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The Sparks of Flame tomato is notable for the unusual appearance of the fruit. The variety has good taste and high yield. To grow tomatoes, greenhouse conditions are required; in the southern regions, planting in open areas is possible.
Features of the variety
Description of the tomato variety Sparks of Flame:
- mid-late ripening;
- indeterminate type;
- powerful bush up to 2 m high;
- elongated fruit shape;
- length of tomatoes up to 13 cm;
- bright red color with orange veins;
- compacted, not hard tomato skin;
- rich taste;
- average weight – 150 g;
- juicy pulp with a small number of seeds.
This tomato variety is characterized by high yield. They are grown under film covers. Tomatoes are highly resistant to viral and fungal diseases.
The Sparks of Flame variety has universal application. It is added to homemade preparations, where vegetables are cut into pieces, to make paste and juices. The compact size of the fruits allows them to be preserved whole.
When ripening on the bushes, tomatoes do not fall off or crack. The fruits can withstand long-term transportation.When picked at the stage of technical maturity, tomatoes are kept at home.
Obtaining seedlings
Growing Sparks of Flame tomatoes begins with planting seeds. After germination, tomatoes are provided with temperature conditions, soil moisture, and lighting.
Planting seeds
Planting of tomato seeds begins in the spring at the beginning of March. The soil is first prepared, consisting of an equal amount of turf soil and humus. It is convenient to plant tomato seeds in 2-3 pieces. into peat tablets, then you can avoid picking the plants.
Before planting, the soil is treated. One way is to steam the soil in a water bath. Disinfection helps get rid of harmful bacteria and pest larvae. Before planting tomatoes, water the soil with a solution of potassium permanganate.
Germinated seeds are planted in boxes filled with soil. Planting material is buried 1 cm. 2 cm are left between future plants.
When planting in separate cups or peat tablets, place 2-3 seeds in each container. After they germinate, leave the strongest tomatoes.
Cover the boxes with tomato seeds with glass or polyethylene and put them in a warm, dark place. When seedlings appear on the surface of the soil, move them to a windowsill or other lighted place.
Conditions for seedlings
At home, Spark Flame tomatoes require certain conditions in order to develop normally. Conditions for tomatoes include:
- temperature during the day is 21-25°C, at night 15-18°C;
- continuous lighting for ½ day;
- watering with warm water;
- ventilation of the room.
When the plants have 2 leaves, the plants are thinned. The weakest specimens are eliminated within a radius of 5 cm. When 3 leaves develop, the tomatoes are picked into separate containers. They are transplanted into 0.5 liter containers. For picking, the same soil is suitable as for planting tomato seeds.
10 days after picking, the tomatoes are fed with a solution containing a complex of useful substances. 1 g of superphosphate, ammonium nitrate and potassium sulfate are dissolved in 1 liter of water. Feeding is required if tomato seedlings look depressed and develop slowly.
3 weeks before planting in the ground, they begin to harden the Sparks of Flame tomatoes. First, open a window in the room for 2-3 hours a day. Tomato seedlings are protected from drafts. Then the plantings are transferred to a balcony or glassed-in loggia. A week before planting, tomatoes should be constantly outdoors.
Landing in the ground
Tomatoes that have reached a height of 25-30 cm are ready to be transferred to a permanent place. The plants already have a developed root system and 6-7 leaves.
A place for growing Sparks of Flame tomatoes is chosen in the fall. The culture is actively developing after cucumbers, pumpkins, root vegetables, green manure, beans and cereals. Do not plant after any varieties of tomatoes, peppers, eggplants and potatoes, since the crops are susceptible to similar diseases and pests.
In a greenhouse, it is recommended to completely replace the top soil layer 10 cm high.In spring, the soil is loosened and planting holes are prepared. According to the description, the tomato variety Sparks of Flame is tall, so a gap of 40 cm is made between plants. When forming several rows of tomatoes, a distance of 60 cm is maintained between them.
Tomato seedlings are watered before planting and taken out of the containers along with a lump of earth. The tomatoes are placed in the hole, the roots are covered with soil and watered generously. A peg is driven into the soil and the plants are tied up.
Variety care
A good harvest of tomatoes Sparks of flame is ensured by regular care. Tomato plantings are watered, fed and planted. Additionally, the variety requires treatments against pests and diseases.
Watering plants
Sparks of Flame tomatoes are watered according to the following scheme:
- before the formation of buds - every 3 days using 3 liters of water per bush;
- during flowering and ovary formation - 5 liters of water weekly;
- during the period of tomato fruit production - twice a week using 2 liters.
To water the tomatoes, take warm, settled water. The moisture intake should take place in the morning or evening, when there is no exposure to the sun. Mulching with humus or straw will help keep the soil moist.
Fertilizer application
Tomatoes are fed several times throughout the season. 2 weeks after transfer to the site, prepare an infusion of mullein in a ratio of 1:15. The product is applied at the root in an amount of 0.5 liters per plant.
When ovaries form, Iskra Flame tomatoes require complex feeding, including:
- superphosphate – 80 g;
- potassium nitrate – 40 g;
- water – 10 l.
The components are mixed and used to water the tomatoes. Additionally, you can spray the tomatoes on the leaf, then the concentration of minerals is reduced by 2 times.
You can replace mineral fertilizers with folk remedies. Wood ash, which contains a complex of substances useful for tomatoes, is embedded in the soil.
Bush formation
According to reviews and photos, Sparks of Flame tomatoes are tall, so they must be planted. To obtain a high yield, the bush is formed into 2 stems.
Stepchildren up to 5 cm long are removed manually. Forming a bush helps eliminate crowding and increase fruiting. It is better to tie tomatoes to a support.
Protection from diseases and pests
To prevent diseases and the spread of pests, agricultural techniques for growing tomatoes are followed. They constantly remove tops that thicken the plantings, regulate watering and monitor the humidity level in the greenhouse. To combat tomato diseases, the drugs Fitosporin, Zaslon, Oxychom are used.
Insecticides that are selected depending on the type of insect are effective against pests. Tomatoes are susceptible to attack by mole crickets, aphids, and whiteflies. Tobacco dust and wood ash are used from available means. It is enough to spray them over the beds with tomatoes.
Reviews from gardeners
Conclusion
Iskra Flame tomatoes have high commercial and taste qualities. The variety requires care, which includes the application of moisture, fertilizers, and bush formation. If agricultural techniques are followed, a good harvest of tomatoes is obtained.
