Content
The Orange Strawberry tomato is a varietal representative of the crop, created by German breeders. In 1975, it was brought to Russia from Germany. The unusual color of the fruit attracted attention due to its taste, frost resistance and ease of care, and quickly spread throughout Russia. During cultivation, vegetable growers, through selection, improved the variety to perfection, every year, leaving the seeds of the strongest tomatoes.
Detailed description of the variety
Tomato of German selection Orange strawberry belongs to the indeterminate species. It is grown by closed and open methods. On unprotected soil it grows to a height of 1.8 m; in a greenhouse without growth correction it can reach 3.5 m. The top is pinched according to the height of the trellis. Tomato of unlimited growth, large-fruited, generative type. Shoot formation is insignificant, the bush is formed by two trunks, the main one and the stepson of the first order, the remaining side shoots are removed as they grow.
The Orange strawberry variety is a mid-late variety; the first ripe fruits are collected 110 days after the seedlings are placed in the garden.In temperate climates, the Orange strawberry tomato is cultivated using the closed method, in the South in open ground. The fruiting of the variety is extended, the tomatoes ripen unevenly on the bunch. The culture produces fruits of the same size from the first to the last circle.
The tomato is adapted to the weather conditions of most regions of Russia and tolerates low temperatures and drought well. Photosynthesis requires excess ultraviolet radiation; in the shade, growth slows down and the color of tomatoes becomes dull. When growing the Orange strawberry variety in greenhouse structures, care must be taken to install phytolamps. The plant must be illuminated for at least 16 hours.
External characteristics of the bush:
- The stems are thick, powerful, woody. The structure is fibrous, durable. The edge is small, thick, hard, the stems are gray with a green tint.
- Tomato leaves are opposite, the internodes are short. The leaf blade is narrow, long and dark green. The surface is finely pubescent, corrugated, the edges are coarsely toothed.
- The root system is powerful, overgrown, and superficial.
- Fruit racemes are articulated, of medium length, filled with 4–6 ovaries. Place a brush after 8 sheets, subsequent ones after 4.
- The tomato blooms with single simple dark yellow flowers. The flowers are bisexual, self-pollinating, and 100% produce ovaries.
In warm climates, tomatoes ripen completely before frost sets in. In the central part of Russia, if the crop is grown in an unprotected area, the harvest from the last clusters is harvested at the stage of milky ripeness.The tomato variety Orange Strawberry ripens safely with sufficient light and does not differ in color and taste from naturally ripened tomatoes.
Description of fruits
The photo shows a heart-shaped Orange Strawberry tomato; according to reviews from vegetable growers, round tomatoes can also be found on the same plant. This can be attributed to the characteristics of the variety, and not to its shortcomings. Description of fruits:
- the main part of the tomatoes resembles garden strawberries in shape, hence the corresponding name, fruit weight is 400–600 g, in greenhouses up to 900 g;
- the color is bright yellow with a red tint, monochromatic;
- the peel is thin, dense, not prone to cracking, and tolerates transportation well;
- the surface is glossy, ribbed at the stalk;
- the pulp is juicy, oily, dark yellow in color, without voids and white areas, contains 4 seed chambers, few seeds.
The Orange Strawberry tomato is a table variety. It has a pronounced aroma, sweet fruity taste, and the acid concentration is minimal. The fruits contain carotene and, thanks to the enzyme, have a color unusual for the crop. Tomato Orange strawberries can be consumed without restriction by children and people with an allergic reaction to red-fruited varieties.
The fruits are universally used; they are processed into juice, puree, consumed fresh, and used for pickling.
Characteristics of tomato Orange strawberry
The Orange strawberry variety is considered the most common among yellow-fruited tomatoes. The crop has been grown in Russia for more than 40 years, during which time tomatoes have fully adapted to growing conditions, they have developed good immunity to diseases, and tomatoes are practically not affected by pests.
Along with frost resistance, high resistance to aggressive environments has become the reason for the popularity of tomatoes among farmers and amateur vegetable growers. If air humidity and temperature conditions in the greenhouse are not maintained, tobacco mosaic may develop. In an open garden, a tomato does not get sick and is affected by pests.
The variety is high-yielding; the fruiting rate is achieved due to the size and weight of the fruit. The crop is tall with a wide root circle and does not tolerate cramped spaces. On one 1 m 2 more than three bushes are not placed. Harvesting fruits from each tomato bush Orange strawberry averages 6.5 kg per 1 m 2 take up to 20 kg (in greenhouse conditions). In an open area, the height of the tomato is lower, the yield is 3–4 kg less per 1 m2.
The mid-late variety ripens in early August. Fruiting is long, subsequent fruits are removed as they ripen. In the South, the tomato has time to fully reach biological ripeness; the last harvest is carried out in early October. In a temperate climate in a greenhouse, fruiting is 2 weeks longer, and ripening is the same time later.
The photo shows an Orange strawberry tomato during fruiting; according to reviews, the yield can be significantly reduced if the crop does not have enough light and nutrition. The plant is not afraid of lower temperatures; moderate watering is sufficient. In an open garden bed, the threat to fruiting is the north wind and shadow.
Advantages and disadvantages
The German tomato variety Orange Strawberry is characterized by the following advantages:
- High yield.
- Long period of fruit ripening.
- Exotic coloring, chemical composition does not cause allergies.
- Highly rated for taste.
- Tomatoes for universal use.
- Frost resistance, heat resistance.
- When artificially ripened, it has the taste and color of a tomato from the mother plant.
- High resistance to diseases and pests.
Disadvantages include: insufficient number of seeds, demanding lighting requirements.
Landing rules for care
The variety is mid-late, so it is planted only by seedlings. The tomato is indeterminate, forms a powerful root system; for better growth it must be pruned. The seedling method accelerates ripening and improves root growth.
Sowing seeds for seedlings
The work is carried out at the end of March. The seeds are pre-stratified and treated with an antifungal drug. Fertile soil is prepared from a turf layer, peat and sand, and ash (in equal proportions). Laying planting material:
- The soil is poured into wooden or plastic boxes.
- Make 2 cm deepenings in the form of furrows.
- Distribute the seeds (1 seed per 1.5 cm).
- Water, fill, cover with polyethylene on top.
- The boxes are placed in a room with an air temperature of +220 C.
The film is removed. The plant is fed with complex fertilizers. Water with a spray bottle so that the top layer of soil does not dry out. After the formation of three leaves, the seedlings are planted in separate containers or larger boxes.
Transplanting seedlings
The seedlings are transferred to an open area when the soil has warmed up to +18 0 C and there is no threat of frost. Work is expected to take place in early May. Seedlings are planted in the greenhouse structure in mid-May. Number of plants per 1m2 - 3 pcs. Landing algorithm:
- The site is dug up before seedlings are placed, and organic fertilizers are applied.
- Make furrows 15 cm deep.
- The plant is placed vertically.
- They fall asleep, leaving only the top with leaves on the surface.
After 10 days, the rows are hilled up and mulched with straw.
Tomato care
According to reviews, the German tomato Orange Strawberry is a relict variety. Agricultural technology includes:
- Forming a bush with two stems, all subsequent shoots are removed. Cut off the lower leaves to the cluster with fruit. Harvest the crop, cut off the fruit cluster. Not only the bush, but also the bunches of tomatoes are tied to the support; special nylon nets are used.
- Apply mineral fertilizers. After planting and during flowering, they are fed with organic matter; during the period of fruit ripening, they are given potassium, phosphorus, and phosphate.
- In open ground, the watering regime depends on precipitation. Tomato Orange strawberry requires two waterings per week. To prevent high humidity, the greenhouse is watered using the drip method.
- Mulch the bush after planting. Weeding is carried out as the weed grows. When the plant reaches 25 cm in height, it is hilled.
Conclusion
Tomato Orange strawberry is a medium-late, indeterminate, large-fruited variety. The crop is grown throughout Russia, except in the risky farming zone. Fruits with a high gastronomic value and universal use. The variety is undemanding to care, frost-resistant, and tolerates high ambient temperatures well.
