Characteristics and description of the tomato "Break O' Day"

Thanks to the efforts of American breeders, the "Break O' Day" tomato variety was developed in 1923. Commercially viable seeds entered circulation in 1931, and since then, they have become very popular among tomato lovers.

It was actively observed in the USSR since 1970. Later, seeds with varietal traits became rare, and even now they are not easy to find.

Characteristics and description

Nowadays, the tomato is commonly known by the simplified name "Bricodei." Many gardeners have various varieties in their gardens: some have large, pink ones, others have deep red, heart-shaped ones.

The original "Break O' Day" has a sweet and sour taste and a pleasant, typical tomato aroma. On average, it takes no more than 125 days from the first shoots to ripe tomatoes in open ground, and this will happen sooner in a greenhouse.

Indeterminate variety. The bushes are medium-sized, tall, and grow to almost 2 meters. The clusters are simple. Ripe tomatoes are round, smooth to the touch, bright red, and weigh no more than 260 g. The flesh is firm, not watery. There are 6 seed chambers containing numerous thin-skinned seeds.

The first cluster forms above the seventh leaf, and subsequent inflorescences usually form two leaves apart. A single cluster can produce up to seven tomatoes. It produces fruit well, rivaling even hybrids. It can be used as a main ingredient in any dish.

Benefits of the Break O' Day tomato

• Good harvest;
• The tomato's marketable appearance is maintained for a long time;
• Can be transported over long distances;
• Delicious;
• General purpose;
• Resistance to dry climate.

Disadvantages of the Break O' Day tomato

• Tomato susceptibility to Fusarium wilt;
• If there is excessive air humidity and excessive watering, it may crack;
• During periods of aphid activity, tomato plants may be susceptible to attack.

Growing and care

"Break O' Day" is a cultivar, so you can harvest its seeds for future planting. Before planting, separate the seeds by placing them in salt water and removing any that have sunk after 5 minutes. Dried seeds can be stored for over 5 years.

Seedling

Sow seeds two months before you plan to plant outdoors. If you live in southern regions, this can be done from February 10th to 15th to March 10th to 15th. If you plan to sow seedlings in a greenhouse, sow them one month beforehand.

Disinfecting seeds and soil is an important procedure for establishing beneficial bacteria in the soil. There are several simple methods:

• We immerse the seeds, wrapped in gauze, for 12 minutes in a weak solution of potassium permanganate, prepared at the rate of 1 g x 120 ml of warm water;
• Place the soil in an oven or stove at + 200 degrees for 15 – 20 minutes;
• Pour boiling water over the soil.

After one of the chosen methods, do not touch the soil for 2.5 weeks, and after the oven method, lightly moisten the soil.

It's best to sow seeds in individual containers; this way, you can avoid pricking them out. If you prefer to pricking out, space the plants no more than 2.5–4 cm apart. A 2 cm depth is sufficient. Moisten the soil, cover with glass or plastic, and place in a warm, well-lit area to await germination.

When three leaves appear, transplant. Once the first shoots appear, wait six months and then fertilize with a specialized fertilizer. Apply the next fertilizer after two and a half weeks.

Landing

Once frosts have passed and stable temperatures have set in, planting can begin in mid-April or mid-May in southern regions. Break O' Day prefers fertile, non-acidic soil. Seedlings should be spaced 55–63 cm apart, with rows spaced 72 cm apart.

Form the bushes into two stems and remove any remaining side shoots. Water according to weather conditions and humidity.

The beds should be free of weeds. Loosen and mulch the soil. Install trellises and stakes two weeks after planting.

Disease prevention

With proper care, tomatoes are immune to a number of diseases. Preventative measures will protect your plants from infestation and pest attacks.

• For Fusarium wilt - complete removal of weeds and residues of previous plants, crop rotation and seed disinfection procedure;
• For aphids - spray with a soap-ash solution.

Reviews

Rimma: A friend brought me some seeds from the US. They turned out to be quite sturdy and held up well in the dry summer. The flavor is good. The tomatoes didn't fall apart when pickled in a jar. The sun-dried ones turned out amazing. My neighbors appreciated their quality, and I treated them to some too. We're happy. You can find them in some Russian cities, and well-known websites sometimes have them in stock, but they sell out quickly.

Melissa: I was going through my seed collection and realized I hadn't used these yet. I tried planting five seeds, and they all sprouted. I'm also pleased with their quality; I plant them every year, and the variety hasn't deteriorated yet. I'm delighted with the tomatoes, which yield 200 grams each. I mulch the soil, sprinkle some ash, and they've never had any problems. They're also great for fresh salads. The kids eat them straight from the garden.