Every fan of growing tomatoes in their garden asks the question: which variety should they prefer? The Giant Raspberry tomato is the best choice because the variety has a number of distinctive features, the main one being the gigantic size of the fruit.
Getting a good harvest, not experiencing any special difficulties in the growing process, getting real pleasure from cultivating a particular crop - all this is possible if the Raspberry Giant grows in the garden.This variety of tomatoes has long gained popularity among experienced gardeners because it produces an excellent harvest without making serious demands on growing conditions and care.
It is necessary to grow this variety of tomato in a greenhouse, but residents of the southern regions of the country can afford to plant the Giant in open ground.
general information
Giant is the best representative of all salad varieties. In terms of ripening time, it is classified as mid-season, because from the moment the seeds are sowed for seedlings until the appearance of the first ripened fruits, about 105 - 110 days pass.
The plant is standard, determinate. Growth is limited: the tallest tomato bush will be about 1 m 80 cm. The average height of tomato bushes of this variety is from 130 to 150 centimeters. The smallest specimens can be about 1 meter in height. This is determined by the conditions of agricultural technology and the climatic situation.
From the name it is clear that this variety of tomatoes is famous for the large size of the fruits and the bush itself. To cultivate Giant, you need a lot of space.
The greenhouse should be spacious and comfortable. In adulthood, the plant is very tall, so when designing a greenhouse, do not forget about such a key parameter as height.
The ripening period for Giant Raspberry is average. It is customary to start sowing seeds approximately 90 days before it is time to transplant the seedlings into open ground - approximately in mid-March. From the moment the first shoots appear until the first fruits ripen, at least 105 days pass, but the exact dates are dictated by factors such as weather conditions, growing principles, plant condition and even the experience of the gardener.
The southern regions of the country, such as the Astrakhan, Voronezh, Belgorod regions, and Krasnodar Territory, can allow gardeners to grow Giant in open ground. A large number of daylight hours and warm summers are excellent conditions for growing a representative of this variety.
If cultivation is to be carried out in areas where cool weather prevails or sudden changes in day and night temperatures are likely, then it is better to transfer the growing process to a greenhouse.
Tomatoes of the Giant Raspberry variety are demanding on the composition of the soil, so you should not forget about feeding the plants. This must be done throughout the growing season. During the growth period, fulfilling this requirement is especially important, since the ovary is formed
. To maintain this process, Giant tomatoes need to be given phosphorus and potassium as part of mineral fertilizers.
The size of the Giant fruits is quite large. The former often have a mass of around 500 grams. Everyone who has planted this variety notes that the subsequent harvest becomes smaller, the weight of the fruit is 0.3 - 0.4 kg. When ripe, tomatoes have a bright crimson or pink color. Inside a round tomato there are five or six chambers, each containing a small number of seeds.
Description of fruits
The main characteristics of the fruits of the Giant crimson are as follows:
- Color - from bright pink to dark crimson.
- The shape of the fruit is round.
- Excellent taste: tomatoes are juicy, sweet and have a typical tomato note.
- The weight of fruits from the first harvest reaches 0.5 kg.
- The fruits have an average weight of 0.3 - 0.4 kg.
- A small number of seeds in the chambers.
- Dry matter content is around 5%.
- Long shelf life.
- The crop tolerates transportation well, even over long distances.
Thanks to the combination of all the characteristics described above, gardeners have an excellent opportunity to grow large volumes of these tomatoes due to their good keeping quality.
Peculiarities
The most striking feature of tomatoes of this variety is their outstanding taste characteristics. The fruits of the Giant are juicy, sweet, with a characteristic tomato taste. The pulp is very sugary and dense.
Storing this variety is not difficult. A garage, closet, or room are perfect for this purpose. Transportation over long distances is possible: the giant will not crack, will retain its presentation and excellent taste. Thanks to these parameters, it becomes possible to grow this tomato in large quantities.
In terms of use, tomatoes are universal. Due to their excellent taste, they can be planted for salads and fresh use. As part of winter salads and preparations, Ispolin will delight you with its juicy pulp and excellent tomato taste.
If this tomato becomes the basis for sauces, tomato paste or ketchup, then the product is guaranteed a beautiful and bright color, something in common with raspberries, and a pronounced taste. If the season ends and the size of the fruit decreases, you can focus on canning: the small late fruits of the Giant will become an excellent canned dish.
Advantages and disadvantages
The characteristics and description of the Giant tomato variety are surprising. The popularity of the variety among gardeners can be quite understandable due to its many advantages:
- high yield: correct care will allow you to get up to 10 kilograms of fruit;
- good keeping quality: when harvesting a large harvest, the gardener will not have to quickly get rid of tomatoes that are about to spoil;
- resistance to characteristic diseases.
Despite the huge number of advantages, Giant Raspberry also has some disadvantages:
- demands on the amount of sunlight and heat;
- sensitive response to failures in the irrigation system;
- the need for garter and plant support.
If you care for these tomatoes competently and in a timely manner, a good harvest will not be long in coming. Impressive size, excellent taste and pleasant aroma are the advantages for which gardeners are so fond of the Giant tomato.
Growing Giant tomato
Cultivation of tomatoes of this variety in the ground is possible only in regions where there are a large number of sunny days. This condition is determined by the heat-loving nature of the plant and its requirements for light. Ideal places to grow Giant are the following areas:
- Belgorodskaya.
- Astrakhan.
- Voronezhskaya.
- Saratovskaya.
- Krasnodar region.
- Caucasus.
If you grow a tomato a little further north, then the variety can only grow in a greenhouse. Regulated heat supply and the possibility of increasing its concentration are excellent opportunities that are so necessary when growing this variety of tomatoes.
Sowing seeds for seedlings begins 65 - 70 days before the date of planting in open ground. When two leaves appear, the sprouts are picked. Planting in black soil is carried out in such a way that tall plants are not crowded.
A distance of at least 0.5 m should be maintained between seedlings, and the number of plants per 1 sq. m should not exceed four.
After planting in a greenhouse or open bed, caring for the Giants should be continued.It should consist of timely watering, removing shoots, eliminating weeds, and feeding plants with mineral fertilizer. To prevent the substrate from drying out, you can resort to mulching.
Giant raspberry is a variety that is resistant to pests and diseases, but preventive measures never hurt. It is necessary to maintain the level of soil and air humidity in the greenhouse, monitor the condition of the plants, and conduct a systematic preventive visual inspection of the plants for the appearance of unwanted “neighbors.” A black coating on the leaves should make you wary.
Method of use
There are several options for consuming the fruits of the Giant raspberry tomato:
- fresh as the main ingredient in salads;
- for canning - you can use late harvest;
- for preparing tomato juice;
- as an ingredient in sauces and ketchup.
Eating tomatoes of this variety in any form will bring great pleasure, because the tomatoes are soft, juicy, and tasty. Growing such fruits does not require much effort, and the result pleases with its gigantic size, high yield and quality, receiving only positive feedback from gardeners.
