Determinate plants are increasingly attracting gardeners. The Ballad tomato pleases with its combination of high taste qualities, a large number of fruits and the compactness of the bush.
What it is?
The authors created the berry for open ground. If necessary, you can plant in unheated plastic, film greenhouses. Description of the plant:
- average ripening period (from germination to first harvest 120 days);
- berry color is dark red;
- the fruit is round, slightly flattened;
- tomato grows up to 180 g.
In the southern regions, it has time to ripen before the onset of sustained cooling. In the central zone, tomatoes require planting in closed ground or under temporary shelters.
Distinctive features of the variety are excellent transportability and sufficient shelf life of ripe fruits.
What attracts gardeners
Low-growing tomatoes traditionally produce less than tall tomatoes. This scares away gardeners. But Ballad is a different matter. The bush takes up little space. There are a lot of large tomatoes on it.
In the description, the authors note:
- absence of a green spot in the area of the stalk;
- rough skin;
- juicy pulp;
- bright aroma;
- sweet and sour taste;
- height < 60 cm;
- high productivity of the variety (total yield 9 kg/m²).
The first tassel is tied over the 6th leaf. Has about 5 fruits. The plant is weakly overgrown with leaves. Does not require shaping or garter.
When growing Ballad tomato in open ground, you should mulch the soil with rotted sawdust, mown and dried grass. The berries will remain clean and will not rot.
In the greenhouse, the tomatoes are stretched. The stems fall to the ground. When planting tomatoes, it is recommended to cover the bed with dark non-woven material (spunbond).
How to care
Determinate varieties require the usual care:
- sowing for seedlings from March 15 to 20;
- germination in warmth (without access to light);
- after germination, place on a cool windowsill (temperature 18 ⁰C);
- additional illumination with an agricultural lamp;
- picking in the phase of 2 true sheets;
- regular feeding with mineral complexes for seedlings;
- planting in a permanent place in May (after the last frost);
- placement pattern: 40 cm x 50 cm (9 bushes/m²);
- watering in the morning 3-5 l/plant;
- spraying with ovary formation stimulants;
- adding nitrogen before flowering;
- fertilizing with mineral complexes until tomatoes are milky ripe;
- stop adding additives a month before harvest;
- regular weeding, loosening tomatoes.
The leaf blades of low-growing tomatoes are located close to the ground. When watering, drops of water wet them. There is a risk of fungal diseases. Drip irrigation will help preserve the harvest. Moisture is supplied strictly to the root of each plant in the required quantity.
The creators of the variety took care of resistance to the main types of diseases: TMV, blossom end rot. Friendly yield of fruits with proper agricultural technology allows you to avoid the attack of late blight. Berries with a rich tomato taste are good fresh. Not rough skin, juicy pulp allow you to make delicious canned food: salads, ketchups, pastes.
Tomato has high consumer characteristics. Transportability and keeping quality allow fruits to be delivered to the place of sale. The harvest is quickly sold out on the market. Ballad is recommended for growing in summer cottages and farms.
