Characteristics and description of the tomato "Debut"

Hybrid tomato varieties are becoming increasingly popular among gardeners, as they are more resistant to diseases and weather conditions and have many other advantages over regular tomatoes.

One of the most common hybrid varieties is "Debut," painstakingly created by Dutch breeders. Its characteristics and recommended plant care are presented below.

Description of the variety

The "Debut" tomato is listed in the Russian state register as suitable for cultivation in open ground and under plastic shelters. The determinate bushes typically reach no more than 75 centimeters in height, so they don't require pinching. Ripening is extremely early; ripe fruits can be tasted as early as 90-95 minutes after sowing. This variety is characterized by its extended fruiting period, allowing you to enjoy tomatoes for a long time. Depending on the climate, the bushes can be grown anywhere in the country, either in a garden bed or in a greenhouse.

Because the tomatoes ripen early, they are less susceptible to late blight. The variety is resistant to verticillium wilt, fusarium wilt, and stem canker. Breeders also claim that "Debut" is immune to leaf spot and tolerates hot, dry weather well.

The bush is not very vigorous, with medium foliage and thin, green leaves typical of tomatoes. The inflorescences are of an intermediate type. The fruits are round, with a slight depression near the stalk, weighing between 180 and 220 grams each. The skin is dense and smooth, turning a bright red when ripe. The tomatoes can be eaten fresh or preserved whole. This variety is suitable for making juice, sauces, and pastes. With proper care, a single bush can yield up to 4.5 kg of tomatoes. They transport well without losing their attractive appearance or flavor.

Advantages

• Compact bushes.
• Early ripening of tomatoes.
• Universal use.
• Excellent immunity.
• Tomatoes are subject to transportation and storage.
• Good yield performance.

Flaws - perhaps, apart from the need for garters, there are none.

Growing seedlings

Tomatoes are traditionally grown from seedlings. The seeds are typically sown 50-55 days before the expected planting date. They are treated with thiram, so pre-soaking is not necessary. The growing period for seedlings depends on the season: in winter, this period can take up to 9 weeks, in spring, 6 weeks, and in summer, only 5 weeks are enough for seedlings to grow. Seeds are planted in trays or wooden boxes using a peat mixture. Sow the seeds to a depth of approximately 1 cm. It is essential to maintain the recommended temperature; high readings will cause the seedlings to stretch and weaken their stems. If the stems are too strong and the seedlings are not growing, experienced gardeners recommend lowering the nighttime temperature to 16 degrees Celsius.

The seedlings are transplanted into separate containers when three leaves appear. After transplanting, it's best to feed them with a complex mineral fertilizer; this will help them survive the transplant better and maintain their growth. Subsequent care for the seedlings involves regular watering with warm, settled water and loosening the soil; a plastic fork works well for this.

Transplanting to a garden bed

To ensure a good harvest, you need to not only pay attention to care but also choose the right soil for planting. The soil should be loose and well-drained, and at least two weeks before planting, it should be fertilized with humus; peat can also be added. Choose a well-lit location for tomatoes, as they thrive in light.

The planting time depends on the climate of the region where you live. It's not recommended to move the bushes to their permanent location in the morning, as they are weaker at this time than at any other time. It's recommended to tie the bushes to prevent the fruit from touching the ground, so when planting, drive wooden stakes or pipes into the bushes. At a distance of 1 m ² 6 to 8 seedlings are planted. The best results were obtained with plants formed into 2 stems.

Fertilize the plants several times per season, but don't overdo it, as this will lead to foliage buildup and delay fruiting. Although they can tolerate drought, it's still best to water them a couple of times a week, preferably during cooler times of day. Loosen the soil at least once every two weeks; this helps the root system oxygenate and develop better. It's also essential to promptly remove weeds, which can rob the soil of nutrients. If the plants are grown in a greenhouse, it should be ventilated daily.

Harvesting and subsequent storage

It's best to pick ripe tomatoes at least twice a week, preferably in the morning. If you plan to transport tomatoes, it's best to pick them when they're not fully ripe (brown). To ensure longer storage, maintain a room temperature of 12-13 degrees Celsius (55-55 degrees Fahrenheit). Don't store spoiled tomatoes with healthy ones, as this can cause them to spoil.

Conclusion

"Debut" is an excellent, productive variety that can be grown both for home gardening and for sale. Many gardeners have already appreciated it for its delicious fruit and early ripening. Plant care is easy, making it easy for even a novice agronomist to manage.

Reviews

Anna, 38 years old

My mom brought me several varieties of tomato seeds, one of them was "Debut." I'm not a big fan of hybrids. I planted some once, though I can't remember the name. I didn't like the taste, so I decided not to experiment anymore. But this year, I thought, "What if I get lucky?" The seedlings grew beautifully; I had no problems with them, and I transplanted them to the greenhouse in May. The seedlings were healthy, although the stems on the bushes were a bit thin; I was afraid they would break, even though I tied them up. I got a great harvest, enough for food and canning.

Anatoly, 55 years old

I was pleased with the variety; it's disease-resistant and doesn't require frequent feeding. I only fertilized it once, two weeks after transplanting. The rest of the time, the plants thrived on the nutrients in the soil. This didn't affect the yield at all; I harvested approximately 4 kilograms from one plant. The compact plants don't take up much space, which is a big plus if you have a small garden and every square meter counts.