Description of the ornamental tomato 'Tolstushka' and plant care

The "Tolstushka" tomato has long earned rave reviews from gardeners. The tomato, a vegetable once grown only as an ornamental plant, is now consumed worldwide.

It's safe to say that tomatoes are one of the most popular vegetables, prized for their taste, vitamins, and nutrients.

The benefits of the Tolstushka tomato

Today, due to unstable weather and climate change, gardeners who have traditionally grown tomatoes and enjoyed a bountiful harvest are looking for a tomato variety that can produce large quantities of fruit even on cloudy days.

The Tolstushka tomato was developed by Dutch breeders. Crops bred in Holland are known for their hardiness, good disease resistance, high yields, and undemanding nature. The description of the Tolstushka tomato variety indicates that it was bred specifically for areas with harsh climates. It's an ideal choice for many gardeners.

The variety's characteristics and description indicate that the tomato plants are quite compact, and the flat-round fruits are very tasty. Each tomato weighs up to 320 g. The color is bright red.

A single bush can yield approximately 7 kg of fruit. These tomatoes are called "Tolstushka" for a reason—the fruits are quite large. Because of this, they are not ideal for canning. Thanks to their bright and fresh flavor, they are used in salads, sauces, juices, and lecho.

Tomatoes are quite shelf-stable and retain their marketable appearance even during transportation.

It takes approximately 3.5 months from the emergence of the first shoots to the peak of fruiting. The bushes are tall, reaching up to 3 meters, so staking is essential. Gardeners are pleased that the Tolstushka variety grows and bears fruit well both outdoors and in greenhouses.

This crop is so versatile that even novice gardeners can grow it. It doesn't require daily watering or frequent harvesting.

Plant care

The first fruits can be harvested approximately two months after planting. Harvesting should be done every five days. There's no need to let the fruits ripen on the vine. They ripen just fine indoors at room temperature.

The Tolstushka variety is fairly easy to grow, so you won't need to put in a lot of effort to get a good, tasty harvest. However, loosening the soil is essential for Tolstushka tomatoes.

You should also be prepared for the fact that you won't be able to collect seeds from your own fruits, as this variety is a hybrid. You'll need to purchase the seeds.

The best time to plant seeds for seedlings is early March. Soil with sand, humus, and ash is ideal. To disinfect the soil, bake it thoroughly in the oven, and soak the seeds in a potassium permanganate solution.

Once the seeds are planted, water the soil with room-temperature water using a spray bottle. Cover the containers with plastic wrap until the first shoots appear. Once the plastic wrap is removed, move the containers to a windowsill.

Pricking out is done when the seedlings reach 15 cm. To promote root development and growth, pinching is necessary. Two weeks before the planned transplanting into open ground, hardening off is done by leaving the seedlings outdoors for a period of time.

Tomato beds should be prepared not in early spring, but in the fall. It's best if you've grown beans, radishes, or cabbage in the garden before planting tomatoes.

Features and recommendations

Seedlings should be planted in late May or early June. Fertilize the area. When planting, space the seedlings approximately 0.5 m apart.

Tomatoes need to be fertilized once a week. This can be done with manure fertilizer. Although the Tolstushka variety of tomatoes is virtually disease-resistant, some gardeners have reported cases of fruit rot. To avoid this, handle the plants very carefully and mulch the soil. Fruiting will be better if you pick off the lower leaves.

Those who have planted the Tolstushka variety outdoors praise its productivity. The fruits were large, juicy, with a distinct color and delicate aroma.

Every gardener wants to treat themselves and their family with delicious tomatoes, but due to the climate, they can't always ensure a bountiful harvest. Thanks to the Tolstushka tomato variety, you can grow vibrant and delicious tomatoes in any climate.