Description of the Watermelon tomato and growing it from seeds

The Watermelon tomato is listed in the Russian State Register for garden plots and small farms. This is an original tomato variety, developed by Russian breeders. As its name suggests, it resembles a watermelon. This variety produces a good harvest.

What is a Watermelon tomato?

Characteristics and description of the variety:

1. The tomato belongs to the mid-early ripening tomatoes.
2. Gardeners pick the first fruits 110 days after planting the seedlings.
3. Indeterminate variety.
4. There are no growth restrictions.
5. The bush can grow to a maximum height of 230 cm.
6. The average height of plants is about 2 m.

In central Russia, it is recommended to grow the plant in greenhouses. In southern regions, it can be grown in open beds. It is best to train the bush into a single stem. This will result in a higher yield. The leaves are medium-sized and dark green. The inflorescence is simple.

A single square meter of 3-4 plants yields 7 kg of fruit. The bush bears fruit for quite a long time. Everyone who has planted this variety reports that the harvest lasts until autumn.

Advantages of tomato:

1. Exotic appearance.
2. Classic tomato rich flavor.
3. Long fruiting period.
4. Not susceptible to most diseases.
5. High yield.

Flaws:

1. Requires proper care, including pinching out side shoots and tying to a support.
2. The fruits do not store for long and may crack.

Gardeners report the wonderful classic flavor of watermelon tomatoes. The fruits of this variety are large, averaging around 200 g. Those who have grown this variety have even grown tomatoes weighing 0.5 kg.

The fruits have a unique appearance. They are large, round, and ribbed, slightly flattened at the stem. The color is dark red with brown-green stripes, reminiscent of those on a watermelon.

The pulp is meaty, juicy, and aromatic. Inside are several chambers containing the seeds. The flavor is rich, sweet, and slightly tart.

Watermelon tomatoes are ideal for salads. They are most often eaten fresh. Canning and preserving for winter are rare. This is due to their large size and their flavor, which is best revealed in dishes with fresh tomatoes.

The fruits' disadvantages include their tendency to crack and their short shelf life. They can start to spoil within a few days of being picked, even if they were picked ripe. They don't travel well in transit. Only fresh tomatoes retain their appearance.

How to grow tomatoes

Watermelon tomato seeds are planted in March. If all planting conditions are met, the seedlings will sprout quickly—within a week. Avoid sowing seeds too frequently. It's important to select the right soil composition. It should be neutral in balance. You can use peat pellets filled with well-drained soil mix. Cover the containers with plastic wrap to create a greenhouse effect.

As soon as the first shoots appear, the container is placed closer to the light: under lamps or on a windowsill. Seedlings require regular watering and a comprehensive fertilizer mix. Gardeners should ensure that the plants don't lean to one side. To achieve this, turn the containers daily, exposing each side to the light source.

Planting in a greenhouse occurs after 1.5 months. By this time, the Watermelon tomatoes already have 6-8 leaves and a flower head. A few weeks before planting, the plant needs to be hardened off. To do this, place it outside for a few minutes, then for longer periods.

A diagram for planting tomatoes in a 40x60 cm bed. The holes are staggered. The soil in the holes is mixed with ash and mineral fertilizer.

The Watermelon tomato variety requires proper care. However, it's not difficult to grow. The plant needs to be pinched out, removing side shoots. The bush is trained into a single stem. The stems and branches with clusters must be tied to a trellis.

Water the roots with warm water. Avoid allowing water to come into contact with the leaves, as this can cause sunburn. Loosen the soil and remove weeds as needed. Fertilize several times during the summer. Although this variety is relatively disease-resistant, it's a good idea to treat the stems and leaves with preventative treatments.

Tomatoes can be harvested 100-110 days after planting. Gardeners typically receive their first red tomatoes in July or early August.

The fruits usually ripen uniformly, meaning all the tomatoes on a single cluster turn red at the same time. Large, watermelon-like tomatoes must be picked carefully. The fruits tend to crack. A single plant yields 2.5-3 kg of tomatoes.