Description of the Bochata tomato and growing rules for the semi-determinate variety

The versatile use of its fruit and high yield make the Bochata tomato a sought-after variety among vegetable growers. This variety was developed relatively recently, but has already won the favor of both experienced and amateur gardeners.

This tomato is distinguished by its characteristics, which demonstrate how resilient it is to weather extremes, how undemanding it is regarding soil, and, despite everything, how consistently it produces a high-quality harvest. According to the growers, the Bochata tomato variety is easy to grow. The main thing is to observe all the sowing dates for seedlings and properly plant the seedlings outdoors.

Description of the Bochata variety

The Bochata tomato variety is a semi-determinate variety. The bushes are compact, with branches that are not spreading. The bush reaches a height of 90 to 110 cm. It requires pinching and shaping into one or two trunks. The main stem is quite strong, and the root system is extensive, making the plant drought-tolerant. The foliage is regular, dark green, and densely fills the bush.

The plant is considered mid-season. From the moment the first shoots emerge until harvest, it takes 115 to 125 days. The tomato has a regular inflorescence, with the first cluster forming after the sixth or seventh leaf. Each cluster produces 4-5 tomatoes.

Description of tomatoes:

• The fruits have an oval shape, which externally resembles a barrel with a wide bottom.
• The tomatoes are a rich red colour with a slight orange tint around the stem.
• The fruits are quite large, fleshy, dense, but at the same time juicy and aromatic.
• The taste qualities are at the highest level.
• The tomato has a sweet, fruity flavor that contains a bit of acidity and spice.

The variety description indicates that the fruits are versatile: they can be used to make ketchup, paste, lecho, juice, and preserves. Fresh vegetable salads made with these tomatoes have a unique flavor.

The fruits are covered with a smooth, shiny skin that protects Bochata tomatoes from the scorching sun and moisture. This allows them to withstand long-distance transport well and can be stored for about a month in a cool, dry place. The Bochata variety is highly productive, with a single bush yielding 2.5–3.5 kg of ripe tomatoes per season.

The manufacturer indicates that the plant may be susceptible to various fungi and pests, so it is necessary to periodically and promptly carry out preventative measures.

Method of growing tomatoes

The seedling method is the ideal option for growing Bochata tomato variety.

The seeds are sown in March in a special soil mixture. This soil contains three components: turf soil, coarse river sand, and peat.

Before planting, seeds need to be prepared. A weak solution of potassium permanganate and a growth stimulant are best. Soak the seeds in these solutions for 30 minutes, then allow them to dry naturally.

Lightly compact the soil and make holes no more than 1.5 cm deep for the seeds. After sowing, water the seedlings with warm water. A sieve or spray bottle is best for this. Cover the container with plastic wrap and place it in a warm place until the first shoots appear. Then, move the seedlings to a more sunny spot and remove the plastic wrap. During the first week, the temperature in the room with seedlings should be maintained at 16-17 °C, then it is increased to 20-22 °C.

Once the sprouts have developed two strong leaves, they can be pricked out. The plants are transplanted into separate containers; peat pots are ideal for this purpose. This will prevent the need to remove the plant from its container during planting and damage the root system. Bochata tomatoes will take root more quickly and adapt to the new soil.

Seedlings are transplanted to open ground or a greenhouse at 60-65 days of age. The bushes should have formed 6-7 leaves and at least one flower cluster.

Before planting, the soil should be fertilized with complex minerals or humus. Place the holes 50 cm apart, leaving 60 cm between rows. Plant 4-5 bushes per square meter.

Plant care

Immediately after planting, the beds should be watered with settled water. After 10 days, the plants are fed with complex minerals. For this, nitrogen, potassium, and superphosphate are used.

The holes should be mulched with organic material. Wood shavings or straw are best. The soil should be loosened and weeded periodically.

The Bochata tomato variety has excellent characteristics. It tolerates low moisture and minor temperature fluctuations well. Its yield is consistently high. The fruits are tasty and aromatic. Reviews of Bochata tomatoes are generally positive. Gardeners are increasingly choosing this variety.