Description of the French Grape tomato variety, its characteristics and yield

Real homemakers know their vegetables, so they look for tomatoes suitable for pickling and canning. The French grape tomato is perfect for this purpose. It's prized for its low maintenance and bountiful harvest. It has a wonderful flavor fresh, pickled, and salted.

Description of the variety

This hybrid was developed by Siberian breeders for cultivation in greenhouses and open ground. In the former case, it has an extended fruiting period. This tomato is a high-yielding variety with a mid-late ripening period. In greenhouses, fruiting continues until the first frost. In open ground, it continues until late August and early September.

Since this tomato variety is a determinate plant, it stops growing once it reaches a certain size. This is very convenient. Thanks to this feature, tomato bunches ripen at approximately the same time each year. Gardeners can harvest the crop and preserve it for the winter.

Bushes

The bushes reach a height of 1.5 meters. Despite the bush's robust stem, it requires staking. It doesn't require pinching, as the side shoots grow only slightly. Gardeners have noticed a peculiarity: the larger the bush, the richer the harvest, so they don't rush to remove the side shoots. If growing conditions are favorable, entire clusters of tomatoes form on the branches.

Fruit

A single cluster contains 10 to 22 fruits. Under favorable conditions, fruiting increases. This is confirmed by the fact that a single bush yields approximately 10 kg of ripe fruit per season. The tomatoes are distinguished by their oblong shape. They have rich, red, sweetish flesh covered with a tough skin.

Growing

Those who have planted French grape tomatoes know that they require little care. But this doesn't mean gardeners should abandon the plant and let it grow and develop on its own. Before sowing, soak the seeds in water with a small amount of potassium permanganate. Sow 60–70 days before planting.

Sow the seeds in containers filled with light soil. When two true leaves appear, transplant the seedlings. Maintain proper light and temperature conditions to prevent the seedlings from becoming elongated.

Seedlings are planted in open ground no earlier than 55 days after planting. It's impossible to pinpoint the exact time, as it depends on weather conditions. To ensure the tomato plants don't require additional space, two seedlings are planted per square meter. After planting, the growing plants are tied up. This step is essential, as branches can break under the weight of the fruit.

Care Features

This stage doesn't involve any special steps. It's practically no different from caring for other tomato varieties.

Watering

French grape variety - tomato variety, which prefers infrequent but abundant watering. This is based on weather conditions. If the soil contains sufficient moisture, it helps the plant survive hot days. If the tomato plant doesn't receive enough moisture, its appearance is affected. The leaves darken and wilt, and you'll quickly realize that the plant needs more frequent watering.

During the period of ovary formation, the plant needs to be watered more often.

Top dressing

Fertilizing the crop is the second most important step. For this tomato variety, this procedure is carried out in three stages:

• Add fertilizer to the hole, pouring 4 liters of water;
• 21 days after planting, nutrients are added to the soil to improve growth;
• The third feeding is carried out at the time of flowering and fruiting.

Weeding, mulching and loosening

Loosen the soil 1-2 times a week, depending on the weather. This helps oxygenate the soil. If weeds are interfering with the growth of the bushes, they are removed. These processes are carried out carefully. If the plant is too close, there is a risk of damaging the root system.

Another important consideration is mulching. This procedure maintains normal soil moisture levels. Mulch retains moisture, slowing water evaporation. This greatly benefits the plant.

Advantages and disadvantages

The advantages include:

1. Good yield. A single tomato plant produces 5 kg of tomatoes per season in open ground, sometimes reaching 6 kg. Under good conditions, it can yield 10 kg.
2. Finger-shaped tomatoes have a rich flavor. They ripen simultaneously in the cluster and have a shelf life of up to 2 months.
3. Suitable for pickling. It is also successfully used for preparing fresh dishes and preserves.
4. Gardeners can collect seeds from the fruits and plant them for the following season.

Another advantage is the dryness of the fruit, but not all gardeners share this opinion. Sun-dried tomatoes are currently popular. Therefore, this disadvantage becomes an advantage if you want to dry tomatoes without removing excess moisture. Despite its advantages, this tomato variety also has its drawbacks.

In northern and central regions, growing in open ground is not recommended. In these regions, greenhouse cultivation is possible. The weight of the fruit pulls the plant branches toward the ground. To prevent the fruits from lying on the ground, it is necessary to create a support and garter.

Pests and diseases

According to the tomato's characteristics, the French grape variety has a strong immune system that protects against many diseases. Therefore, don't expect it to be resistant.

To ensure the plant grows and develops fully, it's important to remember about prevention. This includes periodically spraying the bushes with pest control solutions, regularly watering, and ventilating the room if it's a greenhouse.

Harvesting and storage

Harvesting is the most enjoyable part of growing tomatoes. When you pick up a firm fruit, the fruits of your labor are visible. In open soil, tomatoes begin to ripen in mid-August. The process can take longer depending on weather conditions.

To ensure that harvesting is systematic and as abundant as possible, adhere to the following rules:

1. The fruits are harvested when they begin to fill with color.
2. Tomatoes should not be thrown, as they may become damaged and cause damage to the entire box.
3. It is recommended to pick tomatoes in the morning, as soon as the dew has dried.
4. If the nighttime temperature drops to 8°C, the tomatoes are harvested. Even if they are green (almost black), they will ripen during storage.

Tomatoes can only be stored for a short time after being picked. To extend their shelf life, it's necessary to create the appropriate conditions. The temperature in the tomato storage room should be maintained at no more than 20°C. The room should be dry and well-ventilated. For longer shelf life, the tomatoes should be interspersed with dry hay.

Gardeners' reviews

A group of French grape tomato enthusiasts has formed among gardeners. Detailed instructions for growing it make it easy to grow, even for beginners. Positive reviews confirm the tomato's immense popularity, as it has captivated farmers with its distinctive tomato flavor and firm flesh.