Early, medium-sized tomato varieties resistant to late blight

The tomato is a beloved annual or perennial plant belonging to the Solanaceae family. Its fruits are unique – they can be red, yellow, pink, or orange. They can be planted outdoors or in a greenhouse, and harvest can be expected in August or September, depending on the variety. Tomatoes can be eaten fresh, in salads, in lecho, in vegetable stews, and even pickled and marinated. Thanks to this diversity, many people love this vegetable for its growing versatility and the range of flavors available.

Selecting a determinate variety

When choosing determinate tomato varieties, you can focus not only on the ripening period, for example, early ripening, but also on the regions for which they are intended – southern or northern:

1. Southern species have greater climatic stability, allowing them to protect their fruits and leaves from direct sunlight. They have a long growing season and dense foliage.
2. Northern varieties are designed for short, hot periods; their leaves are positioned to expose the fruit to the sun. In southern climates, they will die, or even if they grow, the tomatoes will be damaged.

Fruit ripening classification

Determinate tomato varieties differ in the time it takes to reach technical maturity. These include:

• ultra-early;
• early ripening;
• mid-season.

To ensure a good harvest, it is recommended to plant early and ultra-early varieties.

Features of planting

It's important to carefully select the tomato variety for planting, as some thrive outdoors, while others require warmth and protection. Tomatoes are classified into the following categories.

Short stature

Easy to grow, suitable for northern and central Russia.

Flowering begins after the fifth leaf on the stem, and growth ends with the last inflorescence. The main varieties of low-growing tomatoes are:

2. Antoshka. Early maturing, it ripens in approximately 95-100 days, yielding 5-5.5 kg per square meter. The fruits are yellow, round, small, with soft flesh. Suitable for salads and pickling.
3. Watercolor. Early maturing, it ripens in approximately 95-100 days, yielding 4-4.5 kg per square meter. The fruits are fairly large, red, oval-shaped, with soft flesh and a slight tartness.
4. Krakowiak. Early maturing, it ripens in approximately 75–80 days, yielding 1.5 kg per bush. The medium-sized, flat-round red fruits are fairly disease-resistant and ideal for salads.

Tall tomatoes

They are quite difficult to grow. They are susceptible to disease and require additional care, but they offer high yields and long-lasting fruiting.

Popular varieties:

1. BarmaleyEarly maturing, it ripens in approximately 95-100 days, yielding 12-16 kg per square meter. The flat-round pink fruits, over 200 grams in size, are fleshy and suitable for salads.
2. Maslov's Bogatyr. Mid-season, ripens in 115-125 days, yielding 10-12 kg per square meter. Flat-round, red fruits.
3. Lemon Giant. Early maturing, it ripens in approximately 120-140 days, yielding 12-15 kg per square meter. The flat-round, bright yellow fruits, over 700 grams in size, are fleshy and versatile.

Hybrid tomato varieties

The specific cultivation techniques for hybrid varieties are mandatory. Determinate hybrids have proven successful in commercial cultivation, as they achieve maximum yields when grown hydroponically. Private farms rarely use these methods.

There are certain peculiarities in growing seedlings, which consist of using a peat-sand mixture for sowing them.

Popular hybrid varieties:

1. Townsville F1. Early maturing with a growing season of 67 days, yields 7-10 kg per square meter. The round, red fruits weigh up to 200 grams. The bushes are tall and require support. They can be grown outdoors in southern and central Russia; further north, greenhouses are required.
2. Polonez F1. An early determinate hybrid variety. Ripens 60-70 days after seedlings are planted in the ground (recommended for open ground in the south). The fruits are rich red with juicy flesh. They are disease and transportation resistant.
3. Polbig F1. An ultra-early tomato variety, ripening in 55 days from planting. Resistant to low temperatures, it can be grown anywhere. Yields can reach 20 kg per square meter. The tomatoes are red, round, and medium-sized, weighing 150-200 grams. This versatile variety is suitable for salads and canning.
4. Torbay F1This early-ripening Dutch hybrid reaches technical maturity in 65 days. Greenhouse bushes can reach 1.5 meters in height. The fruits are small, round (150-200 grams), pink, and have a sweet and tart flavor. Yields are 18-20 kg per square meter. This versatile variety is used for winter preserves, fresh salads, and mixed vegetables.

Necessary conditions for tomato yield

To produce a large, high-quality harvest, tomatoes require additional nutrition, which they don't receive naturally from soil and fertilizers. Elements for a healthy harvest:

1. Phosphorus. Recommended for use from the first days of planting. It can be added to the holes where the seedlings will be planted, after sprinkling a small amount of soil over them to avoid direct contact between the tomato roots and the phosphorus. This fertilizer stimulates vegetable growth and can significantly increase frost resistance. Phosphorus should be added to all fertilizers, as it enhances the effectiveness of other fertilizers.
2. Potassium. Recommended for use with phosphorus and added to the planting holes. A combination of phosphorus and potassium, in addition to increasing frost resistance, accelerates tomato ripening and impacts yield. Insufficient potassium will cause stunted growth, uneven ripening, and even potential spotting.
3. Nitrogen is the most important nutrient, as it is responsible for tomato growth and fruit set. It is recommended to apply it several times a day at regular intervals. A lack of nitrogen will cause the leaves to turn yellow, die, and any harvest will be impossible.

Choosing a tomato variety isn't difficult. To do this, you need to read the manufacturer's information, which is provided on the seed packet. But that's only a small part of success. When growing a tomato, you need to follow the planting conditions, properly care for the plant, and protect it from pests.