Description of the Ermak F1 tomato and growing the hybrid in open ground

The Ermak F1 tomato was developed by Soviet breeders. It has been approved for use in the North Caucasus since 1982. The hybrid is designed for outdoor cultivation. Its fruits can be stored in a cool room for 35-40 days. It tolerates long-distance transportation well, making it a popular choice for retailers.

Some information about the plant and its fruits

The characteristics and description of the variety are as follows:

1. The first fruits are obtained 115-120 days after emergence.
2. Tomato bushes range in height from 0.35 to 0.55 m, with a medium number of branches and a moderate to large number of green leaves.
3. The leaf is medium-sized and similar in shape to potato leaves.
4. The plant has inflorescences of intermediate and simple types. They have a loose consistency. Each inflorescence bears 4 to 6 flowers. The first inflorescence forms between the 7th and 9th leaves, and all the others appear after 2-3 leaves. This hybrid has a non-articulated peduncle.
5. The fruit is shaped like a slightly flattened egg. It is very firm, and the berry weighs between 60 and 75 grams. The tomato's surface is colored in orange and red tones.
6. A distinctive feature of the Ermak hybrid is its average resistance to diseases such as late blight, root-knot nematode, and septoria.

Experience shows that one square meter of garden bed can yield 4.5 to 7.5 kg of fruit if all agricultural practices are met. The hybrid is used in salads and eaten fresh. When processed industrially, the tomato produces high-quality juice, paste, and ketchup. Some housewives preserve the berries for the winter.

Although the hybrid is intended for open ground, it can be grown in greenhouses in central Russia and northern regions.

Sowing seeds and caring for plantings

In the southern regions of the country, seedlings can be sown directly into permanent soil. This is done in March, provided there is no risk of a sharp drop in temperature. However, farmers note that direct seeding will yield a smaller harvest than using seedlings.

The seeds are treated with hydrogen peroxide and then sown in boxes with a soil mixture consisting of peat, sand, and soil from the garden beds. The first shoots appear in about five days. It is recommended to feed them with manure, chicken manure, or nitrogen fertilizer.

Water the seedlings with warm water. At the end of April, transplant the seedlings to their permanent soil. The soil is first loosened and then fertilized with complex fertilizer. The hybrid bushes are planted at a spacing of 0.5 x 0.5 m.

After transplanting, the seedlings are watered with warm water and then sprayed with preparations that eliminate bacterial or fungal infections. If there is a risk of cold weather, it is recommended to cover the plants with warm material. It is removed approximately 2 weeks after transplanting the seedlings into the beds.

Caring for hybrid bushes

It is recommended to water plants no more than once a week. If the weather is hot or there is a risk of drought, adjust the frequency according to the climate. During rainfall, water the bushes no more than once every 15 days.

Avoid allowing moisture to get on the leaves; in sunny weather the bushes will get seriously burned. The soil under the tomatoes should be slightly moist, otherwise the roots will rot. The hybrid should be watered early in the morning, before the sun rises. Use warm, sun-settled water.

Tomatoes are fertilized three times throughout the season. Seedlings are first fertilized 10 days after transplanting them to their permanent soil. This is necessary for the plants to develop green mass. Manure, peat, or ammonium nitrate are used for this purpose. Other nitrogen mixtures can also be used.

After the tomato ovaries appear, it should be fed with a mixture of potassium and nitrogen fertilizers. After the first fruits form on the branches, it is recommended to enrich the hybrid with a phosphorus and potassium mixture with a small addition of nitrogen fertilizers.

Loosen the soil twice a week. This improves root aeration, allowing the plant to receive the oxygen and nutrients it needs for growth. Mulching the soil can also improve gas exchange.

It's advisable to weed your garden beds every two weeks. This will protect your plants from certain diseases transmitted from weeds to your crops. This procedure also eliminates some garden pests that initially infest weeds and then migrate to your vegetables.

Fungal and bacterial infections are prevented with Fitosporin or similar medications. Folk remedies can be used to eliminate diseases, such as sprinkling the leaves and stems of bushes with copper sulfate. Various chemicals are used to kill garden pests.