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In the early 2000s, Australian and American amateur breeders began working on developing new varieties of tomatoes. The project was called Dwart, which means “Dwarf”. Over the course of a decade and a half, they were joined by amateurs from different countries. Russian breeders did not stand aside either.
When developing new varieties of tomatoes from the Gnome series, the following tasks were set:
- The ability to grow tomatoes in limited conditions, and specifically when there is not enough free space.
- High yield.
- Resistance to various diseases characteristic of the nightshade family.
All goals were achieved. Moreover, in the process of breeding work over a decade and a half, more than two dozen new varieties of tomatoes were created. The entire series received the unusual name “Gnome”. Work on developing new varieties does not stop at this time.
General characteristics of the series
Despite the intriguing name, the plants of the “Gnome” tomato series are not at all low-growing.The average height of representatives of various varieties varies from 45 cm to 130-140 cm, and the weight of the fruit is from 50 to 180 grams.
All varieties of tomatoes in the Dwart series have their own characteristics, but they are united by several characteristics, thanks to which they can be easily distinguished from other varietal plants:
- Tomatoes do not need pinching;
- The plants are compact and occupy a small area, which is a big plus for summer residents with small plots;
- Precocity. The fruits ripen already in mid-July;
- It has one, very rarely two, slightly branched trunks. Tomato bushes are predominantly standard;
- The foliage is wrinkled and emerald green;
- The stems are strong and thick;
- All varieties of “Gnomes” grow well even in dense plantings and give an excellent harvest;
- Any varieties can be grown in tubs, on a balcony or loggia;
- Tomatoes are distinguished by their high yield and stable immunity to almost all diseases;
- Almost all dwarf varieties belong to the large-fruited group.
Each subspecies differs not only in the mass of fruits, but also in shape, and, most importantly, color. The color range of tomatoes from the “Gnome” series is very diverse: from classic red and pink to unusual white, brown, green, and purple. There are also the usual shades of yellow and orange, but there are also such unique ones as the striped “Gnomes”.
The taste of the fruit deserves the highest praise. They have such a wide range of flavors - from sweet to spicy with a slight tangy aftertaste - that there is a desire to grow and appreciate each variety.
Classification of the dwarf series
The Dwart tomato series includes more than 20 different varieties, which are very difficult to figure out the first time. Therefore, there was a need to classify varieties. Each group included plants whose fruits differ in color:
- Aronia;
- Green-fruited;
- Pink-fruited;
- White-fruited;
- Yellow-fruited;
- Bicolors (that is, two-color);
- Orange-fruited.
The wide range of tomatoes from the Gnome series proves that nothing is impossible for true amateur breeders. The painstaking work to develop new varieties continues to this day, and in the coming years new representatives of the “Dwarf” project will appear on the market.
Brief characteristics of some varieties
The variety of Gnome tomatoes is simply amazing. In this series you can find large-fruited and small-fruited plants, with early and mid-early ripening, but they have one thing in common - ease of care. Tomatoes grow in small areas, and the planting scheme involves planting 6-7 plants per 1 m².
According to the description and characteristics, “Gnomes” do not require pinning or gartering. However, during fruiting it is still worth paying attention to the bushes and, if there is an abundance of fruit, it is advisable to tie them up. Plants often fall to one side under the weight of the fruit.
The taste characteristics of tomatoes are as varied as the range of dwarf varieties. Here are just some of the brightest and most popular varieties of the Dwarf tomato series.
Pink Passion
This high-yielding variety of tomatoes from the Gnome series is classified as determinant. In greenhouses and greenhouses, bushes grow up to 1 meter in height, and when grown in open space, up to 50-60 cm.The plants have a standard thick stem and do not need to be formed. The leaves are large, wrinkled, similar to potatoes.
They do not require pinching and are resistant to late blight and other nightshade diseases. The variety is mid-early, fruit ripening occurs 100 – 110 days after germination.
The fruits of the “Gnome Pink Passion” tomatoes are large, weighing up to 200-220 g. They form clusters on the bush, with 3 – 5 fruits on each. Tomatoes are round, heart-shaped and bright pink-red in color, reminiscent of strawberries. The pulp is juicy and fleshy, with a small number of seeds, has a rich sweet taste with slight sourness and a pleasant aroma. The fruits contain a large amount of vitamins and minerals, including iron.
These tomatoes are versatile in use. They can be eaten fresh, used for baking and preparing second courses, pickled and salted. The fruits tolerate storage and transportation well, maintaining their presentation and taste.
“Pink Passion” has all the advantages of the “Gnome” series tomatoes: compactness of the plant, high yield, excellent taste of the fruit and resistance to tomato diseases.
Like other high-yielding tomatoes, “Gnome Pink Passion” is demanding on soil fertility. With intensive fruiting, it needs regular watering. Reacts well to the application of mineral fertilizers. Good care and timely feeding ensure yields of up to 7-8 kg per 1 m².
Golden heart
The tomato variety “Gnome Golden Heart” can be described as dwarf - the plants reach only 50 - 80 cm in height.Determinant. Suitable for cultivation both in the ground and under film or in greenhouses.
The bushes are compact, few-branched, with medium-sized wrinkled leaves. They need formation only at the initial stage of growth. Due to their small size, they can be grown not only in beds and greenhouses, but even in flower pots. Tomatoes “Golden Heart” are distinguished by high yield and smooth ripening of fruits. The plants have a strong standard stem, but may need to be tied to a support if there is a large number of fruits.
This variety of tomatoes from the “Gnome” series is early ripening. The fruits are round-heart-shaped, weigh 100 - 180 g. They are tied on clusters of 3 - 6 pieces, ripen approximately 90 - 95 days after germination. Ripe fruits have a rich golden yellow color and thin glossy skin, juicy dense pulp and a small number of seeds. They are not prone to cracking and retain excellent presentation for a long time.
Tomatoes have a refreshing sweet and sour taste and delicate aroma. Perfectly suitable for fresh consumption, use in any field of cooking, as well as for freezing and canning. Contains a lot of vitamin C and beta-carotene. The fruits tolerate storage and transportation well. When picked green, they ripen well indoors.
The disadvantages of “Gnome Golden Heart” tomatoes include sensitivity to soil composition, a high need for regular watering and the application of mineral fertilizers.However, this is fully compensated by the abundant harvest: with proper care of plants, up to 6-7 kg of fruit can be harvested from 1 m².
Thong
This is a mid-season tomato in terms of vegetation, quite tall, despite the name “Gnome”. The height of the bush can reach 140 cm. It is recommended for growing in open ground.
It has wide leaves and round, slightly flattened fruits. It is interesting to watch the ripening of the “Thong” tomato fruits. At first, their color is dark olive with a purple tint, but as they ripen, the tomatoes acquire a pink-purple-olive color.
The average weight of tomatoes reaches 280-300 g. The tomato pulp is dark cherry color, sweet, juicy and fleshy.
The Gnome Thong tomato does not require pinching and is resistant to many diseases. Plants calmly tolerate minor decreases or increases in temperature, are not afraid of heat and drafts, and are distinguished by an abundant harvest. As for keeping quality and transportation, the quality of the tomato is excellent here too.
Tomatoes from the “Gnome” series can be used both fresh (salads, juices) and for canning.
Striped Anto
Tomato "Gnome Striped Anto" is a stocky bush with a height of 60 to 100 cm in height. Belongs to mid-early varieties, intended for cultivation in open ground.
As for the fruits, especially their color, there is plenty for the eye to roam. Incredibly beautiful fruits have a range of colors: yellow, purple, olive, pink. When fully ripe, the fruits become brick-red in color with black stripes. The shape of the tomato is round.
The weight of one tomato ranges from 70 to 150 grams. 5-7 fruits ripen on the cluster at the same time. The taste is excellent: juicy, meaty, sweet, with a rich tomato taste. The flesh is red when cut.
Tomato “Gnome Striped Anto” is the best among the entire series. It is not picky in care, is not susceptible to disease, adapts to any weather conditions, does not require pinching, and is characterized by high productivity. If you follow the rules of agricultural technology, you can harvest up to 3-5 kg of tomatoes from a bush.
Tomato can be stored for a long time without loss of taste and appearance. Withstands transportation with ease.
The scope of application is wide: it is good fresh, excellent for whole-fruit canning, and also as an ingredient for winter preparations. “Thong” tomatoes can be frozen and dried.
Purple Heart
The original name of this tomato variety is Dwarf Purple Heart. The plant is a mid-season, determinate plant. Designed for growing in the ground or under film covers.
The standard bush grows up to 0.5-0.8 meters in height and does not require regular pinching.
The fruits of the “Gnome Purple Heart” tomato are heart-shaped, at the stage of full ripening they have a purple-chocolate color, an average weight of 100-200 g, are fleshy and contain few seeds.
Tomato yield reaches 2-3 kg per bush, subject to the rules of agricultural technology.
Among the advantages, I would like to note that despite its rather low growth, it produces fairly large fruits.
Seeds are sown for seedlings 2 months before the intended planting in the ground. When transplanted to a permanent place, up to 6 plants can be placed per 1 m².
The fruits have a rich, tomato-like taste and the flesh is dense. Good for fresh consumption and for making juices, purees, pastes, and ketchups.
A fight with a shadow
Tomato “Gnome Shadowboxing” is mid-season, semi-determinate. It is recommended to grow plants of this variety in open ground or under film. It is resistant to major tomato diseases. Fruit ripening begins 110-120 days after emergence.
The height of the bush is 0.8-1 m. The tomato requires garter, especially during the fruiting period. Step-sonning only as needed. You need to form a bush with 2-3 stems.
Carpal fruiting. In one cluster, up to 4-6 fruits of golden-orange color with bright crimson flashes ripen at the same time. There is a small blue or purple spot near the stalk. Cream has an elongated shape. Melon pulp.
Seeds are sown 2 months before planting in the ground. When transplanting, you can place up to 5-6 plants per 1 m². If you follow the rules of agricultural technology, tomatoes from 1 m² can produce a yield of up to 15-18 kg.
I would like to add that the exotic tomatoes of the “Gnome Shadow Fight” variety look very unusual during the ripening period. The bushes look like a bright New Year tree, hung with colorful toys.
According to reviews from summer residents, the “Gnome Shadow Fight” tomatoes are very tasty and sweet, with a barely noticeable sourness. The fruits can be consumed fresh, as well as for canning.
A brief description of the variety and a description of the fruits of the “Shadow Boxing” tomatoes are presented in the video
Cheerful gnome
Tomatoes "Cheerful Gnome" are determinate, mid-early, high-yielding varieties. Designed for cultivation in open ground.The bushes are low, no more than 0.4-0.5 m in height, require tying to a support, and do not require pinching.
The fruits are elongated, with a “spout,” smooth and dense, the skin is thick, and have a rich, bright red color when fully ripe. The weight of the fruit is 70-90 grams, they do not crack during ripening. They have excellent taste and are perfect for:
- conservation;
- fresh consumption;
- preparing all kinds of preparations as an ingredient.
Seeds for seedlings are sown 55-65 days before transplanting into open ground. The recommended planting scheme is 5-6 plants per 1 m².
Big gnome
“Big Dwarf” tomatoes are a new variety, bred by breeders quite recently. Therefore, there are few reviews about it. Characteristics of the variety and photos of tomatoes are presented only with a meager description.
“Big Dwarf” is a mid-early, semi-determinate, productive variety. Tomatoes can be grown in greenhouses, greenhouses and open ground. Like all representatives of the “Gnome” series of tomatoes, the plant is low, up to 1 m in height, and does not require special care or pinching. During the formation of ovaries, it is advisable to tie the bush to a support.
The variety is highly resistant to diseases typical of tomatoes. Due to its early ripening period, it is not susceptible to late blight.
The fruits are flat-round, the color of tomatoes in the full ripening phase is red-pink, weighing 250-300 g, the pulp is juicy, dense, fleshy. The seed content is small.
Areas of application for “Big Dwarf” tomatoes:
- fresh consumption
- canning
- freezing and drying.
It is recommended to plant seeds 55-60 days before planting in the ground, planting scheme - 4 tomatoes per 1 m².
Wild Fred
The tomato variety “Gnome Wild Fred” is a mid-season, productive, determinate crop. The bushes are low - up to 60 cm. The plant does not require special care and does not need pinching.
The fruits of “Wild Fred” are flat-round and brown in color with a purple tint. Weight of tomatoes 100-300 gr. The fruits are very aromatic and have a rich taste. Area of application: fresh, for preparing summer salads, juices, ketchups, sauces.
Seeds need to be planted 2 months before planting in the ground; the recommended planting scheme is 4-5 plants per 1 m².
Ferokovkai
The “Gnome Ferokovkai” tomato is a determinant and belongs to the mid-season, high-yielding varieties. When grown in greenhouse conditions, the height of the bushes reaches 1.2-1.4 m, in open ground - 0.6-0.8 m. Fruit formation is cluster. 3-6 fruits are formed in each hand.
Tomatoes have a flat-round shape. They belong to bicolors; in the full ripening phase they have a wide variety of colors: pink, yellow, orange, red. All shades are intertwined both outside and inside the fruit.
The average weight of tomatoes reaches 250-350 grams. Juicy, fleshy fruits do not crack when overripe. The taste of tomatoes is classic sweet and sour.
Dwarf
The “Gnome” tomato is an early-ripening (90-110 days from germination to the beginning of ripening), low-growing, low-maintenance crop, intended for cultivation in open ground, greenhouses and under film. You can grow tomatoes of this variety in pots (with a volume of at least 8-10 liters), tubs, and buckets.
The bushes are low - only 50-60 cm, medium-leafed, weakly branched, do not require pinching.
The fruits are round, at the ripe stage they have a bright red color, the average weight of the fruit is 35-60 grams, they do not crack when ripe, and have good keeping quality.
Gnome tomatoes are a universal crop, as the scope of application is quite wide. Eating fresh, canning, for preparing second courses and savory baked goods (as a component), for winter preparations, freezing, drying - these tomatoes can be used almost anywhere.
The yield of Gnome tomatoes can reach up to 5.5-7 kg per 1 m², subject to planting and care recommendations. It is recommended to sow seeds for seedlings 1.5-2 months before planting the plants in the ground. The optimal planting scheme is 5-6 plants per 1 m².
Rules for planting and growing dwarf series
The agricultural technology for growing the Gnome series tomato varieties is almost no different from growing ordinary tomatoes.
Tomatoes can be grown using the seedless method only in the southern regions. In regions with a harsher climate, it is recommended to grow tomatoes in greenhouses or greenhouses, otherwise the fruits will not have time to ripen. When planting, it is important to take into account the recommended planting scheme. Each variety has its own planting standards.
Seeds should be planted for seedlings 2-2.5 months before the plants are supposed to be transplanted into the ground. At the initial stage of growth, it is important to provide tomatoes with timely watering, good lighting and fertilizing with complex fertilizers. In the phase of well-formed 2-3 leaves, seedlings need to be pricked.
If you are going to grow Gnome tomatoes in pots, the containers need to be prepared in advance, 1.5-2 weeks before transplanting.A drainage layer of 1.5-2 cm is required. The soil must be fertile and loose - this is the main condition for obtaining a bountiful harvest.
Despite the fact that almost all tomatoes from the “Dwarf” series are cold-resistant, before taking containers with plants outside or before transplanting them into the ground, the tomatoes must be hardened off. For this, containers or boxes with seedlings are taken outside for an hour and a half. The “walk” time should be increased gradually. After 7-10 days, the tomatoes can be replanted.
Most dwarf tomatoes do not require staking, because they have fairly thick and strong stems. But some varieties are distinguished by high yield and fruit size. In this case, to help the plant during the fruiting period, it is worth tying them to a support.
All varieties included in the “Gnome” series are distinguished by the absence of the formation of a large number of stepsons. Therefore, tomatoes do not need pinching. The exception is those plants whose bushes need to be formed into 2-3 stems during the period of active growth.
All tomatoes from the “Gnome” series are moisture-loving. But we should not forget that excess moisture can cause diseases. To prevent this from happening, the lower leaves of low-growing bushes must be removed.
After transplantation, provide the “Gnomes” with the simplest conditions: watering, weeding, loosening and fertilizing. Compliance with these simple rules is the key to a future bountiful harvest.
Conclusion
The Dwarf Tomato project is not many years old.And during this period, more than twenty new varieties of tomatoes were bred and registered, which delight avid gardeners not only with the rich color range of fruits, but also with high yields and excellent rich taste. For any summer resident, the “Gnome” tomato series is an endless opportunity for constant experimentation.
