Characteristics and description of the tomato variety "Red Guard F1"
It is difficult to imagine a Russian summer cottage without tomatoes. This vegetable crop is represented by a variety of varieties that can be grown in different regions of the country. This article discusses the tomato "Red Guard F1", its characteristic features and cultivation rules are indicated.
Peculiarities
The considered variety of tomatoes was bred by breeders representing the Chelyabinsk seed station 6 years ago. The variety is designed for cultivation in the middle zone of the country, as well as in the regions of Siberia and the Urals with a short and unstable summer.
Tomato "Red Guard" has characteristic features.
- Due to the high yield from one shrub, you can collect from 2 to 5 kilograms of fruits, depending on the climate and agricultural technology.
- Tomatoes ripen even in adverse conditions.
- This is a super determinant hybrid belonging to the first generation.
- The variety is recommended for use in greenhouses and greenhouses.
- The fruits have a pleasant sweetish taste and delicate aroma.
- Tomatoes remain fresh for about three weeks after harvest.
- The plant shows resistance to low temperatures and low light.
- During transportation, the fruit retains its shape.
- The variety belongs to early ripening species. It takes about 90 days from germination of seedlings to fruit ripening.
Shrub Description
The plant has a compact size. The shrub belongs to the carpal type.Tomatoes grow in clusters. The fruits ripen simultaneously, in groups of up to 10 pieces. Even in locations with short and cold summers, gardeners manage to get a rich harvest.
In the process of plant development, it must be tied up and special supports installed. Otherwise, under the weight of the fruit, the branches will begin to collapse.
Without outside intervention, the growth of the shrub ends after the formation of the fifth brush. The maximum height indicator is about 70-80 centimeters, but in some cases it can reach up to 1.2 meters. It all depends on the region of cultivation.
Fruit
As for the Red Guard F1 tomatoes themselves, several key characteristics can be identified.
- Bright, rich red.
- Round, slightly flattened shape. There is a slight ribbing in the region of the stem.
- Pleasant sweet taste. Firm, fleshy flesh.
- The average weight of one fruit is from 150 to 250 grams. Most often, tomatoes are used for making salads and cold appetizers. They make delicious dressings, juices, sauces. The fruits are very tasty raw. However, due to their excellent elasticity and density, they are also ideal for preparing preserves.
Diseases and insects
This variety boasts a strong immune system. The plant has excellent resistance to most common ailments and diseases, including fungus and mold. Due to the rapid ripening of the fruits, the plants do not attack diseases that begin their action at the end of the summer period. However, there is still a risk.
Judging by the reviews of gardeners, the main enemy of the variety is the whitefly. To protect the plant and preserve the harvest, special preventive measures are taken.Plants are treated with effective compounds long before an insect attack is likely.
Experts recommend using chemical solutions only when absolutely necessary. For hardening plants, it is better to use more harmless options. Among industrial products, the preparations "Aktellik" and "Confidor" are in demand.
Folk methods are also popular. In order to protect the tomato from the whitefly, you can prepare a tincture of garlic. For a liter of water, you will need 150 grams of the product. The composition must be infused for five days, and then treated with shrubs every 5 days by spraying. Laundry soap can be added to the solution (but not more than 72%).
Advantages and disadvantages
The advantages of the Red Guard variety are confirmed by numerous reviews of gardeners.
- A young variety of tomato shows resistance to capricious weather conditions.
- With proper care, a rich harvest can be achieved even in the northern regions by growing plants in open ground. The variety will delight you with large, juicy and healthy fruits, regardless of temperature.
- Early maturing types of tomatoes rarely have excellent taste, but the "Red Guard F1" is an exception. The taste of tomatoes is liked by both adults and children.
- Low growth allows you to grow such tomatoes in compact greenhouses.
- It is not necessary to carry out pasynkovanie.
- Abundant yields will please every summer resident. Up to 5 kilograms of fruits are harvested from one bush.
- Tomatoes retain their shape and taste during long-term storage and transportation.
- Thanks to strong immunity, this variety is ideal for beginners who do not have much experience in gardening.
Among the shortcomings, experts note only one flaw, which can be safely called insignificant. As noted above, the plant is susceptible to attacks from the whitefly. But if preventive methods are applied in a timely manner, then this minus can be easily avoided.
cultivation
Before growing seeds, they must be soaked in a phytosporin solution to harden and improve plant growth. In order for the seedlings to turn out to be stocky and strong, it is necessary to provide a sufficient amount of light. Additional sources are often used. The optimal light day for growing seedlings is 16 hours. It is recommended to use fluorescent lamps, as well as phytolamps (the time of their use is from 6.00 to 22.00).
Use fertilizers based on minerals. During picking, plants should be fed with superphosphate. This is the key to the full development of tomatoes.
Planting seedlings in the ground can begin if at least 6-8 leaves are observed on a thick stem with a slight distance between them. Also, the finished seedlings are characterized by a purple hue and the presence of one flower brush.
Landing is carried out in a checkerboard pattern. The optimal distance between shrubs is 60 centimeters. If you intend to grow a crop in a greenhouse, increase the figure to 80 centimeters. Otherwise, the branches will overlap each other, preventing sunlight from reaching the plants.
Expert Tips
It is important to know the following.
- Be sure to take care of the garter of plants. Immediately after planting the seedlings, it is necessary to install a strong stake at each bush.
- For automatic moistening, you can stick a container of water for irrigation into the ground. For this, an ordinary plastic bottle with a cut off bottom is used.It must be stuck into the ground with an open neck down.
- Despite the fact that the process of pinching when growing the Krasnaya Gvardia variety is optional, in order to achieve large fruiting, it is recommended to remove excess side shoots. Stepsons placed up to the third sheet are removed. It is desirable to form a shrub in 4 trunks.
Watering and fertilizing
Periodic top dressing is required if you want to get a bountiful harvest. During planting, 1 kg of ash, 1 kg of humus and two tablespoons of superphosphate must be added to each well. Then the earth is watered with warm water (at least 5 liters per hole) and mulching is carried out. Straw, peat or humus is used.
The main purpose of mulch is to preserve and maintain the optimal amount of moisture. Also, an additional layer maintains a comfortable temperature and protects the plant from insects.
During the first seven days, seedlings do not fertilize. Watering is also not carried out so that the plants take root. After, already in the process of growth and development, top dressing is carried out every 15 days. The most commonly used organic and mineral solutions.
The first fertilizer is carried out a week after planting. Nitrogen supplements or mullein infusion are introduced into the soil. For one bush use 0.5 liters.
The second time the plant must be fertilized with herbal tincture. For watering one shrub, you need a liter of top dressing. Making it at home is very simple:
- weeds are collected in a bucket or other container;
- 1 kg of earth and the same amount of mullein are added;
- the composition is poured with ordinary water and settled for a week;
- 2 liters of the composition is diluted with a bucket of water.
The third time using yeast top dressing. For 4 liters of liquid, one pack of dry yeast is enough. Use warm water.For fermentation add 10 tablespoons of sugar. It is necessary to let the composition brew for 4 hours. Then the fertilizer is diluted with six liters of water. One plant requires 1 liter of top dressing.
Reviews
Judging by the reviews of experienced gardeners and beginners, the Red Guard F1 variety is in great demand. First of all, gardeners note the resistance of the plant to adverse growing conditions and a stable harvest.
See below for details.