Characteristics and description of the tomato "Heavyweight of Siberia"

The "Siberian Heavyweight" variety is trending among fans of large-fruited pink tomatoes. It has won the hearts of vegetable growers thanks to its early ripening time and low maintenance.

Advantages of the variety

The breeders at Siberian Garden have taken into account all the wishes of vegetable growers when developing this variety and have endowed it with the following advantages:

•         early ripening;
•         excellent taste of fruits;
•         tomatoes have an attractive commercial appearance;
•         intended for open ground;
•         not afraid of low temperatures;
•         has immunity to diseases;
•         determinant;
•         good transportability of tomatoes.

     Disadvantages of the variety

Minor disadvantages of this variety include:

•         the need to tie up bushes and clusters of fruits;
•         does not tolerate air temperatures above 30 degrees Celsius;
•         not very high yield.

General characteristics

The variety got its name from its ability to grow fairly heavy tomatoes in unprotected beds in unfavorable weather conditions. This variety thrives in central Russia and Siberia. It is not suitable for areas with hot summers, as high temperatures significantly reduce its yield.

The "Siberian Heavyweight" tomato ripens early and begins bearing fruit 95-105 days after germination. This determinate variety grows to a height of no more than 70 cm. The medium-foliage bushes have an intense dark green color and slightly corrugated leaves. Mature plants are not particularly vigorous and require support for not only the main stem but also the fruit clusters.

Variety yield, description and use of fruits

With proper care, the yield is 10-11 kg per square meter. A single bush can yield about 3 kg of fruit. While yields are not very high, this shortcoming is offset by the excellent quality of the tomatoes.

Tomatoes of this variety have a beautiful deep pink color, a slightly flattened heart shape, and a sweet, pleasantly tart flavor. The fruits are multi-chambered, fleshy, and contain few seeds. The skin is thin, smooth, flawless, and resistant to cracking. The average fruit weight is 400-500 grams. However, by removing some of the ovaries, tomatoes can reach weights of up to 1 kg.

The fruits are excellent for fresh consumption, in vegetable salads, and sliced ​​dishes. They will enhance any everyday or festive meal, and their juicy flesh makes them ideal for making juices, pastes, lecho, and all kinds of appetizers. Their good transportability allows ripe tomatoes to be shipped short distances. For longer journeys, blanched tomatoes, which have a yellowish-brown color, are suitable. Their excellent presentation makes them ideal for commercial use.

Features of cultivation

Sowing seeds

Seeds are sown from mid-March to early April, depending on the planned planting date. With this sowing schedule, harvest time will be in June or July.

Timing of transplantation into the ground

Seedlings are planted in the ground, depending on weather conditions depending on the region.

The optimal time is when nighttime temperatures don't drop below 10 degrees Celsius and daytime temperatures reach around 15 degrees Celsius. This typically occurs in May.

Choosing a landing site

A tomato bed should be created in a plot with fertile soil. The location should be open and well-lit. Low-lying areas are best avoided, as they can become stagnant during heavy rainfall, increasing the risk of disease. Avoid planting tomatoes in the same spot for more than two years in a row. The best predecessors for tomatoes are legumes, garlic, and onions. While the seedlings are growing on the windowsill, you can sow mustard in the tomato bed, and dig up the mature, beneficial grass before planting.

Planting diagram

Despite the variety's low growth, the planting pattern should be loose. Leave 40-50 cm between plants and 70-80 cm between rows. It is recommended to plant no more than 3-4 plants per square meter. Dense plantings receive less sunlight and are poorly ventilated, which reduces the quantity and quality of tomatoes.

How to pinch out and tie up side shoots?

Pinching out side-sons is not necessary for this tomato variety. However, this procedure can help produce larger fruits by training the bush into two or three stems.

Weak bushes have a hard time supporting heavy tomatoes, so they need to be tied up. Old nylon tights work well for this; they provide a gentle yet firm grip. It's best to place supports under clusters of large tomatoes to prevent them from breaking.

How to water?

The large-fruited "Siberian Heavyweight" should be watered generously every 5-6 days. The recommended rate is 5 liters per plant. It is recommended to let the water settle until it reaches an optimal temperature of 20°C. It is best to water tomatoes in the evening or early morning. It is important not to allow the soil to dry out too much, as this can cause the tomatoes to crack. Watering too frequently but not too much will make the tomatoes taste watery. Loosening the soil is essential after watering.

How to fertilize?

You can apply fertilizer for the first time right at planting. To do this, add a quarter bucket of well-rotted compost and a handful of ash to each hole.

After two weeks, feed the plants thoroughly with a manure and nettle infusion. You can keep a separate barrel for this fertilizer and use it throughout the season for various crops. For a 100-liter barrel, add half a bucket of cow or horse manure, a bucket of fresh nettles, and a quarter of a rye bread loaf. Let it steep for 3-4 days, and the all-purpose fertilizer is ready. It can be used once every three weeks. For full tomato development, alternate this fertilizer with a mineral fertilizer.

Fact!Tomatoes are unpretentious but very responsive plants. The more diligent you care for them, the more they will yield.

  Resistance to adverse conditions and diseases

As noted earlier, "Siberian Heavyweight" thrives in moderate temperatures and does not tolerate temperatures above 30°C. If the heat does strike and persists for several days, you can help the plants with regular watering and artificial shade. Shade is created during the hottest hours by stretching shade netting or fabric over the bushes.

The variety is resistant to diseases that commonly affect tomatoes. However, simple preventative measures can still be taken:

•         remove the lower leaves of the bush that are in contact with the ground;
•         tie up the bushes so that the plants and fruits avoid contact with the soil;
•         Before planting, treat the seeds with a solution of potassium permanganate;
•         Two weeks after planting, spray the bushes with Bordeaux mixture.

The "Siberian Heavyweight" variety is a real find for vegetable growers in central Russia and Siberia. Without much effort and in a short time, gardeners can grow truly valuable vegetables—large-fruited pink tomatoes with a superb flavor.

Reviews

Elena, 30 years old

In 2015, I grew them in a greenhouse; there wasn't enough space in the open ground. The bushes grew over a meter tall. Each bush held about 10-12 large tomatoes. They were sweet and fleshy, with no oozing of juice and few seeds. I was pleased.

Evgeniya, 37 years old

The bushes were certainly a bit weak for such fruit. I had to be resourceful and use all sorts of methods to support the tomato branches. They tasted good; the skin was thin and the flesh was sweet. They ripened at the same time as the early red ones, which was certainly a joy. We usually eat the pink ones closer to fall.

Tatyana Vasilievna, 56 years old

I've been planting from my own seeds for over eight years now. I don't sap or tie them up, and I use forks or straw or newspapers under the trusses. It's one of the first to go at the market.