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Sometimes, when coming up with interesting names for tomato varieties, it happens that the breeder wants the best, but it turns out as always. The name of the tomato variety Scarlet candles is very romantic, besides, tomatoes in their shape really somewhat resemble burning candles. But ... the flowers of this tomato variety are pink! Meanwhile, the buyer, having read only one name of the variety, is convinced that they should be red, and complains that he was again deceived with seeds. And there is no deceit - just the imaginative thinking of the breeder authors let them down a little in this particular case.
However, many other characteristics of the Scarlet Candles tomato in the description of the variety given by the manufacturer are more or less true. In this article, you will have the opportunity to get to know better the characteristics of this variety, and with a photo of its fruits, and with the reviews of those who have grown it at least once on their site.
Description of the variety
Tomato Scarlet candles was bred by the joint efforts of famous Siberian breeders Dederko V.N. and Postnikova O.V., who have already presented the farmers with many wonderful varieties of tomato. In 2007, this variety was officially included in the State Register of Breeding Achievements of Russia with recommendations for growing in all regions of Russia both under film and in open ground.
Plants belong to the indeterminate type, that is, theoretically, their growth is unlimited, but in practice it can be inhibited only by the roof of the greenhouse or by a set of nutrients present in the soil. Bushes of the Scarlet candles variety really grow tall, up to 1.8-2 meters, a very powerful look, well leafy. True, they become so closer to the middle of summer.
But after flowering, with good care, the bushes look very picturesque. The variety has a peculiarity - the stepsons practically do not deviate to the sides, but grow almost parallel to the main stem. And tomatoes ripen on clusters, each of which can contain from 3-4 to 6-7 fruits. Therefore, with the correct garter, garlands of tomatoes are located around the entire bush. Producers promise that the Scarlet Candle tomato has another positive property - the ability to set fruits with an almost 100% result under any conditions, both in individual brushes and on different tiers.
Of course, such a tall, powerful bush needs a mandatory garter and formation, that is, the removal of stepsons. Usually they use the formation of 2-3 trunks. In colder regions with insufficient illumination, it is advisable to keep these tomatoes in one stem, carefully removing all unnecessary stepchildren.
Producers claim that the Scarlet Candle tomato variety is medium early, that is, 105-115 days pass from germination to the appearance of ripe fruits. Many gardeners in their reviews note a certain delay in the ripening of the tomato Scarlet candles and therefore attribute it rather to mid-ripening, or even to late-ripening.
Another outstanding characteristic of this tomato is its yield. In a greenhouse, from plants of this tomato variety, you can get up to 12-15 kg of tomatoes per square meter. Outdoors, yields may be lower, but still respectable.
The manufacturer does not say anything about the disease resistance of the variety. But the reviews of gardeners in this regard are rather favorable - many note the resistance of the Scarlet candles tomato to late blight, and the tomatoes themselves do not crack either on the branches or after harvesting. When growing tomatoes in greenhouses, many are faced with an unpleasant disease - brown spot (cladosporiosis). This tomato variety is resistant to this disease as well. In addition, it is not prone to top rot, which is already quite surprising for a tomato of this shape.
Characteristics of tomatoes
Tomato fruits Scarlet candles have an original shape - they are elongated in the form of a cylinder, while the tomatoes taper towards the end and are characterized by the presence of a small nose. As a result, their appearance really resembles, or a burning candle, or an icicle that has begun to melt.
At the same time, the fruits themselves are plump, with a dense and smooth skin, which, if desired, can be easily removed. The pulp is quite fleshy, retains its shape in cans even if the skin accidentally bursts.
Ripe tomatoes have a pronounced pink color and a bright tomato flavor and aroma.
They can be enjoyed fresh from the bush and are great in salads as they do not flow while retaining their shape.
The sizes of tomatoes are medium, tomatoes weigh from 100 to 130 grams. This allows them to be used anywhere. They are perfect for pickling and pickling. And the dense pulp makes them very suitable for drying, curing and freezing.
Advantages and disadvantages
Tomato Scarlet candles has a number of advantages that have allowed it to gain popularity among many gardeners:
- Attractive and unusual appearance of tomatoes.
- Sweet, great fruit taste.
- Excellent fruit set in any conditions, and as a result - high yield rates.
- Elongation of fruiting.
- The versatility of using tomatoes.
- Resistance to many diseases and adverse environmental factors.
At the same time, the variety has some disadvantages:
- Thin stems combined with strong vigor require constant bush shaping and maintenance.
- Fruit ripening is delayed.
Growing features
The seeds of this variety of tomatoes can be sown for seedlings about 60-65 days before the planned date of planting plants in a permanent place. In the conditions of the middle lane, this will fall on the middle - the second half of March, when it comes to growing in open ground. In the southern regions or when planting in a greenhouse, seedlings can be started to grow earlier, just do not forget about the additional illumination of young plants. For Siberia, the sowing dates, on the contrary, are shifted towards the end of March so that the seedlings do not outgrow by the time they are planted in open ground.
If you grow up to 5-10 bushes, then you can immediately sow them in separate containers, so as not to dive the seedlings in the future, but simply transfer the grown plants into large pots. If you are going to grow a lot of plants of this variety, then it will be more expedient to first sow the seeds in a common container, and then, after the appearance of two true leaves, cut the tomatoes into separate cups.
When planting seedlings in the ground in a permanent place, no more than 3-4 plants should be placed on one square meter. In order not to get confused later in the branches of an intensively growing tomato bush, it is advisable to immediately provide for the construction of horizontal trellises made of wire or thick twine. It is necessary to tie up tomato bushes Scarlet candles regularly as they grow. All superfluous stepchildren are also checked and deleted at least twice a week.
Top dressing and watering must be carried out regularly, at least once a week. In hot weather, daily watering may be required. If possible, it is best to mulch the bushes with straw or other organic material so that watering can be done less frequently. Mulching can also help combat weeds.
Reviews of gardeners
Reviews of those who have grown Scarlet candles tomato in their gardens for at least one season are positive. The taste qualities of tomatoes satisfy absolutely everyone, many note their resistance to various diseases.
Conclusion
Tomato Scarlet candles, despite its relative youth, has already managed to win the hearts of many gardeners with its yield, delicious taste and resistance to many common diseases of tomatoes.
