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Due to the peculiarities of the Russian climate, in most parts of the country, gardeners mainly grow early and mid-ripening tomatoes - late tomatoes simply do not have time to ripen in the short summer. Most early tomatoes have small fruits, and their taste is not as rich as we would like. The exception to their rules is the Early King tomato, which pleases with large, beautiful and very tasty fruits.
A description of the Early King tomato, photos and reviews of those who planted this variety on their plots can be found in this article. It also describes recommended agricultural practices that will help grow this large-fruited tomato.
Characteristics and description of the variety
This variety is the fruit of the labor of domestic breeders, and it was bred relatively recently - 12 years ago. The tomato actually has a very short growing season - Tomatoes of the King Early variety ripen on the bushes already on the 85-90th day from the moment the first shoots appear.
The variety is suitable for growing in open ground and in greenhouse conditions, but the King of Tomatoes feels best under temporary film covers.In such cases, tomatoes are planted in tunnels or under other shelters, and when the seedlings are well established, the day and night temperatures stabilize, the protection is removed, and the tomatoes simply grow in the garden.
Expanded description of the variety King Early:
- plant of determinant type, standard;
- average bush height – 50-60 cm;
- stems are powerful, well branched and heavily leafy;
- leaves are large, dark green, potato-type;
- in a greenhouse, a tomato ripens on the 85th day, in open ground a little later - by 90-95 days after emergence;
- the yield of the King Early variety is 4-5 kg per bush or 12 kg per square meter;
- the fruits are large, their average weight is 250-300 grams;
- the shape of the tomatoes is round, the tomatoes are slightly flattened on top;
- The peel of the fruit is thin but strong, so the fruit does not crack;
- the pulp is juicy, sugary, rich red;
- The taste of the King is very high, especially compared to other early-ripening tomatoes;
- tomatoes are quite shelf-stable and tolerate transportation well, since the fruits contain a high percentage of dry matter;
- The variety's disease resistance is average, so it is necessary to carry out preventive measures in a timely manner.
Yield indicators for the King Early tomato variety are quite conditional - the number of fruits strongly depends on agrotechnical practices and the conditions in which the tomato will be grown.
Pros and cons of the variety
During its short history of existence, King of the Early tomatoes have been loved by many gardeners and summer residents. And there are several reasons for this:
- productive variety;
- you can get large and tasty fruits in record time;
- the tomato is suitable for growing in the ground and in a greenhouse;
- You can plant tomatoes in any region of the country (in the south and center - in the ground, in colder areas - under film);
- The harvest can be used for any purpose (eat fresh, prepare juices and purees, preserve whole).
The Early King tomato is excellent for growing for sale, because the fruits are stored for a long time and do not lose their attractiveness during transportation.
If you read reviews from gardeners about the Early King tomato, you can learn about some of the disadvantages of this variety. For example, farmers note some capriciousness of the tomato, its strong dependence on watering and fertilizing. The variety is also predisposed to several “tomato” diseases, so you will have to carry out prevention a couple of times during the summer.
Growing Rules for the King
In principle, the Early King tomato variety is grown in the same way as other early-ripening tomatoes. First, the farmer will have to grow seedlings or find them on sale.
Step by step agrotechnical measures look like this:
- Seeds are sown for seedlings in mid-to-late March. The seeds are sown in soil suitable for tomato seedlings and placed in a warm place until the seedlings hatch.
- Sprouted seedlings must be provided with sufficient light. In northern regions, lamps may be needed to illuminate tomatoes.If the tomatoes do not have enough light, their stems will become thin and long, and the seedlings will weaken.
- In the phase of two true leaves, tomatoes are planted in individual containers. If peat tablets or cups were immediately used for seedlings, then you don’t have to pick the tomatoes.
- In the house, tomatoes need light, watering and a couple of fertilizing. A week before transferring the seedlings to the greenhouse or garden, it is necessary to harden the tomatoes.
- King Early tomatoes are transferred to the ground in mid-May. If temporary shelter is used, you can plant tomatoes in the first days of the month. The early variety is planted in the greenhouse in the second half of April. At the time of planting, the seedlings should be 1.5-2 months old.
- Between adjacent bushes you need to leave 50 to 70 cm, the interval between rows is 70-100 cm. For such “waste” of the land, the King of the Early Ones will reward him with a bountiful and tasty harvest.
If a gardener does not follow the rules for planting the “royal” variety, he will not see a good harvest. This is why reviews about this tomato are so contradictory: a tomato needs space, nutrition and a lot of light, then the harvest will be abundant and the fruits will be large.
What is care?
This tomato is not one of those that can grow on its own, like grass along a fence. The king of early ripening tomatoes requires competent and constant care:
- Although the bush belongs to the determinant type, it will still have to be pinched.The fact is that this variety produces a lot of side shoots; if they are not thinned out, the plant will not have enough light and air, and it will inevitably begin to get sick. Shoots and whole ovaries are also removed when there are too many fruits on the bushes - the tomatoes simply cannot ripen in such quantities.
- To prevent tomatoes from getting sick and rotting, it is advisable pick off a few lower leaves. This is done when the fruits of the lower ovaries are formed.
- We'll also have to tie up bushes, although their height is not too large. The King's shoots are powerful, but they still often cannot support the weight of large fruits. If you do not tie the bush to a support, its branches will lie on the ground and send out roots, which will lead to rotting of both the plant and the fruit.
- Cracks near the stalk (as in the photo) indicate insufficient watering of tomatoes. To the King of Tomatoes need a lot of water, this variety responds best to drip irrigation.
- The soil must be loosened and removed weeds. It is recommended to use organic mulch (straw, sawdust, humus).
- The Early King should be fed frequently and generously., otherwise there will be no good harvest. You can use any fertilizers: mineral complexes or individual components, any organic matter, except fresh manure and chicken droppings (liquid infusions can be prepared).
- In extreme heat It is advisable to shade the bushesusing mesh or special fiber.
Tomatoes need to be picked on time, as the King's fruits are prone to cracking due to overripeness.And it is better to free the bushes from excess weight in a timely manner, then the plant will have enough strength to ripen the next batch of tomatoes.
Review
Conclusion
The Early King variety is not a tomato for the lazy. It will delight you with good harvests and produce large and tasty fruits only if it is well looked after.
This tomato needs space, it needs frequent feeding and good watering. But the taste of the fruit among the early varieties of the King has no equal - the tomatoes are juicy, sugary, sweet and very beautiful.
