Content
The Big Beef tomato is an early variety developed by Dutch scientists. The variety is valued for its excellent taste, resistance to diseases, temperature changes and other unfavorable conditions. Plants require constant care, including watering and fertilizing.
Botanical description
Characteristics of Big Beef tomatoes:
- early maturation;
- the period from emergence to harvest is 99 days;
- powerful spreading bush;
- a large number of leaves;
- height up to 1.8 m;
- 4-5 tomatoes are formed on the brush;
- indeterminate variety.
The fruits of the Big Beef variety are characterized by the following:
- rounded shape;
- smooth surface;
- weight of tomatoes from 150 to 250 g;
- good taste;
- juicy fleshy pulp;
- number of cameras – from 6;
- high concentration of dry matter.
The Big Beef variety refers to beefsteak tomatoes, which are distinguished by their large size and excellent taste. In the USA they are used to make hamburgers.
Up to 4.5 kg of tomatoes are harvested from one bush. The fruits are suitable for the daily diet, eaten fresh or after heat treatment. In home canning, the fruits are processed into tomato juice or paste.
Big Beef tomatoes have a long shelf life.The fruits tolerate long-term transportation and are suitable for growing for sale.
Tomato seedlings
Big Beef tomatoes are grown in seedlings. At home, seeds are planted. After their germination, the tomatoes are provided with the necessary conditions.
Preparing for landing
Planting work is carried out in February or March. The soil for tomatoes is prepared in the fall by combining garden soil and humus in equal proportions. The substrate is also obtained by mixing peat, sawdust and turf soil in a ratio of 7:1:1.
The soil is placed in an oven or microwave oven for 10-15 minutes to disinfect. In frosty weather, it is placed outside or on the balcony.
Big Beef tomatoes are planted in boxes or individual cups. First, the containers are filled with soil, seeds are placed on top at intervals of 2 cm and 1 cm of peat is poured. When using peat tablets or cups, seedlings do not require picking.
Containers with tomatoes are covered with glass or film, then left in a warm room. At temperatures above 25 °C, tomato sprouts will appear in 3-4 days.
Seedling care
Tomatoes in the seedling stage require constant care. They are provided with a temperature of 20-26 °C during the day and 15-18 °C at night.
The room with tomatoes is regularly ventilated, but the plants are protected from drafts. If necessary, install phytolamps so that the tomatoes receive lighting for half a day.
If the tomatoes were planted in boxes, then the seedlings are plucked when 5-6 leaves appear. Plants are distributed into separate containers.The use of peat tablets or cups allows you to avoid picking.
Before planting tomatoes in a permanent place, they are hardened off in the fresh air. First, the period of their stay on the balcony or loggia is 2 hours. Gradually this period is increased. Immediately before planting, tomatoes are kept in natural conditions for 24 hours.
Landing in the ground
Big Beef tomatoes are transferred to a greenhouse or open beds. A higher yield is obtained in closed ground.
Tomatoes with a height of 30 cm and 7-8 leaves should be planted. Such plants are characterized by a developed root system, so they are able to withstand changes in external conditions.
The place for tomatoes is chosen taking into account the crop growing on it. Tomatoes are planted after cabbage, onions, carrots, beets, and legumes.
The soil for tomatoes is prepared in the fall. The beds are dug up and fertilized with humus. In spring, deep loosening of the soil is performed.
The Big Beef F1 tomato variety is planted at a distance of 30 cm from each other. When organizing several rows, leave 70 cm.
The tomatoes are transferred together with a lump of earth into the prepared hole. The roots of the plants are covered with earth, which is slightly compacted. Plantings are watered abundantly and tied to a support.
Tomato care
According to reviews, Big Beef tomatoes produce high yields with constant care. Plants need watering, fertilizing, and pinching of shoots. To prevent diseases and the spread of pests, plantings are treated with ready-made preparations or folk remedies.
Watering plants
Big Beef F1 tomatoes are watered weekly. For irrigation, take settled warm water, which is applied at the root of the plants.
The intensity of watering depends on the stage of development of tomatoes. Before flowering begins, they are watered every week using 5 liters of water. When flowering begins, moisture is added every 3 days, the watering rate is 3 liters.
After watering, be sure to loosen the soil under the tomatoes to improve moisture absorption. It is important to regularly ventilate the greenhouse and prevent the formation of a crust on the surface of the soil.
Fertilizer application
During the season, tomatoes are fed 3-4 times. Fertilizer is applied as a solution or incorporated into the soil in dry form.
The feeding scheme includes several stages:
- For the first treatment, prepare a solution of mullein in a ratio of 1:10. The fertilizer saturates the tomatoes with nitrogen, which is necessary for the growth of green mass. In the future, it is better to avoid using such fertilizers to avoid increased density of tomato leaves.
- The next treatment is performed after 2-3 weeks. A large bucket of water requires 20 g of superphosphate and potassium salt. Fertilizers can be applied directly to the soil. Phosphorus and potassium stimulate plant metabolism and improve the taste of fruits.
- When flowering, a solution of boric acid is obtained, consisting of 2 g of the substance and 2 liters of water. Tomatoes are processed leaf by leaf to stimulate the formation of ovaries.
- When fruiting, tomatoes are re-fed with phosphorus and potassium fertilizers.
An alternative option is to use natural fertilizers. Wood ash contains a complex of useful substances. It is embedded in the ground or used to obtain an infusion.
Bush formation
Big Beef tomatoes are formed into 1 stem.The stepsons growing from the leaf axils are pinched weekly.
Forming a bush allows you to get a high yield and prevent overcrowding. 7-8 brushes are left on the plants. At the top, the tomatoes are tied to a support.
Disease and pest control
The Big Beef variety is resistant to viral diseases of tomatoes. Plants are not susceptible to fusaoria, verticillium, cladosporiosis, and tobacco mosaic. Viral diseases are the most dangerous for tomatoes because they have no treatment. Affected plants must be destroyed.
With high humidity, fungal diseases develop on tomatoes. The disease can be identified by the presence of dark spots on the fruits, stems and tops of tomatoes. To combat fungal infections, Bordeaux mixture and copper-based preparations are used.
Tomatoes attract mole crickets, aphids, gall midges, whiteflies and other pests. For insects, use insecticides or folk remedies (infusions with onion peels, soda, wood ash).
Reviews from gardeners
Conclusion
Big Beef tomatoes are grown for their fleshy, tasty fruit. The bushes are powerful and vigorous, they need shaping and tying up. The variety is suitable for growing in unfavorable conditions. It is planted under a glass or film shelter.
