Description and characteristics of the Striped Chocolate tomato variety, their yield

The Striped Chocolate tomato was first bred by American breeders. Russian gardeners love tomatoes for their unusual appearance, large mass of fruits, good yield and excellent taste.

general characteristics

The variety belongs to the category of determinant. Its height reaches 1.5 meters. In greenhouse conditions, tomatoes grow up to 2 meters or more. The stem is powerful, persistent, the volume of foliage is moderate. The leaf blade is medium in size with pronounced wrinkles. The root system is powerful and branched. Plants are grown in 1-2 stems.

Considering the description of the variety, it is classified as mid-season. Technical maturity of the fruit occurs 95-105 days after the appearance of the first shoots. Productivity is good and friendly. Fruiting lasts until September.

The fruits belong to the maxi category. The diameter of tomatoes reaches 15 centimeters, and the weight of individual fruits is more than 1 kilogram. On average, the weight of tomatoes is in the range of 500-600 grams. The shape of the fruit is round, flattened. The peculiarity of the variety is chocolate stripes. At technical maturity, the color of tomatoes is burgundy or chocolate.

The color of stripes can vary from green to bright red. The skin is dense and shiny. Tomatoes have incredible taste and aroma.

The main use of the variety is fresh consumption. It is also suitable for preparing salads, canning, and growing for sale.

Advantages and disadvantages

Growing striped chocolate tomatoes is easy. This feature is due to the unpretentiousness of the species.

The advantages of the variety include:

• high productivity;
• the ability to collect fruits throughout the season;
• resistance to diseases and pests;
• large fruit sizes;
• original taste and aroma of tomatoes;
• extraordinary color.

Of the shortcomings, gardeners note only one serious one. During periods of extreme heat or at elevated temperatures in the greenhouse, cracks form on the surface of the tomatoes.

Features of agricultural technology

Like most nightshade crops, the Chocolate stripes variety is propagated using the seedling method. Sowing material is prepared by the last ten days of February - early March.

1. Seeds are checked for germination. To do this, they are soaked in warm water for 10-15 minutes.Those seeds that float to the surface cannot be replanted.
2. Special soil is prepared for seedlings. It consists of garden soil, sand and peat, taken in equal parts.
3. The seeds are distributed into seedling containers with a density of 2-3 seeds per 1 centimeter. Sprinkle wet peat on top. The containers are covered with film or glass. Greenhouses are placed in a warm place until the first shoots appear.
4. After the sprouts appear, the film is removed and the container is placed in a lighted place.
5. Fertilizing is carried out on the 15th day after emergence of seedlings with nitrogenous fertilizers. They promote the growth of green mass.
6. Seedlings are sensitive to excessive watering. It is produced as needed.
7. Given the characteristics of the variety, tomatoes require picking. It is produced at the stage of 2-3 true leaves.

Striped chocolate tomato seedlings are transferred to a permanent place at the age of at least 55-60 days from the moment the first shoots appear. To obtain a high yield, a number of rules are followed.

1. Hardening. A week before planting in the ground, the seedlings are hardened off with a decrease in day and night temperatures.
2. Landing in the ground. The transfer of seedlings is carried out when the soil has warmed up to 15-16 degrees and night frosts have passed.
3. Film protection. When transferred to open beds in the first days, the seedlings are covered with film.
4. Choosing a location. Choose a place that is well lit, but without direct sunlight.
5. Watering. Watering is carried out as needed in the evening. The next day after watering, loosen the soil.
6. Mulching. The ground under the plants is sprinkled with mulch. It serves as a barrier for pests to penetrate seedlings.
7. Stepsonning. Striped chocolate tomatoes belong to the tall category. They require stepsoning.The first removal of shoots is carried out 2 weeks after planting in the ground.
8. Garter. Plants are tall. Therefore, they need a garter. It is also possible to install trellises.
9. Feeding. Fertilization is carried out several times per season. Use complex or nitrogenous fertilizers.

Given the characteristics of tomatoes, in open ground conditions the crop begins to ripen in mid-July. In closed greenhouses, fruiting occurs earlier. It continues until the first days of September.

Variety resistance to diseases and pests

Characteristics of the Striped Chocolate tomato speak of it as a hybrid that is resistant to pests and the most common diseases.

According to reviews from gardeners, tomatoes are not susceptible to:

• powdery mildew;
• rot;
• late blight;
• mosaic.

Despite the high resistance to diseases, experts recommend preventive treatment of plants with complex antiparasitic drugs 1-2 times per season.

Compliance with the rules of agricultural technology allows you to achieve a high yield from the Striped Chocolate tomato variety.