Description of the early-ripening tomato Severny Express F1 and growing the hybrid

The Severny Express F1 tomato is a modern, early-ripening hybrid, developed specifically for farms in northern regions. These tomatoes are recommended for high-risk farming zones: Siberia, the Urals, and the Far East. However, the Severny Express can also be grown in the Moscow region or warmer southern regions of Russia.

Characteristics of the variety

This is a determinate hybrid, with spontaneous topping after 5-6 clusters have formed. The overall height of the bush is 1.2-1.5 m. The plant requires support. Due to its prolific growth of lateral shoots, it also requires pinching.

The hybrid tomato variety "Northern Express" can be grown in greenhouses and open ground. The plant is resistant to temperature fluctuations and produces consistently high yields even during cool, rainy seasons. The hybrid is resistant to most fungal diseases: the bushes are not affected by late blight, cladosporiosis, or fusarium. The plant is also immune to tobacco mosaic virus.

This early-ripening hybrid takes about 100 days from germination to commercial production. Fruit ripens evenly. Severny Express is suitable for both home gardens and small farms specializing in early vegetable production. The average yield of Severny Express tomatoes is approximately 4 kg per plant.

Benefits of fruits

The characteristics and descriptions of the variety in catalogs highlight the uniformity of the tomatoes on the plant. Average weight fluctuates between 120-150 g, with no significant variations. The fruit shape is round, slightly flattened at the ends, and without ribbing.

The skin of the fruit is intensely red when fully ripe. The tomatoes have no green spot near the stem, and the color is uniform. The skin is very durable. The fruits can be transported over long distances without damage, they keep for a long time when ripe, and ripen easily if picked at the milky stage.

The flesh is uniformly colored. It's pinkish-red, with no green or yellow tint to the seed chambers, no light-colored center, and no pale area near the stalk. The consistency is firm but quite juicy.

Gardeners' reviews describe the taste as excellent. The average rating on a 5-point scale is 4.5. The flavor of the Severny Express variety is classic, sweet and sour. The tomato aroma is distinct.

This versatile variety is suitable for fresh eating, salads, appetizers, and stuffing. Its thick skin is easy to remove for hot dishes.

Small, neatly shaped tomatoes are ideal for jarring when canning whole tomatoes. Their thick skins resist cracking during cooking, ensuring a perfect marinade appearance. Northern Express tomatoes can be used for juice and tomato sauces or concentrated pastes.

How to grow tomatoes

In Russia, tomatoes are grown exclusively from seedlings. Sow seeds of the early-ripening "Northern Express" variety in mid- to late March. The soil before sowing should be thoroughly soaked with a hot, dark pink solution of potassium permanganate. This will enrich the soil with potassium salts and kill the pathogens that cause root rot, which often affects tomato seedlings. Scatter the seeds over the surface of moist soil and cover with a 0.3-0.5 cm layer of dry soil. Cover the containers with glass or plastic.

At a temperature of +25°C, seedlings will emerge 4-5 days after sowing. Grow the seedlings uncovered at room temperature until 2-3 true leaves form. Prick out the plants using a 7x7 cm pattern. Further care consists of timely watering.

After planting in their permanent location, tomatoes need to be fertilized: one week after transplanting, apply nitrogen mixtures to promote foliar growth, and after the first inflorescence has formed, apply phosphorus-potassium fertilizers. Fertilizer dosages may vary, so it's best to consult the manufacturer's recommendations.

During the growing season, it's best to train the bushes into 2-3 stems. This will yield approximately 12 kg of tomatoes per unit area when planting 3-4 plants per square meter.

Like all determinate varieties, Northern Express tomatoes stop bearing fruit early.

Depending on the gardener's preference, the bushes can be removed and the freed-up space used for another fast-growing crop. Some gardeners prefer to extend the fruiting period by pruning the main stem and encouraging new shoots to grow from the lower lateral buds. For the same purpose, a few side shoots can be left at the top of the plant.