Characteristics and description of the tomato "Dolka Far Eastern"

The Dolka Far Eastern tomato is a rare variety first developed by Siberian breeders for open-field and greenhouse cultivation. These tomatoes produce a consistently good harvest regardless of the season.

Tomatoes differ from other varieties not only in the regular shape of the fruit, but also in their ancient taste, which has been lost in many hybrids and new tomatoes.

Description of the variety

These tomatoes are a tall, early-ripening, semi-determinate variety. The height of a mature bush ranges from 1.5 to 1.7 meters, with plants reaching 2 meters being quite rare. The bushes grow taller rather than wider. The foliage is dense, compact, and dark green. For a good harvest, experienced gardeners recommend planting tomatoes in 2-3 stems.

Characteristics of fruits

The Far Eastern Dolka tomato is round and oval in shape. When ripe, the fruit turns raspberry-red. The skin is firm and elastic, and does not crack as the berries ripen. The flavor is sweet with a slight tartness. The flesh is juicy, aromatic, and slightly grainy. The center of the tomato contains two chambers containing a small number of seeds. Fruit weight ranges from 80 to 310 grams.

Cultivation

Start sowing seeds for seedlings 55-60 days before you plan to plant tomatoes in a greenhouse or open ground. The optimal temperature for growing seedlings is 22-24°C. When transplanting to their permanent location, plant 1 to 4 tomatoes per square meter. As the plants grow, pinch off side shoots and tie them to a trellis.

Growing Tomatoes Dolka Far Eastern Using Dutch Technology

There are currently many techniques for growing tomatoes, but the Dutch method is considered the most popular and effective. This method allows for maximum yield, ensuring the fruits ripen juicy, flavorful, and retain all their flavor.

Specifics of the method

1. When rooting seedlings, use a special mineral wool substrate. Soil is not used, as it can harbor various infectious disease bacteria, fungi, and pests.
2. To feed seedlings, use ready-made fertilizers, which contain all the necessary nutrients.
3. Use of carbon dioxide during photosynthesis.
4. The seedlings are pollinated by bumblebees and hornets, which are launched when the tomatoes are in full bloom.

Sowing seeds using the Dutch technique

The first step is to select high-quality, tested seeds. Before sowing, the substrate is thoroughly moistened with warm water. Drainage is placed at the bottom of the container or plastic cup, and mineral soil is added on top. Next, the seeds are placed in the containers and covered with a thin layer of sand and vermiculite (each layer no more than 1 cm). The containers are covered with a plastic cover and placed in a dark room, away from strong sunlight.

After 10-13 days of sowing the seeds in containers, the seedlings reach the desired size and are ready to be transplanted into larger cups or pots filled with mineral substrate.

Basic requirements for Dutch seedlings of the Far Eastern Dolka:

• the presence of 10 leaves on the first fruiting brush;
• not too big peduncle;
• A properly formed color brush should hang down;
• stem thickness from 1 to 1.5 cm.

Planting seedlings using the Dutch method

The soil where the seedlings will be planted is leveled and covered with polyethylene film to better reflect direct sunlight and protect the tomatoes from various pests. Two to three plants are planted per square meter, but if the greenhouse is well-lit, two to six tomatoes can be planted. The distance between seedlings should be 40-50 cm, and between furrows 60-80 cm. The seedlings are planted, covered with soil, and watered generously with salt water, applying only at the roots to prevent burning and damage.

In addition, air must always circulate in the greenhouse. This can be achieved through standard ventilation or a regular room fan. Tomatoes grow best in an air humidity of 65% to 75%. If the humidity in the greenhouse is below 55%, the flesh will be fibrous and dense.

Caring for seedlings using the Dutch method

Once the seedlings have been planted in their permanent location, they need to be watered regularly and properly. The best method is drip irrigation. This is done using plastic hoses with a connected watering valve and perforations at the bottom to ensure even watering. Watering the Dolka Far Eastern tomato plants depends on several factors: soil condition, greenhouse temperature, and daylight hours. Regular running water (rainwater) is used for irrigation, but its temperature should not be below 15%.

Feeding seedlings

The Dutch method of fertilizing tomatoes involves applying fertilizer to the seedlings through their leaves. Every week, late in the evening, the seedlings are mechanically sprayed with a boron and magnesium solution. Calcium levels and soil pH are monitored. A lack of nutrients in the soil contributes to uneven ripening of the berries and can cause rot on the Dolka Far Eastern tomato.

Harvesting

I harvest the tomatoes early in the morning, four times every seven days. The fruits are often much heavier in the morning than in the evening. During the winter, the berries are picked even if their color has faded slightly. The harvested tomatoes are placed in special containers, the bottoms of which are lined with a sheet of rubber or foam to prevent damage. Ten days before the final harvest, the leaves of the seedlings are painted with ethylene to speed up the ripening of the last berries.

The Dolka Far Eastern tomato is the most delicious and productive variety, grown by many experienced gardeners. The fruits are pleasant to the taste and are most often eaten raw, but gardeners also use the smaller ones to make various sauces and preserves for the winter.

Reviews:

Irina, 53 years old, Ufa

I've been growing the "Dolka Far Eastern" variety for about five years now, and I know a lot about these tomatoes. I've grown them both in the open ground and in greenhouses. In my experience, greenhouse tomatoes yield twice as much, but there's a higher risk of late blight.

Tamara, 64 years old, Izhevsk

I plant Dolka Far Eastern tomatoes exclusively in open ground. Fourteen days after planting the seedlings in the ground, I carry out late blight prevention, mulching the soil, and watering only at the roots. In three years of growing tomatoes, they have never had a single disease. The fruits grow large and juicy, and the bushes are leafless and green.