Characteristics and description of the tomato "Velvet Highlighted"

The Velvet Streaked (hairy) tomato will definitely appeal to lovers of tomatoes with unusual coloring. The variety was bred in France, the year is unknown. The original name is Velue Striee. Judging by reviews, it has been grown in Russia since 2015.

Let's take a closer look at this rare variety. We'll highlight all its characteristics and explore the important nuances of growing it.

Description of the Velvet Highlighted tomato

This cluster variety ripens mid-season, with the period from sowing to harvest taking approximately 115 days. It has high resistance to diseases and pests, but is relatively weak in terms of tolerance to drought, heat, and sudden changes in day and night temperatures.

Velvet Highlights is best grown in cities with a temperate climate or in greenhouses. However, it's worth noting that even in cooler regions with unstable weather, this variety can be planted outdoors, but only under certain conditions. The site should be sheltered from winds and drafts. During hot weather and periods when there's a risk of a sharp drop in nighttime temperatures, the bushes should be protected with plastic covers.

Plant characteristics

The bush is indeterminate, growing up to 180 cm in open ground and up to 2 meters or more in a greenhouse. This variety has a very interesting feature, not unique, but noticeable! The entire plant is densely covered with fine silvery hairs. From the outside, the branches and leaves appear velvety. The green fruits are also covered in a dense fuzz, which fades as they ripen.

Foliage is average in open ground, but less so in greenhouses. The leaves are regular in shape. The first cluster forms above the 7th or 9th leaf. Overall, the Velvet Melirovanny tomato bushes are very decorative, reminiscent of the sheep's ears plant.

The fruits are heart-shaped and oval with a small, rounded tip. They are sweet, with a slight acidity and a rich tomato aroma. The average tomato weight is 50–70 grams. The skin is firm, the flesh is red-pink, juicy, and slightly sugary. There are no more than four seed chambers, and a few seeds. The tomatoes are variegated, with the primary color being red. Irregular yellow and orange stripes extend from the stem and spread throughout the tomato.

Purpose of the variety and yield

This variety is widely used in home cooking and canning. The small fruits can be canned whole; they look great in jars and don't crack. The vibrant tomato flavor allows the Velvet Melirovanny tomato to be used in various juices, adjikas, ketchups, and pastes. Of course, this tomato is excellent eaten fresh, in summer salads, and in vegetable platters.

Up to four fruits form on a single cluster. On average, with proper plant training, a single bush can produce up to 5 kilograms of tomatoes throughout the season. Indoors or in warmer regions, the yield is slightly higher.

Advantages and disadvantages of the variety

The Velvet Melirovanny tomato is resistant to all but adverse weather conditions (heat and cold). If this is not taken into account, the plant will lose its immunity to disease, yield will decline, and the fruit will become tasteless. Now let's highlight the variety's main advantages:

• good yield;
• fruits are not prone to cracking;
• versatility in use;
• high taste and commercial qualities of tomatoes;
• resistance to dangerous viruses and fungi.

It's also worth noting that the Velvet Melirovanny tomato is a rather rare, collectible variety, rarely found in stores or catalogs. However, once you've purchased the coveted seeds, you can harvest them yourself. The seeds have excellent germination rates, and the offspring they produce retain all the varietal characteristics of the original plant.

Secrets of growing the Velvet Highlighted tomato

Information on correctly calculating the sowing and planting dates for tomatoes in their permanent locations is always up-to-date. It's important to remember that dates vary greatly by region. To avoid errors, rely on weather factors and the characteristics of a particular variety:

• sowing of tomato seeds Velvet Melirovanny is carried out 60 or 65 days before the expected planting of seedlings;
• when growing in open ground, you should wait until the last spring frosts and plant the bushes when the temperature is above zero both day and night;
• If tomatoes are grown in a greenhouse, the planting dates can be moved back by 5–10 days.

When unsure of the accuracy of all calculations, beginners should seek advice from more experienced gardeners in their region. Overgrown or underdeveloped seedlings will take a long time to adapt to new conditions, which can lead to reduced yields and the development of diseases.

Preparing seedlings

Sow seeds in wide containers, spaced 2–2.5 cm apart, to a depth of no more than 1 cm. Moisten the soil thoroughly, cover the container with transparent film, and place in a warm place, such as a cabinet or high shelf. Once the tomatoes sprout, remove the covering and move the seedlings to a well-lit windowsill.

At the stage of one true leaf, the seedlings can be transplanted into individual containers. The strongest and most beautiful seedlings, typically those that sprouted first, should be transplanted. This procedure must be carried out very carefully, so as not to damage the fragile roots. The plants are transferred along with the root ball to prevent the soil from crumbling, and the soil in the container is watered generously a couple of hours before transplanting.

Fertilize seedlings two weeks after transplanting, with subsequent feedings occurring at 14-20 day intervals. You can use light organic fertilizers diluted in water or special seedling fertilizers. Two weeks before planting in their permanent location, begin acclimating the tomatoes to the new conditions, hardening them off using any convenient method.

Planting and care

Soil health should be taken care of in advance; tomatoes grow very poorly in poor, heavy, and acidic soil. You can loosen the soil by adding coarse sand and enrich it with organic matter. What to plant before tomatoes, choosing neighbors:

• of green manure, preference is given to phacelia, alfalfa and white mustard;
• The most successful predecessors are considered to be cucumbers and cabbage;
• carrots, corn, beets, beans, garlic and onions can be planted nearby;
• Near the beds you need to find a place for repellent plants - marigolds, calendula and nasturtium.

No more than four Velvet Melirovanny tomato seedlings are planted per square meter. It is recommended to train the plant into two or three stems. Remove any excess side shoots and leaves from the lower portion of the plant. Once the tomato reaches 150 cm, pinch off the growing point. Water and fertilize as usual, as with other varieties. Weeding can be combined with soil loosening.

Inexperienced gardeners often think that unusual tomatoes require special care. While some hybrids and varieties may be finicky, this is generally a misconception. The Velvet Highlighted tomato is decorative, but it doesn't require any special attention.

Reviews

Tamara. I bought Velvet Melirovanny tomato seeds as soon as they appeared in Russia. I was looking for unusual and easy-to-grow varieties. At the time, I couldn't find any information on how to grow them, so I planted all the seedlings outdoors in the Leningrad region. The bushes didn't experience any diseases and grew well, but the yield was poor. The following year, I tried planting them in a greenhouse, and the results exceeded all my expectations. I'll continue growing them.

Yulia. I really like this variety; the tomatoes are delicious and beautiful, and the bushes are simply stunning! I find the yield average, but I'm not planning on giving up growing Velvet Melirovanny. It doesn't require much care; I only tend to it on weekends, and I haven't had any problems in two years. My dacha is in Chekhov, and I plant it in a polycarbonate greenhouse and under plastic covers.