Characteristics and description of the tomato "Babushkino Lukoshko"

The Babushkino Lukoshko tomato is a relatively new variety, but it has already gained a following among gardeners. It was developed by the well-known agricultural firm Gavrish.

The variety was added to the State Register of the Russian Federation in 2015 and is approved for cultivation in all regions, in greenhouses and under film shelters.

There are few reviews of the Babushkino Lukoshko tomato yet, but its main growing features, advantages, and disadvantages are described in sufficient detail.

Description and characteristics

This mid-early variety ripens in about 120 days from seed germination to the first harvest of ripe fruit. The bush is indeterminate, with medium foliage, and grows up to 2 meters tall in favorable conditions. The leaves are regular, medium-sized, and dark green. The plant develops quickly and does not suffer greatly from lack of space and light. The first tassel forms above the 9th or 11th leaf.

The inflorescence is simple, with up to six fruits weighing 160 to 250 grams per cluster. The tomatoes are red, flat-round, slightly ribbed, and fleshy. The seed chambers are few and small, with a medium number of seeds. The tomatoes have an excellent flavor, sweet with a subtle acidity, and a refreshing, rich tomato aroma. The flesh is firm, slightly sugary. The skin is thin and dense.

Productivity and use

According to the cultivar's information, if grown in plastic greenhouses following all the rules, the yield of the Babushkino Lukoshko tomato per square meter is approximately 10-12 kilograms. Gardeners who have tried the variety report different results: the maximum yield of marketable tomatoes per square meter over the entire season does not exceed 8.5 kilograms. However, even this second estimate is considered quite high.

Salad-type tomatoes are versatile. Incredibly tasty and aromatic, Babushkino Lukoshko tomatoes make a wonderful addition to summer platters and can be used in various dishes and preserves. The fleshy fruits are suitable for freezing, making them perfect for juices, sauces, ketchups, and more.

Advantages and disadvantages of the Babushkino Lukoshko tomato

The variety has virtually no drawbacks, the only drawback being its inability to be grown outdoors. However, there are reviews from gardeners in the southern regions who, as an experiment, tried planting the variety outdoors without cover, with good results. The tomatoes were disease-free, and the yield declined only slightly; the unusual conditions had no effect on the quality of the fruit.

Now let's move on to a description of the main advantages of the variety:

• Possibility of cultivation in all regions of Russia;
• the bush, although tall, is not massive, it is easy to care for, dense plantings are allowed;
• high fertility rate, tomatoes are consistently set until the first autumn frosts;
• The tomatoes have excellent taste and marketability, making them suitable for commercial cultivation. They transport well, and if picked slightly unripe, they store well.
• Babushkino Lukoshko is a varietal tomato, the seeds of which can be harvested independently, they have a good germination rate;
• Ripe tomatoes do not crack.

It's also worth noting that, when properly cultivated, the Babushkino Lukoshko tomato has good resistance to adverse weather conditions and common diseases. If the seedlings are grown correctly and the tomatoes are properly cared for, no problems will arise during cultivation.

Features of growing and caring for tomatoes

Growing any tomato variety or hybrid in Russia begins with preparing the seedlings. This process may seem complicated to beginners, but it's not at all. The key is to approach the process carefully. To ensure the plants are well-formed and strong by the time they're planted in their permanent location, study the step-by-step instructions and follow the advice.

Preparing tomato seedlings

Any mistakes made when growing seedlings will inevitably impact the health of the plants and the future harvest. When determining sowing dates, consider the expected date of planting tomatoes in greenhouses. For the Babushkino Lukoshko tomato, this period is from mid-May to early June, as long as the last spring frosts have passed. By this time, the plants should be at least 55 days old. Therefore, this variety's seeds should be sown in late March.

Tomato seedlings require sufficient light (16 hours per day), warmth, and moisture at all stages of growth. A south-facing, unshaded windowsill is recommended; supplemental lighting with special lamps will be required in February and early March. If the air in the room containing the seedlings is dry, mist the plants twice a day. Optimal night temperatures are 12–15°C (55–59°F) and daytime temperatures of 18–25°C (64–77°F).

Home-collected seeds should be disinfected with potassium permanganate, baking soda, Fitosporin, or aloe vera juice. Pre-treated seeds are most often found in specialty stores. Home-made soil should be baked in the oven or soaked in a potassium permanganate solution; store-bought soil can be left untreated. Containers should be thoroughly washed and wiped with a disinfectant.

How to grow good tomato seedlings at home:

1. Sowing. Fill the container with soil and arrange the seeds 3 or 4 cm apart. Sprinkle with a centimeter of soil, moisten, cover with glass, and place in a warm spot (25-30 degrees Celsius). As soon as the seedlings emerge, remove the cover and move the seedlings to a bright windowsill. Keep the soil moist; it shouldn't dry out, but don't overwater the young plants.
2. Pricking out. This procedure is carried out when two or three true leaves have formed. Unlike peppers, tomatoes tolerate transplanting well, but it's best to proceed carefully. Two hours before pricking out, water the seedlings generously. Fill the cups with soil, making small indentations. Hold the plants by the cotyledon leaves, dig them up slightly, and carefully transfer them, along with the root ball, into a new container. Cover with soil and water. Tomatoes can be planted up to the cotyledon leaves;
3. Seedling care. During the entire seedling growth period, three fertilizing sessions are required (14 days after transplanting, then every 2 or 3 weeks). Use liquid fertilizer. Over- or under-watering can cause various problems; water the seedlings frequently but moderately. Maintaining the correct temperature and light conditions is crucial. Harden off the tomatoes two weeks before planting.

To prevent the seedlings from leaning toward the window, they need to be rotated. If everything is done correctly and important details are not neglected, tomato seedlings will be strong, beautiful, and stocky.

Planting and care

Before planting the Babushkino Lukoshko tomato in its permanent location, ensure proper support is provided, and the bushes should be tied as they grow. The soil in the greenhouse should be loose, permeable, and non-acidic. No more than four bushes should be planted per square meter; the recommended planting pattern is 40 x 60 cm. The depth of the holes should be adjusted to the size of the container in which the seedlings were growing. When transplanting, the stem should be buried no more than 2 centimeters deep.

The Babushkino Lukoshko tomato plant is trained with one or two stems. As it grows, remove any excess shoots, leaving small stumps. The leaves at the base of the plant are trimmed; the crown does not need to be thinned. At the end of the growing season, the growing tip should be pinched. To prevent moisture from evaporating quickly, the beds are mulched. Weeds should be kept away from the tomato plants, and all plant debris should be removed from the greenhouse.

The first time the plants are watered is immediately after planting. Subsequently, two or three times a week is sufficient, slightly more frequently in hot weather. Excessive moisture can lead to cracking of the fruit and the development of fungal diseases. The first feeding is done two weeks after planting, the second during flowering, and the third during fruit formation and ripening. Organic fertilizers can be combined or alternated with mineral fertilizers.

The best prevention of diseases and pests is crop rotation, proper selection of neighbors, and the use of green manure. Tomatoes should not be planted after nightshade crops; calendula and marigolds planted near tomatoes will repel pests. Good neighbors include carrots, beans, radishes, celery, parsley, beets, onions, and garlic. Suitable green manures include white mustard, alfalfa, lupine, phacelia, and vetch.

Reviews

Ekaterina. Oddly enough, I heard about the Babushkino Lukoshko variety back in 2012; I was told about it as a collectible tomato. I planted it last season in a plastic greenhouse. Summer in the central region was unpredictable, but it didn't affect the harvest or the quality of the fruit; it's an excellent variety! The tomatoes were large and tasty, and the plants were disease-free. I just bought another packet of Babushkino Lukoshko tomato seeds and am starting to prepare for planting seedlings. I want to try planting a couple of them outdoors, without cover.

Petr. Two years ago, I placed a large order with Gavrish, and they included some "Babushkino Lukoshko" tomato seeds as a gift. I was doubly pleased when the first fruits began to ripen—they were all pulp, with a very rich tomato flavor and aroma. It's an easy-to-care-for variety with good disease resistance; I highly recommend it!