Tomato "Lakomka": variety description and cultivation rules
In many regions of Russia, it is almost pointless to hope that the summer will be warm and fruitful - it is quite possible that the rains will “charge”, and the sky will be covered with clouds for all three months. Gardeners are especially affected by this, because it is simply impossible to grow most of the vegetables and fruits in such conditions. Fortunately, there are varieties that can please the harvest even in adverse conditions. These options include tomato "Lakomka".
Peculiarities
Tomato "Lakomka" is early ripe. This means that tomatoes can be tasted as early as 85-100 days after seed germination. This property of the variety is perhaps the most attractive for summer residents. Already in the middle of summer, they can enjoy fresh and juicy fruits with an incomparable taste and endowed with useful vitamins. That is why the tomato of this species is grown almost everywhere, both in the southern and northern regions of the country.
The fact that Lakomka is an early variety makes it possible to grow it even in the most unfavorable conditions (with short daylight hours or with little sunlight). In any case, on average, after 100 days, tomatoes ripen.
The bush grows stunted. The small size of the crop is considered a plus, because the gardener will not need to make supports, tie up or form a plant to get a good harvest. By the way, this type of tomato is called "determinant".
"Gourmet" is grown in greenhouses, as well as in small greenhouses. It is not forbidden to sow this variety in open ground.In the latter case, ripened fruits can be expected as early as three months after the start of planting, in case of a warm summer and proper care. True, one should not expect a large number of tomatoes, because the strength of Lakomka is not at all an abundance of fruits. In addition, it is simply physically impossible to grow a lot of tomatoes on a small bush. However, you should not worry - in any case, the resulting crop will be enough for both summer and winter harvesting.
Finally, it is worth noting that this variety feels normal in the dry season and is not afraid of the lack of moisture. He pleases with fruits even in bad weather, and also independently copes with some diseases, including fungal ones.
Often there are situations when gardeners who want to buy "Gourmet" buy "Black Gourmet", believing that this is one and the same. In fact, these varieties are radically different. Plain Lakomka is an early maturing variety with high immunity and takes on the appearance of a low bush, making it an ideal choice for regions with unfavorable growing conditions. "Black gourmet" reaches 2 meters in height, abundantly bears fruit with dark tomatoes, resembling pomegranates in appearance, and ripens no earlier than after 100 days. The latter option does not differ in resistance to diseases.
Characteristic
Tomatoes of this variety appear on the garden one of the first. As already mentioned, after 85 days you can try a fresh crop. Due to the fact that the bushes have little foliage and are not large in size, they can be planted quite compactly - a maximum of 10 tomatoes can “attach” on one square meter of the garden. The average number of plants is 6 pieces.The same amount can ideally fit in a small greenhouse.
The fruits delight with their smoothness, even rounded shape. The weight of one tomato is approximately 125 grams. Ripe tomatoes attract attention with a bright raspberry color, but before that, the skin at the base of the stalk may be dark green. Then the stain disappears. It is worth adding that all fruits appear about the same size.
The taste of tomatoes corresponds to the name - tomatoes are not only early, but also insanely appetizing. Lakomka has a fleshy dense pulp with a very delicate, sweet taste. You can use the crop as you like (from juices and soups to salads and pickles). It is only worth noting that if you want to preserve the fruits, then they will have to be cut into pieces. Since the pulp has a low density, it is not possible to completely pickle the tomatoes. The skin is thin but firm. It withstands hot water treatment, long-distance transportation, and storage in boxes.
The height of the bush reaches only 60 centimeters. Thanks to this, it is not necessary to take additional care of the stem and form it. There is no need to reduce the number of leaves either, because they grow in small numbers, which indicates the average foliage of the stem. The shape of the plant is semi-spreading. Each bush forms several brushes, on which tomatoes then appear. Most often, the first brush occurs over the 8th sheet, and the subsequent ones - through a gap of 1-2 sheets. The number of seed nests varies from 3 to 4 pieces.
The yield of this variety is quite decent - from one square meter, gardeners remove about 6 or 7 kilograms of tomatoes with the right agricultural technology.The culture is distinguished by the simultaneous ripening of fruits, resistance to blossom end rot and the ability to develop in non-ideal conditions.
It is also worth adding that the planting scheme and care for "Gourmet" are organized on the basis of the structure of the bushes.
Landing
Although this species can be grown both in a greenhouse and in a greenhouse, it is recommended to plant it in an open garden whenever possible. Before that, you need to grow seedlings, which is done according to the usual rules. It is necessary to start the procedure approximately 60 days before the “move” to the garden.
Seeds are pre-checked for germination. To do this, warm water is poured into a glass, one teaspoon of salt dissolves in it. Soak the seeds in this liquid for 10-15 minutes. After that, the liquid is mixed, and then it is estimated which seeds have surfaced and which have remained at the bottom. Those that found themselves on the surface can be safely thrown away. The rest, washed under the tap, can be sent for landing.
Seeds can be sown dry or by soaking them for a day. Usually boxes or peat pots are used for this. In the second case, it is not recommended to bury more than two seeds. Planting depth is about 1.5 cm. The container is covered with plastic wrap and placed in a warm place until the first shoots appear. When two leaves appear on each stem, picking begins.
In mid-May, holes should be dug in the garden. If the frost has not yet passed, you can plant the tomatoes obliquely, protecting them with earth. Staying for two days under an earthen floor will not harm the plants, but it will help to cope with a cold snap. Some gardeners prefer to protect seedlings with caps that can be rolled up from newspaper or scrap cardboard.
The scheme of planting tomatoes of the Lakomka variety is 60 by 60 centimeters. As already mentioned, it is recommended to place about seven plants per square meter. Each hole has parameters of 30 by 30 centimeters. Humus (about two handfuls) and wood ash (approximately 50 grams) must be placed in it in advance, then these products must be mixed with the soil. Seedlings are buried in the ground so that the border runs along the first leaf. If the stems are stretched, you can dig deeper.
After planting, the tomatoes need to be plentifully irrigated.
Experts advise planting tomatoes in the evening. It has been proven that they will grow faster than plants planted in the morning, by as much as two or three days. Two weeks later, the first spraying is carried out, for which the gardener will need a one percent Bordeaux solution. It should protect tomatoes from diseases. This treatment will need to be repeated after ten days.
Care
The rules for caring for tomatoes planted in an open garden are not difficult. They need to be watered abundantly, but as flowering begins, the volume of water decreases. For irrigation, water that has settled during the day is suitable. Feeding is also important. The first dressing can be based on mullein, which is diluted in water in a ratio of 1 to 5. Then you can fertilize the plants with minerals, such as potassium salt, superphosphate and ammonium nitrate. The latter is also used if the fruits do not ripen for a long time and remain green.
The use of organic fertilizers, for example, herbal solution, is also recommended. Periodic top dressing during the growing season guarantees the appearance of large fruits in a short time.
It is necessary to carry out regular weeding and eliminate weeds, as well as loosen the earth after watering or rain. If the tomatoes are slow to ripen, it is important to understand which leaves cast a shadow on them and eliminate them. If flowers begin to fall from tomato bushes, then the first thing to do is to reduce the amount of moisture for irrigation. Next, excess shoots are removed, and then fertilizers based on potassium and phosphorus are applied.
Tomatoes "Lakomka" are known for their ability to grow well with temperature fluctuations, as well as during drought. However, in the second case, they must be watered abundantly in the morning or evening. During irrigation, the rule should be observed: water should not fall on the stem and leaves. Otherwise, combustion will occur, the bush will have to be dug up.
If the weather is not sunny, it is advisable to increase the number of top dressings, otherwise the yield indicators can be greatly reduced.
If we talk about spraying against diseases, then they are practically not used for this variety. "Gourmet" ripens too quickly, so the disease (for example, late blight) simply does not have time to hit it.
In addition, the plant has an innate ability to withstand many lesions, such as rot. As for insects, they are dealt with in a standard way. For example, large Colorado potato beetles are removed by hand, the larvae are removed along with the leaves. You can also completely treat the plants with a special solution.
Reviews
The opinions of gardeners about the Lakomka tomato variety are mostly positive. There is also a pleasant taste of the vegetable, and high yields, and the appearance of fruits of the same size, which is especially convenient when selling. Regardless of the weather, the first tomatoes are tasted already in early July.Gardeners also talk about the absence of disease. The finished product is usually used in salads and juice preparations, which promotes health.
How to pickle Lakomka tomatoes for the winter, see the next video.