Characteristics and description of the tomato "Diorang"

The Diorange tomato is an indeterminate, highly productive variety that deserves careful study and knowledge of its agricultural technology, so that it can be later introduced into domestic production.

Description of the Diorange variety

Like other indeterminate tomatoes, 'Diorang' tomatoes reach a height of 1.2 to 1.8 m. This variety requires pinching, and the tops are pinched when they reach near their full height to direct the growing energy toward the ovaries. 'Diorang' produces well when trained into single- or double-stemmed plants. The first inflorescences form after the 9th or 11th leaf, with subsequent inflorescences appearing every 2-3 leaves. The fruits grow in clusters, averaging 4-5 per plant. 'Diorang' is a distinctively early variety, ripening in 85-90 days from sowing.

The variety's name suggests its rich orange color, due to its rich carotene content. The tomatoes are round, weighing an average of 140 to 190 grams. Three to four chambers form inside the fruit, where the seeds grow. The fleshy and firm flesh makes this tomato variety easy to store and transport. Reviews indicate that this tomato has excellent flavor. The average yield reaches up to 20 kg per square meter.

The "Diorang" variety is officially included in the state register of vegetable varieties of the Russian Federation as one suitable for cultivation in both open and closed ground, by farms and small gardeners. This tomato has proven itself in southern and mid-latitude regions, while in the north it is grown exclusively in greenhouses.

Value of the variety

According to gardeners, they value the "Diorang" variety for its tasty and juicy fruits, which are suitable primarily for fresh consumption and salads, as well as for cooked dishes. The small fruits produced by this hybrid are suitable for pickling and whole-fruit canning.

Large farmers have praised the Diorange variety for its high yields, transportability, and shelf-life. Furthermore, its distinctive color makes it quite popular among the general public.

Advantages and disadvantages

The undoubted advantages of the Diorange tomato include the following characteristics:

• high yield;
• early maturity;
• transportability and shelf life;
• excellent gastronomic characteristics;
• attractive presentation of tomatoes;
• takes root in open and closed areas.

Despite the variety's beneficial characteristics, no significant drawbacks have been identified so far. However, it's important to remember that this is a hybrid, meaning you won't be able to collect the seeds yourself.

Agricultural technology of the variety

Adherence to proper technology not only ensures high yields but also prevents diseases, soil depletion, and the accumulation of harmful substances and insect pests. Therefore, proper agricultural practices are crucial.

Preparing a site for a future garden bed

When selecting a site, the following criteria are used:

• illumination;
• air availability;
• availability of a water source for irrigation;
• a crop that was grown on the plot last season.

The last criterion is worth exploring in more detail. Tomatoes thrive and produce a productive crop after legumes, grains, root vegetables, melons, cucumbers, cabbage, and green manure. Conversely, after potatoes, peppers, eggplants, and zucchini, they perform poorly and are susceptible to nightshade diseases that may have been present in the previous year's crops. Furthermore, nightshades draw the same nutrients as tomatoes, meaning the soil is depleted.

Planting green manure crops (alfalfa, rapeseed, peas, and others) can alleviate this problem if they are planted in late summer and then deeply ploughed two months later. This will fertilize the soil and ensure the tomato plant has the right precursor.

In addition to green manure, superphosphates (15-25 g per 1 sq. m.), potassium sulfate (40-50 g per 1 sq. m.), and ammonium nitrate (40-50 g per 1 sq. m.) are added to the soil, which are evenly distributed over the area and plowed.

To add organic matter, humus is added to the soil to a depth of 3-4 cm, which is then plowed in late autumn. In spring, site preparation includes loosening the soil and removing weeds that may appear before the seedlings emerge.

Seed treatment

Since "Diorang" is a hybrid variety, you can't collect its seeds yourself; it can only be purchased in brand-name stores. This is because hybrids don't produce seeds with clearly defined varietal characteristics. Instead, such seeds produce a motley and unpredictable variety of peppers, which can't be considered a good variety.

Therefore, there is no need to disinfect the seeds or treat them with a growth stimulant, since they have already been treated before sale.

The only step required in this case is germination. To do this, 5-7 days before sowing, place the seeds on a moistened cloth, where they remain for the specified time until they sprout. Once the seeds have burst, they can be planted safely in the ground.

Soil mixture for seedlings

Every gardener has their own method for preparing soil for seedlings, so we offer one such recipe. Specifically, mix three parts peat, one part sawdust, and half a part compost. For every 10 liters of mixture, add 3 liters of river silt, 10 g of ammonium nitrate, 35 g of superphosphate, and 15 g of potassium sulfate. Mix everything until smooth.

Prepared soil must be disinfected to prevent tomato seedling diseases. Several disinfection methods are equally effective. Freezing is the safest method for preserving the soil's nutritional properties.

To do this, the soil is packed into bags and taken out into the freezing cold air during the winter. It is kept there for about five days and then brought into a warm room. Here, the soil "awakens" under the influence of heat, and the pests emerge from their protective shells. This is essential, because after the room has warmed up, the bags are taken outside and the cycle is repeated 2-3 times.

Another good method is to treat the soil with a 2% solution of potassium permanganate, which is then saturated with the soil. Examples of fungicides include Ridomil, Quadris, Agat, and others. Disinfectant solutions of these preparations are prepared according to the instructions.

Sowing seeds and caring for seedlings

When sowing, it's important to determine the timing. As a general rule, tomato seeds are sown for seedlings 60-65 days before planting them in open ground or a greenhouse.

Important! Delayed planting of seedlings in open ground can result in disease, even failure, and brittleness.

The soil, pre-arranged in the pots, is watered exclusively with warm water, and the tomato seeds are planted no more than 2 cm deep. The seeds are lightly covered with soil and covered with plastic film, which creates the optimal temperature for germination (+20°C to +25°C). After the seeds have sprouted, the plastic film is removed. Further care for the seedlings consists of regular watering with warm water.

The seedlings are picked at the two-leaf stage, deepening the stem into the soil up to the first cotyledons.

Planting seedlings and caring for bushes

Seedlings are planted in the ground starting on May 15th and later, depending on the region where they will be growing. The planting pattern for "Diorang" tomatoes is 40x70 cm. Holes must be dug to a depth of 10 to 12 cm, fertilized with a cup of ash, and buried after the seedlings are planted.

Once the seedlings have established themselves and become strong, begin shaping (pruning) the bushes, removing excess leaves (starting from the bottom of the bush) and weak shoots. Only the two strongest shoots should be left, which will form the basis of the bush's growth.

Tomatoes are watered twice a week, loosening and watering the soil between waterings. Before flowering, fertilize with a solution of 25 g of superphosphate per 10 liters of water at a rate of 10 liters per square meter. During fruit set, fertilize with 25 g of potassium sulfate per 10 liters of water.

Disease resistance

Since Diorange is a hybrid, it has absorbed the best characteristics of its parent varieties, including resistance to diseases, namely verticillium leaf wilt, cladosporiosis, and tobacco mosaic virus.

Conclusion

The Diorang variety is undoubtedly a high-quality hybrid, prized by gardeners, vegetable growers, and large farmers alike, as it is productive, ripens early, and is easy to transport. Perhaps its only drawback is the inability to collect the seeds yourself, requiring them to be purchased separately.

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Reviews

Elizaveta, Stavropol

Given the heat-loving nature of tomatoes, I grow the "Diorang" variety exclusively in greenhouses. I also use the greenhouse frame as a trellis, which significantly reduces the labor required. However, it's crucial to open the greenhouse daily for ventilation, as high temperatures can inhibit fruit set.

Margarita, Svetlogorsk

One more thing: it's still better to train Diorange bushes into a single stem; my personal experience has shown that the yields are higher this way. However, in such cases, I recommend experimenting: train one bush into two stems, another into one, and a third into three. Three experienced bushes won't make a difference, but next year you'll have a better understanding of what to do. This is what happened with Diorange, and I'm very pleased with the variety.