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Still, the name plays a very important role in the life of a tomato variety, and, indeed, in the life of a variety of any garden crop. After all, sometimes even in the absence of a picture it allows you to get an idea of what a tomato might look like. A good example of such a picturesque name is the Negritenok tomato. It becomes clear to even an inexperienced gardener that the color scheme of these tomatoes includes black. But tomatoes of this color are still exotic and therefore not everyone knows how to handle them and how they differ from their counterparts of the traditional red hue.
In this article, you can familiarize yourself not only with the characteristics and description of the Negritenok tomato variety, but also understand how tomato fruits of a similar color differ from other tomatoes. And do these varieties have any specific growing characteristics?
Are there black tomatoes?
For those gardeners who have been growing various varieties of tomatoes for many years and have probably already tried several varieties of so-called black tomatoes, it has long become obvious that there are no completely black tomatoes. At least at the moment, these are unknown to breeders.What then are called black tomatoes?
Among them there are at least two varieties:
- A group of black-fruited tomatoes, which are distinguished by a wide variety of fruit color shades from brown-green to brown-red-brown. Often as tomatoes ripen, the shades can change and become purple, dark gray and even almost black in places.
The main thing about the fruits of this group is that the color of the skin and pulp is basically the same and the same darkish shades appear in the cut of the tomato. - The Indigo or blue-violet group of tomatoes is distinguished by a dark blue or purple skin color. In this group you can even find completely black tomatoes, but only the skin of the fruit will be colored in similar shades. If you cut a tomato, the flesh will be completely different, most often the usual red color. In addition, the skin color of these varieties is often uneven and highly dependent on growing conditions and the degree of ripening of the tomatoes. And the taste of the fruit is more determined by the very pulp that came from the mother plant and therefore can be unpredictable.
But many true black varieties, despite the rather significant heterogeneity in color and the absence of pure black color as such, are distinguished by greater similarity in taste. Since they all differ not only in their high sugar content, but also in the harmonious balance of sugar and organic acids. It is this ratio (2.5 sugars: 1 acids) that gives that unique, pleasant taste that characterizes many chokeberry tomatoes.
Do they have any fundamental differences?
As it turns out, black tomatoes are no fundamentally different from their other tomato counterparts.The appearance of the bushes, the color and shape of the leaves and fruits in an unripe state are no different from any other tomato plants. The color of ripening fruits is determined by a combination of red and purple pigments.
Lycopene and carotenoids are responsible for the red tint, which are rich in varying degrees in ordinary tomato varieties.
The presence of anthocyanins in black tomatoes affects not only the color of the fruit, but also determines many additional beneficial properties of these tomatoes:
- Strengthen the protective properties of the immune system;
- Helps strengthen the walls of blood vessels and relieve swelling;
- Characterized by high antioxidant activity.
So black tomatoes, including the Negritenok variety, are very useful for consumption by people who are concerned about their health.
Description of the variety
Tomatoes of the Negritenok variety were obtained by breeders of the Poisk agricultural company about 10 years ago and in 2010 were registered in the State Register of Breeding Achievements of Russia. The Negritenok tomato belongs to a series of proprietary varieties, although the specific name of the author remains unknown. Recommended for cultivation throughout Russia in open ground or in greenhouse conditions.
The plants are indeterminate, and therefore require the entire set of procedures for caring for tomatoes: pinching, pruning, gartering and forming bushes. The bushes grow very powerful, on average their height in open ground is 1.5 meters, but in greenhouses they can grow up to two meters. The stems are strong, the leaves are medium-sized, corrugated. The inflorescences are simple.The first flower cluster is formed only after 10-12 leaves, subsequent clusters alternate every three leaves.
The ripening time for tomatoes of the “Negritenok” variety is average; from the moment of full germination until the fruit turns brown, it takes about 110-115 days.
The yield of this variety cannot be called a record; under film covers it is approximately 6.5 kg of tomatoes per square meter of planting. That is, from one tomato bush you can get from 1.5 to 2 kg of tomatoes.
The Negritenok variety shows resistance to many problems and diseases of nightshades. In particular, it has good resistance to tobacco mosaic virus, cladosporiosis and Alternaria leaf spot.
Fruit characteristics
The Negritenok tomato is more suitable for those vegetable growers who are focused not so much on obtaining record harvests, but on tasty, delicious and very healthy fruits for summer consumption.
The shape of these tomatoes is traditional, round. At the base of the fruits, especially large ones, slight ribbing is often observed. The skin is smooth, the flesh is medium in density, quite juicy. The number of seed nests is 4-6 pieces.
Unripe fruits have the most common green color with a dark green spot at the stalk. As the fruit ripens, the color of the fruit becomes darker, especially at the base of the stalk. In general, tomatoes turn purple.
The tomatoes are not very uniform in size. The first fruits on the lower cluster are distinguished by their large mass - sometimes up to 300-400 grams. The rest of the tomatoes are not at all that large, their average weight is 120-160 grams.
The taste of tomatoes of this variety is rated good and excellent. According to many reviews, the sweetish and delicious taste of Negritenok fruits is very attractive. Others consider it a little bland.
Negritenok tomatoes are best consumed fresh, in salads. Due to their rather large size, the fruits are not very suitable for pickling and pickling in jars. But these tomatoes produce very tasty dark aromatic tomato juice. They are also good for drying and freezing. They will also make original pastas and sauces.
Tomatoes of this variety can be stored well for up to 1.5-2 months, and can, if desired, gain color at home.
Reviews from gardeners
The Negritenok tomato generally receives good reviews from gardeners, although many complain that its yield could have been better. But what can you do? You have to pay something for taste and exoticism.
Conclusion
All tomato lovers, and just people who care about their health, should pay attention to the Negritenok tomato. After all, black varieties are also comparatively rare in salads, and these tomatoes will look inimitable in the form of juices or pastes. And their beneficial properties may help you solve some health problems.
