Characteristics and description of the tomato "Dulcinea"

The Dulcinea tomato variety is a mid-season variety, reaching 1.6 m in height. It is recommended to grow it in greenhouses or under temporary plastic covers until the risk of night frosts has completely passed.

The distinctive feature of the fruit is its amazingly beautiful pink color and aromatic fleshy pulp.

Description of the variety

The bushes are indeterminate, so careful pinching of the tops is essential in early July. This will direct nutrients toward fruit development and ripening, rather than further growth and foliage density. Tomatoes are grouped in groups of 4-6 in each cluster. The first cluster forms above the seventh leaf, and each subsequent cluster is formed three leaves later. To ensure the bushes can support the weight of the fruit, they must be tied. A trellis is the best method, which primarily supports the clusters themselves.

The average tomato weight is 150–250 g. They can be eaten fresh, or used in salads, sauces, and juices. If seedlings grown in March are replanted in the second half of May or early June, the first fruits can be harvested as early as mid-July. This variety has a long fruiting period, so the harvest can ripen until mid-September.

Growing recommendations

You can expect a good tomato yield if you start growing tomatoes by sowing seeds yourself. Sowing should be done 50-60 days before planting. The container with soil and seeds should be kept in a bright room at a temperature of 23-25 ​​degrees Celsius. Mandatory requirements for growing Dulcinea tomato seedlings include timely, moderate watering: the soil should be moist, but not overwatered or stagnant, as this blocks oxygen from reaching the root systems. The total growing season lasts 108-115 days from the time the first shoots emerge.

Tomatoes are a solanaceous crop, so any manipulation of the plant's root system can lead to stunted growth or an insufficient harvest. To avoid damaging the plants during transplanting, you can plant the seeds in separate small containers and then transplant them into permanent soil along with a clod of soil.

Transplanting into permanent soil is possible only after the soil warms to 16-18 degrees Celsius, and the chance of spring night frosts returning is minimal. Since the bushes grow tall and full, no more than three bushes per square meter should be planted. Ten days after planting, carefully earth up the bushes. This will retain more moisture and protect the plants from various diseases. Since tomatoes tend to form roots from small shoots on the stems, earthing up strengthens the system, making the plant less vulnerable.

When choosing a site for growing Dulcinea tomatoes under temporary plastic cover, well-lit areas or partial shade should be preferred. Avoid planting tomatoes in cold drafts.

Recommendations for soil preparation

The optimal conditions for growing Dulcinea tomatoes are:

•         sufficient soil looseness,
•         its complete fertilization;
•         neutral acidity level;
•         compliance with crop rotation principles;
•         moderate humidity.

The soil should be loose enough to allow the root system to receive the necessary oxygen. Therefore, when choosing soil, avoid clayey or marshy soils. Regular garden soil can be supplemented with coarse river sand. Another important point is to regularly cultivate the surface to prevent crusting.

Fertilizing the soil should be considered in the fall. Bird droppings, manure, or well-rotted compost are suitable. The area should be dug over thoroughly. Before planting seedlings, mineral fertilizers containing calcium, potassium, nitrogen, and copper should be added to the soil. Fertilizer can be applied by watering with dissolved elements in warm water. Additional fertilizers are also recommended before the first flowers appear and before the fruits begin to ripen. In any case, use mineral fertilizers no more than once every 4-5 weeks.

Sensitive roots don't tolerate highly acidic soil well. If plantain, horsetail, or buttercup are the most common plants growing in the area, this indicates high acidity. This type of soil can be normalized by adding sifted wood ash or lime at a rate of 20-30 kg per 100 square meters.

Regarding crop rotation rules, it is not recommended to grow tomatoes after peppers or any other nightshade crops. Potatoes and legumes are good predecessors for tomatoes. Moderate soil moisture is necessary for adequate nutrition of tomato plants, but stagnant water in the soil is much more detrimental than short-term drought. When growing Dulcinea tomatoes in greenhouses, it is necessary to maintain soil and air humidity levels around 60%.

Diseases and pests

One of the most dangerous diseases for Dulcinea tomatoes is fusarium wilt, which causes rapid rotting of the root system and stems. To protect the plants in advance, their seeds are treated with a bright pink solution of potassium permanganate before sowing. Protecting tomato plants from sudden temperature fluctuations and sudden changes in soil from excessively dry to overly wet conditions will also help prevent the disease.

To prevent whitefly infestation on bushes, you can use a two-day garlic infusion. To prepare it, you'll need 250-300 grams of crushed garlic per 8-9 liters of water. Alternatively, you can use a regular baking soda solution, using 250 grams of powder per 10 liters of water. Each bush should be thoroughly sprayed with the prepared solutions. The first treatment should be carried out no earlier than 2-2.5 weeks after planting the seedlings, and a repeat spraying should be carried out a week later.

Fungicides are often used to control insects. The main rule for their use is to apply the pesticide no later than two weeks before the planned harvest. Special attention should be paid to personal safety when working with chemical pesticides. It is recommended to spray early in the morning before sunrise or late in the evening. This will allow the substance to be absorbed by the leaves before it evaporates under the sun's rays.

Reviews

Margarita Petrovna, 48 years old

For preventative protection of tomato plants, you can use a two-day celandine infusion. To prepare it, use 8-9 liters of clean water and at least 1-1.5 kg of chopped fresh celandine. It's best to spray early in the morning. Repeat the procedure after 10 days, preparing a fresh two-day infusion.

Vasily Ivanovich, 64 years old

To ensure the gentlest possible cultivation of tomato plants, seedlings should be planted 45–50 cm apart. With the onset of hot summer, consider mulching the root zones: cover the soil under the plants with straw or any other non-woven material to block sunlight from reaching the soil and thereby prevent moisture from evaporating.