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Everyone associates the word tomato with a vegetable that is round in shape and red in color. Indeed, the first tomatoes brought to us from America back in the 16th century were exactly like this. Thanks to the development of genetics and related breeding work, varieties have appeared that are completely different from our usual ideas about this berry. Don’t be surprised, from a botanical point of view, a tomato is a berry, just like a watermelon. Not only the appearance of the fruit has changed - hitherto unseen tomato colors have appeared: yellow, orange, brown, blue and even almost black. There are tomatoes that remain green even when fully ripe, but their taste does not suffer at all.
Today we would like to introduce you to a tomato variety that is distinguished by its unusual, one might even say, piquant shape of its fruit. Its name – Casanova – fully corresponds to it.
To understand what this original is, we will compile a detailed description and characteristics of the Casanova tomato variety. Here he is in the photo in all his glory.
Description and characteristics
The Casanova tomato variety was included in the State Register of Agricultural Achievements in 2017. Its originator and patent holder is Vladimir Nikolaevich Dederko. Agrofirm produces and sells Casanova tomato seeds Siberian Garden, which is located in Novosibirsk. What are the features of this tomato variety?
- Casanova is a mid-season variety. When sowing seedlings in March, the first fruits ripen already in July.
- The variety is indeterminate, i.e. it does not stop its growth on its own. The gardener needs to shape it. In practice, the height of the bush is about 2 m.
- Casanova is recommended for cultivation in all regions, but it can only be planted in open ground in the south. To the north, this tomato variety is planted in a greenhouse.
- The Casanova tomato variety gives the best results when formed into one or two trunks. All other stepsons need to be cut off.
- The Casanova fruit has an unusual elongated shape with an original fork at the end. The length is not small - up to 20 cm. The weight is also not bad - up to 200 g. Up to 5 fruits can be tied in a brush.
- The color of the fruit when fully ripe is bright red. The skin and pulp are dense, there are almost no seeds. The tomato has an excellent taste with noticeable sweetness.
- The originator positions the Casanova tomato variety as a salad variety, but, according to consumer reviews, it is very good when pickled. The thick skin does not crack when poured with boiling water, and the tomatoes themselves, due to their shape, fit very tightly into the jars. It is also suitable for other preparations, but the fleshy fruits will not yield much juice.
- The Casanova tomato variety stores well and can be transported over long distances. Commercial qualities are not lost.
In order for the description and characteristics of the Casanova tomato variety to be complete, the most important thing must be said: it has excellent yield. With good care, it reaches 12 kg per square meter. m. The bushes are literally hung with large beautiful fruits.
To get the harvest declared by the manufacturer, you need to follow all the rules of agricultural technology and, first of all, grow strong, high-quality seedlings.
How to grow seedlings
By the time it is planted in the greenhouse, it should be about 2 months old. The timing of sowing seeds is adjusted taking into account the onset of stable heat. In the middle zone this is early-mid March; in other regions the timing may differ.
Secrets of strong seedlings:
- We select only large seeds.
- We treat them with a disinfectant and growth stimulator. The first is potassium permanganate, hydrogen peroxide, aloe juice, and phytosporin. Immunocytophyte, Zircon, Epin, Ash solution are suitable as the second. Melt water awakens tomato seeds well and gives them strength. It is easy to obtain by freezing it in the refrigerator. Don't forget to drain off the unfrozen residue. The healing properties and special structure of the water last 12 hours after melting.
- We sow Casanova tomato seeds in loose, well-aerated and moisture-absorbing soil, which needs to be frozen.
- We provide the crops with greenhouse conditions under a plastic bag.
- The first loops of seedlings are a signal that the container needs to be moved to a cool, bright windowsill.
- Sufficient lighting is the main condition for stocky, strong seedlings. The greater the distance between the leaves on the stem, the fewer clusters the Casanova tomato can set. To get maximum yield, seedlings should not stretch.
- Seedlings need an optimal temperature: about 18 degrees at night and about 22 degrees during the day.
- Watering will be required, but without excess moisture. Water with warm water as the top layer of soil dries.
- Timely picking of Casanova tomatoes in the phase of 2 true leaves into separate containers with a volume of at least 0.5 liters is mandatory. The less the root system is damaged during picking, the faster the Casanova tomatoes will begin to grow.
- The harvested seedlings need to be fed. We do this 3 times. The first fertilizing is carried out with fertilizer with a predominance of nitrogen at the stage of appearance of the third true leaf. Agricola No. 3 is suitable for her. The second feeding is 12-15 days after picking, the third is another 2 weeks later. For them we dissolve Art. spoon of complex fertilizer without top per 5 liters of water. It is enough to spend 0.1 liter of solution on one plant.
- Hardening off tomato seedlings Casanova begins 2 weeks before moving into the greenhouse. We carry it out gradually, protecting the tomatoes from the wind and bright sun at first. The easiest way is to cover the plants with covering material.
But it’s not enough to grow high-quality seedlings. It needs to be planted on time and properly cared for.
Disembarkation and care
Tomatoes are planted in a greenhouse earlier than in open ground, since the soil in it warms up faster. Sometimes this is possible as early as the beginning of May. The beds for planting must be prepared in the fall, and the greenhouse itself and the soil must be disinfected. In the fall, phosphorus and potassium fertilizers are applied at 30 g per square meter. m, and in the spring - nitrogen - 15 g for the same area. If you do not open the greenhouse for the winter, all fertilizers can be applied in the fall.
Experienced gardeners advise changing the top layer of soil at least as much as a spade every 3 years.
From organic fertilizers you need to add humus - up to 8 kg per square meter. m or 300 g of vermicompost for the same area. Ash can be a good source of potassium, especially if the soil reaction is acidic. It also contains microelements. The source of calcium is crushed eggshells. On sandy loam soils there is a deficiency of magnesium. It can be replenished by applying Mag-bor fertilizer, which will simultaneously enrich the soil with boron.
But this is only starting food. In the future, the roots of the tomatoes will occupy the entire area of the bed, and they will not have enough food.
Casanova tomato seedlings are planted in prepared and watered holes. Planting pattern: 40 cm between bushes and 60 cm between rows. Overgrown tomato seedlings Casanova is planted in grooves, removing the lower leaves with the top oriented to the north.
Plantings must be mulched with straw or mowed grass, which must first be dried. Last year's hay will also work. The next watering can be done in about a week. But if plants signal a lack of moisture by wilting leaves, it needs to be done earlier.
What else do Casanova tomatoes need for a good harvest:
- Timely watering. There is no rain in the greenhouse, so the lack of moisture will be on the conscience of the gardener. The soil moisture level is maintained at about 80%, and the air at about 50%. This is achieved by weekly watering at the root.Pour enough water to wet the ground by 50 cm. It is better to water early in the morning, but the water must be warm. Casanova tomatoes will appreciate drip irrigation. In this case, the supply of moisture to plants will be optimal.
- Tomato Casanova responds very well to feeding. They are carried out every ten days, starting 12 days after rooting of seedlings. The best choice is special fertilizers designed for feeding nightshade crops.
- To ensure that the Casanova tomato spends all its energy on forming a crop, and not on growing stepsons, they are regularly torn off, leaving a stump of 1 cm. For the Casanova tomato, the best form of cultivation is in 2 stems.
For more information on the rules for growing tomatoes in a greenhouse, watch the video:
If all the rules for planting and growing are observed, Casanova tomatoes will respond to the gardener with a generous harvest of original and tasty fruits. This amazing embodiment of the imagination of breeders will delight not only you, but also your guests.
I planted the Casanova variety in 2018. The yield is extraordinary! The tomatoes hung in clusters and had a very unusual shape. But the taste was disappointing... Leave it on the bush a little and it becomes tasteless. They are good in canned form, but only if they are not overripe. And the unripe ones have a large green spot near the stalk... And what’s very bad is that even the unripe ones fall off easily. I took seeds from them and planted only 4 bushes in the greenhouse this year.