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Long gone are the days when only potatoes and other vegetables were grown in gardens, solely with the goal of getting the largest possible harvest and making numerous reserves for the winter. One can only be amazed at the variety of vegetable crops that the average gardener can boast of. Many heat-loving crops, such as sweet peppers, eggplants, okra, the cultivation of which previously could only be dreamed of in the middle zone, have confidently crossed the former climatic threshold and are grown in gardens, for example, in the Moscow region, even in open ground.
Such variety has appeared among tomato varieties that for the most part, summer residents and gardeners are no longer content with just tasty and productive vegetables. Many have become partial to the aesthetic side of the issue and strive to grow tomato varieties that will serve as a real decoration for their plot or greenhouse. In addition, the fashion for all sorts of exotic outlandish bushes and trees, which supposedly can be grown in the climatic conditions of Russia, prompted breeders to an interesting idea. Breed a variety of tomatoes that will be shaped like some delicious fruit or berry. And then name it after this curiosity.
This is how the Strawberry Tree tomato was born.After all, strawberries, despite their wide popularity, remain one of the most beloved and popular berries. And the strawberry tree or Kudrania, which recently appeared on the Internet, has already managed to excite the minds and hearts of many gardeners who dream of such a curiosity. Therefore, this name for a tomato variety could not go unnoticed.
But the characteristics and description of the Strawberry Tree variety indicate that the breeders’ efforts were not in vain, and this tomato really has a lot of chances to gain popularity among gardeners.
Description of the variety
The Strawberry Tree tomato was obtained as a result of breeding work by Siberian scientists just a few years ago. At least since 2015, this tomato has been actively sold in packaging from the Siberian Garden agricultural company. This variety of tomato has not yet been included in the catalog of the State Register of Breeding Achievements of Russia for one reason or another. Be that as it may, in just a few years, the Strawberry Tree tomato has already become quite comfortable in the Russian expanses, since Siberian selection implies the unpretentiousness of these tomatoes to the vagaries and surprises of the weather.
This tomato variety belongs to the indeterminate group, that is, it has theoretically unlimited growth. Like many indets, it is recommended to grow it in the middle zone in greenhouses - here it is able to reveal itself in all its glory. In warm southern regions with long summers, the Strawberry tree tomato can be grown in open ground.The bushes grow quite powerful with a thick central trunk - it’s not for nothing that this variety of tomatoes was called a tree - it really looks like a small tree. It can grow up to two meters in height, but in open ground it is usually somewhat lower.
In the description of the tomato variety Strawberry Tree, given by the manufacturer, it is indicated that it belongs to the group of mid-early tomatoes. Typically, this means that from the moment of germination to the first mature fruits, about 100 - 110 days pass. Reviews from many gardeners confirm this fact, while others say that this variety should be classified more as a late-ripening tomato, since it ripens by the end of summer, closer to autumn. This may be due to a lack of light, including sunlight, and heat. In such conditions, many tomatoes are characterized by slow growth and development.
Tomato Strawberry tree definitely needs to be pinched, because the extra lateral shoots take away the strength of the plants and do not allow the required number of tomatoes to set. Plants are formed in a standard way - in one or two trunks. Plants also need a garter, primarily to hold the many bunches of fruit.
Breeders claim that the yield of this tomato variety can be compared with any tomato hybrid. Indeed, with good care, you can get up to 4-5 kg of marketable tomatoes from one bush. On average, the yield of this variety per square meter is about 12 kg of fruit.
The Strawberry Tree tomato is positioned as resistant to diseases and unfavorable growth conditions. As for diseases, according to reviews from gardeners, it copes well with diseases such as tobacco mosaic virus and verticillium wilt.
But to cope with late blight and alternaria, tomatoes need additional help. Therefore, preventive treatment of seedlings before planting in the ground and then, during the flowering and fruiting period, will not be unnecessary. It is better to use biological agents for these purposes, such as phytosporin or EM preparations.
Characteristics of tomatoes
Tomatoes are the main value of the Strawberry Tree variety. In the southern regions, these tomatoes can be planted in front gardens or in flower beds to decorate the area.
Tomatoes ripen on clusters, of which 6 to 8 or more can form on one bush. Each cluster contains 6-8 attractive fruits.
The shape of the tomatoes could be called standard, if not for the elongated and beautifully curved back. Thanks to this, most fruits look very similar to strawberries. This becomes especially clearly noticeable in a longitudinal section of a tomato.
The bright red rich color of the fruit also evokes associations with tasty and juicy berries.
The pulp of tomatoes is dense, juicy, and quite meaty. The skin is rather dense, helping the fruits to retain their shape well both during storage and in various sealings.
Tomatoes ripen in bunches of different sizes.On average, the weight of one fruit is about 120-160 grams, but larger specimens weighing up to 250 grams are often found.
The taste of strawberry tree tomato fruit is characterized by most gardeners as “excellent”. Tomatoes are sweet and juicy, but also have a characteristic sourness, so they cannot be called fresh either.
Small tomatoes will look very nice in jars whole. Those that grow to 200-250 grams can be eaten fresh, in salads or sliced.
Tomatoes of this variety are well stored and have the ability to ripen without problems in room conditions when picked at a state of technical maturity.
The fruits are also able to withstand transportation and do not wrinkle when placed in low boxes.
Advantages and disadvantages
The Strawberry Tree tomato has undoubted advantages that distinguish it from many tomato varieties:
- Aesthetic and attractive appearance of the bush and the tomatoes ripening on it.
- High yield, especially in greenhouse conditions.
- Good taste of fruits and versatility of their use.
- Unpretentiousness to growing conditions and diseases.
The only disadvantage, perhaps, is that this tomato requires regular shaping and gartering in order to maintain its unique appearance.
Reviews from gardeners
The Strawberry Tree tomato variety was developed relatively recently, so there are not too many reviews on it yet, but still, most gardeners are quite satisfied with the results of their labors.
Conclusion
A variety with such an interesting name as Strawberry Tree cannot fail to attract the attention of gardeners.And given its unpretentiousness and yield, comparable to many hybrids, the variety can be recommended for cultivation to all tomato lovers who are not only interested in exotic things, but also want to decorate their garden.
