Description of the Klepa tomato, cultivation, and gardener reviews of the variety

Gardeners are interested in how to grow the Klepa tomato, which they've read reviews about on online forums. This variety is included in the Russian Federation State Register for cultivation under plastic covers and in open ground on private farms. It can be used in a wide variety of ways, from fresh to boiled and canned. It's ideal for whole-fruit canning.

Characteristics of the variety

Description and characteristics of the Klepa variety:

• belongs to mid-season varieties of indeterminate type;
• green leaves, small in size;
• has a complex inflorescence, the peduncle is articulated;
• resistant to tobacco mosaic virus;
• The variety is aesthetically beautiful: the bush is covered with even, cherry-sized tomatoes.

The tomatoes are round, weighing 18-20 g each. Unripe fruits are light green, turning red when ripe. They have a sweet, dessert-like flavor and retain their perfect appearance for three weeks after harvesting. Yields in plastic greenhouses range from 7-7.7 kg/m².

How are tomatoes grown?

Let's look at the growing instructions for this variety. Tomatoes should be sown for seedlings at the end of March. Before sowing, they need to be soaked. You can add a growth stimulant or soak the seeds in a weak solution of potassium permanganate, but for no more than 5 minutes. Plant the seeds in a spacious container and cover with no more than 1 cm of soil. Be sure to water them and cover them with plastic wrap. After germination, remove the plastic wrap.

Plants should be pricked out after two true leaves appear. Avoid doing this too early, as a period of natural selection must occur before you can safely transplant strong seedlings. Plants should be planted in a plastic greenhouse in May, and in open ground in June, ensuring there are no nighttime frosts. At temperatures above 12°C (53°F), the plant's inflorescences begin to fall off, and the leaves curl and wither, while at -1°C (33°F), the plant dies.

Tomato seedlings should be at least 60-65 days old when planted. The plant should also have 5-7 true leaves to minimize stress and facilitate its adaptation to its new location.

About 10-14 days before the expected date of planting, you need to begin hardening off the seedlings. Hardening off seedlings involves gradually acclimating the plant to outdoor growing conditions. The key is to do this gradually, without causing discomfort to the tomato plants.

For good growth, plants need timely watering, regular loosening of the soil and fertilizing with mineral fertilizers.

Although Klepa tomatoes tolerate watering well, they require water in moderation. Never allow water to stagnate in the soil. If this happens regularly, the plant can become seriously ill and even die. It's also important to minimize water spillage on the leaves when watering.

Since the plant is indeterminate, it may need to be supported by a stem (the bush grows tall).

It's necessary to form a bush with two stems and remove side shoots and suckers. This growing method isn't suitable for everyone. For example, it may not appeal to those who prefer low-growing varieties, but the resulting harvest is worth all the effort.

Here are a few more characteristics of this tomato. This variety is ideal for growing on balconies in city apartments, as it's not very demanding in terms of light or space. Another key advantage of cherry tomato varieties is the uniform ripening of the fruits.

Reviews from gardeners

Elena, Saint Petersburg:

"I grew Klepa tomatoes on my apartment balcony. I sowed the seeds, raised the seedlings, and then transplanted the tomatoes into larger containers. The harvest was excellent. I really liked the tomatoes—so sweet and juicy."

Olga, Saratov:

"I grew Klepa tomatoes in the greenhouse. They were among the first to bear fruit. They have excellent flavor. They look beautiful on the table. I recommend them to everyone."

Alexandra Sergeevna, Smolensk:

"I want to share with everyone my delight at the taste of Klepa tomatoes: they're very sweet and delicious. They can be used whole to garnish dishes and added to salads. The wonderful flavor is preserved even when canned."