There are certain tomato varieties that have an undeniable advantage over others. The Linda F1 tomato is one such widely grown variety, as it is a large-fruited hybrid, very productive, and resistant to cracking, making it popular among gardeners.
Features of the variety
Linda F1 tomatoes are a determinate, mid-season, large-fruited hybrid variety. Ripening occurs in an average of 55 days. Fruit set is excellent, and plantings easily tolerate temperature fluctuations and heat. In excess sunlight, they do not develop yellow spots, as can occur with other, less hardy tomato varieties. Furthermore, these tomatoes are resistant to diseases such as verticillium and fusarium wilt, gray leaf spot, and Alternaria stem canker.
The tomatoes themselves are a vibrant scarlet color both inside and out. The flesh is firm and juicy, without any voids or lumps. The fruits reach 240-310 g when ripe, and have a slightly flattened spherical shape, with subtle ribbing near the stem.
Tomatoes on the vine grow to a roughly uniform size throughout the season, a positive quality noted by gardeners who grew Linda F1 for sale. The fruit's quality is also noted: they transport and store well, don't crack, and have a sweet, almost tart flavor. This variety is ideal for salads, juice, and various preserves such as tomato paste or ketchup.
Bush care
Since Linda F1 is a determinate hybrid, it doesn't require much greenhouse space, produces numerous flowers, is highly productive, and ripens quickly. Proper care is all that's required for this tomato variety.
Pinching out side shoots is essential for determinate bushes. The first pinching should be done simultaneously with tying to a support, with the side shoots removed before the first cluster blooms.
Side shoots should be manually removed before they reach 4-5 cm in length, as this is when the wounds in the axils can heal quickly. If a side shoot has grown quite large and hasn't been removed in time, leave a stump when removing it to avoid creating a large wound on the stem that could easily become infected.
Don't forget - any care for tomatoes should be done in dry weather, without watering or feeding them the day before.
It's more effective to train a tomato plant into a single stem, and then, when it produces 3-4 clusters, select a strong side shoot and continue growing the plant into two stems. Training a tomato plant into two stems at once will stunt its growth in the early stages.
Determinate hybrids are also prone to tipping—the growth begins toward the inflorescence, so side shoots must be removed. However, if you remove them all at once, the plant stops growing. Therefore, remember to leave a couple of spare side shoots; don't remove all the excess at once.
If growth is not limited, the stepson must be removed, leaving a reserve stepson closer to the top of the new plant.
Help the flowers pollinate, especially in hot weather. To do this, shake them with your hands and spray them with large drops of warm water (at least 16°C).
As for watering the hybrid, it should be done sparingly during the first two weeks. Otherwise, it will delay fruiting and lead to fungal diseases.
When the fruit cluster is ripe, remove the leaves underneath, but not too frequently—2-3 leaves per week. Remember, on average, about 15 leaves should remain on the bush to protect the plant from the heat.
This species is recommended for cultivation in open ground in the southern regions, and in the middle zone - in beds with temporary shelter.
What gardeners say
The description of the Linda F1 variety states that this tomato is heat and sunlight tolerant, but those who have already planted these tomatoes note that the leaves are quite sensitive to excessively high temperatures and scorching sun. Therefore, it is best to protect the Linda F1 tomato from direct sunlight. Some reviews also suggest that these tomatoes have a mild flavor, making them better suited for preserves. However, this characteristic is not objective, as flavor is a matter of personal taste. Overall, this tomato variety has long earned the love of both professional and novice gardeners and is one of the most popular hybrids.
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Linda is a gorgeous tomato. Beautiful, even, large, delicious fruits. I'm delighted. They don't get sick. A huge thank you to the breeders. Now if only I could find some decent cucumbers.