Characteristics and description of the tomato "Chernomor"

Each plant species' collection includes unusual varieties, distinguished from the majority by their distinctive shape or color. Among tomatoes, there's also such a representative: the "Chernomor" variety, a dark-fruited tomato. In 2007, Chernomor was included in the state register for outdoor cultivation in the Central Black Earth Region.

Chernomor Tomato: Fruit Characteristics

The Chernomor tomato variety is a mid-season, high-yielding variety. A distinctive and recognizable feature of this variety is its color: ripe fruits have a purple hue with a dark burgundy tint, unusual for tomatoes.

With proper care, the average weight of a ripe fruit can reach 300 g. The fruits are round, slightly flattened, with faint ribs near the stem. Unripe tomatoes are light green with a whitish halo near the stem.

Thanks to its dense skin, the fruits are resistant to cracking and retain their marketable appearance for a long time during transportation. The Chernomor tomato has a rich, sweet flavor with a pleasant tartness. The flesh is juicy and firm.

Tomatoes of this variety can be used in any form: they make a fresh salad, and they're also ideal for making ketchup, tomato paste, and juice. These exotic tomatoes are not suitable for canning.

Description of the variety

Chernomor reaches maturity 115-120 days after the first shoots emerge. The bush reaches a height of 1.5 meters and requires support. The plant produces the greatest yield when trained into 2-3 stems and pinched out. The leaves and stems of the Chernomor variety are green. The leaf is shaped like a potato leaf, and the inflorescence is simple, producing 2-6 ovaries. The plant is semi-determinate.

Tomatoes can be picked from the bushes at the technical maturity stage. They will gradually reach final ripeness during storage at room temperature.

Advantages and disadvantages of the Chernomor variety

The advantages of growing include the following factors:

• beautiful exotic large tomatoes with excellent taste,
• high yield,
• grows in open ground, greenhouses and under film shelters.

Disadvantages include, perhaps, the high sensitivity of tomatoes to soil nutrient levels and the need for constant fertilizing. When cultivating, careful shaping of the bushes and protection from late blight are also essential.

Features of agricultural technology

For sowing seeds, it's best to use equal parts garden soil and compost. Ready-made mixes sold in specialty stores are not suitable for this variety.

Preparing and sowing seeds

Sow seeds for seedlings in the first ten days of March, 65 days before planting them outdoors. First, the seeds need to be germinated by wrapping them in a damp cloth for several days. Once the seeds have sprouted, they can be soaked in a growth stimulator to speed up germination. The final step is disinfection: soak the germinated seeds in a very weak solution of potassium permanganate for half an hour. After all these procedures, dry the seeds thoroughly and sow.

To sow, prepare small containers in advance and fill them with soil. Plant the seeds 2 cm deep, spacing them loosely, spray with water, and cover with a transparent material (film or glass). Store the containers in a well-lit area in a warm room. Remove the transparent material after the first shoots appear.

Picking seedlings

Once the seedlings have strengthened and the first two true leaves have appeared, they are pricked out—planted into individual containers. This procedure is quite painful for tomatoes, but it is necessary, as pricking out boosts the plant's immunity and makes it strong.

Prepare the containers with garden soil again. Carefully lift the soil from underneath the sprouts with a trowel and remove the sprouts along with the clod of soil. Replant them in a new location, making small indentations in the soil first. Lightly compact the soil with your fingers and sprinkle with warm, settled water. Keep the containers in a sunny location.

Planting seedlings in a garden bed

Tomatoes are planted in the garden in early June. If you plan to plant the seedlings in a greenhouse or hotbed, you can do so three weeks earlier. The soil for planting tomato seedlings should be dug and loosened beforehand. Make small holes in the soil and add a tablespoon of superphosphate or wood ash to each. Place four seedlings per square meter. Lightly compact the soil and water the roots.

Plant care

Further care consists of removing weeds, regularly watering the bushes at the roots, and loosening the soil. As the plant grows, some lower leaves and side shoots can be removed. Branches with ovaries are tied to supports.

Fertilization

Fertilize the soil with liquid complex fertilizer when picking seedlings, when planting them in open ground, and also every 2 weeks in the garden bed.

Productivity

With proper and careful care, including timely soil loosening, watering, application of organic and mineral fertilizers, and disease prevention, this exotic tomato can yield 6-7 kg per plant. In a greenhouse, the crop ripens until mid-October.

Preventive measures against diseases and pests

The main problem with the Chernomor variety is its extreme susceptibility to late blight. To prevent this, greenhouses should be frequently ventilated, side shoots should be removed promptly, and weeds should be removed. For enhanced preventative measures, plants can be sprayed with copper-containing products.

Tomatoes are also susceptible to gray rot or root rot. This can be prevented by treating the crops with phytosporin or other antifungal agents.

Mulching the soil with peat or straw will protect the plant from insect pests.

Aphids are controlled by spraying the bushes with a solution of laundry soap.

Flying insects will leave their habitat if tomatoes are treated with insecticides.

Reviews

According to reviews from gardeners who have tried planting the Chernomor variety in their plots, the tomato yields an excellent harvest, both in greenhouses and in garden beds. A single bush can yield up to 48 tomatoes of unusual colors. And, of course, measures should be taken to combat late blight.