Red Date Tomato: Variety Characteristics, Reviews from Those Who Planted It

The Red Date tomato variety was developed by Russian breeders by crossing cherry tomatoes. Its fruits are most often used for buffet dishes, as decorations, and are also recommended for dietary use. Red Date tomato is suitable for all lovers of small-fruited varieties.

Description of the variety

This semi-determinate variety, meaning the main stem stops growing after 10-12 inflorescences have formed, belongs to the F1 hybrid group. It is mid-late ripening. It has a long fruiting period, with tomatoes ripening from early July through October.

Red Date is suitable for growing in greenhouses and hothouses. In southern regions with a temperate climate, it can be planted in open ground under plastic cover.

The tomato is resistant to diseases typical for tomatoes.

Characteristics of the plant and fruit

The plant bush has the following characteristics:

• grows in height from 90 cm to 150 cm;
• requires tying to a support and pinching out side shoots;
• It is recommended to form into two stems;
• the number of leaves is moderate.

Fruit characteristics:

• tomatoes ripen in bunches of 6-8 pieces each;
• when fully ripe they have a bright red color;
• the weight of one tomato varies within 20 g;
• tomatoes are shaped like an elongated oval with a pointed tip, similar to dates;
• small seed chambers;
• have a recognizable aroma and sweet sugar taste;
• the pulp is juicy with thick walls and dense skin;
• Picked fruits can be stored for a long time at home.

The main purpose of the variety

Red Date tomatoes are versatile due to their excellent flavor. They are used in fresh salads, and the fruits are the perfect size for canning and pickling. They are also used in baby food.
The fruits are characterized by their long shelf life and attractive commercial appearance, which is why tomatoes are often grown for sale, and they withstand long-distance transportation well.

The sweet fruits make delicious tomato sauces and juices.

Advantages and disadvantages of the variety

The advantages of the Red Date variety include:

• high productivity;
• ease of cultivation;
• good taste;
• long harvest period;
• disease resistance;
• transportability;
• The plucked fruits ripen during storage, retaining their flavor.

A disadvantage of this variety is its late ripening period (fruits begin to be harvested in mid-July). Red Date is also sensitive to cold weather, which can result in a low fruit set.

Features of agricultural technology

It is recommended to grow this variety using seedlings. Sow the seeds for seedlings in advance, in March, ideally 65 days before the planting date.

For planting seeds, choose a comprehensive mixture of sand, peat, garden soil, ash, and mineral fertilizers. The seeds should be planted no more than 1 cm deep. The plant should be provided with warmth (20°C) and good lighting. To ensure rapid germination, the containers should be covered with plastic film.

It's recommended to plant outdoors in mid- to late May, after night frosts have passed and the air temperature should not drop below 18 degrees Celsius. Three seedlings are planted per square meter.

The plant is very moisture-loving, so it requires regular watering with warm water. Don't forget to loosen and mulch the soil and ventilate the greenhouse daily.

Although the variety is resistant to all types of diseases, it would be a good idea to treat the plant bushes against insect pests such as aphids and slugs.

Reviews

Svetlana

I grow this variety every year in polycarbonate greenhouses. I love its sweet flavor. They make excellent pickles. The tomatoes are small, with firm, crack-resistant skin. They bear fruit even during the first frost.

Oksana

I love planting this variety in my garden because it's incredibly easy to care for. I grow it from seedlings, then transplant it into the ground. It produces a good yield and makes an excellent dessert. The fruits will keep indoors for about two months, ripening naturally without losing their sweetness.

Valentina

The best of the small-fruited varieties I've planted. Firstly, it produces a high yield for three months. I get enough for canning and eating fresh for another 1.5-2 months after harvest. Secondly, the tomatoes look beautiful in dishes and on the table, and have a sweet, sugary flavor.