Characteristics and description of the tomato "Big Brandy"

Recently, the "Big Brandy" tomato was bred for greenhouse conditions in any region. This variety is most often sold under the name Big Brandy. Gardeners have had mixed feelings about it, as the packaging sometimes exaggerates information about the tomato's fertility and appearance.

Since 2015, it has been included in the register of selection achievements under number 8653771.

Characteristic

Indeterminate variety. The plant's bushes are tall, growing up to 1 m 60 cm. This height is undesirable for some gardeners due to the apex, which remains unused during development. According to gardeners, large, marketable fruits form only at the bottom, and the higher they grow, the smaller they become. Their primary use is for salads. The leaves are small. The inflorescences are simple, not racemose. Up to 4-5 tomatoes can form on a single raceme. They are immune to diseases common to tomatoes. To reduce the risk of infection, use known preventative measures.

Description

A mid-season variety. Ripe tomatoes are crimson with a red tint. The coloring is generally uneven. They weigh no more than 380 g when fully ripe. They are shaped like a wide, ribbed apple. The tomatoes at the bottom are more ribbed than those at the top. Tomatoes ripen unevenly. An unripe tomato has a green spot near the stem. "Big Brandy" is medium-dense, containing six seed chambers. When cut in half, the juice does not leak freely. The flavor is pleasant—tender flesh with a slight tartness.

Yield and storage

You can harvest 6-7 kg per square meter. Unfortunately, this is a bit low for a newly-selected variety. Try to use the harvested crop quickly, either fresh or in sauces. It won't keep for long and will begin to soften and burst. Such crops will be unsuitable, even for fresh salads.

The Pros and Cons of the Big Brandy

Those who planted tomatoes noted among the advantages

• pleasant taste.
• Virtually immune to diseases;
• Does not require complex growing rules;

But among the disadvantages were the following:

• The yield is lower compared to similar registered tomatoes;
• Low density of "Big Brandy";
• The product yield is low;
• The greenhouse will not be filled.

Features of cultivation and care

The planting period is two months before transplanting into the greenhouse. Ensure the soil is well-balanced—it should contain potassium, phosphorus, and nitrogen, as well as ash, humus, and compost. If there's a river near your garden, feel free to add river sand to the soil. All these components positively impact the taste, yield, and ensure proper root development.

It's best to sow seeds for seedlings in the first week of March. Plant them when they have two leaves in a 200-300g container. If you used a universal soil for planting, you don't need to fertilize them.

Once the tomato has established itself in the root ball, it will need to be transplanted into a deeper container, as this type of tomato requires a developed, deep root system. If the seedlings are very stretchy, it's best to transplant them lying down, which will significantly increase the feeding area.

To prevent trunk breakage, it's best to tie the bushes and train them into 2-3 shoots. Thin them out to avoid overcrowding. Plant no more than 4 plants per square meter.

Tomatoes thrive in warm conditions and don't tolerate frost. In central and western Russia, it's best not to grow them outdoors. The southern regions of our country are more suitable for open ground.

To ensure your tomatoes are a joy to behold, remember to maintain moisture, especially during the flowering and fruiting stages. Fertilize and loosen the soil regularly to maintain oxygen supply to the roots, and remove weeds.

Reviews

Arina: The taste was truly excellent. To ensure proper development, I took the following measures: sprayed them with calcium nitrate, and added compost, ash, and horse manure with a small amount of chicken manure to the soil. The tomatoes ripened; the larger ones weighed 300g at the bottom and 100g at the top. I planted them where cucumbers had previously grown. Our family loved them.

Stefania: I grow them in a greenhouse, regularly ventilating it and maintaining a stable temperature. I shake the bushes to pollinate them and spray them with water. Before planting, I spray them with boric acid at a rate of 1 teaspoon per bucket. I make a paste from this tomato for the winter. And the kids prefer to eat it fresh.