Content
Among vegetable growers there are many lovers of exotic varieties of tomatoes with unusual taste or coloring of the fruit. We would like to offer the Malachite Box tomato for growing in plots. The article will indicate the main characteristics and description of the plant, and its cultivation features. For clarity, let’s present photos sent by gardeners growing this variety.
Description
Malachite Box tomatoes are a relatively new variety created by Novosibirsk breeders. It was entered into the State Register in 2006. Despite their youth, tomatoes of this variety have already gained well-deserved fame and popularity. And not only among Siberians, but also in other regions of Russia.
The reason for gardeners’ love for Malachite Box tomatoes, judging by the reviews, is the possibility of obtaining a harvest even under unfavorable conditions. As stated in the description, the variety belongs to cold-resistant plants.
Kusta
The tomato belongs to the tall, indeterminate varieties of unlimited growth. When grown in a greenhouse, they reach one and a half meters.The plants are mid-season, the first tomatoes ripen in 100 days, if you count from planting.
The bushes are not only tall, but also densely leafy. The leaves are medium branched, rich green. The inflorescences of the variety are a simple raceme; articulations are clearly visible on the tomato stalk. The setting rate is almost one hundred percent, and the tomatoes grow along the entire length of the stem.
Fruits
The Malachite Box tomato, according to the description, has flat-rounded fruits. The surface is smooth, glossy. As a rule, tomatoes on the lower tassels are larger, reaching a weight of 250-300 grams. It is not uncommon to find specimens weighing more than 500 grams.
When unripe, the fruits of the Malachite Box are light green, with streaks, as in the photo below.
At technical maturity, tomatoes acquire a beautiful malachite color with a yellowish-green tint. It seems that someone specially painted fancy patterns on the fruits. As gardeners note, this variety of tomatoes resembles a mountain mineral in color.
It is also worth noting that this feature is inherent not only in Malachite Box tomatoes, but also in all varieties with green fruits.
According to the description, the pulp is juicy, sugary, emerald green, and also has streaks. The taste of the tomato is unusual, exotic. Many consumers say that tomatoes of this variety resemble melon or kiwi.
The tomato has only four seed chambers, and the number of seeds is small. The skin of the Malachite Box tomato is delicate and thin, which makes transportation difficult.
Application of fruits
Tomatoes Malachite box, judging by the description, are suitable exclusively for fresh consumption. Canning whole tomatoes is impossible due to their large size, but, most importantly, due to their thin skin, which bursts during processing. But if you need to peel tomatoes, this is a clear plus - the peels can be removed without difficulty.
From tomatoes of this variety you can prepare adjika, lecho, and obtain a sauce with excellent taste. But the main feature of the variety is making jam. The finished product will fill the kitchen with a fruity aroma.
Yield
As gardeners who have been working with the variety for more than one year write in reviews, the harvest is stable and excellent. With proper agricultural technology and care, the yield of Malachite Box tomato per square meter in the beds reaches 4-6 kg, in a greenhouse it can be about 15 kg. This characteristic of the variety is confirmed by the photo.
Characteristics
It should be noted that tomatoes of this variety are most often grown by lovers of exotic plants who are ready to experiment. It is impossible to find out all the information about the crop, including the Malachite Box tomato, from the description alone. A more detailed description of the variety is also needed. Let's talk about it now.
Like any plants, the Malachite Box has its pros and cons.
Advantages of the variety
- Stable yield with long-term yield. As a rule, the fruits are harvested before the onset of cold weather.
- Fruit set is almost 100%, there are practically no empty flowers.
- Exotic taste and color of tomatoes. Fruits are often added when preparing fruit salads.
- Tomatoes do not cause allergies like red varieties, so they can be given to children without fear of consequences. The fruits are not only tasty, but also healthy.They contain a large number of micro- and macroelements necessary for humans.
- Possibility of growing in open and protected ground.
- The fruits on the bushes are not subject to cracking.
- The tomato variety is resistant to diseases, especially late blight.
- Since Malachite Box is a pure variety, seeds can be obtained. They retain varietal properties.
Minuses
The Box has some disadvantages, although there are not as many of them as advantages:
- Tomatoes are difficult to care for, so before choosing them, you need to carefully read the description, characteristics and characteristics of cultivation.
- It is impossible to transport over long distances due to the thin and delicate skin.
- Tomatoes of the Malachite Box variety are not subject to long-term storage.
- Gardeners growing tomatoes of this variety for the first time have difficulty determining the ripeness of the fruit due to its unusual color. Overripe tomatoes of this variety become tasteless.
Features of agricultural technology and cultivation
As already noted, the State Register of Russia recommends the Malachite Box variety for cultivation in any region. But everyone will agree that our climatic conditions are not the same. Despite the ripening of fruits 100 days after sowing the seeds, it is best to use the seedling method.
The package with seeds of the Shkatulka variety indicates the approximate time for sowing the seeds. It is best to sow them two months before planting in the ground.
Growing seedlings
To obtain strong and healthy Malachite Box tomato seedlings, you need to take into account many nuances.
Preparing soil and containers
Many gardeners prepare their own soil mixture for tomatoes. The main thing is that the soil is fertile, light and well-permeable to oxygen.It is also not forbidden to use store-bought ingredients. Boxes and soil are disinfected before sowing tomato seeds. Experienced gardeners use boiling water and add crystals of potassium permanganate to it.
Seed preparation
This is an important point for obtaining high-quality tomato seedlings. As a rule, seeds purchased from reliable companies have already been selected. But if you use your own seeds, you will have to carefully cull.
To do this, the seed is dipped in a 5% salt solution. Substandard, puny tomato seeds will rise to the top. They should be thrown away and the rest should be washed in clean water. Then etch in a solution of potassium permanganate or using biostimulants Epin, Zircon. Aloe juice works well in this regard.
Sowing seeds
The seeds of the variety are placed in grooves prepared at a distance of 3 cm every 1-2 cm. Then the containers are covered with film and placed in a warm (22-25 degrees), well-lit place. When the first hooks appear (this happens on the 3rd or 4th day), the film is removed. The air temperature is reduced to 15 degrees for three days so that the seedlings do not stretch out. But the illumination should be maximum.
Watering at this stage is carried out as needed, but under no circumstances should you overwater the seedlings - the root system will begin to rot.
Picking
You need to transplant tomato seedlings into separate containers when they grow from 3 to 5 true leaves. The picking procedure plays a dual role. Firstly, the plants find themselves in new fertile soil. Secondly, they begin to build up a powerful root system.
After transplanting tomatoes, you need to monitor the condition of the top lump of soil, since the seedlings cannot be overdried. In addition, to obtain powerful and strong tomatoes, they are fed several times with mineral fertilizers. The drugs are diluted in accordance with the instructions.
At this stage, you can use organic fertilizers. In particular, by extracting wood ash, since it contains all the elements necessary for growing green mass and the root system. In addition, ash prevents seedlings from becoming infected with blackleg.
The main thing is not to overdo it with fertilizing (it’s better not to overfeed), otherwise the Malachite Box tomato will stretch out greatly, which will reduce the yield.
Caring for plants in the ground
Hardening
Before planting, Malachite Box tomatoes are hardened. For 10 days, the containers are taken outside, gradually increasing the residence time so that the tomatoes adapt to the new conditions. In a city apartment, balconies or loggias are used for this. The main thing is that there is no draft.
Transfer
Tomato varieties are planted in a greenhouse or open ground, respectively, at the end of May or after June 10. The soil is prepared within two weeks. Although, according to the rules, the ground for tomatoes is prepared in the fall.
The fertilized beds under the tomatoes are dug up and spilled with warm water. When the ground warms up, the plants are replanted.The holes must be spilled with boiling water and potassium permanganate to prevent plant disease from blackleg.
It is recommended to carry out the work of transplanting tomatoes in the evening, then the seedlings will have time to rise by the morning. No more than two tomatoes are planted per square meter. A reliable support is immediately placed, the tomatoes are tied up and watered well. Next watering after 3 days.
Further care
The Malachite Box variety is formed, according to the description and characteristics, into one or two stems. All stepsons on tomatoes are removed as they grow. In addition, leaves on tomatoes break off before the first flower cluster, and then after fruit set. Peduncles with tomatoes also need to be tied up, otherwise they will break under their own weight.
Water and feed the Box as usual. It is also necessary to remove weedsso as not to provoke illness. I recommend mulching the soil under tomatoes with straw, freshly cut grass (without seeds) or peat. This is not only salvation from weeds, but also additional subcortex.
As a preventive measure, if the gardener does not want to use chemicals, you can spray the tomatoes with an extract of wood ash, a solution of boric acid, iodine, and potassium permanganate. It is also useful to dust the tomatoes and the soil underneath them with dry ash.
The Malachite Box tomato variety responds well to feeding with superphosphate, ammonium nitrate, and potassium fertilizers. From organic matter, infusions of chicken manure, mullein and green herbs can be used to feed tomatoes of this variety.
