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Domestic and foreign breeders have developed so many different varieties of tomatoes that gardeners simply do not have time to keep up with the new products. Now we will talk about one rather interesting variety of this vegetable. Fans of original fruits will certainly be interested in the Watermelon tomato, intended for indoor and outdoor growing methods. The variety is of no less interest to farmers, because in greenhouse conditions you can get large fruits weighing more than 0.5 kg.
Description of tomato
Let’s begin by considering the characteristics and description of the Waterbuzny tomato variety with the fact that the crop is included in the State Register of Russia. In most regions, it is recommended to grow tomatoes indoors. Outdoors, the plant feels comfortable only in the southern regions. Vegetable growers in the middle zone can also do without a greenhouse, but at least a temporary shelter made of film or agrofibre needs to be built.
In terms of ripening time, the Watermelon tomato is considered a mid-early crop. Under favorable conditions, the first fruits are ready for consumption on the 107th day. Tomato ripening can last up to 113 days. The plant is considered to be of indeterminate type. Tall bushes reach more than 2.1 m in height. With an open growing method, stem growth is usually limited to 1.9 m. The amount of foliage on the bush is average, the shape is usual for most tomatoes.
The variety was developed by domestic breeders and immediately gave it a name because of the appearance of the fruit. The striped markings characteristic of a watermelon appear on the skin of the tomato. The seeds are clearly visible on the pulp of the cut fruit. A tall tomato bush requires mandatory shaping. All excess shoots are removed from the plant. There is no thickening of foliage, but the green mass is removed from the bottom of the bush. It interferes with the ventilation of the soil around the plant and shades the lower tier of the fruit.
You should not feel sorry for the leaves of the lower tier, as they do more harm than good. Firstly, excess green mass draws nutrients, preventing the plant and fruits from developing. Secondly, in rainy summers dampness accumulates under the bushes. Foliage prevents ventilation, resulting in the appearance of fungi. One of these dangerous diseases is root rot.
Vegetable growers who leave reviews about the Watermelon tomato variety assure that the plant is resistant to late blight. If you follow the rules for forming bushes, then tomato fungal diseases are not dangerous. Another advantage of the variety is long-term fruiting.
Fruit characteristics
The shape of the tomato is characteristic, as is the case with many large-fruited varieties. The tomatoes that grow on the bush are simply round and slightly elongated, but they are all flattened. A distinctive feature of the fruit is the ribbing of the walls at the point where the stalk is attached. On some tomatoes it even turns into large waves. The red color dominates in the pulp and skin of the fruit. There are light and dark areas in places. A fully ripe fruit has a brown tint to its skin. The green stripes of the watermelon converge to a large dark green spot at the stem.
Continuing to consider the description of the Watermelon tomato, photo, you need to evaluate the size of the fruit and the overall yield of the variety. With normal care of the crop, the vegetable grower will in any case receive tomatoes with an average weight of 160 g. If you try with fertilizing and correct formation of the bush, then most of the fruits will grow weighing up to 550 g. The yield of the Watermelon variety is average. About 2.5 kg of tomatoes are harvested from one bush. To avoid thickening by 1 m2 A maximum of three plants are planted. The total yield from such a plot is approximately 6 kg.
The watermelon variety is considered a salad variety. The presentation of the fruit is good, you can even sell it on the market. However, tomatoes are poorly stored and practically cannot withstand transportation. These two disadvantages prevent the use of the Watermelon variety for commercial purposes.
The scope of application of the fruit is extensive. Tomatoes are used in any dishes, but not canned. Most large fruits will not fit into a jar, and many of them have an unpresentable appearance. However, there are reviews where housewives talk about the possibility of rolling small fruits into jars. The best way to experience the taste of a watermelon tomato is in a fresh salad or when eating the fruit just picked from the bush.
The value of the variety for any housewife lies in the gradual ripening of the fruits on the bush. The tomato pulp is tender, but this does not prevent the ripe fruit from hanging on the plant for a long time. Every day the fruit will become sweeter and more aromatic. At this time, simply reduce watering to prevent cracking of the tomato skin.The Watermelon tomato variety will provide the housewife with fresh vegetables before the onset of frost.
In summing up, let's highlight all the advantages of the unusual tomato:
- the appearance of the fruit is of interest to lovers of exotic dishes;
- even if the vegetable grower did not like the color and shape of the fruit, the taste will change the idea of this vegetable for the better;
- Long-term fruiting allows you to get fresh tomatoes from the garden before autumn frosts.
The disadvantages include the labor intensity of caring for the crop. Tomato bushes require staking to a trellis. However, such actions apply to all tall tomatoes. Even many determinate tomatoes also cannot do without a garter to a support. So this issue remains controversial. But the real downside is the inability to store and transport fruits. Picked tomatoes must be processed or eaten immediately, otherwise they will crack and leak.
The video shows the Watermelon variety:
Growing tomato seedlings
The tomato with the exotic southern name Watermelon is considered a heat-loving crop. In the south, tomato seeds can be sown directly into the ground, but in other regions you will need to grow seedlings.
Sowing of Watermelon tomato seeds begins in March. Then in mid-July the vegetable grower will already have the pleasure of enjoying the first fruits. The culture loves nutritious soil with a neutral balance. As a last resort, a slight increase in acidity is allowed. Traditionally, tomato seeds can be sown in boxes, but then the seedlings will have to be plucked when two normal leaves appear on the plants. There will be less hassle if you sow the seeds directly into cups or special peat tablets.
In any case, the containers with the crops are covered with film until the sprouts germinate. After mass germination, the tomato seedlings are placed in a bright place. In the house, a window sill is usually used for these purposes. Seedlings need artificial lighting. Daylight hours are not enough for tomatoes. Caring for tomato seedlings of the Watermelon variety involves timely watering with warm water, loosening the soil, and applying fertilizing. It is advisable to rotate containers with plants daily so that the stems do not stretch out bent towards the light source.
The seedlings will be ready for planting no earlier than in 46 days. By this time, the tomatoes will have formed 6–7 leaves and one inflorescence. Tomatoes are hardened 1–2 weeks before planting. The seedlings are taken outside into the shade for a short time. Every day the duration of the hardening procedure increases.
The bed is prepared in the fall or 1 month before planting tomato seedlings. The earth is dug up with humus. If the soil is heavy, add sand to make it loose. As a disinfection, water the soil with a pale solution of potassium permanganate. They dig holes under the tomatoes, following the diagram. At 1 m2 The beds should grow a maximum of three tomato bushes. The soil in the hole is mixed with a tablespoon of ash and a similar amount of mineral fertilizer.
During planting, the tomato is removed from the cup along with a lump of earth and, without destroying it, placed in the hole. Now all that remains is to fill the holes with loose soil, water the plants and install a temporary shelter over them.
Features of tomato care
Many reviews of the Watermelon tomato say that the variety does not require special care. Like all tomatoes, the crop responds well to organic feeding. During the flowering and ovary period, mineral fertilizers are needed. For better plant development, as well as to prevent diseases, the soil under the bushes needs to be loosened more often. Overgrowing of the bed is not allowed weeds. If possible, watering is organized with warm water, and it should be poured under the roots.
Any excess shoots that appear are removed from the plant. This is done when the shoots grow more than 4–5 cm in length. Tying the stems to a support is mandatory. For tall tomatoes, it is better to install trellises. In addition to the stems themselves, I tie branches with tassels to the support, otherwise they will break off from heavy fruits.
Preventative spraying is always welcome. The simplest solution of Bordeaux mixture will prevent the development of such a dangerous disease as late blight. A decoction of wormwood, soap solution or tobacco dust will help in the fight against spider mites, aphids, and whiteflies.
Reviews
As you can see, the crop is easy to care for, and reviews of the Watermelon tomato will help vegetable growers decide to grow this variety on their plot.
