In 2003, the Dutch company ENZA ZADEN introduced the Belle f1 tomato. The hybrid immediately attracted the attention of vegetable growers due to its high yield and marketability of products.
The manufacturer presented the following characteristics of the variety:
- mid-season (107-115 days);
- interdeterminant;
- high-yielding (27.4-31.1 kg/m2);
- resistant to low light levels;
- universal (open and protected ground);
- suitable for low-volume growing technologies;
- resistant to diseases (verticillium, fusarium, tobacco mosaic virus);
- medium-sized fruit (121-145 g), slightly ribbed, flat-round, bright red;
- the tomatoes are tasty and juicy;
- high transportability and marketability.
The seed producer, giving a description of the Belle f1 tomato, notes that the hybrid was bred by breeders for growing tomatoes in greenhouse conditions using low-volume technologies.
Interesting
With low-volume technology for growing vegetables, the soil is replaced with mineral wool and peat, and food and water are supplied to the plants using drip irrigation. On an industrial scale, this method is increasingly replacing traditional vegetable growing.
The tomato variety Belle f1 was tested by our vegetable growers in ordinary garden soil and received excellent reviews.
Reviews
“I started growing this tomato hybrid in 2006. In the first year I received an excellent harvest. I was surprised that the bushes grew very tall, I had to add height to the supports, but it was worth it. Every three or four leaves hung a powerful bunch of tomatoes. I didn’t skimp on mineral fertilizers; all the “Dutch” people love fertilizing.”
Leonid.
“I read about the Belle variety in a magazine four years ago. I immediately took note and tried it next season. The tomato did not disappoint, it grew 2 meters high and was “covered” with tomatoes to the eyeballs. I didn't notice any particular difficulties. I grow vegetables in a greenhouse and fertilize the garden soil with peat and compost. Bella liked this soil and there were no illnesses. I liked the taste of the tomatoes, moderately sour and sweet. I’ve been growing Bella for the third season for myself and for sale.”
Oleg.
Growing
The hybrid is suitable for year-round cultivation in greenhouses with extended rotation. In open ground, the tomato variety Belle f1, according to reviews from vegetable growers, also feels great.The main thing is to provide the bushes with reliable support and take good care of them.
The Belle f1 tomato variety is quite unpretentious. Breeders included resistance to diseases and lack of light in the hybrid.
Seedling
Seedlings are sown 60-65 days before the planned planting in a permanent place. Belle f1 tomato seeds are of excellent quality, have increased germination and do not require pre-sowing preparation or soaking.
Important!
The “f1” marking indicates that the variety is a hybrid and is not suitable for self-harvesting seeds, since they do not retain varietal qualities.
In the phase of 1-2 true leaves, the seedlings dive into separate pots with a volume of at least 2 liters. The Belle variety is interdeterminate; in 2 months the bushes will grow quite large. It is important to provide plants with a normal volume of soil to form a complete root system. Feed the seedlings 2-3 times with complex mineral fertilizers.
If you plan to grow tomatoes in open ground, then at the age of 5 weeks they begin to harden the seedlings.
Soil and watering
Dutch tomato hybrids love light, loose soil with a large proportion of organic components. Garden soil is supplemented with compost, humus, sawdust and peat. Before planting seedlings, water the soil generously with boiling water.
The bush is buried a little so that the plant produces additional lateral roots. Water Belle f1 tomatoes moderately, allowing the soil to dry out a little, but not allowing the green mass to wilt. To save yourself from the need for frequent loosening, the soil is mulched with a thick layer of sawdust or peat. Every 2-3 weeks, tomatoes are fed with complex mineral fertilizers.
Bush formation
One of the main points of caring for the Belle f1 tomato is the proper formation of the bush. The hybrid is grown in one stem, being sure to remove all excess shoots every 8-12 days. The first inflorescence is usually formed above the 9-11th leaf. Then the tomato blooms every 3-4 leaves.
Advice
In open ground, it makes no sense to let tomatoes form more than 4-5 clusters; the rest usually do not have time to ripen before the onset of cold weather and only interfere with the ripening of the crop.
Therefore, at the end of July, the upper part of the bush is cut off, leaving a few leaves above the last inflorescence. The leaves under the ovary are thinned out, yellowed and dry ones are regularly removed, preventing the planting from becoming dense.
The bushes provide strong support by starting the first garter immediately after the first flowers appear.
Harvest
On days 107-115 after germination, the first Belle f1 tomatoes begin to ripen. The fruits are quite large, about 150 g, slightly ribbed, flat-round in shape, rich red in color. The pulp is sweet and sour, juicy and tasty. The skin is glossy and quite elastic. Tomatoes store well and retain their presentation for a long time.
