Content
The Black Cat tomato is a new product on the domestic market, but has already gained popularity among gardeners who prefer to grow tomatoes with unusual fruit colors. This species is characterized by high yield, excellent taste and increased resistance to diseases and pests. It can be grown in greenhouses and unprotected soil in many regions of the country.
Tomato Black Cat is slightly susceptible to adverse weather conditions
History of selection
This tomato hybrid was obtained in 2018 thanks to the efforts of employees of the Siberian Garden agricultural company, which produces high-quality planting material and develops new resistant varieties. The main goal was to obtain a variety of tomatoes with a dark color, which would be distinguished by a high content of lycopene in the fruit. This component is a strong antioxidant.Therefore, regular consumption of Black Cat tomatoes can significantly reduce the likelihood of developing atherosclerosis, cancer, cataracts and other diseases.
Description of the tomato variety Black Cat F1
The Black Cat tomato (photo below) is a hybrid, so when planting seeds, the species qualities are not preserved. In view of this, planting material must be purchased annually.
This tomato is one of the indeterminate species, that is, tall. When grown in a greenhouse, the height of the bushes reaches 2.0 m, and in unprotected soil - 1.6-1.8 m. The shoots of the Black Cat are strong, elastic, densely leafy with short internodes. Maximum effectiveness can be achieved when bushes are formed into 1-2 shoots, so it is recommended to remove all upper stepsons in a timely manner. This will redirect the plant’s forces to the formation of a new ovary.
The leaves of the Black Cat are of a standard shape and size, with a rich dark green hue. The peduncle is without articulation. The first fruit cluster grows above the 7-9 leaf, and each subsequent one grows after 3.
Black Cat belongs to the category of early ripening species. Therefore, harvesting can be carried out 85-90 days after the appearance of the first shoots, which is much earlier than other tall species.
Each fruit cluster of the Black Cat consists of 4-6 tomatoes
Description of fruits
Hybrid tomatoes are round with slight ribbing and medium in size. The weight of each is about 160 g. The surface of the fruit is smooth and shiny. The color of tomatoes when fully ripe becomes red-brown.The taste of the fruit is sweetish without acid, with a rich tomato aroma.
The pulp is dense, fleshy. When cutting tomatoes, no juice comes out. Inside each there are 2-3 small seed chambers. The skin is thin, durable, and slightly noticeable when eaten. The fruits hold well on the hand and even when fully ripe do not fall off. Black Cat tomatoes can be stored in a cool room for 2 weeks without losing their presentation. In this case, fruit ripening at home is allowed.
Tomatoes have a uniform color
Characteristics of Black Cat tomatoes
This hybrid has some features that make it stand out from the rest. Therefore, it is necessary to study the main characteristics, which will allow you to get a complete picture of the Black Cat tomato.
Tomato yield and what affects it
This species is characterized by stable productivity, even in hot, dry summer conditions. About 5 kg of fruits are obtained from the plant. Therefore, from 1 sq. m area you can harvest 15 kg of crop.
This indicator directly depends on the timely removal of stepchildren. If this rule is ignored, the plant spends its energy on growing green mass, which negatively affects the yield. Also, for the successful cultivation of the Black Cat, it is necessary to carry out regular feeding, since this hybrid is characterized by rapid growth and early ripening of fruits, and therefore needs regular replenishment of nutrients.
Resistance to diseases and pests
The Black Cat tomato is highly resistant to fungal and viral diseases.It is not susceptible to verticillium wilt, tobacco mosaic, and blossom end rot.
But if the growing conditions are inappropriate and there are sharp changes in night and day temperatures, it may suffer from late blight. Therefore, it is recommended to carry out preventive spraying of bushes.
At an early stage, when transplanted into open ground, Black Cat tomatoes may suffer from the Colorado potato beetle. Also, at high humidity and temperature in the greenhouse, whiteflies can infect bushes.
Area of application of fruits
The Black Cat tomato is one of the salad varieties. Therefore, the fruits can be eaten fresh and used in summer salads. This hybrid also tolerates heat treatment well, so it is suitable for preparing winter preparations. Due to their small size, tomatoes can be used for whole-fruit canning, pickling and pickling.
Other uses of fruits:
- juice;
- lecho;
- sauce;
- paste;
- ketchup.
Advantages and disadvantages of the Black Cat tomato variety
This hybrid has certain pros and cons. Therefore, before making a final decision on planting, it is necessary to study them. This information will allow you to get a general idea of the Black Cat tomato.
The hybrid is characterized by rapid growth
Main advantages:
- early fruit ripening;
- increased resistance to many diseases;
- excellent taste of tomatoes;
- good presentation;
- resistance to transportation;
- stable ovary even at elevated temperatures;
- high content of lycopene in fruits.
Flaws:
- seeds cannot be used for subsequent sowing;
- needs regular feeding;
- requires pinching and tying to a support.
Features of planting and caring for tomatoes
It is necessary to grow Black Cat tomatoes using the seedling method. Transplantation of seedlings to a permanent place should be carried out at the age of 45-50 days from the moment of seed germination. Therefore, the optimal period for sowing for further cultivation in a greenhouse is considered to be the first ten days of March, and in unprotected soil - the end of this month.
Planting should be done in wide containers no more than 10 cm high. Soil for seedlings should be prepared using turf, peat, sand and humus in a ratio of 2:1:1:1. Seeds should be buried 0.5 cm into moist soil. Before germination, containers should be kept in a dark place with a temperature of +25 degrees. After the shoots have emerged, they need to be moved to the windowsill and the regime lowered for a week to +18 degrees, which will activate root development. After this, increase the temperature to +20 and keep it at this level until planting in the ground.
Seeds germinate in 5-7 days
At the initial stage of tomato growth, you need to provide twelve hours of daylight. Otherwise, the seedlings will stretch out, which will negatively affect the yield and further development of the bushes.
Black Cat tomatoes should be planted in a permanent place in a greenhouse at the beginning of May, and in unprotected soil at the end of this month or in June. Seedlings should be placed at a distance of 50 cm so that they do not interfere with each other’s development. Immediately install a support nearby so that as the shoots grow they can be tied up.
Tomatoes need to be watered at the roots as needed.In a greenhouse, to avoid excessive evaporation, it is worth mulching the soil at the base of the bushes with humus or peat.
To get a good harvest and on time, Black Cat tomatoes need to be fertilized regularly. The first time to do this is 2 weeks after transplantation. During this period, organic matter or nitrogen-containing mineral mixtures should be used. In the future, fertilizers must be applied at intervals of 14 days. During flowering and fruit set, phosphorus-potassium fertilizers should be used.
Black cat tomatoes should be formed into 3-4 shoots, and the remaining stepsons should be cut off. The bushes need to be cleaned in the first half of the day so that the wounds can dry out before the evening.
Pest and disease control methods
To protect Black Cat tomatoes from late blight, you need to spray the bushes with fungicides once every 10-14 days. For this you can use drugs such as:
- "Home";
- "Ridomil Gold";
- "Quadris".
Also, to protect them from the Colorado potato beetle at the initial stage of growth, seedlings need to be treated with Aktara working solution or watered at the root.
The Aktara solution should be prepared immediately before use.
For whiteflies in a greenhouse, you need to use Confidor Extra.
This drug needs to be watered and sprayed on the bushes.
Conclusion
The Black Cat tomato stands out noticeably from other types not only because of the unusual color of the fruit, but also because of its high taste. But not all gardeners are yet familiar with this hybrid, so detailed information about it will increase its popularity. Indeed, for many lovers of unusual types of tomatoes, it can be a successful discovery.
