Characteristics and planting varieties of tomato "Malachite Box"
Modern vegetable growers like to experiment with new varieties that have a non-standard taste and appearance. One of these vegetables was a new variety of tomato "Malachite Box", officially registered in the State Register in 2006. In this article, we will consider the characteristics of the species, its pros and cons, talk about the rules for planting and caring for the plant, and also make a short review of reviews from experienced vegetable growers.
Description
The variety was first grown by breeders from Novosibirsk. Despite the recent appearance on the market, the "Malachite Box" has already managed to gain popularity and demand among the population of all Russia. One of the main reasons for this spread is the guaranteed rich harvest, even in case of bad weather conditions. This phenomenon is explained by the cold resistance of the variety.
Bush
Tomato "Malachite Box" is a tall variety: its height can sometimes be 1.5 meters. A variety of medium ripeness gives the first fruits already after 100 days after planting. Dense vegetation of a rich greenish color will take its rightful place in any greenhouse. The inflorescences are on a simple brush, the articulations are clearly visible on the stalk. The fruits grow on the entire stem area, which ensures 100 percent set.
Fruit
Tomato varieties have a rounded shape, smooth and shiny skin.Usually the fruits growing in the lower part of the plant are larger, their weight can reach 300 grams. You can often find the "Malachite Box" weighing more than 500 grams. Before ripening, tomatoes have a light green hue with a small amount of yellow streaks. Already ripe vegetables have a beautiful malachite color, combining olive and green colors.
Experienced vegetable growers recommend not waiting for the full ripening of the tomato to a bronze tone: such plants, as a rule, no longer have a rich taste and pleasant aroma. A similar remark applies not only to the Malachite Box variety, but also to all plants with green tomatoes.
Juicy, sweet, unusual taste of tomatoes will not leave anyone indifferent. Unusual pulp with stains has a fruity flavor. To some it resembles kiwi, to others it resembles melon. The four seed chambers of the fetus do not have a large number of seeds. One of the features of the "Malachite Box" is a very thin and delicate skin, which does not allow the transportation of tomatoes. That is why this variety is rarely found in the store or on the market.
The use of fruits
Tomatoes of this variety can only be consumed fresh. The large dimensions of the fruit and the thin skin that bursts during processing make preservation impossible. But the cleansing process is very fast, as the skin is easily removed.
"Malachite Box" is a great option for making any sauce or an additional ingredient for the second course. In addition, excellent jam is obtained from this variety.
yield
Judging by the reviews of experienced vegetable growers who have been growing these tomatoes for several years in a row, the variety is very productive and bears fruit every year.With proper planting and constant care, you can get up to 10 kilograms of tomatoes per square meter, and in a greenhouse this figure can rise to 14 kilograms.
Advantages and disadvantages
As a rule, gardeners who like to experiment with extraordinary varieties of vegetables are engaged in growing the Malachite Box. This variety has both its pros and cons. Let's consider both of them in more detail.
pros
One of the advantages of the variety is a constant yield, which increases every year. Harvesting of tomatoes begins even before the appearance of the first cold weather. One hundred percent fruit set provides a rich collection. Among the large number of bushes up to one and a half meters high, there is only a couple of barren flowers, and even then not always.
The wide scope of the "Malachite Box" is also a big plus, because, in addition to a large number of sauces, jams and additions to vegetable salads, the exotic taste of plants, reminiscent of kiwi, allows you to mix tomato slices with other types of fruits. This appetizer has an unusually fresh and juicy taste.
In addition to high taste, this variety also has a huge amount of vitamins. "Malachite Box" is a hypoallergenic vegetable, so children and nursing mothers can eat it. The purity of the variety allows the seeds to retain their original properties. Bushes can be grown both in open and protected ground. Tomatoes do not crack even if they are overripe. Plants have increased disease resistance, which prevents the likelihood of infection.
Minuses
Compared to the advantages, the disadvantages of the variety are not so many, but they should also be named.The "Malachite Box" is not very easy to care for, so before buying it is recommended to carefully study all the characteristics and methods of growing the variety. Thin and delicate skin does not allow transporting or storing fresh tomatoes for a long time, which indicates the unprofitability of growing them for sale.
The unusual malachite color of already ripened fruits often confuses inexperienced gardeners or those who grow this vegetable for the first time, and overripe tomatoes are completely tasteless. Therefore, you will have to make several mistakes before learning how to correctly determine the ripeness of a vegetable.
Features of cultivation and care
Specialists of the Russian State Register have confirmed the suitability of the "Malachite Box" for sowing in any part of our vast country. However, the climatic features of each region should be taken into account. Despite the fact that the plant produces ripe fruits after a hundred days after sowing, experienced vegetable growers recommend using seedlings. The estimated dates are indicated on the back of the package, it is better to do this a couple of months before planting directly in the ground.
To get the best result, you should first of all competently make seedlings that have a large number of nuances. The process is divided into several stages.
- Preparation of boxes and soil. Some vegetable growers prepare the soil mixture with their own hands. The main condition for sowing is fertile land that allows the right amount of oxygen to pass through. For those who are not confident in their abilities, compositions are sold in special stores. Before sowing, be sure to disinfect both the containers and the soil itself. As a rule, this is done with boiling water and a few crystals of potassium permanganate.Professionals in this field advise covering the container with a film so that the process of decontaminating the box and soil is more efficient.
- Seed preparation. This stage is one of the most important in the process of growing tomatoes. If the seeds are purchased from well-established growers, they have already been pre-screened. In the case of using your own seeds, you will need to conduct a thorough analysis. To do this, put them in a five percent saline solution. Seeds unsuitable for seedlings will rise to the surface within a few minutes, they are collected and thrown away, those remaining at the bottom are thoroughly washed in water. Next, the seeds are kept in a solution of potassium permanganate, aloe juice or special biostimulants. In the first case, the process takes about 3 hours, in the second - 20 hours, and in the third - the time depends on the instructions for use.
- Sowing. Selected seeds are placed in special grooves at a distance of 2 centimeters. Between the grooves should be at least 3 centimeters. After that, the boxes with soil should be covered with a film and put in a sunny place. After 4 days, when the first shoots appear, the film can be removed and the temperature reduced to 15 degrees. In case of lack of sunlight, it is recommended to install a lamp nearby or foil containers. At this stage, seedlings should be watered from time to time, but they should not be flooded with large amounts of water, as the seeds will be spoiled.
- Pick. Tomatoes favorably tolerate a pick. Seedlings can be transferred to containers after the appearance of 3-5 leaves. This stage is useful, as the plant enters a new land, more fertile, and the root system begins to strengthen and grow more freely.It is necessary to periodically water the earth so that the top layer is not overdried. It is recommended to fertilize the variety with mineral fertilizers, which provide stronger and juicier tomatoes. During picking, organic fertilizers can also be used. Wood ash extract is perfect for this due to the content of a large amount of minerals to strengthen the root system and the appearance of green leaves. Among other things, this fertilizer prevents black leg disease.
At the same time, it is important to observe the norm, since an overfed plant may not produce a full crop.
- hardening. Immediately before planting, this variety of tomatoes needs hardening. Containers with soil are taken out into the fresh air, increasing the time spent on the street every day. This stage lasts about 10 days, the tomatoes gradually adapt to the conditions of outdoor stay. If the cultivation takes place in the city, then you can take the plants to the balcony.
- Transfer. Transplanting the "Malachite Box" into a greenhouse or open ground takes place either at the very end of spring or in mid-June. The soil should be prepared first, however, as you know, the soil for vegetables begins to be prepared in the fall. Periodically, the beds are fertilized, dug up and watered with warm water. When the soil is already warm enough, you can transplant tomato bushes. Immediately before planting, for the prevention of certain diseases, deepenings in the ground are shed with very hot water with a few crystals of potassium permanganate. In order for the seedlings to rise by the morning hours, the transplant should be done in the evening. Only 2 plants can be planted per square meter.
On the same day, you should install a vertical support and tie up a bush.Immediately after this, the "Malachite Box" is poured abundantly with water. It will be possible to re-water the tomatoes only after 3 days.
- Aftercare. After the plant has reached its maximum height and has given fruit, you can relax a little. However, you will have to do a regular inspection of the tomatoes and remove the stepchildren that appear on the fruits. Be sure to pick the leaves before the appearance of the first flower brush and after the start of the ovary. Brushes should also be tied up so that they do not break off from the weight. You need to carefully inspect the ground to prevent the emergence of weeds and eliminate them.
It is recommended to water and fertilize the bushes as needed. For prevention, you can flavor the soil with dry ash, and spray the fruits themselves with a solution of iodine, potassium permanganate, lithoboronic acid.
Reviews
Reviews of tomatoes "Malachite Box" are mostly positive. Experienced gardeners are delighted with the resulting rich and stable harvest. Tomatoes are large, solid, one vegetable is sometimes enough for a large portion of salad. Juicy pulp gives any snack an original taste. It’s nice to show off an exotic vegetable to colleagues, because not everyone is able to grow such beauty. The Malachite Box makes a wonderful jam that pleases the whole family all year round. Some admit that they did not even expect such a taste.
One hundred percent ovary of each bush is also noted. Perhaps the only drawback vegetable growers recognize is the problem of transporting tomatoes, as their skin quickly cracks.
You can learn more about this variety of tomatoes from the video below.