Content
The Impala F1 tomato is a hybrid of medium-early ripening, which is convenient for most summer residents. The variety is resistant to many diseases, relatively unpretentious and bears fruit well even in unfavorable weather conditions. The hybrid is universal in terms of its growing location - it is adapted for planting both in open ground and in a greenhouse.
Description of the Impala tomato
Tomatoes of the Impala F1 variety are classified as determinate type, which means that the bushes grow small - the hybrid is limited in growth, so the top shoots do not need to be pinched. In open ground, tomatoes reach an average height of 70 cm, however, when grown in a greenhouse, this figure increases to almost 1 m.
The bushes grow compact but dense - the shoots are densely hung with fruits. They form brushes of 4-5 pieces. The inflorescences of the variety are simple. Internodes are short.
Brief description and taste of the fruit
Impala F1 tomatoes have a round shape, slightly flattened on the sides. The skin of the fruit is elastic, resistant to cracking during long-distance transportation and winter storage.This makes it profitable to grow tomatoes for sale.
The weight of the fruit averages 160-200 g. The color of the peel is deep red.
The pulp of Impala F1 tomatoes is moderately dense and juicy. The taste is rich, sweet, but without excessive sugariness. In reviews, gardeners often especially emphasize the aroma of tomatoes - bright and unique.
The scope of application of the fruit is universal. They are good for canning due to their medium size, but they are also used for cutting into salads and for making juices and pastes.
Varietal characteristics
Tomatoes of the Impala F1 variety are a medium-early ripening hybrid. The harvest is usually harvested in late June, however, the fruits ripen unevenly. The exact timing is calculated from the moment the seeds are planted for seedlings - the first tomatoes ripen approximately on the 95th day (65th from the moment the seedlings are transplanted into open ground).
The variety demonstrates good fruit set regardless of weather conditions. The yield of tomatoes is consistently high - from 3 to 4 kg per plant.
The hybrid is resistant to many fungal and infectious diseases. In particular, Impala F1 is rarely affected by the following diseases:
- brown spot;
- gray spotting;
- fusarium;
- cladosporiosis;
- verticillium.
Pests rarely attack tomato beds, so there is no particular need for any special preventive measures. On the other hand, spraying plantings against fungus will not be superfluous.
The germination of seeds of the Impala F1 variety is maintained for 5 years.
Pros and cons of the variety
Tomatoes of the Impala F1 variety have many advantages, which sets the hybrid apart from other species. It is especially attractive for beginners in gardening. The reason for this is the following qualities of tomatoes:
- relative ease of care;
- high resistance to drought;
- resistance to most diseases typical of tomatoes;
- consistently high yields regardless of weather conditions;
- good transportability - the skin of the fruit does not crack during long-distance transport;
- resistance to sunburn, which is achieved due to the density of the foliage;
- long shelf life of the crop - up to 2 months;
- rich fruit aroma;
- moderately sweet taste of the pulp;
- versatility of fruit use.
The only pronounced drawback of tomatoes is their origin - Impala F1 is a hybrid, which leaves an imprint on possible methods of reproduction. You can collect the seeds of the variety manually, however, when sowing such material, the yield will decrease significantly, and many of the qualities of the tomatoes will be lost.
Rules for planting and care
In order to achieve maximum yield from the bushes, it is necessary to create the best conditions for growing tomatoes. Of course, the variety is unpretentious and will bear fruit well even with minimal care, however, these will not be the best indicators.
When planting Impala F1 tomatoes, you must adhere to the following recommendations:
- Tomatoes develop best at a temperature of +20-24°C during the day and +15-18°C at night. At temperatures below +10°C and above +30°C, the growth of tomatoes is inhibited and flowering stops.
- The variety places fairly high demands on the level of illumination. The beds must be located in open sunny areas. The hybrid safely tolerates short rains and cloudy days, however, if such conditions persist for weeks, even genetically endowed endurance will not save the planting. Prolonged cold weather and dampness delay the ripening of fruits by 1-2 weeks, and their taste loses its original sweetness.
- Tomatoes bear fruit well in almost all soils, but it is better to give preference to light loamy and sandy loam soils of medium acidity.
- Seeds purchased at a gardening store or prepared independently are stored in paper packages in a dry place at a stable room temperature. The kitchen is not suitable for this due to temperature changes.
- It is better to plant purchased seeds, since in conditions of open pollination the hybrid loses its varietal qualities.
- For better survival of tomatoes, their root system must be treated with growth-stimulating preparations before planting.
The hybrid is planted in open ground at the end of March - beginning of April, in a greenhouse - during the second ten days of March.
Growing seedlings
The hybrid is propagated by seedling method. The procedure for growing tomato seedlings is as follows:
- Special containers for seedlings are filled with a soil mixture of turf soil, humus and mineral fertilizers. For 8-10 liters there are about 15 g of potassium sulfide, 10 g of ammonium nitrate and 45 g of superphosphate.
- Shallow grooves are made on the surface of the substrate at a distance of 5 cm from each other. Seeds are placed in them, keeping a distance of 1-2 cm.There is no need to deepen the planting material too deeply - the optimal planting depth is 1.5 cm.
- After planting the seeds, they are carefully sprinkled with moistened soil.
- The planting procedure is completed by covering the container with plastic film or glass.
- For the best development of seedlings, it is necessary to maintain the room temperature at +25-26°C.
- After 1-2 weeks, the seeds will germinate. Then they are transferred to the windowsill and the cover is removed. It is recommended to lower the temperature to +15°C during the day and +12°C at night. If this is not done, the tomatoes may stretch out.
- During the growth of tomatoes, they are watered moderately. Excess moisture negatively affects the root system of tomatoes and can cause blackleg disease.
- 5-7 days before transplanting into open ground, stop watering the tomatoes.
- Tomatoes peak after the formation of 2 true leaves, which usually occurs 2 weeks after the first shoots appear.
Transplanting seedlings
Tomato bushes of the Impala F1 variety are quite compact, but the plantings should not be thickened. You can place up to 5-6 tomatoes per 1 m², no more. If this limit is exceeded, the tomato fruits will most likely become smaller due to the rapid depletion of the soil.
Impala F1 tomatoes are planted in holes pre-filled with a small amount of fertilizer. For these purposes, a mixture of superphosphate (10 g) and the same amount of humus is suitable. Immediately after planting, water the tomatoes.
Tomato care
Tomato bushes are formed into 1-2 stems. Gartering tomatoes of the Impala F1 variety is not necessary, however, if a large number of large fruits have formed on the shoots, the tomato bushes may break under their weight.
The Impala F1 variety is drought-resistant, however, regular watering is necessary for good fruiting. Plantings should not be flooded to avoid root rot. Changes in humidity lead to cracking of the skin of the fruit.
When organizing irrigation, it is recommended to focus on the condition of the top layer of soil - it should not dry out or crack. Water Impala F1 tomatoes at the root so as not to cause leaf burns. Sprinkling has a negative effect on the formation of flowers and subsequent fruiting. It is advisable to complete each watering with shallow loosening of the soil and weeding.
Tomatoes bear fruit well even without adding fertilizers to the soil, but at the same time they respond well to enriching the soil with minerals and organic fertilizers. Tomatoes especially need potassium fertilizers during fruit set. You can also fertilize the plantings with phosphorus and nitrogen. According to the rules of agricultural technology, it is recommended to add magnesium to the soil during the ripening of tomatoes.
Mineral fertilizers are better absorbed by Impala F1 tomatoes if they are applied to the soil in liquid form, preferably after watering. The first feeding is carried out 15-20 days after planting tomatoes in open ground or a greenhouse. This occurs during the formation of the ovaries of the first inflorescences. Tomatoes are fed with potassium (15 g) and superphosphate (20 g). Dosage is calculated for 1 m2.
The second feeding is carried out during the period of intensive fruiting. For this, ammonium nitrate (12-15 g) and potassium (20 g) are used. For the third time, the plantings are fed as desired.
It is recommended to pinch the shoots on tomatoes from time to time. To accelerate the development of tomatoes, it would also be useful to mulch the plantings.
Conclusion
The Impala F1 tomato has gained popularity among gardeners due to its rich taste and high yield even in adverse weather conditions. The variety is not without its shortcomings, however, its ease of care and resistance to a number of diseases fully compensate for them. Finally, the hybrid is adapted for cultivation in most regions of the country. These qualities make the Impala F1 tomato an ideal option for novice gardeners who are just trying their hand and do not know all the intricacies of gardening.
You can learn more about growing tomatoes from the video below:
