What fruitful varieties of tomatoes are better to plant for the Leningrad region
Several hundred years ago, the first tomato seeds came to Russia. At that time they were called "love apples" as they looked like hearts. Then tomatoes could not grow well in all regions of the country. They are very thermophilic and love light, so the conditions for their cultivation were not always suitable. Over time, breeders bred special varieties, thanks to which it became possible to grow tomatoes in the Leningrad Region.
Conditions for growing tomatoes
Before choosing which tomato varieties are the best for the Leningrad Region, you need to familiarize yourself with the conditions that affect their growth and development.
Soil composition
It is recommended to plant tomatoes in light permeable soils, which are distinguished by their fertility and low acidity level. In the Leningrad region, podzolic soil with an increased level of acidity and a small amount of humus is most often found. Therefore, to grow some varieties, you will have to do the fertilization of the land.
Lighting
Some varieties of tomatoes can bear fruit and grow without problems even with a little light. However, all the same, when growing seeds for seedlings, you need to take care of good lighting. The growth rate of young bushes will depend on this. If the plant does not have enough light, then it will begin to bloom a few weeks later.
Temperature
Tomato varieties for the Leningrad Region will grow much faster if a suitable temperature regime is maintained during cultivation. Numerous reviews of experienced gardeners say that tomatoes germinate better if the soil is warmed up to 15 degrees. For normal flowering, the air temperature should not be lower than 20-25 degrees. If there are severe night frosts, then it is better to grow tomatoes not in the open field, but in a greenhouse.
Humidity
To obtain the best yield, it is recommended to monitor the moisture content of the soil and air. During fruiting, its level should be within 80%. However, then the moisture should not come in such large quantities. It should be fed evenly so that the roots are fed continuously.
Air
In order for the plant to grow well, it is necessary to ensure that dry and warm air constantly circulates among the plants. Constant high humidity can negatively affect the health of the bushes. It interferes with timely pollination and contributes to the development of various dangerous diseases.
To improve air exchange, it is recommended to get rid of leaves that are near the roots.
Fertilizer
Zoned varieties need regular soil fertilization. However, do not feed the soil too often, as this can harm the tomatoes. Fertilizers with nitrogen are best used when growing seedlings and after planting them in a vegetable garden or greenhouses. Phosphorus with potassium will be needed when the bushes begin to bloom.
Most suitable varieties
Before choosing to buy tomato seeds for the Leningrad region, you need to study the best varieties of tomatoes that are recommended to be grown in this region. Characteristics and descriptions of tomatoes will help you get acquainted with all their key features and differences.
Northern beauty
This variety is not early maturing, since it ripens only two months after planting the seedlings. The Northern Beauty is versatile - perfect for polycarbonate greenhouses and outdoor areas. Grown bushes easily adapt to almost any weather conditions. The plant is distinguished by tall bushes, which, with proper care, grow up to 75 cm.
The fruits cannot boast of great weight, since their weight is 100 grams. The northern beauty has excellent taste, therefore it is very often used in cooking.
One of the main advantages of this variety is immunity to tobacco mosaic and fusarium.
Mithridates F1
The variety is not suitable for people who are going to be engaged in the cultivation of early maturing varieties, since Mithridates ripens only 115 days after planting the seedlings. The cultivation of this tomato variety can be done in the open field and in greenhouses.
About 5-6 fruits weighing 150 grams appear on the brushes. Young fruits have a light greenish tint, which becomes bright red over time. Tomatoes are very juicy, dense and slightly ribbed. They can be transported over long distances, as they do not lose their commercial qualities within a month.
Pharaoh F1
A mid-season hybrid variety that begins to ripen 120 days after the seedlings are planted in the ground. Pharaoh is known for his rapid development and tall bushes that grow up to one meter. The bushes are covered with a small amount of short greenish leaves.
During growth, about 7-9 fruits appear on the bush. They are strong, round and large. The weight of one tomato is 160-180 grams. Ripe fruits are covered with dense red skin. They are able to maintain their commercial qualities for several months. The main advantage of the Pharaoh is the yield, which allows harvesting more than 40 kg of fruits from one square meter.
Dobrun
Indeterminate hybrid plant that can be grown in greenhouses. Dobrunya bushes are not very tall and grow only up to 60-80 cm. However, it is still recommended to tie them to a strong support so that the bush does not break due to a large number of early-ripening fruits. During growth, the bushes are covered with leaves, which can have a dark or light green tint.
The fruit has an almost perfect round shape and intense red color. Some fruits have a greenish spot near the stalk, which may disappear after ripening. Tomatoes are very large, since the weight of one ripe fruit is 200 grams. Dobrun boasts good fruit preservation. In room conditions, they can be stored for one and a half months.
Greenhouse varieties
Quite often, residents of the Leningrad Region grow greenhouse varieties of tomatoes. There are several types of tomatoes that should only be grown in greenhouses.
Early ripening Leningradsky
The Leningrad early maturing tomato is a compact determinant plant that grows up to 40 cm. It is grown only by seedlings.For this, it is recommended to use pre-prepared soil, consisting of river sand, humus and sod land. The seedlings dive into the pots after two large leaves have formed on them. During the cultivation of seedlings, it is recommended to feed the soil with fertilizers with phosphorus and potassium.
The first fruits begin to appear 90 days after the young bushes are planted. They are colored red and are shaped like a small tennis ball. A distinctive feature of the early ripening variety is its sour taste.
Autumn Leningradsky
The variety belongs to medium late tomatoes, which begin to sing two and a half months after planting. The plant is tall and grows up to 90 cm. The bushes are covered with large dark green leaves. Autumn Leningrad tomato does not need constant lighting. The first fruits can appear even if the greenhouse is poorly lit.
Tomatoes are bright red and have a yellowish tint. Their mass is not very large and is only 100 grams. This variety cannot boast of too high a yield, since only 15-20 kilograms of tomato can be harvested from the entire plot.
Chanterelle
An early ripening variety that fully ripens a month after transplanting seedlings. It is recommended to grow a chanterelle only in a greenhouse, as it may not cope with temperature fluctuations. Bushes do not grow too high, so there is no need to constantly pinch them or tie them up.
The fruits of this cultivar for greenhouses are colored bright orange. They are oval in shape, which makes tomatoes very similar to a chicken egg. The fruit weight is slightly larger than that of the Northern Beauty - 150 grams. Chanterelle's harvest is also pretty good and is more than ten kilograms from several bushes. The grown tomatoes have a sweetish taste that distinguishes them from some varieties of tomatoes.
Undersized
Planting low-growing varieties is popular among gardeners who do not want to waste time constantly garter and pinch the bushes.
Nevsky
Refers to determinant varieties that ripen within 105 days. You can plant this tomato outdoors or under a film to protect the seedlings from the cold. Mature bushes are not very tall - only 45 cm in height. This allows such tomatoes to be grown even in urban environments.
Ripe tomatoes turn red and have a round shape. They are quite small and weigh only 50 grams. However, they stand out from the rest of the tomatoes for their high taste. They are used to create barrel pickles and canning. Tomatoes are also used to create fresh juice, as they have the perfect combination of acids and sugars.
Baltic
The Baltic tomato can easily withstand different weather conditions, so it can be planted in the garden. The tomato bush is not too large, but still requires a garter and pinching to form a plant. Fruits begin to sing after 80 days, but with proper cultivation, they can appear earlier.
The fruit has a round and flattened shape that distinguishes it from many other varieties of tomatoes. The average weight of one tomato is 150 grams. Baltic tomato differs from other varieties with its unique taste. It is because of this that it is often added to various salads and dishes.
Yablonka
The variety is distinguished by tall bushes more than one meter high. To prevent the plant from breaking, it will have to be tied to special supports and periodically deal with the removal of unnecessary stepsons. The apple tree is suitable for growers who love fruitful early varieties. Even if you do not care for the planted tomatoes, then more than five kilograms of fruit can be collected from one bush.
Tomatoes are quite dense and round in shape.Their average weight is about 100 grams.
Conclusion
Anyone can grow different varieties of tomatoes for the Leningrad Region. To do this, it is enough to familiarize yourself with the most suitable varieties of tomatoes and the rules for planting them.
