Jersey Devil Tomato: Variety Description, Characteristics, Yield, Reviews

Modern farmers use more than just varieties developed by domestic breeders. Numerous new varieties, which quickly gained popularity in their home countries, have also won the hearts of Russian gardeners. Many consider the Jersey Devil variety to be one of the leading "foreign tomato stars." It attracts attention with its unusual shape and striking color.

Its unique appearance isn't the only highlight of the Jersey Devil. This tomato has a good chance of surprising any grower with its flavor, resistance to temperature fluctuations, and resistance to various dangerous disease triggers. It's no wonder that many Russian gardeners choose this variety year after year for their gardens.

Description of the variety, features

In its native America, the Jersey Devil tomato is known as the Jersey Devil. Its birthplace was New Jersey, where breeders used the Jersey Giant variety as a model to create this interesting tomato. It's therefore not surprising that the Jersey Devil shares many similarities with this tomato. However, each variety also has its own unique qualities and varietal characteristics.

The Jersey Devil tomato differs from other varieties with its interesting, pepper-like shape. It's worth noting that many avoid growing these tomatoes due to the difficulty of canning pepper-shaped tomatoes. However, the Jersey Devil produces compact fruits that fit easily in jars, making them ideal for pickling and making them perfect for fresh vegetable salads and snacks.

This is an indeterminate variety, meaning the bushes can produce fruit for a long time. Jersey Devil is especially popular with residents of southern regions, where the plant can fully realize its potential for abundant and prolonged fruiting, facilitated by the warm southern climate. However, good results with Jersey Devil are also possible in temperate climates. Experienced gardeners prefer to grow this crop in open ground, confident in the ability to protect the bushes from possible cold snaps. Excellent results are also achieved with growing under plastic.

This mid-season tomato produces fruits of varying sizes, weighing between 100 and 300 grams. This means the plant can meet a variety of growing needs. The fruits turn red at maturity, which is attractive due to the smooth, glossy skin. Jersey Devil tomatoes have a sweet flavor.

The bushes are strong and tall, capable of growing up to two meters. This necessitates constant staking and adjustment of the support. The plants develop dense foliage that will require periodic thinning.

When examining the fruit in cross-section, you'll notice that the number of seed chambers is minimal. This tomato is a good choice for making sauces.

Advantages and disadvantages

The main advantages can rightfully be considered:

• power of tall bushes;
• the ability of the plant to bear fruit for a long time and generously;
• tomatoes have excellent shelf life;
• high resistance to cracking;
• resistance to various diseases;
• pleasant taste and interesting shape.

Some farmers consider the need to tie up their tomato plants a major drawback. Indeed, creating and adjusting support as the tomato plants grow takes considerable time. On the other hand, all the gardener's efforts will be rewarded with a bountiful and delicious harvest.

Sowing and growing seedlings

It's time to start preparing for sowing 65 days before transplanting. First, choose the ideal containers and soil mix. A good choice for growing tomato seedlings is a peat pot, which can be purchased at any gardening store. Alternatively, plastic containers or egg cartons can be used, although the latter don't consistently maintain the appropriate soil moisture.

Garden soil can also be used as the soil. However, it will require careful preparation to eliminate all microorganisms, as they can cause premature wilting or rotting of young plants.

Professionals remind us that seedlings must also be treated, even if purchased from a reliable, proven supplier. Within a few days, the first shoots can be seen in containers covered with film and left in warm conditions. It's important to provide the young plants with sufficient light, with high intensity, in a timely manner. Only then will the stems grow vertically, preventing them from thinning and becoming deformed.

Hardening off the plants is also an important procedure. This should be done a week before transplanting them into the ground. Choose a site protected from winds and well-lit by sunlight.

Each tomato planting hole should be well-watered and treated with fertilizer, preferably water-soluble. After transplanting, tomatoes need a week or more to acclimate to the new growing conditions.

Care

Each Jersey Devil tomato plant requires 4 to 6 liters of water per week. Proper watering is essential for healthy growth and development. Avoid overhead watering to prevent bacterial spot or tomato rot.

Fertilizers should be as balanced as possible. Many farmers begin by applying mineral fertilizers and then organic ones. However, the rotation principle is considered best for the Jersey Devil tomato variety.

Harvesting and storage rules

Harvesting tomatoes for ripening is a common practice with Jersey Devils. The key is to pick them before they reach full maturity. Fully ripe tomatoes quickly become soft and won't last longer than two weeks.

The bookmark must be checked regularly so that the farmer can see spoiled fruits in time and get rid of them.

Disease and pest control

Farmers can be confident that with proper care, Jersey Devil will be resistant to late blight, gray mold, or cladosporiosis. The plant is also resistant to surface fruit rot.

Keeping weeds out of your garden in a timely manner will ensure you avoid insect problems. The Jersey Devil tomato's main enemies are mole crickets and aphids. For minor infestations, a weak insecticide solution or washing away the pests with clean water will help.

Reviews

Antonina:

A beautiful tomato that looks exactly like a pepper. The flavor is sweet and the aroma is rich with tomato. It's a great addition to fresh salads, but the fruit looks most appealing when sliced.

Maxim:

I was drawn to this variety because it rarely suffers from cladosporiosis, a deadly disease for tomatoes in my garden. The bushes are tall and strong. The branches didn't break during strong storms and continued to set fruit on the clusters even in unstable weather.

Michael:

I was very worried that the tomatoes would become watery or burst after prolonged rains. It seems the Jersey Devil growers were right when they promised crack resistance. The fruits remain firm, fleshy, and moderately juicy.

Victoria:

The variety requires adequate support, good watering, and regular feeding. Jersey Devil doesn't require anything fancy in terms of care. I'll definitely be growing this tomato next year.

Sergey:

Of all the tall tomatoes, this one is my favorite. A wonderful, strong, and reliable plant with excellent fruit production.