Dry the seeds.
- Place in the refrigerator for several days to harden.
- After this, it is worth placing in a solution of succinic acid for 48 hours.
It is recommended to plant in containers filled with a mixture in a 1:1 ratio of peat and fertile soil.As soon as the first shoots have sprouted, pick them using pots with a volume of 0.5 liters or more.
Transplanting seedlings
After about 60-65 days have passed since sowing the seeds, it is necessary to begin planting the seedlings in the greenhouse. To do this, you must first dig up the soil in the greenhouse, apply fertilizer and prepare the holes.
It is important to consider that for every sq. m it is allowed to plant no more than 4 tomato bushes. In order for the root system to develop well and there are many roots, it is worth planting at a slight slope.
Since the bushes grow up to 2 m, you can take care of the support in advance and install it immediately when planting the seedlings. During the growing season, fertilize up to 2 times monthly. To do this, use a mullein solution (0.5 liters of mullein per 5 liters of water).
Tomato care
To get a good yield, you should definitely prun the bushes, which will drown out the plantings. Even if the stepsons are dry, they should still be removed, but no stumps should remain.
Watering should be systematic and regular, and the land should not be swampy or dry. It is worth applying fertilizers and fertilizing monthly, as a result of which you can achieve a high yield.
So that moisture does not evaporate so much, but weeds grew more slowly, it is worth mulching the ground around the tomato bushes. In addition, it is important to remember about supports, since bushes can easily break under the weight of ripe fruits.
Conclusion
The African Liana tomato grows well in closed ground conditions and produces a good harvest. It is important to take into account that during the growth process the bushes must be tied up and a support system must be organized.This is necessary so that the bush can grow up to 2 m in height and the thin trunk breaks under the weight of ripe fruits. Since tomatoes are versatile, they can be used for canning or eaten fresh.
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