The Astrakhan tomato belongs to a group of mid-season hybrids. It is intended for open-field cultivation and is eaten fresh. The hybrid is processed into juice and tomato paste, and whole fruits are preserved for winter. Astrakhan hybrids occupy large areas of cultivation in the Lower Volga region.
Technical data of the plant
The characteristics and description of the Astrakhan tomato variety are as follows:
- From the first shoots to the ripening of the fruits, no more than 122 days pass.
- The height of the plant bush does not exceed 0.8 m. The hybrid forms a standard.
- The first inflorescence is formed above the 7-8th leaf of the bush.
- The fruit is spherical in shape, colored in vibrant shades of red. The tomato's skin is medium-thick. This allows for long-distance transportation, as Astrakhan tomatoes do not crack under mechanical stress. The hybrid has 5-6 seed chambers. The seeds of the Astrakhan tomato are medium-sized, but are not felt when eaten.
- Unlike other varieties, the plant does not have a green spot near the stalk.
- The average fruit weight ranges from 100 to 105 g. All berries grown on a bush are of the same weight. They mature almost simultaneously, which is why the hybrid is used for commercial cultivation.
Reviews from gardeners who have successfully planted and grown this hybrid indicate that the tomato yield is up to 8 kg of berries per square meter of garden bed. Farmers who have planted and grown tomatoes commercially report yields of 70-80 tons per hectare.
A full description of the hybrid can be found in specialized agricultural reference books and catalogs of companies engaged in the production of plant seeds.
Tomatoes are highly resistant to diseases such as blossom-end rot and fungal infections. Doctors recommend eating tomatoes for people with high cholesterol, fatty liver disease, weakened immune systems, and problems with hemoglobin production.
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Growing seedlings in a private garden
The hybrid can be propagated using seedlings or, without an intermediate step, by sowing the seeds directly into permanent beds. Seedlings are sown in the ground in the first ten days of March. Before planting, the seeds are disinfected with potassium permanganate in boxes filled with homemade or store-bought soil. The first sprouts will appear 6-7 days after sowing. When they have 1-2 leaves, the plants are pricked out. The grown seedlings are transplanted into permanent soil in a 0.5 x 0.5 m pattern.
There's a commercial method for planting this hybrid. It's done using a 0.17 x 1.4 m spacing. This results in a fairly dense row, and tomato cultivation can be mechanized.
With the second method, seeds are sown in April under a plastic cover. However, this method results in high seed consumption. They must be sown in a continuous row in the bed. After germination, the seedlings are thinned out, leaving a distance of 0.35-0.45 m between them. This method of propagation promotes strong stems and deep roots, resulting in more fruit per plant.
Caring for tomatoes during the growing season
The bushes need to be fed with nitrogen fertilizers. Urea can be used for this purpose. Before flowering, the hybrid is enriched with a complex mixture containing nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Fresh mullein is also used as a fertilizer. Dissolve up to 2 kg of the substance in a bucket of water and leave the solution for a week. Fermentation occurs. The resulting mixture is diluted five times and then poured under the tomato roots.
The bush's stems must be tied to a sturdy support, otherwise the plant will damage the branches when producing a large number of fruits. If the hybrid is not grown from seedlings, the seedlings are tied to a trellis 100 cm high. To support the stems, you will need to stretch two rows of additional wire. The stems are tied in the middle, ensuring their trunks are securely fastened.
In hot weather, water the plants twice every 6-7 days. Otherwise, water the hybrid once a week. It is recommended to use enough water to soak the soil to a depth of no more than 0.5 m. This requires pouring up to 5 liters of water onto each plant.
Loosening and weeding of the beds is done once every 14-15 days. These measures improve the supply of oxygen to tomato roots, eliminate root parasites, and help get rid of certain diseases.
Commercially produced chemicals are used to combat garden pests. If these aren't effective, you can try folk remedies, such as spraying the bushes with copper sulfate or a soap solution. Slugs can be repelled from tomato plants by treating the soil beneath the bushes with wood flour or spraying the beds with ammonia.
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I grew this variety for the first time, and I liked the taste. I think I'll give it preference next year. The seedlings grew quickly, and the only fertilizer I used was "BioGrow".