Characteristics and description of the Italian Tree tomato

Tomatoes

It's hard to believe that until the 18th century, tomatoes were used only as ornamental plants, and the fruits themselves weren't eaten as food, as they were considered poisonous. But it's good to know that we're in the 21st century, and people aren't deprived of this healthy and delicious treat.

Sweet-tomato lovers will definitely love the "Italian Tree" tomato, also known as "Italian Tree" in some catalogs. Moreover, this high-yielding variety allows you to enjoy the tomatoes not only all summer long but also preserve them for the winter.

Description

This mid-late variety ripens as early as 110-115 days. The bushes are indeterminate, with unlimited growth, reaching up to two meters in height. This variety can be grown throughout Russia, but in regions with unpredictable climates, greenhouse planting is recommended.

The stem is thick and robust, with potato-like leaves. The fruits are large, flattened and round, arranged in clusters of 3-5, and turn raspberry-pink when ripe. They can weigh 250 grams or more. The flesh is firm and slightly sweet. Tomatoes are suitable for salads, juices, various sauces, and lecho. They are not canned whole, as they simply won't fit through the jar.

Advantages

Large fruits.
Excellent commercial appearance of tomatoes.
Good taste.
High yield variety.

Flaws

The need for a garter.
Removing stepsons.
In the middle zone, planting is in a greenhouse.

Growing seedlings

The quality and yield of tomatoes directly depend on the care they receive, even from the seeds themselves. First, they are tested for germination to determine which seeds are unsuitable for planting, then disinfected in a potassium permanganate solution, and finally soaked in a growth stimulant.

The soil is also prepared, first sifted through a sieve to remove debris and larvae. For disinfection, you can bake it in the oven or pour boiling water with added manganese. Sow the seeds 2 cm apart and sprinkle them with soil mixed with sand. After watering, you can cover the containers with plastic film to create a greenhouse effect. Once the seedlings emerge, remove the film and water the sprouted shoots.

The following conditions will help you grow strong and vigorous seedlings:

Plants should have at least 16 hours of daylight.
A comfortable temperature for seedlings during the day is +20-23, at night +18-20 degrees.
Provide ventilation of the room, but without drafts.
Regular watering.
Top dressing with nutrients.
Timely picking and transplanting into the soil.
Hardening off seedlings before transferring them to a permanent location.

Transfer

Seedlings are planted in an unheated greenhouse around May, and in the garden beds in early June. However, this depends on the weather, and the risk of frost must have passed. The optimal distance between plants is 40-50 centimeters, and between rows, 70 cm. Before planting, dig holes and water them with warm water, using approximately 100 ml per hole. The seedlings are buried deep in the soil, pressing the roots firmly with soil to prevent them from bending. After planting, the seedlings are watered, and the hole is covered with dry soil.

Young plants should be watered 1-2 times a week, depending on weather conditions, but the top layer of soil should not dry out. It is recommended to loosen the soil after each watering. Throughout the growing season, the plants require organic and mineral fertilizers, and they should be fed at least three times during the summer.

In greenhouses, it's essential to monitor air humidity; if it's too high, plants can be susceptible to fungal diseases such as late blight or brown rot. To prevent these, ventilate the greenhouse more frequently and avoid overwatering.

Tall bushes also need to be tied to a support. Stake the plant 10 cm from the hole on the north side, or install a trellis. It's recommended to train the bush into two stems and remove side shoots every 10 days.

Harvesting and storage

For long-term storage, tomatoes are picked at the technically ripe stage and carefully stacked in boxes, preferably alternating layers. The boxes are then stored in a dark, cool, well-ventilated area. By following these conditions, you can enjoy fresh tomatoes until early winter.

Conclusion

By providing the bushes with good, regular care, you can reap the rewards of a superb harvest. Everyone will love the "Italian Tree," as its fruits have excellent flavor.

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Reviews

Mark is 47 years old

The variety is excellent. I planted "Italian Tree" in a greenhouse and in garden beds; it was an interesting experiment. I trained the bushes into two stems and got an excellent harvest, although the tomatoes in the garden were slightly larger. They ripened in the greenhouse at the end of July, and two weeks later outdoors. The tomatoes were disease-free, the bushes grew to almost two meters, and the fruit tasted simply delicious. I highly recommend them.

Tonya is 55 years old

I found some "Italian Tree" seeds in my sister's bin; she sold her dacha and now has nowhere to plant them. I decided to try growing a new variety so I wouldn't waste the seeds. I'm a conservative gardener, having been planting my favorite varieties for about 10 years. I haven't bought any other seeds in that time, and I've grown countless of them. I carefully researched all the information on the variety and began sowing. The seedlings grew vigorously, and I transplanted them to the greenhouse in May. The tomatoes are very large, and I canned them for the winter, producing a thick, delicious juice. Now I'm wondering where to buy seeds for next year.