Gardeners have long known that in order to get a constant high yield, several different varieties of tomatoes should be grown in a greenhouse at the same time. If you have tried more than one type of tomato, but did not find one that would meet all your requirements, be sure to try planting a grapefruit variety tomato. You will see: a vegetable with an exotic name will certainly become your favorite!
Description
Just look at the description of the grapefruit tomato to understand that it can safely claim the first place in its popularity among unusual fellows. It became popular due to the large size of the fruit and its excellent taste. Grapefruit bushes grow up to 2.5 meters, usually they consist of a single stem, on which several tomatoes are tied. A distinctive feature of the variety, summer residents call leaves that are more reminiscent of potatoes.
Fruits
Tomatoes of this variety are round, slightlyflattened. On average, the weight of one mature fruit reaches 300-500 grams, but quite often gardeners grow real giants, whose weight is about one kilogram! Ripe tomatoes are characterized by a yellow tint with a slight pink tone. In the cut, the vegetables resemble grapefruit. That is why the variety got the name of the famous citrus. Juicy and sweet tomatoes are best consumed fresh, but juice is unlikely to come out of them: it contains a large amount of dry substances, thanks to which the tomatoes are dense and fleshy. For canning, "grapefruit" is also not very good, because the fruits are very large. Another distinguishing feature of this variety of tomatoes is the reduced content of seeds.
Tomato "grapefruit": variety characteristics
"Grapefruit" relatively recently brought breeders from Russia. They created this variety so that it could be grown throughout the year. The plant is standard, large-fruited, belongs to the category of indeterminate. With proper care and timely preventive measures, the variety is resistant to diseases and pests. Tomatoes are late-ripening, about 180 days pass from the moment the seeds are planted to ripeness. If you grow tomatoes in the ground in mid-latitudes, you can enjoy the harvest at the end of September. Growing bushes in a closed greenhouse, fragrant fruits can be obtained throughout the year. The variety belongs to medium-yielding, in a season about 15 tomatoes can be harvested from a bush.
Pros and consvarieties
Experts say that the grapefruit tomato is quite profitable to grow, because it has many more advantages than disadvantages. First of all, the variety is characterized by large fruits that have a unique appearance: a yellow tint with light pink tan marks and bright flesh. At the same time, the taste of tomatoes is rich, besides, the plants are resistant to diseases. Gardeners also note that in greenhouse conditions, ripe tomatoes can be obtained more than once a year. In reviews of the grapefruit tomato, experienced breeders say: the only drawback of the variety can only be considered a late harvest.
Secrets of Growing
You can grow tomato "grapefruit" in absolutely any region of Russia. True, for successful maturation in some parts of the country it is necessary to use a greenhouse. It is better to start preparing seeds for seedlings in the first half of spring, for this you need to soak them in water for a day. By the way, you can add a small amount of growth stimulant to the water. After that, they can be sown in prepared containers; grapefruit is not picky about the soil. When the first grains germinate, begin to sprout, a third leaf forms on them, it is time to pick. In order for plants to quickly adapt to climatic conditions, it is recommended to harden them.
If you plan to plant grapefruit tomatoes in a shelter, you should do this as early as mid-May. But in open ground, a tomato of this variety should be planted only at the end of June, when warm weather sets in. Onceyou will notice that the tomatoes have taken root, you can start feeding them. For this, complex mineral fertilizers are suitable, and organic matter will not be superfluous. Every time after fertilizing, the soil around the tomato bushes must be loosened and mulched.
Gardeners also recommend pinching every 10 days. It is necessary to pinch tomatoes until August. Please note: stepsons that have grown more than four centimeters should not be removed, otherwise the plant may simply die.
Due to the fact that the stems are very long and the fruits are large, the bushes can break. To avoid this, plants should be tied up. Both trellises and large stakes for each bush will do. These structures will ensure the integrity of the plants - right up to the moment of harvest.
Diseases and pests
One of the most common problems faced by both experienced and novice gardeners are pests. Grapefruit tomatoes are no exception. Despite the fact that they are quite resistant to diseases and insects, preventive measures should not be abandoned.
The first thing you should pay attention to is the fight against late blight. The disease is characterized by the appearance of brown spots on the leaves and fruits, which have a different shape. At the same time, the inner part of the leaves is covered with a light white bloom. In order for the "grapefruit" not to become infected with late blight, it should be planted asas far as possible from potatoes, apply top dressing, which includes phosphorus and potassium. 20 days after planting the plants in open ground or in a greenhouse, they must be sprayed with the Barrier. A week later, you should use the "Barrier". After, throughout the summer, you can use an eco-solution, which is made from water, milk and a few drops of iodine. In order to fight the bear, which eats up the roots of vegetables, the drug "Thunder" is suitable. If we talk about folk remedies, then you can use bitter pepper tincture or vinegar solution for "grapefruit".
Reviews
First of all, gardeners note the magnificent appearance of this variety of tomatoes. They also talk about the amazing taste - sweet, with a subtle sourness. Bushes are very strong. On the upper brushes, the tomatoes are slightly larger than on the lower ones. By the way, gardeners also say that the “grapefruit” cannot stand shading: in a shady place, both the yield and the size of the fruit decrease.
