Tomato Pearl of Siberia: variety characteristics, description, reviews

Finding the right tomato variety is a huge challenge for many farmers working in regions with unfavorable weather conditions for growing heat-loving crops. A popular and reliable variety with good cold tolerance is the "Pearl of Siberia" tomato. After its inclusion in the State Register in 2009, the tomato's popularity grew.

This tomato can be considered a versatile variety, capable of producing excellent fruiting results both in a greenhouse and in the open field. At the same time, minimal external factors can negatively impact its development, thanks to the plant's strong defenses.

Description of the variety, features

This is an indeterminate plant, meaning its growth is unlimited. This means pinching is essential. The bushes are tall, not standard, often reaching two meters. This tomato is considered mid-early. Full ripening takes an average of 115 days. However, many growers use a number of methods to accelerate the plant's growth period, allowing for the harvest of delicious fruits much earlier.

The stems of the Pearl of Siberia tomato are strong. The plant is robust thanks to its well-branched root system. Each bush is adorned with beautiful light-green leaves. They are small in size and typical tomato shape. The foliage coverage is moderate, allowing growers to easily and easily harvest and inspect the ovaries and fruits.

During the flowering phase, you can notice the active formation of simple, intermediate-type inflorescences. After this, the clusters produce 7 or even 10 fruits. The branches become heavy, but the Pearl of Siberia tomato bush can handle this load without the need for local support.

Tomatoes are easy to care for, which is what attracts many gardeners. This variety has also gained fame for its high yield. With proper care, each plant can produce up to 4 kilograms of fruit per season. Important advantages include:

• excellent immunity to many diseases typical for nightshades;
• the tomato does not crack;
• tomatoes are easy to transport over long distances without fear of mechanical damage or reduced marketability of the fruit;
• The harvested tomatoes have excellent shelf life without significant loss of flavor and the special delicate aroma inherent to the Pearl of Siberia.

Description of fruits

The Pearl of Siberia tomato variety is attractive in appearance, standing out from many others with its vibrant red color. The fruit is elongated. Each tomato weighs a maximum of 100-150 grams. A cross-section reveals several shallow chambers containing a large amount of seed material. The flesh is very meaty and juicy, with a pleasant aroma. The surface of the fruit is perfectly soft to the touch, thanks to the silky, thin skin.

Despite its thinness, it's dense enough to preserve the flesh and prevent cracking. Sweet notes predominate in the flavor. The high sugar content allows the Pearl of Siberia variety to be used to create delicious purees, sauces, and pastes. The fruits are also processed into juices. Ripe tomatoes are an ideal ingredient in various salads and other dishes.

Growing tips

1. To be 100% sure of the quality of the plant and the resulting harvest, professionals recommend not missing the opportunity to grow the Pearl of Siberia using seedlings.
2. Ideally, sowing should be done in the first half of March. To grow healthy seedlings, use high-quality, complex soil, digging centimeter-wide holes for the seeds. Holes as deep as 1.5 centimeters are also acceptable.
3. Growers have unlimited choice of containers. However, it's best to choose containers with good drainage. Containers are covered with plastic film, which is removed only after the seedlings emerge.
4. The air temperature should not drop below 21 degrees Celsius to avoid stunting the growth and development of young plants. After transplanting them into individual containers (preferably peat pots), ensure the tomatoes receive sufficient light. The next step in caring for young Pearl of Siberia tomatoes is regular watering with warm, clean water.
5. Pricking out is done after the first pair of leaves has formed. When planting, stick to a 50x70 pattern and avoid planting the bushes too close together to allow for proper, full development.

Care instructions

Proper watering is key. It should focus on delivering moisture deep into the soil, down to the plant's roots. Drip irrigation is excellent for achieving this goal, as it prevents water from splashing onto the tomato leaves. It's best to water in the morning so the soil has time to dry by evening, preventing the tomatoes from remaining in wet soil as temperatures drop.

Loosening the soil is just as important as watering. It ensures active root development and promotes air exchange. Loosening the soil is done at least twice a week, with particular attention paid immediately after watering.

If necessary, mulching is carried out using organic matter or black plastic, which can significantly increase crop yields.

The Pearl of Siberia responds well to fertilizing. If you plant the seedlings in well-fertilized soil, you only need to replenish the soil with mineral compounds a few times throughout the season, ideally four times.

Depleted soil requires frequent application of fertilizer. Ideally, gardeners should conduct a soil test to determine the soil composition. However, if this isn't possible, they should closely monitor the plant's growth to prevent nutrient deficiencies from hindering the tomato's development.

Storage of crops after harvesting

Gardeners should harvest tomatoes as soon as they begin to brown. After this, they are thoroughly cleaned and dried in the sun for several hours. The next step is to store them. Stored in clean, dry boxes lined with newspaper or other paper at room temperature, the tomatoes will keep for two to four weeks.

Pest and disease control

Gardeners should always have commercial pesticides and chemicals of various types on hand. Those wishing to avoid using harsh chemicals should use homemade seed dressings based on insecticidal materials and disinfectants such as potassium permanganate.

But the best approach is preventative measures. These include proper tomato care and timely weed control.

Reviews

Maxim:

After several years of growing Pearl of Siberia, I've realized one thing: it's hard to find a better variety for cool regions with short summers. I've tried several others from the same breeder, but Pearl still produces the best results.

Lily:

This variety is tasty and disease-resistant. I chose it out of fear of losing my tomato crop to a sudden cold snap, as happened several years ago. My husband and I always grow a lot of tomato plants, and it's heartbreaking to see them ruined by bad weather. With Pearl of Siberia, there's never any doubt that the harvest will be abundant and high-quality.

Alexandra:

I doubted that the Siberian Pearl would produce fruit well in poor soil. But I had no opportunity to fertilize it or temporarily plant tomatoes in a greenhouse. I was surprised when the bushes began producing a ton of beautiful and delicious tomatoes, continuing to produce fruit until the first serious frosts of autumn.

Denis:

Pleasant flavor, easy care, and resistance to a host of factors that are harmful to tomatoes—what more could a gardener want in a tomato? The Pearl of Siberia is my clear favorite.