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Professionals in the cultivation of tomatoes have long preferred to deal mainly with tomato hybrids, since they are distinguished by incomparable resistance to adverse conditions, good yield and safety of the grown vegetables. But even ordinary gardeners sometimes want to be 100% confident in the results of their labors. And do not rely only on good weather in the summer and successful coincidences of circumstances, thanks to which you will be able to pay maximum attention to your tomato bushes and enjoy a good harvest.
Tomato hybrids can significantly make life easier for gardeners and therefore continue to be in demand among the population, even despite some of their shortcomings. The weak points of the hybrids include the impossibility of using seeds from grown fruits for further propagation of tomatoes and the somewhat rubbery taste of the fruit.
Tomato King The F1 market, appearing for the first time at the beginning of the 21st century, immediately attracted such increased interest from both farmers and ordinary summer residents that manufacturers launched a whole series of tomato hybrids under this name.
The article will provide an overview of all the most popular hybrids of this series of tomatoes with their brief characteristics and descriptions of varieties.
History of origin
The first tomato of this series was called the King of the Market No. 1. It was bred at the very beginning of the XXI century by breeders of the Scientific and Production Corporation “NK. LTD ", better known to gardeners and vegetable growers, as the agricultural company" Russian garden ".
Already the tomatoes of this first hybrid fully justified the name assigned to them - they were really kings in many ways. And by yield, and by resistance to diseases and unfavorable growing conditions, and by the duration of storage and transportation.
Immediately after him appeared hybrid No. 2 from the same series, which corresponded to all the characteristics of the first hybrid, but was more suitable for whole-fruit canning, since it had an elongated cylindrical shape of fruits and a small mass of tomatoes.
Both of the first Kings were intended mainly for processing and obtaining a variety of tomato products, although they could also be suitable for salads.
But starting from No. 4, tomato hybrids received an exclusively salad purpose, their taste characteristics were improved and breeders thoroughly worked on the size of ripe fruits.
With the exception of No. 5, whose fruit sizes do not exceed 200 grams, the rest of the kings compete with each other in the size of tomatoes, which continue to retain all their unique properties inherent in all hybrids of this series without exception.
Other hybrids in this series have not yet received a similar honor.
If the first hybrids of this series were specially designed for growing in the open field and belonged to the determinant group, then later the maturation and growth characteristics of the bushes began to differ in great variety. Multi-colored hybrids of this series also appeared. The latest innovation launched in 2017 is the Orange Market King.
General characteristics
Despite the wide variety of tomatoes in the King of the Market series, these hybrids have some features that are inherent in absolutely all representatives of this group of tomatoes.
- High resistance to most diseases typical of nightshades: fusarium, verticillosis, alternaria, gray leaf spot, tobacco mosaic virus;
- Tomatoes are also rarely infested with pests;
- The fruits are characterized by long shelf life (up to 1 month or more) and good preservation (they do not crack either on the bushes or after harvesting);
- Tomatoes have dense flesh and a smooth, firm skin, which makes them ideal for any harvest;
- The shape of the tomatoes is perfect, with practically no ribbing.
- High yield of marketable fruits, up to 92%;
- Resistant to temperature extremes and other weather conditions that may be unfavorable for the development of a tomato;
- Stable and fairly high yield, due to good fruit set, which practically does not depend on weather factors.
Features of individual hybrids
Initially, the King of the Market series of hybrids was created specifically for the industrial cultivation of tomatoes in the open field. Therefore, the vast majority of tomatoes in this series belong to determinant plants, which are limited in growth and the height of the bushes of which does not exceed 70-80 cm.But the Tomato Kings numbered 8, 9, 11 and 12 are indeterminate plants and can be grown both in the open field, and in greenhouse conditions.
At the same time, No. 7 is already mid-season, and the last Orange King of the market No. 13 refers even to mid-late tomatoes. Its fruits ripen 120-130 days after germination, and therefore in many regions of Russia it makes sense to grow it only in greenhouses, or at least under film shelters.
To make it easier to navigate in the abundance of characteristics of the King of the Market hybrids, below is a summary table in which all the main representatives of this series are considered.
Hybrid name | Ripening time (days) | The height of the bushes and growth features | Yield | Fruit size and shape | Fruit color and taste |
Market King # I | 90-100 | Up to 70 cm Determinant | About 10 kg per sq. meters | Up to 140 g cuboid | Red Good |
No. II | 90-100 | Up to 70 cm Determinant | About 10 kg per sq. meters | 80-100 g cylindrical, cream | Red good |
No. III | 90-100 | Up to 70 cm Determinant | 8-9 kg per sq. meters | 100-120 g flat-round | Red good |
No. IV | 95-100 | Up to 70 cm Determinant | 8-9 kg per sq. meters | Up to 300 g rounded | Red good |
No. V | 95-100 | 60-80 cm Determinant | 9 kg per sq. meters | 180-200 g Flat-rounded | Red good |
No. VI | 80-90 | 60-80 cm Determinant | About 10 kg per sq. meters | 250-300 g rounded | Red good |
No. VII | 100-110 | Up to 100 cm Determinant | About 10 kg per sq. meters | Up to 500-600 g rounded | Red a great |
The Pink King of the Market No. VIII | 100-120 | Up to 1.5 m Indet | 12-13 kg per sq. meters | 250-350 g Round, smooth | Pink a great |
King Giant No. IX | 100-120 | Up to 1.5 m Indet | 12-13 kg per sq. meters | On average 400-600 g and up to 1000 g Round, smooth | Red a great |
Early King # X | 80-95 | 60-70 cm Determinant | 9-10 kg per sq. meters | Up to 150 g rounded | Red good |
King of Salting No. XI | 100-110 | Up to 1.5 m Indet | 10-12 kg per sq. meters | 100-120 g cylindrical cream | Red good |
King of Honey No. XII | 100-120 | Up to 1.5 m Indet | 12-13 kg per sq. meters | 180-220 g rounded | Red a great |
Orange King Market No. XIII | 120-130 | Up to 100 cm Determinant | 10-12 kg per sq. meters | About 250g rounded | Orange a great |
Reviews of gardeners
Ogorodnikov were immediately attracted by the King of the Market tomatoes and they were willingly grown in various regions of Russia, despite the relatively high cost of seeds. Reviews of gardeners on tomatoes in this series are mostly positive, although there are recognized leaders: # 1, # 7, Pink # 8 and King Giant # 9 are especially popular.
Conclusion
Tomatoes King of the market amaze with the variety of their varieties, unpretentiousness and a stable and sustainable harvest. This is probably why their popularity does not subside. For anyone, even the most fastidious gardener, there is a variety among them that will definitely make him change his mind about hybrids.
