Tomato "Ballerina": characteristics and description of the variety

Vegetables that don't take up much garden space and don't require meticulous care will always be in high demand. The Ballerina tomato is one such example. Even novice gardeners can grow this early-ripening, high-yielding tomato.

Description and characteristics of the Ballerina tomato

From sowing the seeds to the first harvest of ripe tomatoes takes 100 to 120 days. The hybrid can be grown in open ground, under plastic covers, and in various greenhouses. There are no clear regional differences, but Ballerina produces the best results in the central and southern regions. When planted in cold climates, the yield will be significantly reduced, and the fruit will taste bland.

The bush is determinate, standard, very neat and decorative. The maximum height of the plant is 60 cm. The first inflorescence appears above the 5th to 7th leaf, with up to 6 ovaries forming on a single cluster. The fruits are red, bullet- or pepper-shaped, with a rounded beak, elongated. The skin is matte, thin, and dense, and the flesh is juicy, sweet and sour, with a distinct tomato aroma. There are no more than 5 seed chambers, and the number of seeds is average. Tomatoes weigh 60-150 grams.

Use and yield

The Ballerina tomato is excellent for whole-fruit canning, pickling, juicing, winter salads, and freezing. In cooking, it's used to make various dishes, sauces, ketchups, and adjika. Fresh tomatoes contain a wealth of vitamins.

In open ground, under conditions comfortable for the hybrid, about 9 kilograms of tomatoes are harvested per square meter. In greenhouses or under plastic cover, the yield is higher. For a determinate tomato, this is a very good result.

Advantages and disadvantages

Ballerina is popular among gardeners, especially those who want an early harvest and can't spend every day in the garden. Based on the experience of those who have grown the hybrid, we'll highlight all its advantages:

• versatility of fruits;
• resistance to changes in day and night temperatures;
• good immunity to the most dangerous tomato diseases;
• the bush does not require shaping;
• possibility of growing at home (on a balcony or windowsill);
• productivity;
• ripe fruits do not crack;
• Tomatoes have a long shelf life and tolerate transportation well.

Ballerina has very few drawbacks. The only drawbacks are its demanding requirements regarding fertilizing, soil structure, and composition.

How to grow Ballerina tomatoes

Growing this hybrid doesn't require any special skills or knowledge. However, to fully enjoy all the benefits of the Ballerina tomato, pay attention to a few important nuances.

Preparing seedlings

Sow seeds for seedlings 55 or 60 days before you plan to plant tomatoes in their permanent location. By this time, warm weather should have settled in, with no risk of recurrent frost. Growing seedlings:

• Fill the container with nutritious soil, space the seeds 3 cm apart, and cover with soil; a 1 cm layer is sufficient. Water the seedlings with warm water, cover the container with transparent film, and place in a warm place. Make sure the soil doesn't dry out; periodically remove the plastic and lightly mist the crops.
• When seedlings emerge, remove the film and place the box on the sunniest windowsill. Monitor the soil regularly; under- or over-watering is dangerous for young sprouts. When two true leaves appear, transplant the seedlings.
• Two hours before planting, water the soil thoroughly. Holding the seedling by the cotyledon leaves, carefully dig it up and transplant it, along with the root ball, into a separate container. Water the transplanted tomatoes until the soil is completely moist.

Further care for the seedlings consists of watering and fertilizing (liquid fertilizer). The room temperature should not drop below 18 degrees Celsius during the day and below 12 degrees Celsius at night. On cloudy days, tomatoes should be provided with additional light. A normal amount of light for tomatoes is considered to be 16 hours a day. Two weeks before planting, begin preparing the plants for the new conditions. You can open a window or take the seedlings outside onto the balcony, initially for a few minutes and gradually increase the time.

Planting and care

No more than six Ballerina tomato plants are planted per square meter, making it ideal for those with limited space. The site should be open, sunny, and have well-drained, loose, non-acidic soil. Water once or twice a week, preferably with lukewarm water. Mulching the beds with straw or rotted sawdust will help retain moisture longer.

The hybrid is first fertilized two weeks after planting, with a second application during flowering. During fruit formation and ripening, Ballerina is fertilized an additional 3-4 times, using mineral complexes and organic fertilizers.

You can remove side shoots if desired, but there's no pressing need to do so. The hybrid doesn't require staking. The plant has a strong trunk and sturdy stems that easily support the weight of tomatoes without falling or breaking.

Diseases and pests

The Ballerina tomato rarely gets sick. Problems can arise only in the most unfavorable years or if basic care is completely neglected. One risk is root rot. If disease is detected, remove the mulch from the beds, loosen the soil, and reduce watering. If tomatoes are grown in a greenhouse, be sure to provide adequate ventilation.

Aphids and thrips are particularly dangerous pests. These uninvited guests can be controlled by spraying with various preparations or mixtures prepared according to folk remedies. Slugs are another enemy of the Ballerina tomato. They should be collected by hand, while removing all weeds, tops, and mulch from the beds, and sprinkling the soil with coarse sand.

The origin of this tomato's name is unknown. However, it's safe to say that it derives from the appearance of the bushes. They are graceful, adorned with a chic, bright red skirt of tomato blossoms.

Reviews

Anatoly

Three years ago, I planted a couple of Ballerina tomato plants as a trial and immediately added the hybrid to my list of favorites. It's truly excellent, delicious, easy to care for, and even undemanding. Last year, I prepared the seedlings in two stages. The first sowing was done a little earlier—for the greenhouse. And the second, at the usual time—for the open ground. Under cover, the yield is indeed greater.

Daria

I read that this hybrid is exceptionally heat-loving. I didn't dare plant it in the temperate climate zone without a greenhouse, thinking there wouldn't be a harvest. Two years ago, I learned that a neighbor had been growing Ballerina without cover for several years, so I bought some seeds too. It's a wonderful tomato—versatile, disease-resistant, and tolerant of slight drops in temperature, which we often experience here.