Description and rules for growing tomato "Honey Spas"
The Honey Spas tomato variety was created by a Russian agronomist living in Novosibirsk. Plants are grown in greenhouse conditions or in open plantings. The greatest result in terms of yield can be achieved in areas with a stable climate, hot long summers. In order for the tomatoes to fully ripen, you need many warm days, moderate humidity. Tomatoes of the last harvest of summer can be harvested in the degree of brown color and left in the room for ripening.
Description of external signs
Tomatoes "Honey Spas" differ from other varieties in many ways.
Plant
Tomatoes of this variety are plants with unlimited growth. The height of the stems must be controlled during the growth period and tied to a support post. Due to the large weight of the fruit or strong gusts of wind, the long thin stems of the plant can break. The garter must be carried out as the plant grows in height.
This type of tomato belongs to salad varieties. The plant is strong, reaches a height of almost 2 meters, the amount of foliage is medium, light green in color. The maximum number of stems formed in a plant should not exceed three. Stepchildren must be constantly removed. The root system of the tomato is very developed, the core of the main rhizome goes deep into the ground, firmly holding the plant.
This tomato variety is mid-season, so cultivation in the northern regions can only occur within a space closed from wind and bad weather. Due to the high stem, tomatoes of this type should be planted in the amount of 2-3 seedlings per square meter of land.
Fruit characteristics
Tomatoes of the Honey Spas variety are enlarged, reaching a mass of 200 g, the maximum recorded weight of a tomato is 600 g. The fruits can be of various shapes on each shoot of the stem: heart, bean, ball, flattened, elongated, and so on. The shell of the fruit is shiny, hard, does not crack during ripening. A distinctive feature of the fruits of this variety is a juicy yellow or orange color with a honey tint. But immature tomatoes have a rounded dark spot around the stalk.
The pulp of a tomato is dense, elastic, with a large amount of juice. Differs in meatiness and sugar content. There are few seeds in the fruit, they are small in size. The taste of tomatoes "Honey Spas" is sweet with a pleasant aroma. Due to the small amount of acids in fruits, they are not suitable for conservation, but they are suitable for the diet of people with diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
The harvest of tomatoes of the Honey Spas variety is suitable for long-term storage and transportation. Excellent in making tomato juice.
Yields
Tomatoes of this type are characterized by large crops, so reviews about it are mostly positive. One seedling during the growing season can produce up to 6 kg of juicy tomatoes. Tomato flowers are arranged in the form of brushes on strong stems, up to 5 tomatoes are formed in one brush. A larger amount should not be left, as the tomatoes will be cramped, they will not have the opportunity to grow to the required size. The yield of this variety is high, so reviews about it are mostly positive.
Variety features
There are quite a few positive features.
- Widespread variety among summer residents with a good harvest. Large-sized tomatoes are great for fresh consumption and preparation of tomato juice.
- The moment of maturity occurs during the entire period of growth, so it is possible to shoot tomatoes for a long time. Can be stored for a long time and ripen at room temperature in a dark place.
- Fruits perfectly tolerate transportation, do not lose their original composition of substances for a long time.
- Tomatoes of the Honey Spas variety are ideal for children and people prone to allergic reactions. Permissible in the diet of people with inflammation of the digestive system and kidneys.
- Frequent use of yellow and orange tomatoes in food prolongs youth.
- Tomato of this variety is ideal for breeding both in open space and in greenhouse conditions. They easily get used to changing climate factors, endure hot days and small drops in air temperature.
- "Honey Spas" refers to varieties, not hybrid plants. Therefore, it is possible to collect plant seeds for new plantings. The highest germination of plants obtained from their own seeds can be achieved 2-3 years after their collection.
- Tomatoes of this species are not prone to late blight, the appearance of gray rot, tobacco mosaic.
Some negative signs of the variety are also noted.
- The greatest number of ovaries can be achieved while maintaining a temperature close to + 25 degrees.With a decrease to + 10-15 degrees or a rise above + 35, the probability of the appearance of an empty flower increases greatly, as the sterility of pollen substances increases.
- Mistresses consider the impossible canning and harvesting of the fruits of this variety as a minus of the variety.
- Demanding on the nutritional composition of the soil.
- The constant appearance of a large number of shoots from the sides of the plant, frequent pinching.
- Long branches of a tomato that need to be tied up.
Growing Rules
Experienced gardeners have developed an algorithm for growing tomatoes of the Honey Spas variety.
Seed preparation
Planting a tomato seed begins in March: from the 5th to the middle of the month. To begin with, preparatory procedures are carried out in the following order:
- seeds are selected by soaking in a salt solution (empty seeds will float);
- disinfect with 1% manganese solution;
- we process seeds with growth stimulants;
- germinate;
- harden;
- warm up.
Soil preparation
The best predecessors for tomatoes are soils where garlic, onions, cucumbers and carrots grew. We mix the soil with a mixture of peat and river sand in equal proportions.
We add furnace ash to stabilize the acidic composition of the soil. We process the prepared soil composition with a hot solution of manganese concentrate, steam it to destroy the bacteria and larvae present in the soil.
Sowing seeds
Tomato seeds are sown to a depth of one and a half centimeters and covered with a thin layer of peat mixture. The temperature in the room should be within 25 degrees for rapid germination. As soon as sprouts appear, the temperature must be reduced.
Tomatoes are grown from seedlings. The exact sowing time of the seed depends on the timing of planting seedlings in the right place.Tomato seedlings mature for transplantation 50-60 days after planting. Outwardly, such plants should be distinguished by their strength, sprawling root system, dense bright leaves.
young plants
Even in seedlings, tomatoes require a good fertile soil composition. The soil can be specialized, it is possible to prepare it yourself. A necessary condition is disinfection for two days before planting the seeds. Both soil and utensils for planting are subject to disinfection.
Tomatoes can be grown with or without picking. When using the second method, seeds are sown in separate containers in the amount of 1-2 pieces. During germination, the weakest sprout is removed, leaving a powerful and strong one.
With the growth of two or three true leaves, a pick is made. When transplanting, they deepen to the first leaves, water abundantly and put the plants in a dark place for 2-3 days. If the leaves of the tomato have become dense, then the rooting was successful.
Watering tomato seedlings "Honey Spas" is carried out often, avoiding flooding and overdrying of the earth's surface. We timely carry out feeding with mineral fertilizers or infusion of ash.
Care in the garden
At the end of May, we transfer the strengthened sowing culture to a greenhouse or field. Due to the fact that the plants are large, per 1 sq. meter should not drop more than 3 plants. After disembarking, we carry out a garter to the rack, in the future, brushes with fruit that have set can be tied to the same rack. It is advisable to cover the planted plants overnight for the first 5-7 days.
Caring for the plants of the variety is to remove the side shoots in a timely manner. Watering is done only under the bush, water should not fall on the deciduous part.Immediately after watering, the earth must be loosened, weeded. Tomatoes do not tolerate stagnant water, so we focus on the appearance of the soil. The water temperature should not be too low, the water hardness is low. The most convenient option is a barrel for rainwater, warmed by the sun.
We fertilize throughout the summer. In several steps. Alternating organic and mineral supplements. These can be infusions of organic fertilizers (chicken manure, cattle manure) or ready-made mineral complexes containing all the necessary substances and minerals.
When fruit is set, the lower row of leaves and those that grow above the brush are removed for better ventilation and full lighting. We do not give the stepchildren the opportunity to grow, we form the main plant in 2-3 stems.
In order for the bush not to stop its growth, tomatoes must be removed at the stage of brown maturity.
Pests and diseases
Plants of the variety "Honey Spas" are not susceptible to various diseases. They practically do not become infected with late blight, gray mold, tobacco mosaic and other diseases caused by viruses and fungi. In order to avoid such diseases, it is necessary to observe crop rotation. Tomatoes can not be planted after eggplant, bell pepper, zucchini.
When grown in a greenhouse way, tomatoes become infected with diseases from seedlings of a different variety. For preventive purposes, crops should be sprayed with Fitosporin and other products that do not contain toxic substances.
In addition to diseases, the danger to tomatoes comes from naked slugs, Colorado potato beetles, aphids, and whiteflies. Flying insects and slugs are destroyed by spraying with a solution of ammonia.Pupae of parasitic insects are killed by a solution of copper sulphate and manganese, aphids are washed off with a solution of soap. They wash the areas of the seedling affected by this insect. To combat slugs around a tomato bush, you can scatter a split walnut shell; wood ash, which is sprayed over the plant, helps from the Colorado potato beetle.
An excellent preventive action to control insects is to plant plants along the edges of the beds with tomatoes. Calendula repels Colorado beetles, ticks and bedbugs; flies and weevils cannot stand the smell of lavender; ants and aphids do not tolerate the aromas of lavender, rosemary and thyme, these same plants scare away snails and slugs; scoop drives away basil planted among tomato plants.
Tomatoes "Honey Spas" are one of the varieties popular with gardeners. Its dietary qualities are considered indispensable for diseases associated with the inability to eat foods containing acid. The absence of a red pigmenting substance allows allergy sufferers to eat tomatoes of this variety. And a rich harvest, a large number of advantages and simple agricultural technology make tomatoes of the Honey Spas variety more and more used.
See the following video for an overview of Honey Spas tomatoes.