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Domestic and foreign breeders have bred so many different varieties of tomatoes that gardeners simply do not have time to follow the new products. Now we will focus on one rather interesting variety of this vegetable. Lovers of original fruits will certainly be interested in the Watermelon tomato, intended for indoor and outdoor cultivation. The variety is of no less interest to farmers, because in greenhouse conditions you can get large fruits weighing more than 0.5 kg.
Description of tomato
To consider the characteristics and description of the tomato variety Watermelon, we will begin with the fact that the culture is entered in the State Register of Russia. In most regions, tomatoes are recommended to be grown in a closed way. On the street, the plant feels comfort only in the southern regions. Vegetable growers of the middle lane can also do without a greenhouse, but at least a temporary shelter made of film or agrofibre needs to be built.
In terms of ripening, the Watermelon tomato is considered a mid-early crop. Under favorable conditions, the first fruits are ready for consumption on day 107. The maximum ripening of a tomato can take up to 113 days. The plant is considered an indeterminate type. Tall bushes stretch over 2.1 m in height. In open cultivation, stem growth is usually limited to 1.9 m. The amount of foliage on the bush is average, the shape is common for most tomatoes.
The variety was bred by domestic breeders and immediately gave it a name because of the appearance of the fruit. On the skin of the tomato, the striped markings, characteristic of the watermelon, appear. Seeds are clearly visible on the pulp of the cut fruit. A tall tomato bush requires compulsory shaping. All extra stepsons are removed from the plant. There is no foliage thickening, but the green mass is removed from the bottom on the bush. It interferes with the airing of the soil around the plant and shades the lower layer of the fruit.
It is not worth pitying the leaves of the lower tier, since they do more harm than good. Firstly, excess green mass pulls useful substances, preventing the development of the plant and fruits. Secondly, in a rainy summer, dampness accumulates under the bushes. Foliage interferes with airing, as a result of which fungi appear. One of these dangerous diseases is root rot.
Vegetable growers who leave reviews of the Watermelon variety about the tomato assure the plant's resistance to late blight. If you follow the rules for the formation of bushes, then fungal diseases of the tomato are not terrible. Another advantage of the variety is long-term fruiting.
Fruit characteristics
The shape of the tomato is typical, as is the case for many large-fruited varieties. On the bush, just rounded and slightly elongated tomatoes grow, but they are all flattened. A distinctive feature of the fruit is the ribbing of the walls at the point of attachment of the peduncle. On some tomatoes, it even turns into large waves. The red color dominates in the pulp and skin of the fruit. In some places there are light and dark areas. A fully ripe fruit shows a brown tint on the skin. The green watermelon stripes converge to a large dark green spot at the stalk.
Continuing to consider the description of the Watermelon tomato, photo, you need to evaluate the size of the fruit and the overall yield of the variety. With the usual care of the crop, the vegetable grower will in any case receive tomatoes with an average weight of 160 g. If you try with top dressing and the correct shaping of the bush, then most of the fruits will grow up to 550 g. The yield of the Watermelon variety is average. About 2.5 kg of tomatoes are harvested from one bush.To avoid thickening by 1 m2 a maximum of three plants are planted. The total yield from such a site is approximately 6 kg.
The watermelon variety is considered a salad direction. The presentation of the fruit is good, you can even sell it on the market. However, tomatoes are poorly stored and practically cannot withstand transportation. These two disadvantages prevent the use of the Watermelon variety for commercial purposes.
The area of application of the fruit is extensive. The tomato is used in any dish, just not in preservation. Most of the large fruits will not fit into the jar, and many of them are unpresentable. However, there are reviews where housewives talk about the possibility of rolling small fruits into jars. The best way to feel the taste of a watermelon tomato is only in a fresh salad or when eating a fruit just plucked from a bush.
The value of the variety for any housewife lies in the gradual ripening of the fruits on the bush. The tomato pulp is tender, but this does not prevent the ripe fruit from hanging on the plant for a long time. The fruit will become sweeter and more aromatic every day. At this time, simply reduce the watering to prevent the tomato skin from cracking. Tomato variety Watermelon will provide the hostess with fresh vegetables before the onset of frost.
To summarize, let's highlight all the advantages of an unusual tomato:
- the appearance of the fruit is of interest to lovers of exotic dishes;
- even if the vegetable grower did not like the color and shape of the fruit, the taste will change the idea of this vegetable for the better;
- long-term fruiting allows you to get fresh tomatoes from the garden before the autumn frosts.
The disadvantages include the laboriousness of caring for the crop. Tomato bushes require a garter to the trellis. However, this applies to all tall tomatoes. Even many determinant tomatoes also cannot do without a garter to a support. So this issue remains controversial. But the really disadvantage is the impossibility of storing and transporting fruits. Plucked tomatoes must be processed or eaten immediately, otherwise they will crack and flow.
The video shows the variety Watermelon:
Growing tomato seedlings
The tomato with an exotic southern name Watermelon is considered a heat-loving culture. In the south, tomato grains can be sown directly into the ground, but in other regions, seedlings will need to be grown.
Sowing tomato seeds Watermelon begin in March. Then, in mid-July, the vegetable grower will already experience the pleasure of enjoying the first fruits. The culture loves a nutritious soil with a neutral balance. In extreme cases, a slight increase in acidity is allowed. Traditionally, tomato grains can be sown in boxes, but then the seedlings will have to dive when two normal leaves appear on the plants. It will be less hassle if you sow the seeds directly into cups or special peat tablets.
In any case, the containers with the crops are covered with foil until the sprouts germinate. After mass shoots, tomato seedlings are placed in a bright place. In the house, a window sill is usually used for these purposes. Artificial illumination of seedlings is needed. Daylight hours are not enough for tomatoes. Caring for seedlings of a tomato of the Watermelon variety provides for timely watering with warm water, loosening the soil, applying top dressing. It is advisable to turn containers with plants daily so that the stems do not stretch bent towards the light source.
Seedlings will be ready for planting no earlier than 46 days. By this time, the tomatoes will have formed 6–7 leaves and one inflorescence. Tomatoes are hardened 1-2 weeks before planting. Seedlings are taken outside in the shade for a short time. The duration of the hardening procedure is increased every day.
The garden bed is prepared in the fall or 1 month before the planting of tomato seedlings. The earth is dug up with humus. If the soil is heavy, then adding sand makes it loose. As a disinfection, the soil is irrigated with a pale solution of potassium permanganate. Dig holes under the tomatoes, adhering to the scheme. 1 m2 beds should grow a maximum of three tomato bushes. The soil in the hole is mixed with a tablespoon of ash and a similar amount of mineral fertilizer.
During planting, the tomato is removed from the cup along with a lump of earth and, without destroying it, is placed in the hole. Now it remains to fill the holes with loose soil, water the plants and establish a temporary shelter above them.
Features of tomato care
Many reviews of the Watermelon tomato say that the variety does not require special care. Like all tomatoes, the culture responds well to organic feeding. During the flowering and ovary period, mineral fertilizers are needed. For better plant development, as well as the prevention of diseases, the soil under the bushes often needs to be loosened. Overgrowing of the garden is not allowed weeds... If possible, watering is organized with warm water, and it must be poured under the roots.
The extra stepsons that appear from the plant are removed. This is done when the shoots are more than 4–5 cm long. Tying the stems to the support is required. For tall tomatoes, it is better to install trellises. In addition to the stems themselves, I tie branches with brushes to the support, otherwise they will break off from heavy fruits.
Maintenance sprays are always welcome. The simplest solution of Bordeaux liquid will prevent the development of such a dangerous disease as late blight. In the fight against spider mites, aphids, whiteflies, a decoction of wormwood, soap solution or tobacco dust will help.
Testimonials
As you can see, the culture is easy to care for, and the reviews about the Watermelon tomato will help vegetable growers decide to grow this variety on their site.
