Content
Tomatoes are one of the most popular crops. It is not surprising that breeders are constantly working to improve the properties of existing varieties and develop new ones. Thanks to Russian scientists, a new hybrid has appeared - the Red Red tomato, the characteristics and description of the variety indicate its high consumer properties.
Gardeners immediately appreciated the early ripening ability and high yield of the F1 tomato. The variety has become widespread, mainly for cultivation in greenhouses.
Features of the variety
Tomato F1 is one of the first generation hybrids. The variety is self-pollinating, which makes it convenient to grow in greenhouses. The specific characteristics of the hybrid variety F1 are not yet fully fixed in the genotype. Without maintaining the purity of pollination, its subsequent generations will over time lose their characteristic characteristics, which must be taken into account in the agricultural technology of the variety. If you need to obtain high-quality seed, you need to grow the F1 tomato in isolation from other tomato varieties. Seeds isolated in this way will have all the characteristics of a given variety.
Indeterminate bushes Red Red reach a height of two meters, forming a very flexible and durable stem. The clusters form up to 7 fruits with an average weight of about 200 g. On the lower shoots the fruits are even larger - up to 300 g. The yield with good care is high - you can get 7-8 kg of tomatoes from a bush, but the average is not bad - 5-6 kg per plant. bush. Lush tomato bushes of the Red Red F1 variety with abundant tops require staking. The leaves are deep green in color and small in size. In the southern regions, F1 tomato can be grown in open ground. In such beds, the hybrid variety forms bushes with more compact sizes. The first ripe tomatoes appear by the end of June, and fruiting of the bushes continues until the autumn frosts.
Description of fruits
The features of the fruits of the hybrid variety F1 include:
- their rounded, slightly flattened shape with slight ribbing at the base;
- thin but durable skin that protects tomatoes from cracking;
- bright rich red color of tomatoes, corresponding to the name of the variety Red red;
- juicy fleshy pulp with a sugary structure;
- small number of seeds;
- sweet, with a slightly noticeable sourness, taste;
- high keeping quality and transportability of tomatoes;
- ability to ripen at room temperature;
- versatility in use - tomatoes are good both fresh and prepared.
Sowing seeds
In greenhouses equipped with a heating system, reviews recommend planting the Red Red F1 tomato with seeds as early as the end of March. When growing in film greenhouses, you need to prepare seedlings in advance.
Selection of seed material
The timing of sowing seeds of the Red Red variety for seedlings depends on the climatic conditions of the region. Seedlings of the hybrid variety will be ready for transplanting into greenhouse beds in about 2 months, and the soil in the greenhouse should already be warmed up to +10 by this time. Since seedlings of the F1 variety will quickly begin to stretch, you should not overexpose them in a box - this will affect the yield of tomato bushes.
When selecting seed, it is necessary to take into account that seeds that were collected two years ago have a higher germination rate. Commercial seeds of the F1 hybrid variety are subject to a disinfection procedure, so it is enough to treat them with a growth stimulator. But many reviews of the Red tomato advise soaking the seeds for a short time before sowing in a weak solution of potassium permanganate.
Sowing seeds
It is better to choose medium-sized boxes for growing tomato seedlings. To obtain high-quality seedlings of the F1 variety, you need to prepare nutritious soil consisting of turf soil mixed with humus. Summer residents are advised to take garden soil in areas where nettles usually grow. To ensure greater lightness and airiness of the soil, you can add a little sand to it, and to increase its nutritional value, wood ash.
Having poured the soil into the boxes, you need to spill it well. Sowing of seeds of the hybrid variety F1 is carried out the next day:
- they are buried 1.5-2.0 cm and the box is covered with film;
- for rapid seed germination, the description of the Red Red tomato variety recommends constantly maintaining the room temperature at +25 degrees;
- as soon as the first sprouts of F1 tomatoes hatch, the boxes should be placed on the windowsill to increase their level of illumination;
- If necessary, fluorescent lamps should also be used.
Picking and hardening
When the sprouts throw out a couple of leaves, you can pick them up using peat pots - they reduce the likelihood of injury to the roots. At the same time, you should carry out the first fertilizing of F1 tomatoes with complex fertilizer. The next one is done before planting in the beds, about two weeks later.
Usually, from mid-May, it is necessary to carry out the procedure of hardening off the sprouts of the hybrid variety F1, taking the pots out into the fresh air. The time spent outside gradually increases, and after a few days they can be left all day.
Planting seedlings in beds
When the soil in the greenhouse is already sufficiently warmed up, the Red Red F1 tomato is planted in the beds:
- The planting pattern should not be too dense - three seedlings in a row per 1 m is quite enough;
- the optimal row spacing is 1 m;
- The beds should be well loosened and the holes should be prepared by adding a little wood ash to them.
Between the seedlings you need to leave enough space for hilling the bushes. If you add soil to the roots as they grow, F1 tomatoes will strengthen better and develop adventitious roots. They will provide F1 tomatoes with additional nutrition.
Care technology
After replanting, the F1 hybrid seedlings will quickly grow. During this period, photos and reviews of those who planted red tomatoes recommend the following activities:
- Before the flowering period, seedlings are fed with nitrogen compounds;
- flowering bushes need to be fertilized with potassium and phosphorus salts;
- It is useful to periodically shake trellises with F1 tomatoes to improve self-pollination;
- Do not overuse organic matter, otherwise the nitrate content in fruits will increase;
- it is important to ensure an optimal microclimate in the greenhouse from 20 to 30 degrees; It needs to be ventilated periodically.
To increase the yield of the F1 hybrid, sometimes farmers artificially create a greenhouse effect in the greenhouse - increased temperature and humidity. Indeed, tomatoes bloom faster. However, this technique requires great caution, as it can provoke the occurrence of a fungal disease.
Organization of watering
Watering tomatoes with Red Red should be moderate and should be done as the soil dries:
- drip irrigation can be arranged in greenhouses;
- water used for irrigation must be settled;
- mulching with straw or peat will help protect the soil from drying out;
- after each watering of the F1 tomato, you need to loosen the soil to increase its breathability;
- Timely weeding of beds is also important weed.
Formation of bushes
As they grow, F1 tomato seedlings need to be shaped correctly:
- gardeners recommend leaving one stem for more efficient growth;
- shoots growing above the third brush must be removed;
- pruning small flowers stimulates the formation of new ovaries;
- reviews and photos of the Red Red F1 tomato indicate the practice of pinching the growth point to stop excessive growth of the stem;
- removing the lower leaves will increase the light level of the bushes, which is favorable for the accumulation of sugar content.
Plants of the F1 variety need careful tying of the main stem and other shoots and even fruits:
- the first garter should be done a few days after planting the seedlings in the beds;
- subsequent garters are carried out approximately once every 10 days.
The advice of experienced gardeners recommend tying the bush with twine at the very base, and throwing one of the ends over the trellis. Growing stems of Red Red tomatoes, as the description and photo show, are periodically simply twisted around twine.
Fruit collection
Features of harvesting F1 tomatoes are that:
- Regular removal of already ripe fruits increases the yield of bushes; collection should be carried out every 1-2 days;
- ripened fruits remaining on the branches retard the growth and maturation of others;
- The last harvest should be harvested before night frosts.
Disease and pest control
The Red Red tomato has good resistance to diseases such as spotting, various types of rot, and fusarium. However, timely prevention will increase the safety of fruits:
- You cannot plant tomato seedlings in beds where potatoes or eggplant grew;
- For F1 tomatoes, precursors such as carrots, legumes, and dill are useful;
- Before planting tomato seedlings, the soil must be treated with copper sulfate;
- If signs of disease appear, you need to urgently remove the affected parts of the plants and treat them with copper-containing preparations.
The following will help protect F1 tomatoes from pests:
- regular weeding of beds;
- mulching;
- manual collection of pests;
- treating tomato bushes with ammonia is effective against slugs;
- spraying with soapy water with the addition of dry mustard destroys aphids;
- To cope with pests of Red Red F1 tomatoes, reviews advise using a solution of potassium permanganate, infusions and decoctions of onion peels, and celandine.
Reviews
Numerous reviews of the Red Red variety indicate the unanimous recognition by gardeners and summer residents of the positive characteristics of the F1 hybrid.
Conclusion
If you use these recommendations, you can grow a tasty and productive Red Red tomato without much difficulty.
