Brazilian Miracle Tomato: Variety Characteristics, Reviews, and Yield

Tomatoes with unusual dark fruits are increasingly common in Russian gardens. They are prized for their excellent yields and exceptional flavor, but what's often unknown is that these tomatoes are also very healthy. Among these exotic varieties is the Brazilian Miracle variety, bred in distant Canada and now successfully grown in a wide variety of countries.

Description of the variety

This tomato is considered rare; seeds are not available in specialty stores, so the only option is to purchase seeds from collectors. Brazilian Beauty—as the tomato's original name sounds—is considered an exotic tomato, although its cultivation is fairly standard. Only the fruits of the Brazilian Beauty are unique: dark brown, with a rich flavor and aroma. The flesh and skin of these tomatoes contain a large amount of the natural pigment anthocyanin, which gives the fruit its dark color and also imparts a wide range of beneficial properties. The exquisite flavor is the result of a high concentration of sugars and acids in the flesh, ensuring a balanced balance of all these elements.

The fruits weigh on average 100-110 grams, and the yield is up to 4 kg per bush.

Main characteristics of the Brazilian Miracle variety

Those who have grown this tomato variety note the vigor and height of the plant (up to 180-200 cm). It is an indeterminate tomato and is recommended for greenhouse planting.

Garter, as well as bush shaping, is mandatory, for which it is best to use special trellises.

The plant has numerous leaves and a spreading habit, so no more than three bushes are planted per square meter. Ripening time is approximately 110 days from emergence (in greenhouses). In garden beds, the ripening time shifts, with the first fruits being harvested slightly later, a factor that gardeners in northern regions should take into account.

The fruits are round, slightly flattened, with a thick skin. The color is dark red, shading to brown and burgundy. The skin color is very beautiful, and the tomato lives up to its name—Brazilian Miracle.

The pulp is juicy and contains few seeds. The taste is sweet and has a pleasant aroma. The fruits have a versatile purpose:

• for salads;
• for preservation;
• for pickling;
• preparation of pastes and sauces;
• for cutting and decorating dishes.

The fruits of this variety have a dense structure, do not lose their shape when canned, and retain their taste during long-term storage (up to two months).

Dark tomatoes look great in a variety of dishes, so they are often used for slicing and also for decoration.

Advantages and disadvantages of the Brazilian Miracle variety

This variety doesn't have many downsides, but one of them is the difficulty of acquiring a tomato. Typically, such unusual varieties are ordered from collectors, but this should be done well in advance to ensure seeds are available by the time the seedlings are planted.

Another drawback is the need to shape the bush, which isn't always possible for beginning gardeners. However, you can always train the bush to a single stem, which, while the yield may be lower, will reduce the hassle of side shoots and shoot removal.

Advantages:

• good yield (up to 3-4 kg of tasty tomatoes from one bush);
• original color of the fruit, which attracts attention to the variety;
• excellent taste (this is noted by all gardeners who have had experience growing the Brazilian miracle);
• unpretentiousness;
• resistance to major tomato diseases;
• easy care.

Dark tomatoes hold the record for vitamin content among their counterparts. Regularly eating these brown-red tomatoes can help prevent many diseases, boost immunity, and improve vision.

The seed problem can be solved by harvesting your own planting material, which is another important advantage of this variety. With proper care, you can provide your family with healthy and delicious vegetables throughout the winter season.

Features of agricultural technology of the Brazilian Miracle variety

While noting the high yield of this Canadian variety, it's important to remember that good results can only be achieved by following all agricultural practices. This all begins with seed preparation and growing healthy seedlings.

By deadline:

• sowing of seeds of the Brazilian Miracle variety is carried out in March, taking into account the lunar calendar for the current year and the climatic conditions of the region;
• seedlings are planted in a greenhouse when the soil warms up to +14ºC…+16ºC;
• if the greenhouse is heated, then planting can be done at the end of April;
• Tomatoes are planted in unheated shelters no earlier than May 25, or even later, in the first days of June (in this case, it is advisable to provide additional insulation).

To disinfect seeds, use the familiar potassium permanganate; to improve germination, use growth stimulants, aloe juice, and wood ash infusions.

The temperature regime when growing seedlings must be maintained very strictly, otherwise by the time of planting the seedlings will be elongated and frail.

1. During the seed germination period, the temperature is maintained in the range of +25ºC…+27ºC.
2. After emergence, for 5-7 days: +18ºC…+20ºC.
3. The subsequent period for planting in a permanent place: +22ºC…+24ºC.

Picking is carried out when two true leaves appear, and only after this procedure, after 7-10 days, the seedlings can be fed for the first time.

A mandatory procedure is hardening off tomatoes, which is done by taking them out into the open air.

Tomatoes are planted in a greenhouse strictly according to the layout, with the number of plants per square meter depending on the variety's growth habit. Typically, no more than three plants are planted, leaving at least 60-70 cm between each tomato. Add compost, vermicompost, ash, and superphosphate to the holes, and water thoroughly. This supply of nutrients should last until the seedlings need their first feeding, which should be done no sooner than 18-20 days later.

Watering should also be paused to allow the plants to develop their roots properly. The first watering should be done after 6-8 days, not earlier.

Once the tomatoes have adapted to the new conditions, you can lightly loosen the soil to ensure oxygen reaches the roots. At the same time, stakes are installed around the plants or trellises are stretched.

To improve fruit set, gently shaking the tomato plants in the morning during flowering is recommended. This technique is especially convenient for trellis growing, where simply tapping on a taut rope or wire is sufficient.

Side-sonning begins when the plants reach approximately 20-25 cm in height. The shoots are broken off, leaving a small "stump" up to 1.5 cm. If desired, the Brazilian Miracle side-sons can be rooted by planting them in a garden bed. Regular removal of shoots is necessary, as the plants grow very quickly in a greenhouse. As soon as the fruits of the first cluster of plants ripen, remove 1-2 leaves from the lower part of the stem.

Water every 5-6 days, depending on weather conditions. Use only warm, well-settled water, combining irrigation with root feeding. During the fruiting period, water moderately, then reduce and stop watering altogether.

Fertilizers are applied according to the prescribed dosage, with the first application occurring no earlier than 16-18 days after planting the tomatoes. Subsequently, the plants are fed approximately every 10-12 days, alternating between spraying and applying nutrient solutions to the roots.

The appearance and condition of the tomatoes are taken into account:

• in case of weak growth, thin branches, small inflorescences, nitrogen is added to the fertilizer;
• If the leaves have a blue-green tint or wrinkles appear, add potassium fertilizers (for example, ash);
• If the leaves take on a purple tint, there are red spots, and the stems are thin, the tomato urgently needs phosphorus.

The use of complex fertilizers, as well as special formulations for tomatoes, will help avoid element deficiencies and provide plants with high-quality nutrition.

Tomatoes are harvested in the morning, removing both ripe and brown fruits. Brazilian Miracle tomatoes ripen well indoors, and this type of harvesting will also increase the overall yield per plant.

To protect against various diseases, preventive measures are taken:

• spraying tomatoes with Bordeaux mixture;
• use of ash infusion (treatment on leaves), dusting of plants and soil;
• spraying with copper-containing preparations.

Iodine and boric acid solutions help increase yields. Many gardeners often use yeast, but it's important to remember that this product is very nutritious and one or two applications per season are sufficient.

Reviews of growing the Brazilian Miracle tomato variety

Elena, Novgorod

I've always dreamed of growing black tomatoes in my greenhouse. I ordered seeds from a friend of three different varieties and planted them all in the greenhouse. I liked the Brazilian Miracle the most, as it not only yielded a good harvest but also tasted delicious. The other dark tomatoes didn't produce the fruits they claimed to be the right size, even though I followed all the instructions. I collected seeds from the Miracle and will now grow my own. We'll see what happens with this experiment.

Inna, Gatchina

I ordered this tomato variety from the collector Popenko. The seeds arrived early, so I was ready to sow. I planted them in a polycarbonate greenhouse, about three plants per square meter, for a total of six plants. The harvest was good, with all the tomatoes ripening on the vine. It was very unusual to look at such fruits—not red, but brown, as if unripe. The whole family tried them for the first time; we sliced ​​the first tomato into wedges. The flavor is very sweet; even in our rather dull summer, they ripened and became sweet. I can just imagine what they taste like if there are sunny days all summer long. Yes, they are disease-resistant, including late blight, which I had last year both in the garden and in the greenhouse, but I wasn't affected.