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When choosing varieties for future plantings, gardeners focus on indicators such as ripening time, plant height and fruit size. And tomatoes are no exception. In every garden you can definitely find early, mid-early and late varieties. One of the most favorite varieties of gardeners has become the “Heavyweight of Siberia” tomato. Despite the average yield, it has long gained popularity due to its ease of care, rather large and very tasty fruits.
general characteristics
While working on the creation of the variety, the breeders of the Siberian Garden agricultural company tried to combine several positive qualities in one plant:
- precocity;
- large fruits;
- the ability to grow tomatoes in harsh climatic conditions;
- resistance to low temperatures;
- resistance to many diseases.
And I must say that they have created a truly unique variety of its kind.
The “Heavyweight of Siberia” tomato fully justifies such an unusual name. Being an early ripening, determinate plant, it produces very large fruits. But he received great recognition for a completely different reason.
Not every variety can be grown in regions with harsh climates, either in open ground or protected ground.But “Heavyweight of Siberia” tomatoes are distinguished precisely by the fact that they bear fruit well at very modest ambient temperatures. Tomatoes produce an excellent abundant harvest when grown at temperatures up to +28˚С +30˚С; higher rates immediately affect the yield reduction.
The “Heavyweight of Siberia” tomato belongs to the group of low-growing vegetable crops. When growing tomatoes in open ground, the height of the plant barely reaches 60-70 cm. In greenhouses and greenhouses, its height can reach 80-100 cm, no more. The foliage of the bush is medium, the foliage has a rich dark green color.
Typically, low-growing tomato varieties do not need staking. But not “Heavyweight”. For the simple reason that its fruits reach truly gigantic sizes, the plants need to be tied up.
The tomato stem, despite its rather sonorous name, is not very powerful. The bushes often fall to one side; without a garter, the bunches break off even before the tomatoes ripen.
The creators of the variety advise tying up not only the bushes, but also the fruits so that the tassels do not break off. You can use regular supports instead of a traditional garter. Small branches in the form of a “slingshot” are placed under the heaviest brushes. This way you can protect the bushes.
According to the characteristics and description of the tomato variety “Heavyweight of Siberia,” it does not require such a mandatory event as pinching. However, to obtain larger fruits, many summer residents still prefer to occasionally remove excess shoots and form bushes with 2-3 stems.
The “Heavyweight” tomato is not a hybrid, and therefore the seeds can be prepared independently. The largest tomatoes perfectly retain their varietal characteristics. But after 4-5 years, it is still worth updating the seed material, since over time, the signs of belonging to this variety gradually disappear.
Fruit characteristics
The fruits of the “Heavyweight of Siberia” tomato reach an average weight of 400-500 grams. But to increase productivity, the following measures must be taken:
- regular feeding;
- removal of stepsons;
- bush formation;
- cupping of ovaries.
Cupping – removal of excess ovaries. There should be no more than 8-10 of them on one plant. In this case, the tomatoes will be very large - up to 800-900 grams. All forces and nutrients will go towards the growth and ripening of giant fruits.
The shape of the fruit is quite remarkable - heart-shaped, slightly flattened. The color of the tomatoes is predominantly pink, the flesh is juicy and fleshy. The tomatoes taste very sweet, with barely noticeable sourness. The number of cameras is no more than 4-6.
Tomatoes have a smooth, blemish-free surface and do not crack during the ripening process. Tomatoes “Heavyweight of Siberia” tolerate transportation well over short distances without losing their presentation. But it is best to transport them over long distances in an unripe form.
In terms of taste characteristics, size, shape and color of the fruit, “Heavyweight” is very similar to the “Alsu”, “Velmozha” and “Danko” tomatoes. All varieties belong to the collection of the Siberian Garden agricultural company.
Application area
Judging by the characteristics and description, “Heavyweight of Siberia” tomatoes are more likely to be table varieties, which determines the area of application of the fruit. They are good for slicing, summer salads, and fresh consumption.
Juices from tomatoes of this variety are thick, tasty and rich, but do not have that bright scarlet color that traditional tomato juice has.
“Heavyweight of Siberia” tomatoes are also excellent for winter preparations. And if they are unsuitable for whole-fruit canning due to their large size, then they are perfect for preparing a variety of salads, hodgepodges, sauces, and pastes as a component.
Many housewives prefer to freeze tomatoes. “Heavyweight of Siberia” can be frozen in small portions for adding to main courses in winter, for preparing a variety of casseroles and pizza.
For drying This tomato variety is not suitable. Juicy fruits lose too much moisture during the drying process.
Features of cultivation
Tomatoes “Heavyweight of Siberia”, judging by the description and characteristics of the variety, are not characterized by high yield. If you follow all the rules of agricultural technology, you can harvest up to 10-11 kg of tomatoes from 1 m². The yield per bush is 3-3.5 kg.
At first glance, the yield indicators are not so great. But this disadvantage is more than compensated by the excellent taste of the fruit. It is for this reason that it has long enjoyed deserved popularity among many gardeners.
The tomato bears fruit well when grown under a film cover. Along with polyethylene, lutrasil or other non-woven materials can be used as a covering material.
A decrease in ambient temperature does not in any way affect the yield of tomatoes, which makes it especially valuable when grown in regions with a harsh climate.
But elevated temperatures can cause a decrease in the quality and quantity of the crop. Judging by the numerous reviews of summer residents who have already planted “Heavyweight of Siberia” tomatoes and were able to evaluate its taste, in cool weather the fruit set and ripening is higher than in the hot summer. This feature fully corresponds to the characteristics and description of the variety.
The taste and quality of tomatoes is influenced by the correct location for planting the “Heavyweight”. The soil should be neutral, fertile and loose, and the area should be sunny and well lit. When there is insufficient lighting, the taste of tomatoes becomes sour.
When growing low-growing tomatoes, the recommended planting scheme involves planting 6-10 plants per 1 m², but not “Heavyweight”. When growing this variety of tomatoes, you must strictly adhere to the following recommendation - no more than 4-5 bushes per 1 m². As a rule, dense plantings cause a decrease in yield.
Sowing seeds for seedlings
It is necessary to prepare the soil for seedlings 5-7 days before planting the seeds. For “Heavyweight” tomatoes, soil mixtures for growing tomato and pepper seedlings or garden soil with the addition of humus in a 2:1 ratio are suitable.
Tomato seeds “Heavyweight of Siberia” purchased in a store do not require pre-treatment. They can only be soaked for a day in warm, settled water with the addition of any stimulant for the formation and growth of roots.
Seed material prepared independently must be kept for 2-3 hours in a pink solution of potassium permanganate for disinfection. Subsequently, the seeds can be soaked in water or a growth stimulant.
Sowing of “Heavyweight” tomato seeds is carried out at least 60-65 days before the intended transplant into the ground. In the Urals and Siberia, seeds should be planted in late February - early March.
A 2-centimeter layer of drainage (small pebbles, expanded clay) is placed in containers or boxes, and then soil prepared and warmed to room temperature is poured. You should not bury tomato seeds more than 1.5-2 cm, otherwise it will be difficult for fragile sprouts to break through the thick layer of soil.
During the growth process, tomatoes need to be provided with an optimal microclimate: air temperature +23˚С +25˚С, humidity no more than 40-50%. Picking is carried out, as usual, at the stage of 2-3 well-developed leaves. Regular watering and loosening are required.
Tomatoes can be planted in heated greenhouses in mid-late April, in greenhouses and unheated greenhouses - in mid-late May, but in open ground only in early-mid June. No more than 4-5 plants can be planted per 1 m².
Further care of the plantings involves performing the following work:
- regular watering;
- timely feeding;
- weeding and removal weed from a greenhouse;
- if necessary, planting tomatoes and forming a bush;
- optionally, cupping the ovaries to increase the weight of the fruit;
- prevention against pests and diseases.
Diseases and pests
Since the “Heavyweight of Siberia” tomato was bred by Siberian breeders for cultivation in open ground in difficult climatic conditions, its main advantage is early ripening.
Due to early ripening, the fruits are not affected by fungal diseases such as late blight. This is a big advantage of this variety, because this advantage allows gardeners to save precious time during the harvest period and avoid additional hassle.
Root rot often affects low-growing tomato varieties. To avoid hassle with this disease, you just need to follow the recommendations regarding the tomato planting scheme, remove the bottom 2-3 leaves in a timely manner and remove the weeds from the site or from the greenhouse in a timely manner.
Tomatoes “Heavyweight of Siberia” have good resistance to many diseases and pests, to which plants of the nightshade family are often susceptible. But for the purposes of prevention, you should not forget about timely processing.
Advantages and disadvantages
Comparing the pros and cons of any variety, summer residents immediately conclude whether these tomatoes are worth growing on their plot. The “Heavyweight of Siberia” really has many advantages:
- high resistance to low temperatures;
- large and tasty fruits;
- tomatoes can be grown both in open ground and in protected ground;
- simple rules for planting and care;
- the fruits retain their presentation for a long time;
- transportable;
- is resistant to many diseases.
Unfortunately, there were some drawbacks:
- relatively low yield;
- a sharp decrease in yield at high (+30˚С +35˚С and more) temperatures.
But for residents of regions with harsh climates, the latter disadvantage can be regarded rather as an advantage.
Those gardeners who planted the “Heavyweight of Siberia” tomato variety note that the fruits are distinguished by their meatiness and excellent, rich taste.
The author of the video shares the secrets of growing tomatoes in open ground in the Siberian region
Conclusion
Tomato “Heavyweight of Siberia”, description and characteristics of the variety and fruits, photos, as well as numerous reviews from those who planted them, speak only of one thing - in order to judge the taste of the fruits, they need to be grown. Perhaps, by planting this “hero”, you will add another favorite tomato variety to your piggy bank.
