Content
The Black Gourmet tomato is a recently developed variety, but its popularity among gardeners is rapidly growing. Thanks to the experimental work of breeders, the chokeberry tomato has characteristics that are superior to those of previously bred varieties. The potential of the plant becomes interesting to both amateurs and professionals. To obtain a sustainable harvest, you need to become familiar with the characteristics, rules of growing and caring for tomatoes.
Description of the tomato Black Gourmet
All varieties of tomatoes are divided into determinate and indeterminate. The Black Gourmet tomato variety is unlimited in growth and can reach a height of about 2.5 m, so it belongs to the second group. The young plant is fragile and tender, but over time the stem becomes thicker, rougher and gradually becomes woody. The bush must be formed into 1 - 2 stems, removing excess stepsons. This is required so that the yield does not decrease, the plant does not thicken and is fully provided with nutrients. The stem of the Black Gourmet variety is fleshy, round in shape, with a pronounced “tomato” aroma, and covered with vellus hairs.The tomato must be periodically tied to a strong support, otherwise it will be difficult for the plant to stand under the weight of the fruit.
The leaves of the tomato Black gourmet are alternate, laid on the stem in a spiral, their size depends on the growing conditions and soil fertility, they reach a length of 50 cm and a width of 30 cm. The leaf blade of a tomato has a dark green color, consists of several lobes, the surface covered with glandular hairs.
The flowers of the Black Gourmet variety are inconspicuous, yellow, collected in brushes of 10 - 12 pieces. Inflorescences form in the axils of every third leaf. Tomato is self-pollinating.
This is a tall, powerful plant with a strong root system that spreads to a depth of 1 m.
The Black Gourmet tomato is a mid-season tomato; the fruits reach technical maturity 110 - 120 days after germination.
Description of fruits
Tomato fruits are smooth and round. When unripe, there is an emerald-colored spot near the stalk, which changes color to brown after ripening. The usual color of the fruit is dark red, pomegranate or chocolate. The weight is 80 - 110 g, but according to reviews and photos of those who planted the Black Gourmet tomato in their greenhouses, in practice the fruits reach 200 - 300 g. When fully ripened, the tomatoes are fleshy, soft, have many chambers, have a fruity aroma and a sweet taste . It is believed that the Black Gourmet tomato variety is used for salad purposes. Although the skin of the fruit is tender, it does not burst when preserved as a whole. Tomatoes can be frozen, juice, puree, ketchup, vegetable caviar, and other dishes and preparations can be prepared.
Characteristics of the Black Gourmet tomato
The Black Gourmet variety is the result of the work of Russian scientists from the large breeding and seed production company Poisk.In 2015, it was included in the State Register of the Russian Federation with a recommendation for cultivation in greenhouses. Under such conditions, tomato grows equally well in central Russia, Siberia and the south.
The Poisk company has developed more than 500 new varieties and hybrids of vegetables. The Black Gourmet tomato is the result of crossing domestic tomatoes with the best characteristics.
The yield per square meter is about 6 kg, but the figure may vary depending on growing conditions and care.
According to the description, the tomato variety Black Gourmet is a mid-season tomato; the fruits are harvested 115 days after germination. The ripening period is long - from mid-summer to October. In the southern regions, cultivation of the variety is not limited to these periods and can continue all year round.
Black gourmet is a tomato with high resistance to leaf spot, gray mold, viral diseases and pests, provided that agricultural practices are followed.
It is necessary to distinguish the variety created by the Poisk company from the Black Gourmet F1 tomato produced by the well-known agricultural company Aelita. The hybrid of the latter ripens earlier, has larger fruits and higher yields. But a significant drawback is the inability to collect seeds: they must be purchased annually for sowing seedlings.
Assessing advantages and disadvantages
The color of black tomatoes has different shades - from light chocolate to purple. This color is obtained thanks to violet and red pigments. The red color is formed due to carotenoids and lycopenes, they are found in any variety of tomatoes. The purple hue is given by anthocyanins, which are abundant in eggplants and red cabbage. Due to its color, the Black Gourmand tomato variety has a number of features:
- special taste due to the high sugar content;
- the presence of antioxidants that help cleanse the body;
- anthocyanins help strengthen blood vessels;
- vitamin A has a beneficial effect on vision;
- Lycopene in large quantities prevents the development of tumors.
In addition to the above advantages, the advantages of the Black Gourmet variety include:
- ease of care;
- disease resistance;
- no tendency to crack;
- ease of canning - due to the average size of the fruit;
- Possibility of use for baby and diet food.
The disadvantages of the Black Gourmet variety include:
- increased amount of sugar, which leads to softening of the fruit;
- the impossibility of ripening tomatoes when grown in regions with cold climates.
Growing rules
In order to grow a rich harvest of tomatoes, you need to follow a few simple rules of agricultural technology:
- observe sowing dates;
- grow strong seedlings;
- use ash when planting;
- plant tomatoes no closer than 60 cm from each other;
- Water abundantly only for the first week;
- start feeding after the ovaries appear;
- periodically carry out pinching, forming a bush of 1 - 2 stems;
- remove yellow or spotted leaves in a timely manner;
- When watering, do not wet the tomato leaves;
- in mid-July, pinch the crown;
- As soon as the fruits of the first cluster begin to ripen, the lower leaves must be removed.
Sowing seeds for seedlings
A guarantee of a good harvest is high-quality seedlings. To do this you need:
- Prepare the soil by mixing peat (2 parts), garden soil (1 part), compost (1 part) and sand (0.5 parts).
- Sift the soil mixture and disinfect it.
- Prepare containers for seedlings and carry out disinfection.
- Check the seeds for germination using a saline solution and harden them.
- 50 days before planting in the greenhouse, sow the seeds to a depth of 1.5 cm.
- Cover the soil with film and place the boxes in a warm place.
- The temperature for seed germination should be no lower than +25 ⁰C.
- After germination, the temperature should be reduced to +16 - +18 ⁰С.
- To prevent seedlings from stretching, it is necessary to organize additional lighting for 14 - 16 hours a day.
- Watering must be done carefully, at the root, observing moderation.
- After the first true leaf appears, pick up the seedlings.
- Loosening should be carried out some time after watering.
Transplanting seedlings
Tomato variety Black Gourmet requires light, fertile soil with peat and humus. Forest and garden soil have a positive effect on crop productivity. In spring and autumn, the soil is dug up to ensure that pests and larvae in the soil freeze out.
Tall tomatoes are very demanding on nutrition, so if there is a lack of it, it is worth adding fertilizer to the soil: the first time - during planting, for rapid rooting and development of the root system.
Transplantation into a greenhouse is carried out at an air temperature of +20 ⁰C, soil temperature - at least +13 ⁰C. Night readings should not be lower than +16 ⁰С.
In central Russia, the approximate timing of planting tomatoes depends on the type of greenhouse:
- transplanted into a heated room in April-May;
- in unheated - in May–early June.
For proper landing you need:
- Make holes in a checkerboard pattern: 4 per 1 square meter.
- Add ash to each well and mix.
- Sprinkle with a weak solution of potassium permanganate.
- Carefully, without disturbing the root system, remove seedlings from boxes and pots.
- Plant the seedlings, deepening the stem no more than 2 cm.
- Remove a few lower leaves.
- Water again with warm, settled water.
Rules of care
The tomato variety Black Gourmet is indeterminate and grows quickly. As soon as it reaches a height of 0.5 m, the tomato should be tied up. In the future, this should be done at least once every two weeks, so that when the fruits ripen, the plant has strong support. This is important because from videos posted on the Internet about the Black Gourmet tomato, it is clear that the fruits can grow much larger than average.
During the growth process, the tomato should be periodically pinched, forming a bush of 1 - 2 stems. Carry out the procedure with a disinfected knife or scissors twice a month.
Watering should be moderate, about three times a week, in the morning or evening. To preserve moisture and protect the soil from weed it should be loosened and mulched with peat, grass, straw, and leaves.
Tomatoes are fertilized when fruit sets, and also after 2 - 4 weeks, using organic and universal fertilizers.
Conclusion
The black gourmet tomato can become a decoration for any greenhouse, and it looks original on the table. Due to its taste, the tomato is liked by children and adults; it can be used for various purposes - canning, salads, juices. The popularity of “black” varieties is growing, and “Lakomka” is not the last among them.
Reviews of the tomato Black Gourmet
