Characteristics and description of the Ustinya F1 tomato, cultivation techniques for the hybrid

The Ustinya F1 tomato, which reviews point to excellent taste, is a mid-season variety. Its fruits are firm and versatile. Thanks to its tolerance to temperature fluctuations, weather conditions, and immunity to fungal and viral diseases, it can be grown outdoors.

Advantages of a hybrid

The Ustinya F1 tomato variety is included in the State Register of Breeding Achievements as a variety intended for cultivation in open ground and under plastic shelters. The plant is determinate, developing a bush with well-developed foliage 50-60 cm tall during the growing season.

This hybrid is a mid-season variety, maturing in 111-115 days from emergence. The Ustinya hybrid is characterized by a single inflorescence. The first raceme is initiated above the 7th leaf, and subsequent flower stalks form at intervals of 1-2 leaves. The peduncle is articulated.

Description of fruits:

• An unripe tomato has a light green color.
• Ripe tomatoes are medium-sized, red in color, and sweet in taste.
• Tomatoes are elongated cylindrical in shape with a spout.
• The fruits have a glossy surface, dense pulp and skin.
• When cut horizontally, 3-4 chambers with seeds are observed.
• The fruits ripen in clusters containing 6-8 tomatoes.
• The weight of a tomato reaches 70-90 g.
• The tomato yield is 12.4 kg per 1 m².

This variety can be grown on an industrial scale. The fruits withstand long-distance transportation well. In cooking, the tomatoes are used fresh. When canned, the fruits retain their shape.

Cultivation techniques

The Ustinya hybrid is recommended for growing from seedlings. Before planting, the seeds are treated with an aqueous solution of potassium permanganate for 12-24 hours. A layer of mineral wool is placed on the bottom of the seedling containers, and the prepared soil mixture is then poured on top.

Place the seeds in 1-cm-deep furrows, spaced apart, and cover with soil. Water the seed container with warm water and a mixed fertilizer.

Cover the container with plastic wrap until the sprouts emerge. When the first true leaf has formed, transplant the seedlings into individual pots. To maximize the preservation of the root system, peat containers are recommended.

The seedlings are transplanted to their permanent location as buds appear. They should be planted in a sunny location. Large tomato leaves provide excellent protection from direct sunlight.

During the growing season, the plant requires moderate pruning of side shoots. Care includes loosening the soil and applying mineral fertilizers.

To maintain the balance of moisture and air near the root system, it is recommended to mulch the soil using last year's grass or non-woven black fiber.

Recommendations and opinions of vegetable growers

Reviews from gardeners cultivating the Ustinya hybrid indicate the variety's high yield and its suitability for outdoor cultivation.

Anatoly Efremov, 59 years old, Tula:

"Last season, my neighbors offered me several Ustinya seedlings. I planted them under plastic cover in well-fertilized holes with compost. Over the course of the season, the plants reached a height of 0.5 meters. I was pleasantly surprised by the bush's resistance to diseases common to nightshade crops and its high yield. The tomatoes retain their shape and size throughout the entire fruiting season. The cylindrical fruits have an excellent sweet flavor and store well thanks to their thick skin."

Evgenia Samoilova, 61 years old, Krasnodar:

"I was looking for low-growing tomatoes for outdoor planting and settled on the Ustinya hybrid. I bought seeds at a specialty store and grew them using seedlings. I transplanted the finished seedlings, along with their first flower stalks, to their permanent location. Throughout the growing season, I watered them periodically and applied complex fertilizers according to the manufacturer's recommendations. I was pleased with the plant's resistance to temperature fluctuations and a range of diseases. As a result, I was able to harvest a high yield of uniformly sized tomatoes with excellent flavor."