Content
The Walford Miracle tomato is a rare variety of indeterminate plant, the seeds of which began to be imported from foreign countries to Russia just a few years ago. The variety is valued for its high taste characteristics and high-quality presentation, and therefore has become actively widespread among consumers, gardeners and domestic breeders.
Detailed description
The Walford miracle was bred by selectively crossing several dozen species of tomatoes in the United States. The Miracle hybrid was created by American experimenter and farmer from Oklahoma Max Walford. The variety is spreading throughout the world after a farmer wins a tomato competition. The import of seeds to Russia began in 2005. The variety grows well in greenhouse conditions. Tomatoes are allowed to be grown throughout the country in special comfortable conditions.
The hybrid variety for annual cultivation took only the best qualities from its relatives. The Miracle tomato is a mid-season variety, the stem of which in greenhouse conditions reaches 1.7-2 m. When grown in open ground, the growth of tomatoes stops at the first night frost.The leaves of the tomato are medium in size, slightly corrugated, slightly pubescent with villi on the back side. The foliage color is green or dark green.
The stem requires garter, thickened and flexible towards the base. Bushes must be formed, since the variety belongs to indeterminate tomatoes. The inflorescence is simple and comes in pale yellow and bright yellow shades. The flowers are arranged in small groups of 3-4 flowers on the stalk. The growing season depends on the region of planting and the time of planting seedlings in the ground. The peduncle is articulated, making harvesting easier.
Description and taste of fruits
Tomato fruits are always large in size, with a heart-shaped shape characteristic of the Walford variety. The tomatoes are slightly ribbed and dense. Unripe fruits are light green in color and have a dark spot at the base of the stalk; ripe fruits are bright red or scarlet. When cut, the pulp is fleshy, pinkish in color, with 4-5 cavities.
The skin of the fruit is dense and elastic, crunchy when tasting. The Walford Miracle tomatoes taste juicy and sweetish. The peel has a slight sour aftertaste, although the composition contains sugar up to 6.5%. Beautiful fruits with a glossy sheen are located on the bushes in alternate clusters of 2-3 tomatoes. Juicy tomatoes reach 8-10 cm in diameter. Average weight varies from 250 to 350 g.
Walford Miracle fruits are grown commercially in greenhouse conditions. Miracle tomatoes contain:
- lycopene, which improves digestion;
- pectin normalizes blood pressure;
- the glycoalkaloid contained in the juice of squeezed tomatoes has bactericidal properties;
- serotonin acts as a natural antidepressant.
Miracle tomato seed powder is used as an additional component of sedative tablets. For human health, Walford tomatoes are best consumed stewed or raw. Many vegetable growers praise this variety for preserving its taste when preserved. After heat treatment, all nutritional minerals retain their usefulness. Due to their unusual sweetish aftertaste, tomatoes have received a wide range of applications in gourmet culinary dishes. Walford Miracle tomatoes are often used to obtain juices and sauces. They are especially good in lecho and baked form.
Varietal characteristics
The yield of Walford tomatoes depends on the growing conditions, climate and microclimate at the initial stage of growing a young plant. The hybrid variety Walford's Miracle bears fruit until the first hard frost. The first harvest is done after 110-135 days of growing the seed in the ground. In a greenhouse, the yield of tomatoes of this variety increases several times. During the season you can collect up to 15 kg per bush per 1 square meter. m.
Due to its indeterminate qualities, harvesting is carried out 3-4 times. Walford tomatoes bear fruit within 4-8 weeks from early August. When grown in open ground, the planting climate of the region affects the yield. For 1 sq. m under such conditions, the harvest varies between 6-10 kg. The high productivity of Miracle tomatoes was noticed in the southern zone of Russia using any growing method.
The Walford Miracle variety is highly resistant to nightshade fungal diseases, but is susceptible to pest attacks. Tomatoes are not susceptible to powdery mildew and root rot. To protect the bushes from slugs, the base of the roots is sprinkled with copper sulfate or dust.To prevent the Colorado potato beetle from destroying foliage, flowers and fruits, it is necessary to carry out chemical disinfection or disinfect the seeds when planting in the ground.
Assessing the pros and cons of a variety
Minor disadvantages were noticed when growing Walford Miracle tomatoes:
- the need for stepsoning;
- seeds are suitable for one-time planting;
- thin stem from the beginning of fruiting branches;
- A garter is required under each large fruit.
As a result of growing the Walford tomato variety, summer residents and gardeners receive:
- high productivity;
- frost resistance;
- seedlings can withstand sudden changes in temperature;
- the fruits have an attractive presentation;
- high taste characteristics;
- long storage period after harvest;
- it is possible to collect fruits with brushes;
- tomatoes do not burst from an excess of vitamins and minerals received;
- possibility of transportation over long distances.
Thanks to the unusual shape of tomatoes and high-quality presentation, as well as the long shelf life of the crop, the Walford Miracle tomato variety is actively spreading among gardeners.
Rules for planting and care
The Walford Miracle tomato variety is a heat-loving plant that requires huge amounts of natural light. Experienced gardeners prefer to grow mid-season varieties using seedlings. By creating comfortable conditions and choosing the right soil, tomatoes will produce a prolific and high-quality harvest.
Sowing seeds for seedlings
Tomatoes grow well in chernozem and low-acid soils. The soil for planting is either prepared in the fall, or a ready-made substrate is purchased.In the second case, you should choose the soil with caution or preheat the soil with steam. You can use purchased cassettes or peat cups as containers for planting. Regardless of the type of soil, a few hours before planting, the soil is disinfected with a weak solution of manganese.
The soil in peat cups must be loosened in order to saturate the soil with oxygen. It is better to start planting seeds of hybrid tomatoes in mid or late March. The seeds are hardened by sudden changes in temperature: they are put in the refrigerator for several hours, then heated by steam. For quick germination, seeds are soaked in a weak solution of growth stimulants.
The finished substrate is mixed with sand to increase soil looseness. The seeds are planted in the ground to a depth of 2-2.5 cm and sprinkled with earth. The distance between seedlings is from 2 to 3 cm. Watering is carried out with water at room temperature 2-3 times a week. The first shoots appear after 3 weeks, then the seedlings begin to grow actively. When planting seeds in open ground, the beds are covered with thick polyethylene to create a microclimate. In such conditions, seedlings will grow equally quickly if the shelters are removed daily or the plants are placed in a well-lit place.
Transplanting seedlings
Tomatoes are ready for transplanting when the plants have 3-4 formed leaves and reach a height of 15 cm. Planting is done in open ground 50-60 days after planting the seedlings.To avoid replanting in greenhouse conditions, you can initially grow Walford Miracle tomatoes in individual pots or beds.
For 1 sq. m, 4 or 5 plants are planted. When transplanting into open ground, it is necessary to deep dig the soil. Next, beds are formed with a mixture of compost or manure. In the planting area, the distance between plants should be up to 40 cm in a checkerboard pattern. Tomatoes are planted to a depth of 5-7 cm so that the soil covers the roots and tightly holds the stems in a standing position.
Tomato care
The Walford Miracle variety requires regular watering. For 1 young plant it will take up to 1-1.5 liters per week. An adult bush will need about 30 liters per week to completely saturate the roots with moisture. In dry climates, watering is carried out in the evening 3-4 times a week. Fertilizing is done when planting and every 2 weeks. Potassium additives are added to the soil in small quantities along with compost. Tomatoes of the Miracle variety are fed with nitrogen fertilizers 7-10 days after planting the seedlings in the soil.
During dry summers, to retain moisture, the bases of tomatoes are mulched with small or large sawdust and hay. As the soil settles, hay is added twice a season. It will also protect the bushes from strong temperature changes. To obtain a large harvest before flowering, adult bushes are pinched or pinched, then the bush is formed into 2 main stems. The stem is tied with wide fabric bandages to a trellis. It is also necessary to make a garter under each large tomato.
Conclusion
The Walford Miracle tomato is an exquisite and juicy tomato variety that can be grown in the comfort of your home. When provided with sufficient light and timely care, the bushes produce a large and high-quality harvest. Seeds of the Walford Miracle variety can be used to obtain new varieties of hybrid tomatoes.
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