Rapunzel is a young tomato variety that is actively winning the hearts of gardeners. It gained its popularity for the possibility of breeding on balconies and loggias. Tomatoes resist fungal diseases well and are characterized by high yields.
Characteristics of the variety
The Rapunzel tomato is an indeterminate type of tomato. The first description of the variety appeared in 2014. Plant bushes differ in height, reaching 240 centimeters. Tomatoes belong to a hybrid variety.
Rapunzel is an early ripening species. The ripening period of the crop is about 80 days. Plants are suitable for planting in greenhouses, greenhouses, open ground, and on the balcony.Plants prefer well-lit areas with acidic or slightly acidic soil. High air humidity and low temperatures can lead to a lack of harvest.
The Rapunzel tomato is characterized by small, round-shaped fruits. Reminds me of cherry tomatoes. The skin is shiny, bright red. The pulp is juicy and has a sweet taste. From 20 to 40 tomatoes ripen on one bunch. The arrangement of tomatoes is compact.
The characteristics of the variety indicate its table purpose. The fruits are intended for fresh consumption. Great for salads. They have poor keeping quality.
Features of cultivation
Considering the description, Rapunzel tomatoes are light-loving. Plants prefer sunny areas with acidic or slightly acidic soil.
Tomatoes are planted as seedlings in the spring, when the threat of frost has completely passed. Plants are placed in a hole more than 10 centimeters deep. Deep planting gives Rapunzel tomato bushes greater stability. The distance between seedlings is at least 40 centimeters. As they grow, the bushes are tied up. To increase productivity, plants are pruned. 1 – 2 stems are formed on each.
Tomatoes need regular watering, which is done every 2 to 3 days as the top layer of soil dries out. In addition to regular watering, tomatoes require feeding. During the period of fruit ripening, it is produced every 2 weeks. Complex compounds and slurry are used as fertilizers.
Rapunzel tomatoes coexist well with crops such as carrots, lemon balm, thyme, and asparagus. The presence of marigolds and nasturtiums in the garden bed or greenhouse allows you to avoid infecting plants with diseases.
Preparing seedlings
Seeds are used to breed the variety.To obtain high-quality seedlings, they are sown in early March. Seeds require early sowing when planting plants in greenhouses and greenhouses. With prolonged frosts and a temperate climate in the region, seed germination can be postponed until early April.
Before sowing, seeds are prepared:
- The seeds are sorted by immersion in a saline solution. All floating units are rejected.
- The seed is etched with a solution of potassium permanganate, boric acid or chemicals.
- To obtain better germination, the seeds are hardened. To do this, they are placed in water that covers the grains halfway. After this, for 1 - 2 weeks the temperature regime alternates between day and night in the range of 16 - 20 and 0 - 2 degrees.
Seedlings are grown in special containers that are filled with nutrient soil. The soil must be well moistened. If soil from a garden plot is used, it is recommended to calcinate it or treat it with disinfecting compounds. Seeds are sown on the surface of the soil and sprinkled with a layer of 3 - 4 millimeters.
For successful germination indoors, temperature and light conditions are observed. The backlight lasts for 12 hours. The air temperature should be from 20 to 25 degrees Celsius.
The seedlings are planted when 3 leaves appear. As the plant grows, seedlings can be hardened, which involves gradually lowering the air temperature at night.
Breeding at home
The lack of a garden plot and a closed greenhouse is not a reason to refuse to grow Rapunzel tomatoes. This variety is great for growing on the balcony.The main task is to create suitable conditions for the formation and ripening of a bountiful harvest.
Before growing tomatoes on the balcony, it is necessary to evaluate the temperature and light conditions. If there is insufficient light, additional lighting with lamps will be required. To obtain a harvest in winter, additional heating of the room may be necessary.
When growing tomatoes on the balcony, a number of nuances are taken into account.
- Large containers are used for plants, which allow them to develop a powerful root system.
- Containers with grown plants are regularly rotated. This allows you to improve the illumination of the clusters with fruits and reduce the damage to the plant by fungal diseases.
- To ensure maximum ovary, lightly shake the flower brushes on the plant.
- Plants are watered more often. This is due to drier air on the balcony.
- The limited volume of soil requires frequent fertilizing, which is done once a week from the moment the plants are planted. Complex formulations are used for feeding. It is important to follow the feeding schedule during the period of fruit set and ripening.
In general, the rules for growing tomatoes on a loggia are no different from caring for plants in a greenhouse or open ground. A detailed description of the variety allows you to calculate the timely sowing of seedlings to obtain a harvest throughout the year.
Advantages and disadvantages of the variety
Rapunzel tomatoes have many advantages over other varieties:
- Resistance to various types of diseases. Fruits and green plants resist the effects of various types of pests well.
- High yield. This parameter is due to the abundant ovary and high degree of fruit ripening.About 20 small fruits are formed on one brush.
- Good taste characteristics. The fruits resemble cherry tomatoes. They have a delicate sweetish taste.
The variety has no obvious disadvantages. Reviews from experts note the short shelf life of tomatoes. They are not easy to keep. For most gardeners, these are the characteristics of the variety. Numerous reviews from gardeners indicate a number of difficulties in purchasing seeds. Despite the high taste and yield characteristics, tomato seeds are not always available for direct sale.
