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For more than twenty years, “Dar Zavolzhye” tomatoes have been particularly popular among vegetable growers due to the excellent taste of the fruit, high yield and ease of cultivation. In 1992, this variety was included in the State Register and is intended for open ground cultivation in the Central Black Earth, North Caucasus and Lower Volga regions. But later the variety was successfully zoned, and now these tomatoes are grown almost throughout Russia.
Characteristics of the variety
Tomato “Dar Zavolzhye”, according to the characteristics and description of the variety, belongs to heat-loving and light-loving plants. Therefore, it is most often grown in areas where summers are long and there is enough sunlight for the tomatoes to fully ripen.
Tomatoes can be grown in greenhouses, greenhouses and open ground. But it is recommended to grow tomatoes in garden beds only in the central and southern regions.
“Dar Zavolzhya” is characterized as a determinant, that is, tomatoes grow no higher than 70-80 cm. They have a powerful root system. The leaves are similar in shape and color to other varieties of tomatoes - medium in size, light green in color. There is no need to pinch the tops of tomatoes. The stem is thick, powerful, with medium foliage.
In terms of ripening time, tomato belongs to the mid-early varieties; the first harvest can be harvested within 100-110 days after seed germination. Fruit formation occurs in clusters of 6-8 medium-sized tomatoes. The first brush is formed above the 6-7 sheet, the next ones - after 1-2 sheets.
The variety is distinguished by high yield for determinate, mid-early tomatoes - up to 5-7 kg per 1 m². But if you follow the rules of agricultural technology, you can collect up to 5 kg from a bush.
A brief description of the fruits of the “Gift of the Volga” tomato is as follows:
- The average fruit weight is 80-150 grams;
- Tomatoes have a round shape, slightly flattened, with slight ribbing at the stalk;
- Color can vary from pink to deep pink;
- The skin is soft, thin;
- The pulp is quite fleshy, juicy and dense;
- Dry matter content – up to 5.2%
- The sweet taste prevails over the sour taste.
Tomatoes can be transported over long and short distances without the risk of losing the harvest. The presentation and taste of tomatoes are perfectly preserved during transportation. Thanks to this, you can grow tomatoes of this variety both on your personal plot and on farms.
Those vegetable growers who have already grown the “Gift of the Volga” tomato note that the results are consistent with the characteristics specified in the description. Reviews about this variety are extremely positive.
Advantages and disadvantages
Over a quarter of a century, many gardeners have already managed to evaluate the advantages of the “Gift of Zavolzhye” tomatoes, their characteristics, descriptions and leave their reviews. The main advantages include:
- High seed germination rate – up to 99.6%;
- They can easily tolerate picking and transplanting into the ground;
- No special skills or abilities are required when growing;
- Harmonious flowering and fruit formation, simultaneous ripening of fruit clusters;
- With moderate watering, tomatoes do not crack during ripening;
- High yield;
- Excellent taste;
- Long shelf life;
- Excellent presentation;
- Resistance to many diseases and pests;
- Wide range of applications.
Vegetable growers who have had time to evaluate the “Dar Zavolzhya” variety of tomatoes note that with high humidity and excessive watering during the ripening period, the tomatoes acquire a too sour taste. And the second disadvantage of this variety is the low resistance of plants to frequent and prolonged changes in ambient temperature. Tomatoes also react sharply to gusty winds and drafts.
Features of cultivation
For seedlings, “Dar Zavolzhye” tomato seeds can be sown in mid-to-late March. In order to prevent putrefactive and fungal diseases, the soil must be calcined in the oven or disinfected with a solution of potassium permanganate. If you decide to use store-bought soil mixture, then disinfection is not required.
Seeds harvested independently require disinfection. Soak them in a light pink solution of potassium permanganate for 3-4 hours. Purchased seed material does not require this procedure.
The soil for growing tomato seedlings must be sufficiently loose, fertile, and low in acidity.
In prepared, heated soil, make furrows 1.5-2 cm deep. The optimal distance between seeds is 2 cm.The seeds placed in the grooves are covered with soil no more than 2-2.5 cm thick. It is recommended to water the plantings with warm, settled water.
Tomato seeds germinate very quickly, 8-10 days after planting. At the stage of appearance of 2-3 true leaves, the seedlings need to be pricked. When transplanting seedlings into other containers, you need to follow several recommendations:
- The composition of the soil for diving should be as close as possible to the soil in which the seedlings were grown;
- When replanting plants, you need to wear thin, cloth gloves. Tender sprouts should only be picked up by the leaves or roots. It is not recommended to pick up tomato seedlings by the stem - the damaged edge of the stem cannot be restored.
- Seedlings need to be buried down to the first, cotyledon pair of leaves;
- Disposable peat cups or pressed paper containers are deservedly considered the ideal option for diving. In this case, when transplanting tomatoes into the ground, the roots will remain intact and the plants will begin to grow faster.
- After picking, it is better to place boxes or containers with transplanted seedlings in partial shade for a couple of days. Only when the tomatoes are established will it be possible to rearrange the plantings on the windowsill;
- Plantings need to be watered 2-3 times a week, as the top layer of soil dries;
- Containers with seedlings need to be rotated 180˚C around their axis every day. All plants will be illuminated by the sun equally and the seedlings will grow evenly.
- 7-10 days before transplanting plants into the ground, seedlings need to be hardened off.
You can replant grown tomatoes into the ground when the thermometer readings during the day are stable + 22˚С +24˚С, and the ground has warmed up to +16˚С +18˚С. The optimal planting scheme involves planting 4 plants per 1 m².
Within a few days after transplantation, the plants need to be shaded so that they take off and start growing as quickly as possible. Water the plantings only with warm water. Watering with cold water has a negative effect on growth - tomatoes stop growing and take a long time to recover from stress.
Further care for the “Gifts of the Volga Region” involves the following activities:
- Timely watering, weeding, loosening;
- Tomatoes need fertilizing no more often than once every 3-4 weeks;
- During the period of active flowering, 2-3 flowers can be removed from each cluster, then the tomatoes will grow larger;
Despite the fact that “Dar Zavolzhya” tomatoes, according to their characteristics, are highly resistant to common diseases and most pests, it is necessary to carry out spraying in a timely manner for preventive purposes.
Application area
The scope of use of “Dar Zavolzhye” tomatoes, according to reviews from many housewives, is quite wide. Due to their excellent taste, the fruits can be used in the preparation of any dishes and preparations that contain tomatoes and their derivatives as ingredients.
The first harvest can be eaten fresh; pink tomatoes are perfect for cutting summer vegetable salads and the first omelets with tomatoes. Fans of picnics and barbecues will also find use for “Daram”.
The second and subsequent wave of ripened tomatoes can be used for winter harvesting.From sweet, dense, juicy tomatoes you can prepare any salads, sauces, pastes, and ketchups. However, due to excessive density, tomato juices from “Gifts of the Volga Region” are too thick and do not have a bright red, rich color.
“Gifts” will look perfect in jars as a whole. Many housewives note that with whole-fruit canning, the skin of tomatoes does not crack.
Every diligent housewife will find where to use the harvest.
The author of the video will show what “Dar Zavolzhye” tomatoes look like in the beds and in cross-section
Conclusion
True tomato connoisseurs have long appreciated the merits of the “Gift of the Volga” tomatoes. The rich, rich taste has long found its admirers, and therefore this variety is no longer a guest in many garden plots. We invite you to grow these tomatoes too. Perhaps you will add them to the list of varieties you must plant every year.
