Content
The Rio Grande tomato is a determinate variety with a classic taste. It is grown in seedlings or directly in open ground. Although the variety is considered one of the most unpretentious, proper watering and fertilization will increase its yield.
Description of the variety
Rio Grande is a well-deserved variety that has become widespread in garden plots. It was bred by Dutch breeders for cultivation indoors and outdoors.
Characteristics and description of the Rio Grande tomato variety are as follows:
- a small number of leaves;
- height of an adult plant – 60-70 cm;
- there is no need for tying and pinching;
- up to 10 ovaries are formed on the shoot;
- Fruit ripening period is 110-120 days;
- The harvest is harvested from June to September.
The fruits of the variety meet the following characteristics:
- weight from 100 to 150 g;
- fleshy, aromatic, with a small content of seeds;
- oval elongated shape;
- pronounced red color;
- dense pulp;
- sweetish taste with slight sourness;
- dense skin that prevents the fruit from cracking;
- increased dry matter content;
- The fruits are picked green and left to ripen at home.
In general, the bush is compact, so it does not need tying up. The variety is grown for sale or for personal use. Smooth fruits are suitable for home preparations: pickling, canning, pickling.
Tomatoes are also used to make salads, soups, stews and sauces. Tomatoes produce thick and bright red juice.
Boarding order
Tomatoes are grown from seeds. In cold regions, it is recommended to first obtain seedlings, and then begin planting tomatoes in a permanent place in a greenhouse or greenhouse. In hot climates, you can plant the seeds directly into the soil.
Obtaining seedlings
The Rio Grande tomato is grown in seedlings. Seeds must be planted in March. The soil for plants should be loose and light. It is prepared from a mixture of humus and turf.
This treatment will get rid of pest larvae and disease spores. The soil is poured into small containers or plastic cups. The seeds themselves do not need to be treated with stimulants.
Rio Grande tomato seeds are buried in the soil, and a layer of peat is poured on top. The top of the container is covered with film. Seed germination occurs at a temperature of 25 degrees. Seedlings do not require constant watering; it is enough to periodically spray them with warm water.
After germination, the containers are placed in the sun. If there is insufficient natural light, additional lighting is installed.
When the first leaves appear, the plants are distributed into separate containers. Then the tomatoes are watered with complex mineral fertilizer.
Growing in a greenhouse
The resulting seedlings are planted in a greenhouse or greenhouse. There are no more than 4 bushes per square meter.
Tomatoes are planted in loamy soil that has good breathability. The beds are formed two weeks before planting.
Holes are made in the beds, at the bottom of which humus or mineral fertilizer is placed. About 30 cm is left between the holes, and up to 70 cm between the rows with tomatoes.
The seedlings are placed in the depressions, the roots are straightened and covered with soil. At the end of the process, the tomatoes are watered generously.
Planting in open ground
In the southern regions, the Rio Grande variety is planted in open ground. The variety can be grown without seedlings.
Then prepare the beds located on the sunny side of the site. In April, the soil needs to be dug up and humus added. Wooden edges are installed along the edges of the beds.
Then the soil surface is leveled and several holes are made at a distance of 0.4 m from each other. The soil is covered with garden film.
The soil temperature should reach 12 degrees. 3-5 seeds are placed in each hole; after germination, they are thinned out and the strongest sprouts are selected.
After planting, watering must be done. Light frosts will not lead to the death of the seeds, since they are under a layer of soil and covering material.
Features of care
Proper care of tomatoes is a guarantee of a good harvest. Tomatoes are regularly watered, fertilized and treated for pests. The Rio Grande variety does not require pinching, which greatly simplifies the procedure for caring for it.
Watering tomatoes
Rio Grande tomatoes require moderate watering. A lack of moisture will lead to the death of plants, and its excess provokes rotting of the root system and the spread of diseases.
In the greenhouse, tomatoes are watered once or twice a week. The soil should remain 90% moist and the air 50%. Up to 5 liters of water are added to each bush.
Excessive sunlight and moisture on leaves can cause plant burns. Water for irrigation should be warm, at a temperature of 23 degrees or more. According to reviews of the Rio Grande tomato, the plant can cope with drought, but watering rules must be followed.
Tomatoes are watered in compliance with the following terms:
- The first watering is carried out immediately after placing the seedlings in the ground.
- The next procedure is carried out after 10 days. During the growing period, tomatoes are watered twice a week. Each bush needs 3 liters of water.
- During the flowering period, watering is carried out once a week, and the volume of water is 5 liters.
- When fruits appear, moisture should be added twice a week, but its volume should be reduced.
- When the tomatoes begin to turn red, it is enough to water the plants once a week.
Fertilizer application
For active development, Rio Grande tomatoes require feeding, which is carried out in several stages:
- 14 days after transfer to a permanent place.
- 2 weeks after the first feeding.
- When buds form.
- During the fruiting period.
Mineral fertilizers are used at all stages of tomato growth. Feeding with phosphorus and potassium stimulates plant development and improves the taste of fruits. Mineral components can be replaced with wood ash.
Before the ovary appears, the tomatoes are sprayed with urea infusion (1 tbsp.per 10 liters of water). After the fruits have formed, the plants can be treated with potassium sulfate or nitrate (1 tablespoon of fertilizer per bucket of water).
Protection from diseases and pests
The Rio Grande variety is resistant to most tomato diseases: late blight, white and gray rot, mosaic.
To prevent diseases, the soil in the greenhouse should be updated annually. Before planting, the soil is treated with a solution of copper sulfate or potassium permanganate.
In open ground, tomatoes are planted in a bed where cabbage, herbs, and legumes were previously grown. After peppers and eggplants, tomatoes are not planted.
In rare cases, slugs and aphids may appear on plants. Pests can be eliminated using insecticides or folk remedies. Spraying with ammonia solution helps get rid of slugs. A soap solution is effective against aphids.
Following agricultural practices will help avoid the spread of pests and diseases:
- mulching the soil with humus or straw;
- regular ventilation of the greenhouse;
- moderate watering;
- preventing plantings from being overcrowded.
Reviews from gardeners
Conclusion
According to its characteristics and description of the Rio Grande tomato variety, it is suitable for further canning. The medium-sized, dense fruits tolerate processing well and have excellent taste. Rio Grande is considered an unpretentious variety that can tolerate hot weather. With regular watering and fertilization, high yields of this variety are obtained.
