Tomatoes "Kenigsberg": a description of the variety and subtleties of cultivation
Tomato variety "Kenigsberg", despite the exotic name, was bred by Siberian specialists for cultivation exclusively in the above region. However, after some time it turned out that the variety is suitable for other weather conditions.
He is not afraid of either drought or cold, and besides, he has an innate immunity to many diseases. In addition, tomatoes have a great taste and high yield. Not surprisingly, this species quickly won the hearts of gardeners.
Characteristic
Tomato "Kenigsberg" refers to pure varieties obtained from hybrids. This means that every year it is quite possible to extract seeds from ripe fruits in order to use them in the next year. The description of the variety contains a lot of useful and detailed information. The vegetable is considered indeterminate and continues to grow throughout the growing season. The height of the plant reaches about 200 centimeters, and the leaves are quite large, dark green, covered with fluff and resembling potato leaves.
The first ovary of tomatoes should be expected after the 12th leaf, and it can contain up to six fruits, then the interval is three leaves. Usually two stems are formed with an abundance of thin branches. The roots are strong, powerful and directed deep into the soil. Thanks to this, they can consume deep moisture and behave perfectly even in dry weather.
The tomatoes themselves are quite large and reach about 230 grams in weight. It should also be understood that they grow rather unevenly: large tomatoes form below, and the higher, the smaller. The weight of the lower fruits can be as much as 900 grams, while the weight of the upper ones varies from 150 to 300 grams. The shape of tomatoes is rather unusual - they are not round, but rather elongated. Someone even compares the shape of some subspecies of Koenigsberg with a deformed heart. The peel is quite thick and shiny, resistant to cracking, and the flesh itself is fleshy, with a rich sweet taste. The color of the fruit varies depending on the subspecies, but is always saturated. This is due to the presence of lycopene, an antioxidant that is very beneficial for health. In each tomato, 3-4 chambers with seeds are formed.
The yield of this variety is worthy of all praise - gardeners say that approximately 20 kilograms of tomatoes can be harvested per square meter. The minimum quantity is 5 kilograms. In a simple way, it will be three large buckets from one plant. As for the fruiting rate, it is quite average: after the appearance of the first shoots, you will have to wait about 4 months to eat tomatoes.
Tomatoes are grown both outdoors and indoors. They are often chosen for sale, as they have an alluring appearance, excellent taste characteristics, are not afraid of long-term storage and cope with difficult transportation conditions.
Adore "Kenigsberg" and gardeners who grow vegetables for their own use. This species is used in salads, side dishes, and other hot dishes. The only limitation is that it is not very suitable for salting in its entirety.
Tomatoes are quite resistant to pest attacks and are not afraid of most diseases. Care should be rich, but not particularly difficult. It is important to carry out regular watering, fertilize the bushes, and also engage in their formation.
Varieties
At the moment, there are several subspecies of the Koenigsberg variety.
- "Red Koenigsberg". The main subspecies that has all the standard characteristics. Tomatoes are bright red in color, quite large and elongated, shaped like an eggplant. They ripen after mid-July in large quantities both in the beds and in the closed ground. In general, this subspecies is considered the most resistant to temperature extremes, lack of moisture and pests.
- "Golden Koenigsberg". The yellow-orange fruit has a very sweet taste, as its sugar content is higher than in other subspecies. In addition, the composition contains a substance such as carotene. You can even say that the taste of this plum fruit is more like a fruit than a vegetable. In terms of other characteristics, the yellow tomato repeats the red one in everything.
- "Orange Koenigsberg". It differs from the rest only in its color.
- "Heart-shaped Koenigsberg". As you can guess from the name, it has an unusual shape. It is the largest of all subspecies - the weight of this particular tomato can approach a whole kilogram. In addition, it also has the highest bush height.
- "New Koenigsberg". In principle, it repeats its “red” brother, but stands out due to the abundant harvest. Even when planted in open ground, he will delight the gardener with a large number of tomatoes. It is also worth adding that this subspecies is medium-early.
- "Striped Koenigsberg". The tomato looks like a smooth red cylinder with yellow accents. It does not have an outstanding size, and its weight reaches only 300 grams.
- "Pink Koenigsberg". Tomatoes of this variety are small, even smaller than those of the "striped", and are shaped like a pepper. Weight does not exceed 200 grams. As a rule, this subspecies is grown in a greenhouse.
It should be noted that all subspecies of the Koenigsberg variety have many similar characteristics, with the main difference being how the tomato fruits look like.
Advantages
The reviews of those who planted "Kenigsberg" do not differ in unanimous opinion. Most likely, this is due to the difference in the quality of the purchased seeds, which once again reminds us of the importance of choosing trusted suppliers. It is better to overpay a little and buy seeds in the store than, chasing cheapness, buy them "from hand" and be disappointed with the result.
However, most gardeners highlight the following advantages of this type: tomatoes can be grown both in beds and in greenhouses. They are not particularly demanding on the quality of the soil, as well as on climatic characteristics: they do not suffer due to hot weather, sudden cold weather, or an abundance of showers. Tomatoes give an extensive harvest with relatively simple care. Breeders have bred several varieties that differ in both color and shape - there is enough choice for gardeners. Great taste, high vitamin content, disease resistance and storage and transportability complete the picture.
Flaws
Koenigsberg also has several disadvantages:
- firstly, the appearance of fruits is to be expected for quite a long time;
- secondly, despite the possibility of growing in adverse conditions, the yield will still be lower;
- thirdly, there are some peculiarities in care - for example, tomatoes will have to be tied to supports;
- finally, the large size of the fruit does not allow whole vegetables to be preserved.
Agricultural technology
Growing seedlings of "Kenigsberg" should be started in mid-spring. Before starting work, it would be good to disinfect the seeds in potassium permanganate or another similar agent. You can also leave the seeds in water overnight.
Seeds deepen one centimeter into nutritious and loose soil. Dive, as usual, occurs after the appearance of two leaves. It is important to remember that during this process you can not hold the plant with your hands by the stem. Transplantation is possible only when using a teaspoon. For individual plants, it is better to use peat pots. You should be prepared for the fact that the seedlings will not please with an attractive appearance, but this is the norm. A certain lifelessness of sprouts is characteristic of this variety.
Seedlings can be transferred to open ground only when frosts have passed, and to closed ground - a little earlier. Plants must first be hardened off within two weeks. Despite the difference in terms, tomatoes at this time in any case should already be more than 60 days old.
Usually three plants are planted per square meter and immediately tied to the supports. The earth should be warm, moist, seasoned with fertilizers and ideally treated with potassium permanganate. During the first week, planted seedlings cannot be watered - this will disrupt the processes that occur with the root system. Growing this variety is quite simple if you follow a few rules.
The formation of a bush must necessarily take place - more than two stems should not be allowed to appear. The latter can lead to a decrease in yield. "Koenigsberg" is important light and fresh air, so the extra shoots and bottom sheets are removed in a timely manner. The support must immediately be chosen quite strong, since tomatoes can grow up to two meters in height, and this will require a higher stick. As soon as eight brushes are formed, the bush needs to be shortened from above.
Top dressing should ideally take place three times per season. It is good for her to use both any organic and mineral fertilizers: ash, herbs, manure. Once every ten days, the plants will need to be treated to prevent the appearance of diseases and pest attacks. Irrigation should be of high quality, but infrequent. The liquid must be poured very carefully, right under the root, so as not to fill the leaves and stem - otherwise, burns are possible.
After each watering, it would be good to loosen the soil. The use of mulch is always useful - this protective layer retains moisture in the soil and resists some diseases. Pasynkovanie should be carried out every fourteen days before the formation of fruits.
Helpful Hints
Some gardeners believe that the use of "folk wisdom" will help speed up the appearance of the crop. For example, when tomatoes bloom, they can be sprayed with boric acid dissolved in water. It is believed that this will increase the amount of the future harvest by a fifth.
Pollination needs to be helped - if Koenigsberg grows in a greenhouse, then carry it out on your own, and if on the street, then shake the bushes in the morning. Planning the garden in such a way that the tomatoes are located from east to west will contribute to the flow of the same amount of light for everyone.
Hilling will enhance the growth of roots, and timely pinching will accelerate the formation of the fetus. In addition to traditional fertilizers, you can also use those that are sprayed - the tomato is able to absorb nutrients. Using the above methods, according to eyewitnesses, will help to get tomatoes two weeks earlier and in large quantities.
In the next video, you can see the Koenigsberg tomatoes closer.