Content
The Marusya tomato has gained wide popularity, the characteristics and description of the variety indicate its unpretentiousness and excellent taste. Bred by Russian breeders in 2007, it is still loved by vegetable growers in all regions where it is cultivated.
In addition to its universal consumer properties, the Marusya tomato also attracts with its wonderful appearance. Lush green foliage beautifully frames clusters of small, bright red fruits that resemble large bunches of grapes.
Characteristics of the variety
Determinate tomato bushes Marusya grow small - no more than 1 m. The variety is mid-early, the period from the appearance of the first shoots to ripening is about 110 days. The bush forms one, sometimes two stems. The successful arrangement of juicy dark green leaves of the usual type helps protect the fruits of the Marusya tomato from sunburn, but does not interfere with their light exposure.
Due to its high resistance to adverse weather conditions and sudden temperature changes, the Marusya variety is widely distributed in many climatic zones - in open ground or in a film greenhouse. With proper care, tomatoes can produce up to 7 kg per square meter - up to 2 kg per bush, and with timely pinching, even more.The variety also demonstrates high resistance to diseases such as fusarium and verticillium. Descriptions and reviews of the Marusya tomato indicate only one small drawback - fruiting lasts only a month to a month and a half until the end of the summer season.
Description of fruits
The dense, juicy fruits of the Marusya variety are oval in shape and acquire a bright red color at the stage of full ripening. The average weight of ripe tomatoes reaches 80 g. Due to their small size, they are convenient for canning. Despite the not very dense skin, Marusya tomatoes do not crack and tolerate long-term storage and long-term transportation. Already ripe fruits do not fall off, but remain firmly on the branches. Excellent taste makes them universal in purpose:
- tomatoes of the Marusya variety are consumed fresh and in salads;
- used in conservation;
- popular in the form of fresh juices;
- used in the preparation of sauces and vegetable stews.
Seed preparation
Reviews advise sowing Marusya tomato seeds for seedlings about two months before transplanting into the ground. Therefore, it is important to correctly calculate the timing of their sowing, so as not to overexpose the seedlings in boxes. High-quality seeds purchased in specialized stores do not need to be disinfected. But those obtained at home or bought on the market are better to be disinfected. To disinfect Marusya tomato seeds, you can immerse them in a weak solution of potassium permanganate for 20 minutes. Some gardeners prefer to soak tomato seeds in aloe juice, a solution of baking soda or phytosporin for 10-20 hours. Undoubtedly, these substances have a stimulating effect on the seeds, due to which:
- their immunity is strengthened;
- germination improves;
- the productivity of tomatoes increases.
Sowing seeds
The soil for sowing seeds of the Marusya variety should also be disinfected using one of the following methods:
- bake in the oven;
- pour with boiling water or a concentrated solution of potassium permanganate.
After disinfection, the soil must be moistened and placed in a cool place for two weeks to allow beneficial microflora to multiply in it. For sowing seeds:
- small boxes are filled with ready-made soil;
- Tomato seeds are laid out on its surface in rows at a distance of 2 cm, 3-4 cm can be left between the rows;
- the seeds are sprinkled with a thin layer of loose soil;
- for their germination it is necessary to create a warm and humid microclimate, so the beds are moistened and placed in a warm place with a constant temperature of approximately +25 degrees;
- to speed up growth, you can cover the boxes with transparent film or glass;
- after the first shoots of tomatoes appear, Marusya’s description recommends providing the beds with good lighting, so the boxes are placed on the windowsill;
- if the intensity of daylight is insufficient, fluorescent lamps can be used;
- The ambient temperature should be reduced slightly, otherwise the tomato sprouts will begin to stretch.
Seedling care
The film should be removed from the seedlings gradually, opening it briefly over the tomato sprouts every day. They should be watered carefully as the top layer of soil dries. As the tomato seedlings grow, Marusya will require more frequent watering, but flooding the soil with water is also unacceptable.
Marusya tomato seedlings, as recommended by the description of the variety, photos and reviews, need to be hardened off.On warm spring days, take it out onto the balcony or outside, first for about five minutes, and then gradually increase the exposure time. Hardened seedlings adapt faster and grow after transplanting to a new location. 10-14 days after the emergence of seedlings, you need to make the first fertilizing of the Marusya variety with natural organic matter. In the future, it is advisable to carry them out every 7-10 days.
After two leaves appear, tomatoes of the Marusya variety need to be picked into separate cups. Many gardeners use peat pots, which are convenient to plant later in the soil. Picking seedlings requires special care, since the sprouts are still very tender and fragile.
After approximately 1.5 months, flower clusters begin to appear in tomatoes of the Marusya variety. They indicate the need to quickly replant tomatoes in a permanent place - in a greenhouse or open ground. Seedlings cannot be kept in pots, otherwise their growth will be retarded. It will not be able to grow into full-fledged tomatoes in the future. 10-14 days after the flower clusters appear, peat pots with seedlings of the Marusya variety need to be replanted. If there is a need to delay the timing of transplanting seedlings, gardeners resort to a little trick - they pinch off the flower cluster that appears. Since the next one will grow only in a week, you can delay replanting the plant for this time.
Transplanting seedlings and caring for them
The Marusya tomato, according to the description, can be transplanted into the soil if the night frosts have ended and the soil has warmed up to +16 degrees to the depth of the roots. High-quality seedlings must have:
- powerful root system;
- thick strong stem;
- dense fleshy foliage.
Plantings are carried out in the evening or on a cloudy day. Tomato bushes are planted at a distance of 0.6 m from each other, a little more is left between rows - 0.7 m. After the plants adapt, pinching is carried out, but only up to the first cluster. According to reviews, caring for the Marusya tomato variety is simple:
- regular watering with settled water;
- loosening the soil and removing weed; mulching with straw or compost;
- preventive treatments against pests and diseases;
- gartering bushes after fruit appears.
Pest Control
Despite its high resistance to the most common diseases, the Marusya tomato requires preventive spraying, as well as treatments against pests:
- Phytosporin with whey and a few drops of iodine or wood ash protects against late blight;
- Infusions of wood ash, tobacco dust or lime solution are effective against slugs;
- Periodic spraying with a soap solution is also useful;
- Karbofos is used against spider mites.
Reviews
Conclusion
The Marusya tomato is grown by both amateur gardeners and large farmers, who are attracted by the compactness of the bushes, their unpretentiousness to environmental conditions, the excellent presentation and wonderful taste of ripe tomatoes.
