Description of the delicious Black Plum tomato and cultivation techniques

Lovers of unusual vegetables will love the Black Plum tomato. This variety originated in the Urals and is adapted to harsh conditions and short summers. It can be grown in greenhouses and open ground.

Plant characteristics

The Black Plum tomato plant grows tall: even in open ground, it reaches 1.8 m, and in a greenhouse, its height can be even greater. Each plant produces 6-8 clusters of fruit. Fruit set occurs throughout the summer. When grown in open beds, it is recommended to pinch the tomato plants, stopping stem growth around the second or third week of August.

The Black Plum variety is a mid-early tomato. The first tomatoes ripen 90-100 days after germination. However, the harvest begins in earnest within a week and continues throughout the season.

Tomato yields reach 3.5–4 kg per bush. With the recommended planting pattern of 30 x 50 cm, only three bushes can be planted per square meter. The tall, well-branched plant requires staking and pinching. It's best to train the bushes with two stems; this slightly increases the yield without creating too much density.

The Black Plum tomato is resistant to late blight and other fungal diseases. Sudden temperature fluctuations or adverse weather conditions hardly affect the variety's yield. Experienced gardeners describe a slight reduction in flavor and a sour taste in fruits grown outdoors during cold summers.

Description of fruits

The fruit clusters are complex and branched. Each cluster produces 7-12 dark red, almost black fruits. The ovaries per cluster are almost uniform in size. The average fruit weight is 50-60 g, with tomatoes rarely reaching 70 g.

The fruit is plum-shaped, without ribbing or a protrusion at the top. Black Plum tomatoes are considered bicolor, as the dark spot at the base gradually fades to a deep purple hue at the top. Unripe tomatoes are pale green with a dark spot near the stem.

The skin is thick, protecting the small fruit from damage during transportation. These tomatoes can be stored for a long time without losing their flavor. They also ripen well indoors if picked in the milky or blanched stage of ripeness.

The fruit's flesh is a rich red hue. It is dense and juicy, with small seed chambers. The flavor profile highlights the berries' unique aroma, reminiscent of true prunes. Due to their high sugar content, the fruits are sweet, sometimes with a slight tartness.

Small tomatoes are ideal for whole-fruit canning. Preserves made with dark tomatoes will be highly decorative. They don't burst and retain their firmness and texture, even when salted or pickled.

Black Plum tomatoes can be used to make delicious and beautiful tomato sauces and rich red juice. These preserves have a sweet flavor, and the sauces are perfect for Italian dishes. But the best way to preserve these tomatoes is by drying them.

These dark, beautiful tomatoes can be eaten fresh. Children especially love them, as they're the first to appear on the table. Salads with Black Plum tomatoes look elegant and colorful. Dark tomatoes can be used to make beautiful appetizers, stuffed with various fillings, or used in vegetable platters.

Agricultural technology of the variety

Growing dark tomatoes is no different from caring for simple red varieties. However, when planting, consider a few nuances specific to this variety:

1. When choosing a planting site, choose the sunniest and warmest spot in the garden. This will ensure the fruits are especially sweet and aromatic.
2. Seeds should be sown 1.5–2 months before planting in the garden beds.
3. During the season, it is necessary to feed the plants 3 times. Special mineral mixtures (Signor Tomato, Kristalon, and others) should be used. Fertilize 1-2 weeks after planting, then repeat after 2 weeks.
4. Tomatoes need to be watered moderately. If there is no natural rainfall, water once every 5-7 days. Excessive moisture can make black plums less tasty.
5. Tomatoes ripen very evenly, so they can be picked along with the stem, cutting it at the base. This allows unripe tomatoes to ripen faster, and ripe ones to last longer.

This easy-to-grow tomato variety will surely reward its owner for good care. But even with a little attention, the bush will produce fruits of good quality.