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Hardy tomato plants always find their admirers, like the famous Demidov variety. This tomato is a recognized favorite of gardeners not only in Siberia, but also in the northern regions of the European part of the country. Many land owners joyfully welcomed the birth of the unpretentious and sustainable tomato, because these vegetables are very tasty and healthy when fresh. The variety has been included in the State Register since 2001, bred by Barnaul breeders. Over the past time, tomatoes of the Demidov variety for open ground have become in demand and popular.
Features of the plant
The tomato plant of this variety withstands low temperatures. Mid-season tomatoes of the Demidov variety have determinate bushes, rather low. It is recommended to grow them for novice gardeners, since there is no need to carry out procedures such as pinching and bush formation with these plants.
From the moment the seedlings begin to grow until the first fruits ripen, 105 to 115 days pass.The timing of tomato ripening depends on natural conditions: the number of sunny days and soil moisture. Tomatoes of this variety can be grown not only in open areas, but also in greenhouses or under film covers. From one square meter, observing all the requirements for caring for tomatoes, up to 10 kg of aromatic fruits are collected.
The fruits of the Demidov tomato are used in salads, but are also quite suitable for canning, pickling, and preparing winter salad preparations.
Description of the variety
Low-growing, upright tomatoes of this variety have few branches on the bushes, as well as leaves. The bush itself is strong, standard, rises to a maximum of 70 cm, usually grows smaller: 60-65 cm. The plant does not need to be pinched. The dark green leaves of tomatoes are medium in size, maybe even large, and belong to the potato type of structure. Simple inflorescences are formed after the sixth or seventh leaf, then form through the next one or two. The stalk has an articulation.
Properties of fruits
The fruits of the Demidov tomato are round, slightly flattened, may have a smooth surface, but more often have moderate ribbing. In the phase of incomplete maturity, the fruits are green, near the stalk there is a halo of a more saturated dark shade. Ripe tomato fruits of this variety acquire a beautiful light pink color. A tomato berry usually contains four seed chambers; there are also fruits with a large number of nests.
The pulp of these tomatoes is dense, juicy, tasty, sweet, and almost no acid is felt. Sugar content: 3.1-3.4%, dry matter – 3.5-4.3%.The weight of the fruit ranges from 80 to 120 g. With good care and feeding, the weight can increase to 150-200 g. In reviews and photos on forums, there are record Demidov tomato fruits weighing 300 g or more. Tasters determine the taste of tomato fruits of this variety as good and excellent.
Qualitative characteristics of the plant and fruits
The very fact that the Demidov tomato remains popular for a long time suggests that it has much more advantages than disadvantages.
Advantages
One of the main qualities of this tomato variety plant is that it is intended for growing in gardens, without shelter.
- The tomato variety is hardy: the plant develops well, forms ovaries and produces excellent, large fruits even with minimal care and in the event of unfavorable weather conditions in the Siberian summer;
- There are not so many branches formed on the plant for the bush to become dense. Thanks to this property, caring for tomatoes is simplified;
- The plant exhibits excellent resistance to diseases inherent in tomatoes, and therefore does not require special attention;
- Productivity is high. Demidov tomatoes are grown in industrial production, although the figures vary in different regions: 150-300 centners per hectare in the Volga-Vyatka region; about 200-400 c/ha – in West Siberian;
- Large fruits have a seductive presentation. Up to 98% of high-quality tomatoes suitable for trade are harvested from the plantation;
- The structure of the pulp makes it possible to collect fruits in the phase of incomplete ripeness for ripening;
- The fruits of this tomato variety are valued for their characteristic tomato taste, juiciness and sweetness.
Flaws
Unfortunately, the fruits are susceptible to cracking if not watered correctly. Typically, the skin of tomato fruits bursts when, after a period of drought, the tomatoes are watered abundantly and the fruits gain moisture. If the rains fall evenly, the fruits become filled with pulp and at the same time the volume of the skin increases, it remains intact.
The next negative characteristic of these tomatoes is their susceptibility to blossom end rot if the soil is not moistened on time. During periods of drought, the roots cannot feed the tomato bush. Then moisture actively evaporates from the leaves of the plant. The set fruits give up some of their moisture to the plant. Its outflow occurs precisely from the top of the fetus, where some of the cells die. The area of the fetus softens and rots. Now various fungal spores can become attached to it.
We can say that this phenomenon is the scourge of almost all tomatoes, because it is a rather delicate plant.
Subtleties of cultivation
Demidov tomatoes are grown only as seedlings. In the southern regions it can be sown directly into the ground, but there it is better to select your own zoned tomatoes.
Seedling care
Demidov tomato seeds are sown in containers in March-April. It is necessary to calculate the timing based on the moment of transferring the seedlings to a permanent place. Plants are planted in greenhouses in May, and in gardens no earlier than June.
- Shoots appear in 5-10 days. If up to this point the temperature was maintained at 250 C, now it needs to be lowered by 8-9 degrees so that the sprouts do not weaken, quickly stretching upward;
- A week later, when the young shoots of tomatoes have leveled off, the heat is raised to a temperature comfortable for this plant - 230 WITH;
- For good and uniform development, tomato seedlings need additional lighting. It is advisable to purchase special phytolamps for this;
- If the plants are on a windowsill, the container should be rotated once or twice a day;
- Water young tomatoes sparingly;
- When the second leaf appears, the seedlings are picked.
Plants on the site
According to reviews from those who planted Demidov tomatoes, it is advisable to immediately install blanks for film covering above the bed. In case of threat of frost, this guarantees the preservation of plants. They are planted according to a 50x60 cm pattern, although the descriptions contain advice that these tomatoes can be placed up to six plants per square meter.
The specificity of caring for Demidov tomatoes is that they must be watered in a timely manner, and the soil must not be allowed to dry out in order to avoid the development of blossom end rot or cracking of the fruit. For irrigation, use warm water, which has been heated in containers all day. The best option is drip irrigation, then the soil is moistened evenly and water does not fall on the plants.
After watering, the soil is loosened, weeded from weed. After the first week in the garden, the stems are earthed up. Another hilling of plants is carried out after two to three weeks. This technique helps the bushes form additional roots.
Top dressing
Use organic or mineral fertilizers.
- Prepare a mixture of liquid mullein - 0.5 liters, 20 g of nitrophoska, 5 g of potassium sulfate, 30 g of superphosphate per 10 liters of water. 0.5-1 liter of nutrient solution is poured under each bush;
- Tomatoes are fertilized by foliar feeding with preparations that make plants less susceptible to low or high temperatures - Brexil Ca, Megafol, Gumifield, SVIT.
This variety is easy to grow. And the fruits will be guaranteed.
I gave this variety second place out of 15 in my collection. This is my second year of planting... I haven’t noticed any cracking of the skin. I liked the variety because the seedlings do not stretch... very strong.... so I sowed it in early March... I picked the first fruits on July 20th... I gave first place to the Flame F1 variety