The Minister tomato occupies a high place in the State Register of Varietal Crops. It is considered one of the best representatives for cultivation in open ground and under film covers in Russia.
Characteristic
These tomatoes look attractive. The fruits are the same size, round in shape and slightly ribbed. The vines on the bushes are approximately 60 cm long. This is a determinate variety.
The foliage color is dark green. As a rule, the formation of the first ovary occurs above the 7–8 leaves, and the next ones are located every 2 leaves. Although this tomato has few side shoots, they have to be pruned periodically.
The beginning of ripening of tomatoes planted in open beds occurs on days 112–115, and in greenhouse conditions this time is reduced by several days. Each brush forms up to 5–6 tomatoes. Their average weight is up to 200 g. Maturation begins 60–65 days after planting in the ground.
When ripe, tomatoes acquire a red-orange color. The thick peel makes them easy to transport. The shelf life of fresh tomatoes is 2 weeks. They have juicy pulp, good taste and aroma. From 1 m2 manages to collect approximately 9 kg of tomatoes Minister. The positive side of the variety is resistance to disease.
The Minister variety tomato is intended for fresh use, and can also be used for preparing canned food, sauces and pastes.
This description will not be complete without indicating the peculiarity of the Minister variety, which is that increasing the taste of tomatoes can be achieved by fermentation during their storage at room temperature without access to light. To do this, they are placed in small boxes and left for 7–10 days.
Advantages and disadvantages
Many gardeners constantly plant Minister tomatoes on their plots. Advantages of the variety:
- good yield;
- excellent presentation of the fruit;
- ability to resist diseases;
- universal use of fruits;
- unpretentiousness to growing conditions;
- the possibility of obtaining a harvest both in greenhouse conditions and in open beds.
Although the reviews about these tomatoes are mostly positive, they also have a drawback - in areas with a cold climate in the northern regions, growing them in open ground is impractical.
The highest yields of these tomatoes are obtained by gardeners in the North Caucasus, southern Ukraine and the Krasnodar Territory.
Growing rules
These tomatoes belong to the mid-early variety. Planting into beds is carried out with seedlings aged 45–55 days. The plant should have 7–8 true leaves. It is preferable to use light soils with sufficient nutrients. Humus, wood ash and river sand are added to heavy soil.
The planted seedlings should be strong, without an overly elongated stem. To prevent the plant from stretching, additional illumination is carried out with lamps. Daylight hours should be 10–12 hours a day. For maximum yield, leave 1–2 stems on an adult plant. Stepchildren must be cut off in a timely manner.
Feeding is carried out several times per season. Watering is carried out at the root, and after the top layer of soil dries, it must be loosened.
To prevent diseases and fungal infections, the soil around the bushes is mulched. For the same purpose, before the formation of ovaries, plants are sprayed with chemicals. Folk remedies you can use are copper sulfate, wood ash or soap solution.
To protect tomato bushes from late blight, the greenhouse must be ventilated, and the plants are planted at such a distance that the bushes have free access to air and light.
Reviews
Victor, 44 years old, Bratsk: “Having planted the Minister tomato in my greenhouse, I was pleased with this variety. Fruiting began early, after 2 months, and continued until autumn. Brown tomatoes were ripening on a shelf in the pantry. Next year I will also definitely plant tomatoes of this variety. I recommend everyone to grow this variety on their plots.”
