Description of the Tretyakovsky tomato variety, cultivation and pest control

The Tretyakovsky F1 tomato is a hybrid developed by Ural breeders. This mid-season variety quickly won the hearts of gardeners. These tomatoes are renowned not only for their attractive appearance but also for their excellent taste.

Description of the variety

Tretyakovsky tomatoes are increasingly attracting the attention of gardeners. Their yield is unaffected by cultivation methods. Regardless of the method used, the fruits are delicious and a pleasant raspberry color. Experienced gardeners harvest up to 15 kg of fruit from a single Tretyakovsky variety bush.

Characteristics of the variety:

• the bushes are tall, so they require pinching;
• the bushes are shade-tolerant, and this does not reduce the yield;
• medium-sized fruits (100–150 g);
• the fruits are juicy and sweetish in taste;
• dark crimson color;
• thin, soft skin of the fruit;
• useful composition of tomatoes (lycopene, carotene);
• After ripening, the fruits do not crack.

Tretyakov F1 tomatoes are suitable for fresh consumption, all types of dishes, and canning. Temperature fluctuations and lack of sun have little effect on the crop, so even in unfavorable climates, gardeners can reap a bountiful harvest.

Growing

To ensure a good harvest, it's important to properly prepare the seeds before planting. Gardeners' advice on growing tomatoes generally agrees that it's best to treat them with disinfectants and growth stimulants before planting. Soaking the seeds in a potassium permanganate solution has shown good results. It kills various types of fungi and bacteria.

The soil for seedlings is prepared in the fall. Garden soil is mixed with compost and ash. If the soil is clayey, it's best to add sand or peat.

Please note! You cannot grow tomatoes in the same area two years in a row. It is also not recommended to plant tomatoes in soil that was previously planted with potatoes.

Tomatoes are planted in March.Sow seeds at a distance of 2–3 cm. Seedlings are planted only after the plants have developed strong stems and well-developed leaves. The seed trays should be kept in a well-lit area. The room temperature should not drop below 12 degrees Celsius at night. The first mineral fertilizer should be applied 10–15 days after planting.

As soon as the weather becomes consistently warm, gardeners prepare the beds. In the fall, the soil is usually limed, as tomatoes dislike high acidity. Then, green manure is planted. The optimal distance between seedling holes is 50 cm. Planting is done with a root ball to prevent root damage. The soil is pre-moistened before planting.

Care Features

Caring for Tretyakov tomatoes is not much different from caring for other varieties. During the initial stages of ripening, watering no more than once a week is advisable. Otherwise, the fruits will become too sour and soft. Once 4-5 leaves appear on the stems, gardeners switch to watering twice a week. Water temperature is crucial; it should not fall below 20 degrees Celsius.

A tomato plant is grown with a single stem. The shoots that form at the bottom act as the second stem. It's important to remove any remaining shoots.

Even in poor weather conditions, fruit sets well. Tomatoes can thrive only with sufficient phosphorus, potassium, and nitrogen. The first application of superphosphate is recommended immediately after planting. However, it's important not to overdo it, otherwise nitrates will accumulate in the tomatoes. To prevent disease, tomatoes are treated with ash during flowering.

Since Tretyakov tomatoes are a tall hybrid, the bushes can reach 7 meters in length. To prevent this, plants above two clusters are always pinched.

Advantages and disadvantages

The main advantage of the variety is its productivity.

The advantages of the Tretyakovsky F1 variety also include:

• fleshy fruits with a pleasant raspberry color;
• good taste;
• undemanding to soil;
• Substances found in tomatoes that are beneficial for the body.

The downside is that you need to pay extra attention to your plants during the growth stage; otherwise, you risk growing "giants" in your garden, whose yield will be significantly lower.

Pests and diseases

Although the Tretyakovsky variety is resistant to fungal diseases, it is susceptible to late blight. The disease affects individual bushes and spreads fairly quickly. It appears as brown or russet spots. To prevent the disease, treat tomatoes with Fitosporin or similar products.

If the disease is present, each bush must be treated immediately, otherwise the entire harvest can be lost. Incidentally, the optimal conditions for the disease to develop are high humidity and low temperatures. This is why it's so important to maintain a proper watering schedule and monitor the air temperature.

Tomatoes can be damaged by cutworms. Their tiny caterpillars destroy foliage and fruit, regardless of ripeness. To combat this pest, preventative measures include autumn soil tillage, timely weed removal, and pollination of the bushes.

Another pest of the Tretyakovsky F1 variety is the Colorado potato beetle. It is more common in the southern regions of the country. This pest can become a "natural disaster" for gardeners. In this case, the beetle larvae are collected by hand. To prevent Colorado potato beetle infestations, experienced gardeners recommend planting garlic, legumes, and calendula near tomato plants. These plants are effective pest deterrents.

Harvesting and storage

To maximize the yield per vine, it's best to pick unripe tomatoes and place them on a windowsill. After 10-15 days, the fruits will ripen and taste better than their vine-ripened counterparts. This technique is recommended for at least the first few fruits.

Since tomatoes don't like cold temperatures, it's recommended to finish harvesting by August 20th. After that, nighttime temperatures will begin to drop, which will have a negative impact on the tomatoes. All unripe tomatoes are placed on a windowsill and will ripen without any risk.

Do not allow the fruits to overripe, otherwise the pulp will become loose and tasteless. At the beginning of the season, inspect the bushes every one or two days. When picking ripe fruit, it's also important to remove any damaged or diseased fruit.

Ripe tomatoes don't keep for long. However, if you pick unripe tomatoes and store them on windowsills, their shelf life is greatly extended. To do this, select whole tomatoes, dry them, and store them in wooden crates. The optimal storage temperature is 25°C (77°F) and humidity is 80%. Gardeners report that under these conditions, tomatoes fully ripen in 10 days.

Gardeners' reviews

Vladimir, 50 years old, Kuban:

"This year I planted Tretyakov tomatoes for the first time. I read a lot of rave reviews about their taste and attractive crimson color. I really liked the appearance of the tomatoes. They were fleshy, slightly sweet, and incredibly aromatic. However, there weren't enough for canning; we ate them fresh. Next year I plan to plant twice as many."

Marina, 42 years old, Krasnodar:

"An excellent variety, but it does require care. Just remember to pinch the plants back, otherwise they'll grow over 5 meters tall and the fruits will be small. The tomatoes are delicate in flavor and are great for canning (they don't fall apart or clump)."