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The tomato that will be discussed now is considered a new product. The homeland of the hybrid is Holland, where it was bred by breeders in 2010. In Russia, the Torbay F1 tomato was registered in 2012. The hybrid is intended for cultivation in open and closed ways. In a fairly short time, the culture has become popular among lovers of pink tomatoes. Farmers also speak well of the tomato.
Hybrid characteristics
It would be more correct to begin the description and characteristics of the Torbay tomato variety with the fact that the crop bears fruits in which a pink tint dominates the color of the skin. Many vegetable growers usually prefer red tomatoes due to their higher yield. However, pink tomatoes are considered tastier. Their yield is lower, but the fruits are usually larger.
This is only the main feature of the hybrid, but now let’s take a closer look at the Torbay tomato and its characteristics:
- In terms of ripening time, the crop belongs to the group of mid-early tomatoes. From the moment of sowing the Torbay seeds, at least 110 days will pass until the first ripe fruits appear on the bushes. When grown in greenhouses, fruiting can last until October.
- The tomato is considered determinate. The structure of the bush is standard. The height of the plant depends on where it grows. In an open-air garden, the length of the stems is limited to 80 cm.In greenhouse conditions, intensive tomato growth is observed. The Torbay bush can grow up to 1.5 m high. Sometimes a plant formed by one stem grows up to 2 m in height.
- The Torbay tomato is characterized as a powerful plant. The bushes grow spreading, densely covered with foliage. This is a positive feature of the hybrid. With the open growing method, dense foliage shields the fruits from the scorching rays of the sun, which are especially dangerous for pink tomatoes. The tomato does not get burned. However, strong thickening delays the ripening of the fruit. Here the vegetable grower must himself regulate the structure of the bush by removing stepsons and excess leaves.
- Torbay is a hybrid, which means that the breeders instilled in it immunity that protects the plant from common diseases. When reading reviews from vegetable growers about the Torbay F1 tomato, the most common information is that the hybrid is not affected by root and blossom end rot. The plant is resistant to verticillium wilt and fusarium. Despite the resistance of tomatoes to diseases, preventive measures should not be neglected. They are especially in demand during an epidemic outbreak.
- The yield of Torbay depends on the quality of the soil, care of the crop and location of growth. Usually one bush brings from 4.7 to 6 kg of tomatoes. It is recommended to plant seedlings according to the 60×35 cm pattern. Considering that per 1 m2 If there are 4 bushes growing, it is easy to calculate the total tomato yield from the entire garden bed.
Domestic gardeners fell in love with Torbay precisely for its yield, which exceeds the standard indicators characteristic of pink tomatoes. However, the taste was not affected. Torbay is tasty, like all pink-fruited tomatoes.Even large manufacturers liked the combination of these two important characteristics. Many farmers have already started growing Torbay for commercial purposes.
Returning to the ripening time, it should be noted that 110 days are counted from sowing the seeds. Tomatoes are usually grown from seedlings. So, if we count from the moment of planting, then the ripening of the first fruits occurs in 70–75 days. The more stems left on the bush, the longer the fruiting stretches out. Here you need to be individually guided by weather conditions and the place where the tomato grows.
In the southern regions, with an open cultivation method, the fruiting of Torbay can be extended until October. Then the gardener has the opportunity to eat fresh tomatoes from the garden in the fall. But for the middle zone, the open method of growing a hybrid will not bring such results. October is already cold here. There may even be frosts at night. It is possible to extend fruiting until October only when growing tomatoes in a greenhouse.
Pros and cons of pink hybrid
You need to take into account not only the description of the Torbay F1 tomato, reviews, photos, but it is also worth taking into account the positive as well as negative features of the culture. Knowing all the pros and cons of the hybrid, it will be easier for the vegetable grower to decide whether this tomato is suitable for him.
Let's start the review with the good qualities:
- Torbay is characterized by friendly fruit set. Their maturation occurs in the same way. The vegetable grower is given the opportunity to collect the maximum number of ripe tomatoes at one time.
- The yield is lower than that of red-fruited tomatoes, but higher compared to pink-fruited tomatoes.
- High resistance to disease is characteristic of most hybrids, and Torbay is no exception.
- Excellent taste qualities combined with good presentation make the hybrid popular among vegetable growers who grow tomatoes for sale.
- The fruits grow evenly and are all almost the same size.
- With the onset of cold weather, green tomatoes can be sent to the basement. There they will ripen quietly without losing their taste.
The disadvantages of Torbay include labor costs during cultivation. The hybrid really likes loose soil, regular watering, fertilizing, it needs a stepson and tying the stems to a trellis. You can ignore some of these procedures, but then the vegetable grower will not receive the harvest promised by the breeders.
Description of the fruit
In continuation of the description of the Torbay tomato, it is worth taking a closer look at the fruit itself. After all, it is for this reason that the crop is grown. In addition to the predominance of a pink tint in color, the fruits of the hybrid have the following characteristics:
- The fruits are spherical in shape and have a flattened top and an area near the stalk. There is weak ribbing on the walls.
- The average weight of the fruit varies between 170–210 g. With good feeding, large tomatoes weighing up to 250 g can grow.
- The number of seed chambers inside the pulp is usually 4–5 pieces. The grains are small and few in number.
- The taste of tomato is sweet and sour. Sweetness predominates more, which makes the tomato delicious.
- The dry matter content in tomato pulp is no more than 6%.
Separately, it is worth characterizing the skin of the tomato. It is quite dense and protects the walls of the fruit from cracking during transportation. The small size allows whole fruits to be preserved in jars. Here, the skin also prevents cracking of the walls during heat treatment. She doesn't even wrinkle and remains just as shiny and smooth.
In the video you can better learn about the characteristics of Torbay:
Features of cultivation
There is nothing special about growing Torbay. Caring for the crop consists of the same actions that are used for most hybrids. There are three main requirements for Torbay:
- Full yield from the open growing method can only be expected in the southern regions, where a warm climate prevails.
- In the middle zone you can do without a greenhouse. In order to get the maximum yield of tomatoes, the plants are provided with cover made of film or agrofibre.
- For the northern regions, the open method of growing Torbay is not suitable. The tomato will have time to harvest only in the greenhouse. Moreover, the vegetable grower will still have to take care of heating. Sowing seeds for seedlings follows the same rules applicable to all tomatoes:
- The time for sowing seeds is the end of February - beginning of March. Here you need to take into account the climate of the region and the method of growing tomatoes, that is, in a greenhouse or in the open air. The manufacturer always indicates the time for sowing tomatoes on the packaging. These recommendations are worth following.
- The containers for growing tomato seedlings are plastic containers, cups, pots or any other suitable containers. Stores sell cassettes that allow you to grow a large number of seedlings.
- Tomato grains are immersed in the soil to a depth of 1–1.5 cm. The top of the soil is sprayed with water from a sprayer. The container is covered with film until shoots appear.
- Until tomatoes germinate, the air temperature is maintained within 25–27OC. After the sprouts appear, the film is removed from the container, and the temperature is reduced to 20OWITH.
- No later than a week before planting in the ground, tomato seedlings are hardened off. Plants are first taken outside into the shade. After adaptation, the tomatoes are placed in the sun.
Torbay loves loose, slightly acidic soil. The seedlings are planted according to a 60x35 cm pattern. About 10 g of superphosphate is added to each well.
An adult tomato requires no less care than seedlings required. Torbay is a determinate tomato, but the bush grows tall. The plant must be tied to a trellis, otherwise it will fall to the ground under the weight of the fruit. If this is not done, there is a risk of breaking the stems. The fruits will begin to rot if they come into contact with the ground.
The shape of the bush is important for obtaining yield. How to do this can be seen in the photo. Torbay is formed with a maximum of 2 stems, but the fruits are smaller and take longer to ripen. It is optimal to form a tomato into 1 stem. The fruits will be larger and ripen faster. However, with this formation the height of the bush usually increases.
Torbay loves feeding at the initial stage. At this time, the tomato has a greater need for potassium and phosphorus. Adult tomato bushes are usually fed only with organic matter.
To prevent diseases, you need to follow watering and fertilizing regimes, as well as constantly loosen the soil. If a tomato is damaged by blackleg, the plant will only have to be removed and the soil treated with a fungicide. The drug Confidor will help fight whiteflies. You can get rid of spider mites or aphids with a weak solution of washing soap.
Reviews
Growing a hybrid at home is not difficult. Now let's read reviews from vegetable growers about the Torbay tomato.
