Every year, breeders from different countries create more and more varieties of tomatoes. Tomatoes can differ in the shape and weight of the fruit, the shade of the skin and many other characteristics. Choosing a specific variety can sometimes be quite difficult, especially for a beginner.
Description of the Labrador variety
It is important to study the description of the variety before purchasing planting material or finished seedlings. Particular attention should be paid to the characteristics of the fruit and the growing conditions of the plant.
Labrador tomatoes are not included in the State Register of Agricultural Crops, so there is no officially confirmed data about this tomato. It is known that the tomato variety was bred by an amateur breeder from Smolensk Oleg Funtikov.
The plant is a determinate plant, characterized by limited growth of the main stem. The height does not exceed 50 - 70 cm. No pinching is required. The Labrador tomato is not a standard variety. The bushes themselves are medium-leaved, medium-sized leaves, dark green in color.
A variety with early fruit ripening. From the moment of sowing the seeds to the first red fruits, no more than 95-105 days pass. Mass ripening of the crop begins on the 115th day.
Tomatoes are suitable for growing in open ground, greenhouses and film shelters. In northern latitudes, it is better to give preference to closed ground.
The Labrador variety does not have F1 hybrids of the same name. It has good resistance to major diseases that are most often found among nightshade crops.
Characteristics of the fruits of the Labrador variety
The main characteristic is a simple inflorescence. Up to 15 fruits can form on one brush.
Tomatoes are apple-shaped, small, fruit weight can reach from 80 to 150 grams. Unripe vegetables are light green in color. Ripe tomatoes have red flesh and skin. The pulp is juicy, sweet with slight sourness, with a pronounced tomato aroma. The skin is dense, not ribbed, and does not crack.
Inside a tomato there are a small number of chambers and seeds. The dry matter content is average. The yield is good; more than 4 kg of tomatoes can be harvested from one bush over the entire season.
The Labrador tomato variety is not intended for long-term storage; the fruits must be processed immediately after harvesting. Universal use in cooking. You can eat it fresh, cook tomato juices, pastes, lecho and ketchups. Ideal for whole canning.
Advantages and disadvantages
The variety is very popular among gardeners. There is practically no negative review about the Labrador tomato. Those gardeners who planted it on their site were satisfied with the results.
Description of advantages:
- Abundant harvest throughout the entire fruiting period;
- Good taste of ripe vegetables;
- Universal use in cooking;
- Immunity to most diseases of nightshade crops;
- The bushes are low growing and do not require staking to a support.
The only drawback that many farmers note is that tomatoes are not suitable for long-term storage.
Features of growing seedlings
When growing seedlings at home, it is necessary to take into account the peculiarities of planting seeds. Planting material should be sown 55–65 days before planting the seedlings in a permanent place.
If the packaging does not indicate that the seeds have been treated by the manufacturer, then you need to do this yourself. To disinfect planting material, you can use a weak solution of potassium permanganate, aloe juice or Fitosporin solution. After the seeds have been disinfected, they must be washed under running water and dried to a free-flowing state. In order to increase the percentage of seed germination, they can be treated with growth stimulants. For example, Epin, Novosil or honey solution.
At the end of May, seedlings can be planted in a permanent place. Before planting, it is important to make sure that the ground has warmed up to +17 degrees.When planting in a permanent place, the distance between the bushes should be at least 40 cm. Per 1 sq. m. no more than 6 seedlings can be planted. It is advisable to cover the bushes with a warm cloth at night.
How to care for tomatoes in open ground
To obtain a bountiful harvest throughout the summer, it is important to follow the peculiarities of caring for tomatoes in the open ground. A rich harvest can be obtained if you form bushes with only one shoot. No more than 5 brushes should be left on the plant.
To increase the ovaries, plants can be sprayed with a solution of boric acid (for 1 gram of acid you need to take 1 liter of water). Boric acid is first diluted in 50 ml of hot water, and then this solution is diluted in 1 liter of water. It is necessary to spray plants at the beginning of the flowering period.
When growing tomatoes on your plot, it is important to remember that you need to water the bushes no more than once a week. If the weather is hot and dry for a long time, then the number of waterings should be increased to three times a week.
It is also important to promptly remove weeds, loosen the soil, and apply mineral and organic fertilizers. Periodically, bushes need to be inspected for diseases and pests.
