Characteristics and description of the tomato "Delicious"

"Delicious" is one of the oldest, most reliable varieties, developed by American breeders back in 1964. This tomato stands out among many others for its large size; in some catalogs, it can be found under the original name "Delicious."

Description

This mid-season variety takes 110-120 days from germination to ripening, and is characterized by high yields. The medium-leaved, indeterminate, and unlimited-growing plants reach a height of approximately 180-200 cm. They can be grown outdoors or indoors, depending on the region's climate.

The fruits are large, ranging from 400 to 600 grams, but giants up to 1 kg can be grown. The tomatoes are flat-round, green when ripe, and bright red when fully ripe. The skin is thin and glossy, the flesh is meaty, sweet, and has a rich tomato flavor, and the seed chambers are small.

The "Delicious" variety is best suited for fresh salads and is not suitable for whole-fruit canning due to its large size. However, it is quite suitable for making juice, paste, and sauces. The tomatoes can also be frozen for the winter and added to various dishes. This variety is resistant to many diseases, but can be susceptible to late blight. Preventative measures should be taken, including treating the plants with products such as "Metalaxil" and "Ecopin." Basil or garlic planted nearby will help protect against aphids.

Advantages

• Excellent presentation.
• With proper care, excellent yields.
• Excellent taste.
• Resistance to diseases and weather conditions.

Flaws

• Meticulous care is perhaps the only drawback of this variety.

Growing seedlings

One of the most important conditions for producing strong and resilient seedlings is high-quality seed. Before planting, it must be disinfected and treated with growth stimulants. Fertile soil also plays a vital role; it can be purchased or prepared at home. Store-bought seedling soil is ready for planting and does not require any additional preparation. Homemade soil mixes must be pre-prepared, sifted to remove any debris, larvae, or plant root debris, and then disinfected.

Sowing begins no later than mid-March. The key conditions for growing seedlings are warmth, light, and a lack of drafts. Care consists of watering with warm water and fertilizing with liquid complex fertilizer. At the 2-3 true leaf stage, the seedlings are transplanted into individual containers. Before planting in the garden, the plants are hardened off for a week.

Transfer

For young tomato seedlings, choose a sunny area protected from the wind. Per 1 m² Place 3-4 plants per hole. The seedlings should be at least 65 days old and more than 20 centimeters tall by planting time. The soil should be loose, moisture-retentive, and rich in nutrients. A handful of ash and rotted manure is added to each hole during planting. Since this is a tall variety, staking is essential. Also, remember to remove side shoots. The bush is trained into 1, 2, or 3 stems. For very large tomatoes, training the plant into a single stem is recommended.

Tomatoes shouldn't be overwatered; twice a week is sufficient. This variety is prone to cracking in high humidity. Fertilize the plants several times a season. Nitrogen-containing fertilizers can be used initially, but should be discontinued afterward, otherwise all the plant's energy will be devoted to developing green mass. During fruit formation, potassium fertilizers are recommended, at a rate of 1 m per square meter.² 35-45 grams is sufficient. If tomato leaves begin to turn yellow, this may indicate a magnesium deficiency in the soil. You can help the plant by feeding it magnesium sulfate. Use 10 grams of magnesium sulfate per bucket of water, divided among three plants. Tomatoes grown in a greenhouse require regular ventilation to prevent fungal diseases that can develop in high humidity.

Weeds should also be removed promptly; some gardeners recommend mulching the soil, which prevents weed growth and retains moisture. Seeds for the following season can be harvested from the crop; for this, select the fruits that best match the stated characteristics.

Harvesting and storage

Tomatoes should be harvested before the cold weather sets in. If there are still green tomatoes on the bushes, pick them and place them on a windowsill to ripen. For storage, the fruits are picked from the bushes while still brown and placed in boxes in a cool, dry place.

Conclusion

"Delicious" is a wonderful, large-fruited variety that's sure to please everyone who tries it. Of course, to achieve the promised high yield, you need to create comfortable conditions for the plants and invest time and effort in care, but the results are worth it.

Reviews

Valentina, 57 years old

I grew "Delicious" tomatoes in a greenhouse; the fruits are very large, richly colored, and the flesh is juicy and delicious. I disinfected the soil in the greenhouse and watered it with a hot solution of potassium permanganate, which is probably why the plants didn't get sick. I made tomato salads—one was enough for a family salad—and I also preserved the juice and paste. I was pleased with the variety; the time and effort were well worth it.

Alexander, 45 years old

An excellent large-fruited salad variety with a wonderful flavor and juicy, firm flesh. I trained the bush into a single stem, and several tomatoes weighed up to 800 grams. I don't know how it performs in canning, as I only planted a couple of plants to test them out. Next year I'll plant more, especially since I collected the seeds from the harvest.