Characteristics and description of the Black Truffle tomato

Today, special tomato varieties, such as black ones, are gaining increasing popularity. One such variety is the Japanese variety known as the "Black Truffle."

This tall hybrid is a mid-early variety. The time from the first shoots to the beginning of fruiting is approximately 105-115 days.

Fruit characteristics

Ripe fruits are purple. The tomatoes are not very large, weighing about 250 g. They are pear-shaped and have a long shelf life.

Which regions are suitable for growing?

This is a warm- and light-loving variety. If you live in the south of Russia, you can grow it in open beds. If you plan to plant it in a greenhouse, the region doesn't matter.

Methods of use

The fruits are not only beautiful in appearance but also have an excellent taste. They are perfect for fresh salads, and thanks to their small size, they are also ideal for pickling and jarring.

Productivity

This tomato has excellent yields. Under proper growing conditions, a single plant can produce 5-6 kg of fruit. If you choose a two-plant planting pattern, the yield can reach 10-12 kg.

Pros and cons of the variety

Among the advantages we can note:

• resistance to the main diseases that affect tomatoes;
• excellent taste characteristics;
• excellent fruit shelf life.

The following are some of the disadvantages:

• capriciousness to temperature and light conditions;
• Due to the fact that the plant has rather fragile branches, it requires constant garter.

Features of the variety

The main characteristic of the Black Truffle is its tomato color. These tomatoes are also rich in vitamins B and PP, which is important for people who require a special diet.

Another feature of the variety is its resistance to parasites and diseases.

Growing

First of all, to get excellent harvests, you should grow healthy seedlings.

It is not difficult to do at all, only some conditions are required

• High-quality planting material. The future harvest depends on the seeds you use to grow seedlings. Finding a reputable seed supplier is essential. Research the supplier market, read reviews, and consult with experienced gardeners.
• The "right" soil. You need to start preparing the soil for planting seedlings seven days before planting. Regardless of whether you choose seedlings from the garden or from the store, you need to disinfect it with a weak solution of potassium permanganate.

Next, you can germinate the seeds. To do this, you'll need a piece of soft cloth. Cotton pads or pieces of gauze can be used. Wet the cloth with water and place the seeds on it. Then cover and place in a warm place.

Place a 1-2.5 cm layer of drainage material at the bottom of the seedling tray. Fine gravel or sand can be used for this. Next, add a 4-5 cm layer of soil, lightly compact it, and water it with warm water. Next, make furrows about 3 cm apart. Carefully place the sprouted seeds into these furrows. Then, cover the container with a 1-1.5 cm layer of soil, cover with plastic wrap, and store in a warm place.

• The "right" temperature. For uniform sprouting, a temperature of 23-25 ​​degrees Celsius is necessary. However, as soon as the first shoots appear, the boxes should be immediately moved to a cooler location (approximately 12-16 degrees Celsius during the day and 10-12 degrees Celsius at night).

• Watering. Once the sprouts have matured, watering should be done exclusively by spraying with a spray bottle.
• Pricking out. This procedure is performed when the plant has 2-3 true leaves. This usually happens 12-18 days after the sprouts emerge. Pricking out involves transplanting the plant into a larger container. Peat pots are ideal for this.
• Fertilizing. Without timely fertilization, it's impossible to achieve healthy plants. It's important to complete all these steps precisely on time.

The first feeding is done immediately after transplanting. To do this, prepare a solution of 8-12 g of ammonium nitrate, 40 g of superphosphate, and 7-10 g of potassium salt per 10 liters of water.

The second feeding is done 8-10 days after the first. For this, use either fermented chicken manure mixed with superphosphate at a 1:10 ratio, or mineral fertilizers. For example: 15-18 g of ammonium nitrate, 40 g of superphosphate, 60 g of potassium chloride.

• Lighting. The best place to grow seedlings is a south-facing windowsill. If your apartment doesn't have such windows, you can use supplemental lighting with fluorescent lamps.

• Hardening off. This is a crucial step in the growing process; it helps the plant adapt to temperature fluctuations.

To do this, you need to take it outside for a while.

And only after completing this procedure, you can move on to planting the plants where they will grow permanently.

Preparing the garden bed

This should be done 10 days before planting the seedlings. First, dig up the soil and level it thoroughly with a rake.

Plants should be planted in the soil only when its temperature reaches 10-15 degrees.

How to care for tomatoes

Watering

For this, use either spring or rainwater, and it should be warm. Consumption: for seedlings with 5-6 leaves, the norm is 4 liters per 1 m².

Top dressing

• If the plants become too elongated, they should be fed using mineral fertilizers;
• fertilizing bushes with manure can lead to an increase in leaves, which can cause a delay in fruit growth;
• For greenhouse cultivation of tomatoes, a special carbon dioxide fertilizer is suitable; it will help speed up the ripening of tomatoes;
• after heavy rains, a large amount of nutrients are washed out of the soil and need to be replenished;
• Ash can be used for fertilizing; it should be gray in color. Sprinkle it on the soil around the bush. The ratio is 1 matchbox per bush.

Garter

This variety has rather fragile shoots that can break under the weight of the fruit, which is why they require constant staking.

It is best to form the bush into two stems.

Reviews

Elena, 43 years old

The tomato resembles a pear-shaped plum in appearance. I was particularly drawn to its reddish-brown color. The tomatoes are tasty, slightly sweet. They don't crack, and the hybrid has demonstrated resistance to various types of rot. I grew them in a garden bed and used them for pickling in jars whole. Overall, I liked the variety. They store well.

Natalia, 51 years old

I grew Black Truffles in a plastic greenhouse. I bought seedlings, but next year I plan to try growing them from seeds. I trained the bush into two trunks. I liked the taste, size, and unusual color of the fruits. The tomatoes store well.