Orange Icicle Tomato: Variety Description, Characteristics, and Reviews

The Orange Icicle tomato quickly became popular among Russian farmers. These yellow tomatoes are a good source of vitamin A, calcium, iron, sulfur, potassium, and vitamin C.Orange Icicle tomatoes, according to the description, do not contain the powerful antioxidant lycopene, which is well-known in red tomatoes. These healthy vegetables are worth planting for lovers of delicious tomatoes.

Characteristics and features

Orange Icicle tomatoes are golden-yellow, characterized by their fleshy texture and large size, making them ideal for slicing. They have thick skin, which ensures protection during long-distance transport. The tomatoes have juicy, meaty, firm flesh and a high water content.

This variety requires training on multiple stems. Gardeners recommend three stems. The plant's branches produce numerous fruits, each oblong in shape and weighing between 120 and 200 grams. For this reason, the plant is tied to prevent it from breaking under the weight of the tomatoes and from being damaged by wind.

Orange Icicle tomatoes, when examined more closely, can be considered a vegetable with a balanced flavor. They are moderately sweet and often milder and less acidic than red tomatoes. This is because the pigments in different tomato varieties produce different balances of sugars and acids. This unique combination of sugar levels and acidity explains the milder flavor of the yellow Orange Icicle tomato. This variety is rarely grown commercially, but some gardeners manage to reap significant profits from its commercial use.

The bushes, which can reach a height of two meters, are characterized by abundant and prolonged fruiting. If gardeners choose the right time to plant this variety, they are guaranteed a high-quality harvest. This harvest can be enjoyed throughout most of the plant's growing season. The fruits of the Orange Icicle variety are ideal for whole-fruit canning.

Gardeners growing crops in the central or southern regions can safely plant the plant outdoors. However, in other regions of Russia, greenhouse cultivation is recommended. A single bush can produce up to ten kilograms of fruit, which is quite impressive for an identificant type of Orange Icicle.

Growing

1. Seeds are preferably sown in late March. If necessary, you can wait until early April.
2. It is recommended to transplant formed young plants into open ground in the second ten days of May.
3. These subtropical plants require a good, well-lit area to grow without problems.
4. Orange Icicle tomato plants are characterized as growing well in raised soil layers. They appreciate soil conditions that provide moisture without logging. In cooler regions, tomatoes are best grown under cover in a greenhouse. In cool conditions, the plant will not establish itself and produce fruit.
5. Orange Icicle tomatoes require fertile soil. Gardeners should remember that a healthy plant can reach 2 meters in height and produce a large amount of fruit while occupying a small space.

Tomatoes can be grown in pots, but due to the limited root space, they will require intensive feeding. Gardeners should ensure pots are rated for 40 liters (10 gallons). These conditions are not ideal, but they may be the only option for growing on a balcony.

It's recommended to use the best compost. Liquid fertilizer can be used in combination with organic fertilizer. Tomatoes respond well to inoculation with mycorrhizal fungi, which form a symbiotic relationship (beneficial to both species) with the plant.

Fungi form a network of hyphae that transfer water and minerals to the Orange Icicle tomato plant in exchange for sugars produced by the roots. Mycorrhizal fungi are available as a powder for coating seedlings during planting or as fiber for placing in the bottom of the planting container.

Care

1. Water thoroughly when planting, and then establish your own watering schedule, taking into account external weather conditions. Once the seedlings are established, they will require up to 12 liters of water per plant weekly. It has been proven that infrequent watering during the cultivation of the Orange Icicles variety improves the flavor of the fruit. Gardeners should exercise caution with this watering schedule. Drought conditions accompanied by intensive watering can trigger a growth spurt, leading to cracked fruit. Watering will take time to master.
2. Many gardeners, according to reviews, grow the Orange Icicles variety with perforated plastic bottles in the soil between the plants, which act as a water-absorbing reservoir. Cut off the bottom of a 2-liter bottle and poke numerous small holes in the sides. Place the bottle upside down in the soil with the lid on and fill it. Water will seep through the bottle's walls, deeply moistening the soil.
3. As soon as the fruits begin to form on the bushes, the plant is fertilized weekly with a liquid material containing seaweed, which is the most effective for feeding tomatoes.

Problems of the variety

Yellow icicles are susceptible to few pests or problems. They can be caused by weather conditions and improper care. Leaf discoloration is usually caused by nutrient deficiencies or low temperatures. Sometimes the problem is a combination of both. Roots are unable to absorb nutrients when temperatures drop, which can lead to rot.

A common problem with tomato plants is cracking, which is caused by improper watering. A balanced, regular watering regimen should solve this problem.

Calcium deficiency causes darkening and often rotting of the area around the base of tomatoes. This problem can be solved by adjusting watering, as calcium absorption slows in drought conditions.

Magnesium deficiency causes yellowing of leaves while the veins remain green. A good fertilizer can help correct the problem.

Whiteflies are a potential pest that can damage fruit. Adult flies (which look like tiny moths) lay eggs on the undersides of leaves. The growing eggs feed on the leaves, leaving a sticky secretion that attracts diseases. As soon as the eggs are seen, they can be washed off with water or removed manually. There are also products available for use at the first sign of an attack.

Reviews

Anatoly:

"I love Orange Icicles for their ease of care. The plant only needs staking, which is a labor-intensive step in growing these tomatoes, but otherwise, everything is simple."

Elena:

"I love this variety for its flavor and neat appearance. I sell Orange Icicle tomatoes to friends. They produce so much fruit that my family and I don't know what to do with them anymore."

Valeria:

"A wonderful plant that produces a consistent, high-quality harvest. Of course, storing orange icicles for long is difficult. Over time, they lose their rich flavor and delicate aroma. But freshly picked tomatoes, sliced ​​and ready for the table, are simply magnificent."

Denis:

"Yellow icicles are my favorite. Last year, the harvest was slightly damaged by whiteflies; I didn't react to the attack in time. This year, I immediately stocked up on high-quality plant treatments."

Evgeniy:

"Orange Icicles quickly became my favorite tomato, not only due to their excellent flavor but also due to the fruiting bushes. Just plant a few to ensure you have delicious, sweet fruits all summer long."

Maria:

"I've been planting Orange Icicles for three years in a row. So far, I haven't been disappointed with either the taste or the number of fruits."