Characteristics and description of the Babushkin Gift tomato, growing tips, reviews

The "Babushkin Podar" tomato is one of the most popular hybrid varieties of the last decade. By crossing parent varieties that were resistant to many adverse environmental factors and diseases, this hybrid became a leader among first-generation tomatoes. It has strong endurance, is unpretentious in care and produces abundant harvests.

Characteristics of the variety

The hybrid variety "Babushkin Podarok" was developed by Russian breeders from the Research Institute of Protected Ground Vegetable Growing. In 2010, the variety was added to the State Register of the Russian Federation. It is intended for cultivation in open ground in southern regions and under plastic shelters in temperate climates.

"Babushkin Podarok" (Grandma's Gift) belongs to the mid-late ripening group of varieties. The first tomatoes reach technical maturity 120 days after germination. They will need another 7-10 days to fully ripen.

The plants are indeterminate and vigorous, growing up to two meters tall in a greenhouse. They require staking and training into two or three stems. They do not form a standard. The leaves are large, dark green, slightly wrinkled, and widely spaced. The root system is well developed and located near the surface.

Since the bushes have unlimited growth, a month before the full harvest, the top should be pinched, directing the plant's energy to ripening the fruit.

The first cluster forms above the sixth or seventh leaf, then every two leaves. Each cluster produces seven to eight medium-sized tomatoes.

The fruits themselves are characterized by a regular round shape, slightly flattened at the shoulders, and gently ribbed. They weigh 250-270 grams. The skin is thin but firm, resistant to cracking. When fully ripe, it has a bright red color. The fruit has eight chambers and a rich pulp. It has a juicy, sweet flavor with a slight tartness and a pleasant, fresh aroma.

Advantages of the variety:

• high yield;
• endurance;
• large-fruited;
• fruits of attractive appearance;
• good taste;
• friendly fruiting;
• fruits are formed until mid-autumn;
• high resistance to diseases.

Cons:

• the fruits do not have a long shelf life;
• long growing season;
• constant garter and pinching are required;
• in open ground it does not give such good results.

Thanks to these characteristics, "Babushkin Podar" tomatoes are ideal not only for fresh consumption but also for various types of canning. Their flavor and shape are preserved even when cooked.

Hybrid bushes are noted for their high yield. When properly cultivated, a single bush can produce up to 6 kilograms of select tomatoes.

Features of cultivation

When planning seed sowing for seedlings, keep in mind that this hybrid is a late-ripening variety. Therefore, sowing can begin as early as late February to ensure a timely harvest.

The soil for seedlings is prepared from humus, garden soil, and peat. It is disinfected by dousing it with boiling water or baking it in the oven. Mineral elements are added to the soil mixture and it is thoroughly moistened.

The seeds are also treated with a manganese solution to kill all possible pathogens. Afterwards, the material must be thoroughly washed and dried. Before sowing, the seeds are soaked in a growth stimulator to ensure increased germination.

Sow the seeds in long furrows, spaced 2-3 centimeters apart, to a depth of 0.5-1 centimeter. Cover the seedlings with dry soil and water again gently.

Growing seedlings

The seedling trays need plenty of sunlight to ensure the plants produce the optimal amount of chlorophyll. Since daylight hours are short in early spring, artificial lighting is necessary.

To speed up germination, the seedlings are covered with plastic film. This creates a greenhouse effect, which is beneficial for seed germination. Once the seeds have sprouted, the film is removed.

The room temperature should not fall below 25 degrees Celsius. This can be achieved by placing the seedlings near a radiator. However, placing them too close to the heat source is not recommended, as the air there will be too dry.

The seedlings are watered regularly using a sprinkler. The soil shouldn't be too wet, as this will encourage fungal growth. It's important to keep the soil semi-dry at all times.

As soon as the first leaves appear on the sprouts, the seedlings are pricked out and placed into individual containers (at least half a liter in volume).

A couple of weeks before planting, harden off the seedlings. These prepared seedlings will better withstand the stress of transplanting to a new location. By the time of planting, each seedling will have 7-8 leaves and at least one flower cluster.

Planting in the ground

Don't rush planting seedlings. Planting the bushes in the ground doesn't guarantee an earlier harvest. On the contrary, rushing the process can result in the loss of a significant portion of the seedlings, as the soil may not warm up sufficiently, and there's also the risk of returning night frosts, which the seedlings simply won't survive.

The best time for planting is late May. In a greenhouse, you can plant two weeks earlier.

Grandma's Gift is a variety that's particularly tolerant of external factors, but is demanding of soil composition. Tomatoes thrive in slightly acidic soil (the optimal pH should be between 6.0 and 6.8). If the soil in your area is low in acidity, add lime when tilling. If it's higher in acidity, add sulfate. Tomatoes thrive in soil rich in sand or clay. It's also important to provide the soil with plenty of nutrients. Adding compost helps, and the more manure, the better.

The seedlings are planted in individual holes prepared in advance. A small amount of compost, ash, and superphosphate are added to the bottom. The soil is thoroughly moistened before planting. Tall tomatoes are planted at a considerable distance from each other to prevent the giants from shading each other. The minimum distance between plants is 45-50 centimeters. Between rows, 90-100 centimeters are left. The holes are dug to a depth of 15-20 centimeters, enough to accommodate the entire root ball and roots, with an additional 3-4 centimeters above them. The plants are then covered with soil and lightly compacted to prevent the planting from falling apart.

Care

Babushkin Podkar tomatoes are easy to care for. They are resilient to the vagaries of nature. The plants can withstand heat and drought for long periods. However, to grow a decent, high-quality harvest, don't leave things to chance and pay close attention to your tomato beds.

Fertilizers

A giant variety like Grandma's Kiss requires frequent fertilization, as its developed roots must support a two-meter stem with a large green crown, dozens of clusters, and numerous fruits. The plant's vigor and fruit production depend on how regularly it is fertilized.

However, don't think that fertilizing requires a lot of effort and expense. Many gardeners successfully use the simplest fertilizers for their vegetable beds.

Initially, the planted seedlings need to establish themselves and develop a strong, dense above-ground growth. To develop abundant foliage and stems, plants require nitrogen. Regular manure or compost is abundant in this nutrient. Therefore, when preparing the bed, add a generous amount of humus or old manure to the soil, which will nourish the young seedlings. Two weeks after planting, the bushes are again nourished with a generous dose of organic matter, consisting of cow dung or bird droppings. Of course, organic matter alone will not ensure a bountiful harvest.

Complex mineral fertilizers are also used for fertilizing, providing plants with all the necessary vitamins and microelements to promote proper plant development. Therefore, ash and superphosphate are added to the planting hole during planting.

During flowering and fruiting, plants no longer require nitrogen as much. It's time for potassium and phosphorus. These elements contribute to the formation of tasty and beautiful fruits. Therefore, their amounts should be increased. Before fruiting, the bushes should be fertilized with saltpeter.

Tomatoes respond well to foliar feeding, which involves spraying the plants rather than pouring fertilizer under the roots. Nutrients are distributed much more quickly through the leaves.

Watering

"Grandma's Kiss" tomatoes are heat-resistant. They can survive even the driest summers without losing a single fruit. They are easy on the watering schedule and can easily survive without watering. However, irregular watering should be avoided, as this can affect the quality of the fruit. If the plants receive insufficient water during the growing and ripening stages, or if watering is uneven, the tomato flavor will be unbalanced, and the fruit will ultimately be smaller in size.

Overwatering is just as detrimental to tomatoes as underwatering. Excessive moisture will lead to the development of fungus and rot.

Use only warm water from a barrel for watering tomatoes. Spring water can delay plant development, as its low temperature damages the roots that nourish the entire plant.

Tall tomatoes should be watered at the roots, avoiding the above-ground portion of the plant. This will keep the leaves and stems dry, preventing the development of pathogenic microflora. During flowering and intensive ripening, the plants especially need water to nourish the fruit. Therefore, during these periods, the frequency of watering can be increased. On hot days, water the tomato beds every other day. In moderate climates, this procedure is sufficient twice a week. Each plant requires up to 3-4 liters of water daily.

To retain moisture in the soil longer, the area under the bushes can be mulched. A covering layer of sawdust or grass will prevent water from evaporating quickly. Furthermore, as the mulch decomposes, it will nourish the tomato roots with beneficial micronutrients.

Garter

This is perhaps the most laborious task in growing tall tomato varieties. Staking should be done immediately after planting. Plants can be staked locally, that is, by placing a stake next to each plant and tying it up as it grows. However, this method can damage the roots, as the stakes must be driven deep into the ground, risking severing the rhizome.

It's best to use a trellis. Install sturdy stakes at opposite ends of the bed, and stretch a layer of string between them. The first layer should be 30 centimeters above the ground. As the plants grow, add a new layer. The stems and fruiting branches of the tomato plants are tied to this string.

Creating optimal conditions for the full growth of tomato bushes

Tomatoes grow well in sunny, wind-free areas. In the shade, the bushes become very leggy and produce poor fruit. Furthermore, insufficient light weakens the plants and causes the flowers to drop. Therefore, many gardeners install artificial lighting in their greenhouses during rainy and cloudy summers.

Although tomatoes love water, they still need low humidity. Constant heat and high humidity hinder pollination, increasing the risk of various diseases, which leads to reduced yields. Therefore, it's important to maintain humidity in the greenhouse at 75-80%.

Plants need oxygen to thrive. In open ground, plants obtain it naturally. A constant supply of fresh air in a greenhouse is essential. From this air, plants obtain carbon dioxide, oxygen, and nitrogen.

To ensure that the soil receives the optimal amount of oxygen and moisture, it must be cultivated: loosened and weeded.

Diseases

The "Babushkin Gift" hybrid is highly susceptible to diseases such as tobacco mosaic virus, blackleg, fruit cracking, bacterial wilt, and early blight. However, it is quite frequently affected by the unpleasant and incurable late blight. This is considered one of the most common diseases among vegetable crops, developing in humid and excessively warm conditions. Spores found in the soil or on seedlings in this "greenhouse" climate germinate, multiply rapidly, and cause damage to all parts of the tomato plant, including the fruit itself.

Affected plants identified must be removed from the garden immediately, otherwise the blight will spread to all healthy plantings. Fruit from infected plants should not be eaten.

But it's better to combat late blight preventively, preventing its development. To prevent this dangerous disease, regularly remove side shoots from plants and avoid planting too densely. This ensures adequate ventilation and prevents excess moisture from accumulating in the beds. Watering should also be timely. The greenhouse should be regularly ventilated and provide plants with plenty of sunlight.

Reviews

Linda

I grew the "Babushkin Podark F1" variety in a greenhouse. I trained the bushes to form a single trunk. Incidentally, I train all tall varieties to form a single trunk, as it makes caring for them much easier, yet the yield is still good. 'Babushkin Podark' plants are very strong and sturdy. The trunk develops well with foliage and beautiful clusters. They produce a good flower set. Even in the heat, there were plenty of ovaries. The fruits are beautiful and round, ideal for whole-fruit canning. However, the flavor didn't impress me; it was very average for me. The ripening of the fruit is uneven, and the fruiting period is prolonged. Five to seven fruits form in a cluster. The bushes are very tall; mine reached almost two meters. Overall, it's a good variety.

Victoria

A truly wonderful variety with the kind and sweet name of "Grandma's Gift." I've been growing it for several years now and have learned all the nuances associated with growing these tomatoes. In our northern climate, it's naturally better to grow tomatoes in a greenhouse. I plant the seedlings in the garden at the end of May. The bushes begin to bear fruit by the end of July. They appreciate fertilizer very much. The plants are tall, reaching up to 180 centimeters. I use a trellis for support. The bush doesn't produce very many tomatoes. Each cluster bears up to eight tomatoes. The tomatoes are all uniform in size and weight. They taste juicy, fleshy, and slightly sweet. However, to be honest, the flavor of all hybrids isn't as pronounced as that of varietal tomatoes. However, considering all the positive aspects of this variety, "Grandma's Gift" is an excellent option for growing. The bushes almost never get sick, they grow well, and produce many beautiful fruits that can be eaten fresh or used for various pickles.

Elena

A good standard variety. Nothing particularly special about it. As befits hybrids, the tomatoes withstand the vagaries of weather; the trunks are sturdy and hold up well. They grow up to two meters tall. But I don't even pinch the tops; they don't bother anyone. The crop ripens fully before the cold weather sets in. The flavor is good, but sweeter tomatoes are available.