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The Altai honey tomato will be a godsend for lovers of large-fruited varieties. There are two varieties of the hybrid, differing in color. The variety with pink fruits was bred in Ukraine, with orange ones in Russia (Siberian series). Each of them deserves attention and will be able to take its rightful place in the garden beds. A description of the variety and reviews from gardeners will help you evaluate the Altai Honey tomato.
Description of the tomato variety Altai honey
Altai honey tomatoes are a mid-season, tall-growing, indeterminate, large-fruited variety. The period from germination to full varietal maturity is 105-110 days. Suitable for growing in open and closed ground. In northern latitudes, the variety is recommended to be grown in greenhouses and film shelters.
Description of the tomato “Altai honey”:
- bush height – 1.5-2.0 m;
- number of fruits in a cluster – 5-6 pcs.;
- leaves are large, rich green.
Detailed description of the fruits
Tomatoes of the Altai honey variety are suitable for preparing salads and winter preparations (juice, fruit drink, puree, tomato paste, ketchup).
Fruit color | red-pink (bright orange) |
Form | rounded, heart-shaped, slightly ribbed |
Pulp | meaty, juicy, medium density |
Skin | dense |
Taste | sweet, honey |
Weight | 300-650 g |
Seeds | a small amount of |
Characteristics of tomato Altai honey
Altai honey tomatoes are a high-yielding variety with a long fruiting period. The harvest period lasts from July to September. The plants are characterized by tall bush growth, so they need staking and shaping. The fruiting period lasts from July to September.
The hybrid is highly resistant to various diseases and pests. Suitable for cultivation in any climatic regions. In the south - in open ground, in regions with short and cool summers, greenhouse cultivation is recommended. The yield of the variety is 2.5-4.0 kg per bush.
Advantages and disadvantages
The advantages of the variety include:
- excellent taste;
- resistance to diseases and pests;
- transportability;
- the fruits are not prone to cracking.
Flaws:
When grown in northern latitudes (in open ground), the fruits do not have time to fully ripen.
Growing rules
You can grow tomatoes of the Altai honey variety by direct sowing in the ground, but the most effective method is the seedling method.
Planting seeds for seedlings
It is recommended to sow seeds to obtain seedlings in February-April, in greenhouses, hotbeds or special containers (plastic containers, seedling cassettes). You can use any universal soil or a mixture of peat and sand in a 1:1 ratio. Do not thicken the crops too much, otherwise the seedlings will be thin, weak and elongated. The seeding depth is 1-1.5 cm.
For full development, plants need to provide:
- high-quality lighting;
- air ventilation;
- stable and comfortable temperature conditions.
For the speedy germination of seeds and the appearance of friendly shoots, it is recommended to cover the crops with film. The temperature during this period should be maintained at + 23 °C. When the first shoots appear, the film must be removed immediately in order to prevent the seedlings from overgrowing.
From the first days after seed germination, seedlings must be hardened by gradually lowering the temperature. When the first pair of true leaves appear, tomato seedlings should be planted in separate pots or peat cups.
Transplanting seedlings
It is recommended to transplant seedlings into open ground after reaching the age of 60-65 days. Approximate transplant dates are April-June. This variety of tomatoes does not require a lot of space. For one plant to grow comfortably, 40-50 cm is enough2. At 1 m2 you can place 3-4 bushes. The optimal distance between rows is 40 cm, between seedlings - 40-50 cm. Beds for planting tomatoes are best placed on the sunny side (south, southeast or southwest).
Step-by-step planting of tomato seedlings Altai honey:
- Prepare planting holes.
- Pour 1 liter of water into the holes.
- Remove a few of the lower leaves from the seedlings.
- Bury the plants into the soil as much as possible (up to ½ stem).
- Carefully press the root with soil, making sure that it does not bend and is vertical.
- Water the plants.
- Sprinkle the top of the hole with dry soil.
- Install the support.
Tomato care
Growing tomatoes of the Altai honey variety involves carrying out such care measures as:
- loosening the soil;
- deletion weed;
- regular watering with settled water;
- fertilization;
- formation of bushes;
- mulching the soil with black fiber or natural materials (grass, hay, straw).
Watering tomatoes should be done in the afternoon or in cloudy weather. The water consumption rate for 1 plant is 0.7-1.0 l. Watering is required during the flowering period, before applying fertilizer and loosening the soil.
It is necessary to feed Altai honey tomatoes several times a season:
- The first fertilizing is carried out with a mixture of mineral and organic fertilizers, 10-14 days after planting the seedlings in the ground. Prepare a solution of mullein and water in a ratio of 1:9. Then 20 g of superphosphate is added to the mixture.
- The next two feedings are carried out with a complex of mineral fertilizers (in dry form), with an interval of 14 days. At the rate of 20 g of superphosphate, 15 g of potassium salt, 10 g of nitrate per 1 m2. Feed the bushes before hilling or after loosening the soil.
Altai honey tomato bushes can reach quite a large height, growing up to 2 m. Therefore, the plants need to be tied to a support or trellis. Due to the large weight of the fruits of the tomato cluster, Altai honey is also recommended to be additionally supported in order to prevent damage to the central stem.
When growing Altai honey tomatoes, special attention should be paid to the formation of bushes. Timely removal of stepsons and pinching the top of the main shoot directly affects the yield.The best yield indicators can be achieved by growing bushes with 1 stem, leaving no more than 2-3 clusters.
Conclusion
The Altai honey tomato is an unpretentious variety intended for cultivation in middle and southern latitudes. It has excellent taste and excellent adaptive characteristics. It is popular due to its low maintenance requirements and disease resistance. Altai honey is a universal-purpose hybrid. Suitable for both fresh consumption and winter preparations.
