The Chudo-Grozd F1 tomato is considered a newcomer to the seed market. It appeared several years ago, but has already found its fans and detractors. Chudo-Grozd tomatoes are a variety of cherry tomato, a vegetable not highly regarded in Russia.
General characteristics of the plant
The Chudo-Grozd hybrid variety is an indeterminate plant that reaches a height of 1.7–1.9 m. One of the tomato's advantages is its ability to form flower clusters and set fruit before the end of the season. Another advantage is its early maturity: the first ripe tomatoes can be harvested one month after transplanting the seedlings into the greenhouse, approximately in mid-June.
After reading the plant's characteristics, many gardeners avoid buying seeds because, despite their advantages, they view cherry tomatoes as "frivolous" vegetables, preferring varieties with medium and large fruits. However, the yield of the Chudo-Grozd hybrid is quite comparable to that of any large-fruited variety: approximately 3-3.5 kg per plant.
Graceful, thin-stemmed plants can be planted in a dense pattern, 5-6 bushes per 1 m², achieving a good return per unit of area in a garden or greenhouse.
Chudo-Grozd tomatoes grow well both in greenhouses and open ground. Gardeners' reviews attest to their resilience to temperature fluctuations, lack of sunlight, and drought and heat. In any conditions, the entire plant is covered with mini tomatoes. This modern variety is resistant to saprotrophic fungi and is virtually immune to late blight, downy mildew, and macrosporiosis. In acidic soils, it can be susceptible to blossom-end rot.
What fruits grow on the Miracle Bunch?
The variety's name derives from its fruiting characteristics: small, spherical fruits (up to 20 g) are gathered into beautiful, complex, branched clusters. Each cluster can contain 50-60 tomatoes, and its total weight can reach 1 kg. Ripe fruits are a deep red, and they ripen simultaneously across the entire cluster, allowing gardeners to harvest a significant quantity of tomatoes at once.
The skin is very durable. Mini tomatoes don't crack even under adverse conditions and stay fresh for a long time at room temperature. They travel well and can easily withstand transportation from the garden to the city.
The flesh is a rich red color. In greenhouse conditions, seeds sometimes fail to set. Tomatoes ripened on the vine have a rich, sweet flavor and a distinctive aroma. Harvesting unripe tomatoes can lose some of their flavor.
Chudo-Grozd tomatoes are versatile. These small tomatoes can be used to create delicious and beautiful salads, garnish dishes and sandwiches, and serve in exquisite appetizers. These miniature, sweet tomatoes are often called cocktail tomatoes, denoting their use as a beverage garnish.
Small tomatoes can also be preserved for future use. Assorted whole-fruit preserves, including small vegetables of various types, look elegant and impressive. Juicing requires harvesting a large number of these tomatoes, so processing them is not common. However, the taste of this product is quite excellent. Small fruits are easy to dry or freeze for winter use.
Growing tomatoes
The general cultivation process for miniature-fruited plants is no different from that for regular tomatoes. When choosing cherry tomato varieties, keep in mind that they were bred for hot, dry climates, so their flavor is best revealed when grown in sunny locations. Chudo-Grozd tomatoes are no exception: despite their generally low demands and ability to bear fruit even in unfavorable conditions, they will produce their most delicious fruits in a well-lit, sunny location.
To prevent Chudo-Grozd tomatoes from being affected by blossom-end rot in the acidic or saline soils of central Russia, lime (fluff, chalk, dolomite, or bone meal) should be added to the soil before digging in the fall.
To provide other nutrients when preparing soil for tomatoes, use rotted organic matter, wood ash, or complex mineral fertilizers.
When growing Chudo-Grozd tomatoes, keep in mind that the tomatoes begin to fall off the trusses when fully ripe. To avoid crop loss, harvest 1-2 times a week during the active fruiting period. The trusses, which contain most of the ripened fruits, can be cut whole, stem and all. This will ensure that blanched tomatoes reach full ripeness without losing their flavor, and ripe tomatoes will stay fresh for several days.
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The Miracle Cluster mini tomatoes live up to their name and description. I planted them and had no problems with disease. They are very productive and look beautiful. I'll be planting them next year. They taste delicious and pleasant. They're excellent for garnishing salads, and they're also very tasty for pickling.