When choosing tomato seeds for planting on their plots, gardeners pay attention to varieties that can produce good yields in the difficult conditions of the middle zone and northern regions of the country. Farmers choose Sanka tomatoes.
According to experts, these tomatoes have many advantages over other varieties: they are not demanding in care and produce excellent yields. In addition to the Sanka tomato, there is another variety - the golden Sanka tomato.
Main characteristics of the variety
First of all, it should be noted that the Sanka varieties are low-growing.The maximum height of the stem of this “tomato prince” is only 60 centimeters.
Characteristics and description of the variety:
- This is an early ripening tomato, since you can get tasty and juicy fruits within three months after the seedlings appear.
- Tomatoes of this variety are round in shape and have dense, fleshy pulp and excellent taste.
- The weight of the fruit depends on the growing conditions. If it is open ground, then the tomatoes will be about 100 grams; in a greenhouse their size can increase to 150 grams.
- From each bush of the Sanka tomato variety you can get about four kilograms of delicious fruit.
- Very important: all tomatoes ripen almost simultaneously. The fruits can be used for preservation, but fresh they are no less tasty.
- Sanka tomatoes have excellent taste and some sourness, but what is most valuable is their high yield and rapid ripening. There will already be quality fruits on your table when other types of tomatoes are just beginning to bloom. In many ways, it is thanks to their early ripening that the fruits are not affected by late blight.
The popularity of growing Sanka tomatoes is growing from year to year. After all, this is one of the few varieties that is resistant to the most common diseases without special treatment. Most often, seeds for sale have a photo and description.
The main advantages of the variety
Gardeners love “Sanka”, as well as the tomato variety Sashenka, Alexander f1 and tomato Three sisters, for the ease of growing, pinching and undemanding care. Even an inexperienced farmer can grow them.
Due to the fact that the variety is low-growing, there is no need to tie it up. In addition, there are few stepsons on it, which eliminates the problem of removing excess shoots. The high yield of this crop allows you to get fruits all summer long. This variety can be grown both in greenhouses and in open ground. Seeds obtained from ripened fruits can be grown next year: they will not lose their quality.
Of course, it should be understood that this applies to the original varieties, because there are currently so many fakes.
Rules for growing seedlings
It is best to sow seeds in the first ten days of March, because before planting in open ground the plant must develop for at least 55 days.
Before the seeds are sown, they are usually soaked for half an hour in a weak solution of potassium permanganate. This allows you to get rid of pathogenic bacteria and prevent the risk of contracting many diseases. After soaking, rinse with clean water.
Shallow grooves are made in the prepared container with soil. In them you will need to sow slightly dried seeds after processing. They must be covered with earth on top. After this, the container is tightly covered with film and placed in a warm and dark place. The grown seedlings are transferred to a lighted place in containers.
Picking is carried out after the appearance of the second pair of true leaves. This will allow the plants to strengthen and form a strong root system. In most cases, seedlings are located on the window sills of houses and apartments of summer residents.
To get really high-quality tomatoes, it needs to be hardened. To do this, several weeks before planting, the containers are taken out into the open air. If frosts are expected at night, it is better to cover the plants with film using arcs, or simply bring them into the house.
You can plant tomatoes only after the threat of frost has passed.There should be no more than 3 plants per square meter. You should not thicken the plantings too much, otherwise the plants will not have enough light, moisture and nutrients.
Features of choosing ready-made seedlings
If you do not want to grow seedlings yourself, but prefer to buy and plant ready-made seedlings, then you need to know what criteria to use to choose plants in order to get a tomato harvest on your plot.
First of all, ask how old the seedlings are. The best option would be a period of one and a half months. The plant must have more than six leaves, and the height cannot be more than 30 centimeters.
When choosing tomatoes for seedlings, you should pay attention to the roots, which should be strong, healthy and without visible damage. Strong leaves should grow on a strong, juicy green stem.
In addition, you need to carefully examine the seedlings for possible infections with fungus and other pests. Purchased plants must be fresh and without signs of lethargy.
Growing conditions
Even the most unpretentious plant varieties require compliance with growing rules. If you want to get a really good harvest, you must follow these requirements.
Even though Sanka is undemanding in terms of care, there are some peculiarities in growing and caring for sown tomatoes.
For example:
- This tomato variety does not like weeds around it, so you will have to weed the area several times. In addition, if there is not enough moisture in the soil, the number of fruits may be significantly reduced. Excess water is not welcome.
- It is better to water the plants in the evening, when the heat subsides. The water should be warm, and pour it under the root. Immediately after this, the area should be loosened and weeded.
- Fertilizers must be applied gently to obtain an acceptable harvest. In addition, to protect the crop from various types of pests and diseases, it is necessary to treat the area with preventive agents. It is not necessary to use chemical compounds - effective folk remedies are sufficient.
- Immediately after planting in the ground, it is better to mulch the seedlings. Sawdust will provide free access to air and will not allow weeds to grow.
- A tomato bush is planted as follows: if there are too many stepsons on it, then it is best to remove them completely or partially. But, as a rule, there are very few of them.
- Infused chicken droppings are used as feeding. To store for long-term storage, it is better to pick the fruits with the stalk. If you picked the tomatoes at the stage of milky ripeness, they will ripen at home in just a week. In addition, this variety is distinguished by its good lightness, which is of great importance for some summer residents.
According to reviews of Sanka tomatoes, everyone who planted them received fruits in a greenhouse until October, which means that you will be able to enjoy fresh fruits almost until the new year. In addition, growing Sanka tomatoes is possible in various areas of our homeland.
Sow and grow for fun! The main thing is, do not forget to comply with the minimum number of conditions in order to get a wonderful harvest in a small summer cottage, and even better: pay attention to the video about Sanka tomatoes.