Today there are countless varieties of tomatoes. They differ from each other in the color and size of the fruit, the size and structure of the bush. It was the differences in the shape of the plant that served as the reason for the division into determinant and indeterminate tomatoes. These complex names do not say anything for some, although even an ordinary gardener can easily distinguish between these varieties. Indeterminate tomatoes are characterized by unlimited bush growth, and determinant ones are short.
General information about such varieties
Indeterminate tomatoes are tall plants. And this means that for their cultivation it is necessary to use trellises or other supports, to which the bushes are tied. To answer the question of what indeterminate tomatoes are, first of all, you should decide on the morphological features of these plants. On such bushes, inflorescences are formed after 6-10 leaves. Such tomatoes belong to late-ripening varieties that can bear fruit almost until the very frost. As a rule, the largest crops are harvested from bushes,which, by stepping at the beginning of growth, 1-2 main stems were left.
General information about determinant varieties
These tomatoes are characterized by limited growth and low bushes. They have leaves and inflorescences densely arranged on the stem. Share 3 groups of this kind of tomatoes:
- determinant - characterized by a double wave of growth. At the first fruit setting, there are up to 6 inflorescences, then the so-called stepchildren grow on the shoots, on which other inflorescences are formed, giving a second crop. These tomatoes are very early ripening. At the same time, fruiting lasts 1-2 months;
- superdeterminant - differ in precocity. They have a bushy plant, the height of which reaches 0.7-1 m. As a rule, after the formation of 2-3 inflorescences on the shoot, growth stops. These varieties are characterized by uniform fruit ripening. Such tomatoes are often planted in large areas when it is necessary to harvest the entire crop in a short time;
- semi-determinant - represent the average of the two previous groups. The height of the bushes reaches 1.2 m. They are characterized by later maturation. These tomatoes, which do not require pinching (removal of second-order shoots), will bear fruit earlier if they are removed from the bushes.
Determinate and indeterminate varieties do not stepchild.
Features of indeterminate tomatoes
Among other advantages of varieties of this kind of tomatoes, it is necessary to highlight the following:
- inflorescences on plants are laid every 3sheet;
- for large-fruited varieties, 4 fruits are tied in the brush, and for small-fruited varieties - up to 20;
- in greenhouses, these tomatoes often grow up to 5 m, which allows you to get up to 40 brushes per bush.
Varieties of pink tomatoes
There are many varieties that produce beautiful pink fruits. Breeders every year bring out more and more new tomatoes. Among these new products, some varieties should be noted.
- Pink Paradise F1 - has a well-leafed powerful bush. Medium maturity variety. Differs in high productivity, good keeping quality, resistance to cracking. It is characterized by good fruit setting and increased disease resistance. This variety can be grown outdoors and in greenhouses. The average fruit weight is 180-200 g.
- Pink Samurai F1 - has a powerful bush. Very early maturing variety. It is characterized by excellent fruit setting. Pink Samurai is used for growing indoors. The fruits have a mass of 190-200 g. They are distinguished by good keeping quality.
- Swallowtail F1 - not too tall, but well leafy bush. Variety of medium early maturity. The mass of rounded fruits is 190-210 g. They are distinguished by excellent taste. Due to its high fruit density, the variety is used for long-term storage and transportation over long distances.
Many varieties of pink tomatoes are characterized by very large, dense fruits that retain their palatability for 3-5 weeks.
Tomato varieties
Description of tomato varieties will help when choosing seeds for planting. So, recently the following indeterminate varieties have been especially popular.
- Astona F1 - designed for indoor and outdoor cultivation. Vigorous vigorous plant. Differs in high productivity. The fruits are flat-round, red. Their average weight is 170-190 g. The fruits are resistant to cracking. The plant forms ovaries well, resistant to diseases.
- Kronos F1 is a wonderful early variety for indoor and outdoor cultivation. Differs in high productivity. The first brush is already above the 6th sheet. Red flat-round fruits weighing 140-170 g are distinguished by good transportability and keeping quality (1-1.5 months). The variety is resistant to most diseases.
- Shannon F1 is an early maturing hybrid with moderate plant vigor. This variety is intended for cultivation in greenhouses and open ground. Tomato is resistant to most diseases. It gives excellent results with early plantings. This variety produces excellent fruit, even if the air temperature is several degrees lower than necessary for growing other tomatoes. Red, rounded fruits weighing up to 180 g are distinguished by excellent taste. Stored up to 1 month.
- Sprinter F1 - the tomato is designed for growing indoors. The plant is very vigorous and high yielding. Resistant to most diseases. This variety is characterized by early entry into the fruiting phase. At the same time, up to 4 brushes ripen on the plant. Flat-round fruits weighing 150-190 gare red.
Tomato varieties (description of tomato varieties) are often indicated on the seed packaging. That is why when buying, you need to be very careful to choose the right tomatoes. Other popular indeterminate varieties include hybrids (denoted by the letter F1) such as Axioma, Title, Saxon, Sheila, Vitador, Menhir, Samara, Typhoon, Pisa, Flagman, Etude, Intens One, Sreza, Favorit, Jakarta, Castalia.
Choice variety
All varieties of tomatoes, photos of which can be found in reference books, look very appetizing and tempting, but when choosing seeds for planting, it is necessary to take into account the method of cultivation and the region. If you plan to grow indeterminate tomatoes in a greenhouse, then you can choose almost any variety you like. For many regions of Russia, plants of late ripening are absolutely not suitable. With insufficiently high temperatures and short daylight hours, such tomatoes will not have time to ripen. That is why varieties of early or medium ripening are more suitable for the more northern regions of Russia. If you want to try late tomatoes, then you will need to make a small shelter for the plants in the form of a greenhouse with additional lighting in the autumn days.
Also, when planting tomatoes, it must be taken into account that large fruits are not suitable for conservation as a snack, because they simply will not fit into a jar. Such tomatoes are intended for salads or for processing into juice, sauces or pastes. Pickle lovers should plantindeterminate varieties with small and medium fruits.
Sowing seeds
If you trust the seed supplier, then no pre-sowing treatment is required for them, since licensed seeds are already specially prepared. In this case, their germination and seedling growth will depend on the choice of a suitable substrate and watering. It is best to choose soil that is specially prepared for growing seedlings. Such a substrate is sold in any specialized store.
Tomato seeds are planted in the soil to a depth of 1-1.5 cm. After the appearance of the first true leaves, the seedlings dive. After this procedure, the root system of plants becomes more fibrous, and the plants themselves are aligned in height. The optimum temperature for the germination of tomato seeds is + 24˚С. For outdoor cultivation, tomatoes are sown 30-40 days before planting in the ground.
Preparing seedlings for planting
After picking, the seedlings are transferred to a room whose temperature does not exceed +20˚С. 1-2 weeks before planting in open ground, plants begin to harden, gradually lowering the air temperature. Seedlings can be planted until the first brush appears on it. To strengthen the plants, it is recommended to water them with water with the addition of special complex fertilizers. They are bred in a ratio of 20 g per 10 l.
Seedlings are planted in prepared holes, deepening the plant into the ground to the cotyledon leaves. Too long seedlingsyou can plant even deeper (up to the first true leaf), placing it in the hole in an inclined position.
Growing tomatoes in a greenhouse
These tomatoes are suitable for outdoor cultivation, but it is best to grow indeterminate tomatoes in a greenhouse. Under such conditions, they give an earlier and more abundant harvest. These tomatoes are demanding in care. The main actions in the cultivation of these varieties are associated with the formation of a bush and tying it to a trellis or other supports. In a plant that is properly cared for, growth often stops on its own, but if this does not happen, you can pinch a strongly elongated stem. To form 1-2 stems, all extra stepchildren are removed. During the period of growth and vegetation, tomatoes need regular feeding with complex fertilizers.
Regular watering starts after planting. Tomato requires frequent watering with a small amount of water. Drip irrigation is best suited for this. With the furrowed method, perforated plastic pipes with closed ends can be used. They should rest against the furrows themselves. Watering is carried out taking into account lighting, evaporation, soil structure, ventilation. For this, water is suitable, the temperature of which is 15-16 ° C.
