Time-tested and beloved by many summer residents, the “Dubrava” tomato: what’s good and why it’s worth growing it
Many tomato lovers, when choosing a crop to grow on their plot, are guided by such characteristics as unpretentiousness and high yield. They need a culture for the lazy, one that can grow and develop on its own.
Based on the description of Dubrava tomatoes, we can say with confidence that this is just such a variety. It is widely known and does not lose its relevance among gardeners. And the secret of popularity lies in the ease of care and survival in any weather conditions: in heat or cold, in rain or drought, the tomato equally pleases with a good harvest. Let's consider the characteristics and description of the Dubrava tomato variety, productivity indicators and growing rules.
Description of the variety
The ancient tomato variety Dubrava is loved by farmers for its high yield and resistance to adverse weather conditions. It is well known to both experienced and novice gardeners. Previously, the Dubrava variety was called Dubok, and many people call it that now out of old memory. Oak has proven itself well in Russia and is in stable demand to this day.
This is a low-growing, compact plant, the height of the stem reaches no more than 70 cm. The crop takes up little space and is suitable for growing in small summer cottages and even on the balcony.
Refers to determinant. The bushes are strong, weakly branched, but, nevertheless, the leaves completely cover the stem.The leaves are small, light green, corrugated. The inflorescences are simple, medium in size. The first ovary is formed under the 6th leaf, the subsequent ones alternate every two leaves.
The variety is early ripening. The first vegetables turn red 85-90 days after germination. This indicator is typical for the southern regions. In the northern part of our country, ripening occurs only on the 110th day. The plant is not afraid of cold weather and bears fruit until late autumn.
Since the variety is early ripening, the probability of damage late blight small. But in general, the crop is not resistant to various diseases, so the bushes need regular treatment for preventive purposes.
The fruits are fleshy, round, weighing up to 110 g. The skin is red, compacted, thanks to which the vegetables are stored for a long time and can withstand long-term transportation. Picked unripe fruits ripen well on their own. There are 5 seed chambers, but there are few seeds in them.
Ripe vegetables have a sour taste, so Oak is not suitable for everyone. It was originally intended for pickling, but soon it began to be used for preparing tomato products.
The high fertility of low-growing bushes provides up to 5 kg per 1 sq. m. Tomatoes develop well in rainy, warm weather with rare sunny days, but even in drought the crop will not die, its yield will only decrease. The fruiting period is extended, the fruits are set until the beginning of September.
How to grow seedlings
Before sowing, the seeds are treated with a disinfectant, for example, a 2% manganese solution. Any container will do, but it is preferable to choose plastic containers. Drainage holes are required at the bottom, as excess moisture will have a detrimental effect on the sprouts.There are no special requirements for the soil, but it is worth recalling that, like seeds, the soil must be disinfected. This can be done with boiling water. After sowing the seeds, cover the container with film until the first shoots appear.
Reference. The species is not a hybrid, which means that seeds from the fruit can be used for planting.
The climatic features of the region affect the timing of seed sowing. Typically, seeds are sown 60 days before planting in the ground. This means that the optimal time for sowing is mid or late March.
While the seedlings are in the house, it is necessary to monitor soil moisture. Drying it out is unacceptable, but the accumulation of moisture is not beneficial for the first shoots.
When the first pair of leaves appears on young bushes, pick them. At this moment, the first portion of fertilizer is applied - a complex of mineral components. The second feeding is carried out before planting in open ground, also with mineral substances.
After 1.5 months, young plants are subjected to hardening, which consists of changing the temperature regime: maintain at 18°C during the day, and reduce to 12°C at night.
Advice. In the northern regions, any lamps that provide daylight are used to increase the length of daylight.
How to grow tomatoes
Before planting seedlings in the ground, the soil on the site must be dug up and all weeds with roots must be removed. Be sure to apply organic and mineral fertilizers. Seedlings are planted in the beds when the ground has warmed to a depth of 15 cm.
Both sandy and loamy soil are suitable for tomatoes, into which nitrogen and potassium fertilizers are applied in the spring. The rules of crop rotation will help you choose the right area for tomatoes: it is recommended to plant them in beds where zucchini, onions, cucumbers, carrots, cabbage, and herbs previously grew. The place where representatives of the nightshade family previously grew is not suitable.
Hardened seedlings are transplanted into the ground, 3-4 bushes per 1 square meter. m. They loosen, weed and hill up every 2 weeks. For the first time after transplantation, it is recommended to protect the plant from sunlight, for example, with burdock leaves. Water the crop at the root and as needed.
Advice. If possible, protect the area with tomatoes from wind and drafts.
Compliance with the following rules for planting tomatoes in the ground will help young plants quickly take root in outdoor conditions, which will ensure successful further growth and development:
Water the pre-made holes with a manganese solution to disinfect the soil and further protect the fruits from infections.- Plant the crop so that the first pair of leaves rises 2-3 cm above the ground. This will allow the root system to grow, receiving the required amount of fertilizer and oxygen.
- For the first 8-10 days, seedlings do not need watering.
- If necessary, shade the seedlings from the scorching sun.
- Start forming bushes only when new leaves appear, cutting off excess shoots and leaving 2 or 3 stems. This has a good effect on the fruiting of the crop.
If you want to get the harvest early, the bushes are pinched and the plant is formed into one stem. When forming a bush into 2 stems, the stepsons are removed from the three lower axils, when forming into 3 stems - from the two lower ones.
Reference! Forming bushes with 3 stems leads to higher yields.
A prerequisite at the time of pollination is to maintain the temperature no higher than 25°C, otherwise pollination will not occur. It is necessary to be vigilant from the beginning to mid-May. In unfavorable conditions, use film shelters.
The crop does not need gartering, as the variety is low-growing. But tied bushes have their own advantages, the main one being that vegetables do not touch the ground and do not suffer from rot. At the same time, the integrity of the bush is not compromised: it does not break under its own weight.
When breeding low-growing tomatoes, nitrogen-containing fertilizers are applied once during fruit formation. Phosphorus and potassium are needed by the crop throughout the growing season. They are fed once every 2 weeks.
Diseases and pests
The average resistance of the plant to diseases indicates the need for regular preventive measures. These include chemical treatment, mulching, and drip irrigation. For prevention, systemic-contact fungicides are used: Ditan M-45, Quadris 250. The frequency of preventive treatment is once every 20 days.
When a crop is damaged by late blight, both chemical and traditional methods can be used to save the plant. Chemical treatments include treatment with Furacilin, and traditional treatments include soda or vinegar. Furacilin solution is prepared simply: 10 tablets per 10 liters of water. Spray before the flowers appear, at the first ovaries, at the first fruits. Spray with soda solution every week, dissolving 1 tablespoon of soda in half a bucket of water.
Mulching and fragrant herbs protect from insects living underground. Chief Land pest - This is a bear. Moving underground, it damages the root system, as a result of which the seedlings die.Chopped cloves of garlic and fish heads also work well against mole crickets if you bury them in the beds.
Treatment with insecticides 1 month before fruiting will protect the plant from tomato mites. Among other things, for prevention purposes it is necessary to regularly inspect the bushes for the presence of pests from the insect world.
If tomatoes are planted in a greenhouse, do not forget to ventilate it regularly.
The nuances of growing in open ground and in a greenhouse
The Dubrava tomato is declared as a variety for open ground. When grown in greenhouse conditions, the height of the bushes exceeds 70 cm. And if outdoor tomatoes do not need a garter, then in a greenhouse you cannot do without it. Also, the size of the fruit increases by 2 times. In the greenhouse, Dubok is more susceptible to pathogenic attacks of fungal infections than anywhere else.
Harvesting and application
Ripe vegetables begin to be collected in June. It is not necessary to wait for full ripening; brown tomatoes ripen on their own. The collected fruits are stored for a long time and are easily transported. The main thing is to have time to collect the vegetables on time; they crack when overripe.
Due to their sour taste, tomatoes are good in pickles, marinades, conservation. Excellent for making lecho, ketchup, juices, purees. But using them fresh is less attractive.
Advantages and disadvantages
The main advantage of the variety is its high quantitative indicator with simple care. But there are still many positive qualities worthy of attention:
survival rate of culture in both southern and northern regions;- early ripening;
- does not require pinching;
- does not require a garter;
- possibility of growing without a greenhouse;
- long storage;
- good transportability;
- possibility of breeding at home: on the balcony or windowsill;
- formation of ovaries even in rainy weather;
- crop survival in drought.
The negative aspects of this variety include:
- sour taste of fruits;
- average resistance to late blight and fungal infections;
- cracking during ripening.
Farmer reviews
Reviews about ripe vegetables are very contradictory, primarily due to the unusual taste of the fruit. However, thanks to many positive characteristics, they managed to win many fans.
There are cases when Oak, when the necessary conditions were created, developed perfectly on the windowsill, delighting with red fresh vegetables on New Year's Eve. Farmers especially emphasize the minimal effort required compared to the final quantitative result. And of course, the early ripeness of tomatoes is captivating, which makes it possible to enjoy them from the first summer month.
Elena, Volgograd: “I didn’t like the oak tree. The fruits are watery and sour. I planted it for the first time, I won’t repeat it. I was pleased that there was no late blight. The bushes remained healthy all summer.”
Maria, Vladivostok: “At the beginning of spring I bought a bag of Dubrava tomato seeds. Sowed on March 20th. Already at the end of May I planted them in the garden. All my care came down to gartering, weeding and watering (5 times per season). I didn’t fertilize it, I didn’t fertilize it. I was pleased with the harvest. I am pleased".
Gennady, Samara: “The seedlings were planted at the end of May. The summer turned out to be rainy, my wife and I thought that the entire crop would perish, but two weeks later we saw that our seedlings had taken root well and began to grow. The first sample was taken at the end of July. I didn’t like the tomatoes, they were too sour, but my wife liked the vegetables. But in sunsets The vegetables acquired an amazing flavor. We will plant this variety again, but only for salting.”
Conclusion
The articles included in the review included descriptions of the variety, photographs, and reviews of the Dubrava tomato, talking about a time-tested tomato crop known since the times of the USSR. The fact that this variety of tomatoes has survived to this day and is in great demand and respect among experienced gardeners indicates its indispensability in any summer cottage in any weather and in any region.
Not every vegetable crop is able to move from one era to another without losing its relevance, still occupying pride of place in summer cottages.