The very early Melody tomato, which belongs to Dutch selection, has won the recognition of vegetable growers due to its excellent fruit quality, early ripening and high yield. Varieties such as Melodiya are in high demand in the early produce market.
Varietal specification
Melody belongs to the hybrid forms of F of the first generation, which clearly exhibit heterotic characteristics - strong growth and abundant fruiting. Can be grown both in greenhouses and in open ground beds, suitable for temporary film greenhouses.
Bush type - indeterminate compact with shortened internodes.In greenhouse conditions, plant height does not exceed 1.8 - 2.0 m, in open ground - 1.5 m. Ripening period - super early, from seed germination to the first mature fruit in less than 90 days, from planting seedlings to the garden bed - about 35 - 40 days. These features form the unique qualities of this variety.
Ripe fruits are deep red, round, slightly flattened, the largest ones have ribs. In general, each tomato is very even, one to one. The description given to this hybrid Melody F1 by professional vegetable growers indicates that the weight of the fruit does not fall below 250 g and averages from 260 to 280 g. The average yield per 1 m2 is 8 kg. The tomato is of excellent quality, dense, and has a delicious taste.
Its purpose is universal: fresh consumption, in salads, preparation of juices, tomato paste, whole-fruit canning, transportation to remote regions.
How to grow Melody in a greenhouse
The best results of the variety in terms of yield and quality of fruits are obtained in winter-spring and summer-autumn rotations; the plants do not need to be illuminated. This growing technology is very economical. In greenhouses, tomatoes are placed in rows every 1 m, in each row there are two rows at a distance of 60 cm from each other, in a row the plants are planted every 50 cm so that the bushes are in a checkerboard pattern. The lower leaves are gradually broken off, the stepsons are removed when they do not exceed 2 - 2.5 cm in length, using a treated tool.
In order for the fruits to be of good quality, their quantity must be rationed. Leave 6 or 7 of the strongest brushes on the bush. In the first clusters there are no more than 4 fruits, and in the upper ones - no more than 5.The originator of the variety recommends that the first two fertilizing be carried out with a high content of the element phosphorus - its content should be approximately 5 times higher than nitrogen and potassium.
Feeding scheme:
- 1st - 10 days after planting: urea + double superphosphate + potassium chloride;
- 2nd - after 10 days;
- 3rd - after 10 days (the ratio of the elements nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium is approximately the same);
- 4th and 5th - during the flowering period 5 - 6 clusters (phosphorus 5 times more);
- 6th - at the moment of active ripening) phosphorus is reduced by half, potassium increases by 1.5 - 2 times);
- 7th - after 10 days (potassium increases 2.5 - 2.7 times).
When blossom end rot appears on ripening fruits, calcium nitrate is added to the sixth and seventh feedings.
Reviews of tomato Melody
During the period of its presence on the Russian market, this variety has only positive reviews:
- very dense fruits that are used for salads, added fresh to hamburgers and sandwiches, and canned;
- the first among other varieties to produce a harvest in a greenhouse;
- does not suffer from fusarium, tobacco mosaic virus, verticillium, or nematodes;
- sets fruit well.
In terms of its characteristics, according to reviews, the Melody F1 tomato variety is superior to many other tomatoes.
