Productive, early ripening, undemanding to care and ideal for canning tomato “Gulliver”

Meet: an unpretentious and unusually tasty variety of tomatoes called Gulliver! It is distinguished by its high adaptation to drought and heat, resistance to many diseases, excellent productivity indicators and simple agricultural technology throughout the entire growing season. Visual photographs and favorable reviews will leave no doubt about the choice of tomato crop for cultivation at your summer cottage.

Characteristics and description of the variety

The variety was developed by Russian breeder L.A. Myazina. The variety was registered in the State Register in 2009. Recommended for cultivation in the Central Black Earth region, but it is successfully bred in all areas. The Gulliver tomato crop is not the only work of the Russian breeder. In total, the State Register lists 25 varieties and 39 hybrids of her authorship.

Reference. Lyubov Anatolyevna Myazina has been breeding for more than 30 years. Its hybrids are created by hand pollinating two different varieties. This is how the best qualities of the paternal and maternal plants are incorporated into the genes.

Distinctive features

Determinate bush, height – 1.5-1.7 m, average foliage, medium-sized leaves, simple inflorescences, strong stem. The raceme is simple, unbranched, produces 5-6 fruits. Tomatoes set in any weather conditions.

The variety is early ripening, 100-110 days pass from planting to full ripening.Recommended for cultivation in open and closed ground, drought-resistant and heat-resistant, not afraid of temperature changes.

Productivity is average, per 1 sq. m, up to 6 kg of fruits are collected, provided that 3-4 seedlings are planted per 1 sq. m. m.

It is highly resistant to the main diseases of the nightshade family, such as late blight, blossom end and root rot.

It does not require pinching, but requires mandatory gartering, otherwise the fruit-bearing branches will not withstand the weight of ripe vegetables.

Fruit characteristics

The average weight of tomatoes is 95-115 g, the shape is cylindrical, elongated, reminiscent of a plum. The color is rich red, the flesh is fleshy, practically without liquid. The taste is soft, sweet, with a pleasant sourness. There are 2 seed chambers, few seeds. The peel is thin but dense.

The purpose of ripe vegetables is universal: from fresh consumption to processing for winter preparations. Excellent taste retention in whole-fruit canning. Tomatoes do not crack during heat treatment, which makes it possible to dry the fruits for the winter in the oven at a low temperature. Vegetables are also dried and frozen.

Tomatoes retain their appearance well during long-term transportation and storage for a month.

The photo shows Gulliver tomatoes.

How to grow seedlings

Sowing seeds for seedlings begins 2 months before planting in the ground. Before sowing, the seeds undergo special treatment to improve germination.

Seed preparation

Planting material is checked for germination by placing the grains in a saline solution for 10 minutes. Seeds that float to the surface are not suitable for planting.

Seeds collected independently are subject to mandatory disinfection before sowing. To do this, they are placed in a weak solution of potassium permanganate for 20 minutes.

Reference. Seed material purchased from a specialized store does not need to be processed. The originator took care of everything himself.

After disinfection, the grains are washed with running water, wrapped in gauze, slightly moistened and left in a warm place for 2-3 days for germination. The room temperature must be at least 23°C. After the sprouts appear, the grains are ready for sowing.

Reference. Gulliver tomato seeds are produced by the agricultural firms Aelita and Siberian Garden.

Container and soil

The soil mixture is prepared from garden soil, humus and wood ash. All components are thoroughly mixed and poured with a hot solution of pink potassium permanganate to destroy pathogenic flora.

They are planted in separate containers or in a common wooden box, in which holes are first made in the bottom so that when watering there is no stagnation of excess moisture. If you sow seeds directly into peat pots, there is no need to pick seedlings later. In addition, during transplantation, seedlings are planted in the ground along with peat pots, which dissolve in the soil without harming the root system.

Planting containers are filled halfway with prepared soil. Later, as the young bushes grow and develop, the remaining soil is poured into the containers. This way the seedlings receive more nutrients.

Sowing

The seeds are sown in furrows 1.5-2 cm deep, making the row spacing 3 cm. If the grains are sown shallow, they will germinate along with the shell, which will slow down their further growth. After sowing, the soil is slightly moistened with a spray bottle and left in a warm and bright room at a temperature of at least 22°C. Planting containers are covered with film or glass to create a greenhouse effect.

Growing and care

After the first shoots appear, the containers are moved to a more illuminated place, for example, on a windowsill.

Reference. Avoid exposure to direct sunlight. Young shoots can suffer serious burns.

Water as needed with warm, settled water using a shallow watering can along the edge of the nursery. After watering, the soil is loosened superficially for better oxygen saturation.

When 2 true leaves appear, the seedlings are picked and placed in separate containers. If the seedlings are left in a common box, the distance between plants is maintained at least 10 cm. After picking, the seedlings are shaded for 1-2 days, then moved again to a well-lit place.

2 weeks before planting in open ground, seedlings begin to harden. This technique strengthens the immunity of seedlings and promotes faster adaptation to outdoor conditions. The hardening process involves keeping the seedlings outdoors for 25-45 minutes every day. Gradually, this time is increased to 12 hours, while simultaneously reducing the night temperature in the room where the seedlings are brought to 13°C.

How to grow tomatoes

After 2 months, the seedlings are ready to be transplanted into the ground. They are transplanted into open beds in late May - early June, when the threat of night frosts has passed.

Landing

The soil for tomatoes is prepared in the fall. The soil is dug up and organic matter or a complex of mineral fertilizers are added. Tomatoes grow well in those beds where legumes, onions, cucumbers, and cabbage previously grew.

Planting pattern: 70 cm – distance between seedlings, 40 cm – row spacing.

A little wood ash is added to prepared holes 15 cm deep and watered generously. After replanting, the soil is well compacted, watered again, the beds are loosened and hilled.It is best to replant in the evening or on a cloudy day - this way the young bushes are more likely to adapt to new conditions.

Reference. To quickly grow green mass, place 1 teaspoon of ammonium nitrate in each hole.

Further care for tomato Gulliver

As the seedlings adapt to new conditions, they establish regular watering. Water abundantly, but not often. In normal weather, 3-4 liters of warm, settled water are poured under each bush, strictly under the root, without getting on the leaves. On dry days, the amount of watering is increased, making sure to control the level of humidity in the beds. Overmoistening of the soil leads to the development of fungal diseases.

After each watering, the soil is loosened, hilled up and weeds with roots are removed. These simple methods promote better penetration of oxygen to the roots and protect plants from many pests.

To keep the beds moist longer, they mulch. This is especially important on hot days when moisture evaporates faster than usual. In addition, mulch protects the beds from pests moving underground, which are dangerous because they disrupt the root system of plants.

Feeding carried out 3 times during the entire growing season. The first feeding is given during flowering, the second during the formation of ovaries, and the third time during fruiting. A complex of mineral fertilizers or organic matter is well suited as fertilizing. Mullein infusion and bird droppings are used as organic matter in a ratio of 1:15.

Features of cultivation and possible difficulties

Bushes require mandatory garters, otherwise they will begin to break under the weight of the heaviness of the fruit. To do this, install wooden stakes or metal rods next to each bush.The bushes are fixed to the support immediately when transplanted into the ground. Due to timely gartering, a strong and even stem is formed. As the fruiting branches grow and develop, they are also fixed to the support.

The plant does not require constant pinching, which significantly simplifies care during the growing season. At the beginning, to improve fruiting, the plant is formed into 2 or 3 stems, removing all excess stepsons. This technique allows you to get maximum yield.

Diseases and pests

Tomato Gulliver is not prone to diseases that often affect the nightshade family. But still, some crop rotation rules will further protect the crop from possible infections.

It is not recommended to place tomato beds next to potatoes. This is because the plants belong to the same family and suffer from the same diseases and pests. The plantings are not thickened so that all bushes receive the same amount of light and are regularly ventilated.

In rainy summers, plants are sprayed with “Fitosporin” or copper sulfate to prevent late blight. Late blight is a fungal disease; high humidity is a prerequisite for its spread.

The most common pests are aphids, whiteflies and Colorado potato beetles. Treating the stems with a soap solution helps prevent aphids. All plants with a large concentration of parasites are sprayed with the same solution. The Colorado potato beetle is collected by hand along with its larvae.

The larvae are usually found on the inside of the leaves, so when inspecting plants it is necessary to carefully inspect the leaves on both sides. Pheromone traps, which can be purchased in specialized stores, save you from whiteflies.

Reference. Pheromone traps capture only parasites, without causing harm to other insects that are not pests.

Also preventative is spraying plants with decoctions of sharp-smelling herbs: burdock, calendula, onion peels, onions, garlic. Planting calendula, marigolds and mustard next to tomatoes saves the crop from many parasitic insects that do not approach the beds due to the pungent odor of the herbs.

The nuances of growing in open ground and in a greenhouse

The tomato is recommended for cultivation in the Central Black Earth region, but it is successfully grown in all regions, including the northern ones. Tomatoes are planted under film shelters earlier than in open ground, for 2-3 weeks, depending on weather conditions.

In the greenhouse, during flowering, the bushes are slightly shaken so that the empty flowers fall off and pollination becomes complete. As it grows, the bush is formed into 2 stems, and when planted sparsely, 3 stems are left. The lower leaves must be removed to prevent the development of fungal spores.

The height of the plant depends on the fertility of the soil and climatic conditions. Thus, in the Urals or Siberia, growth does not exceed 60 cm. Consequently, the quantitative indicator will be lower than with full development.

In fertile soil in warm regions where the crop is grown in open ground, its height reaches up to 1.7 m. To limit the growth point, the crown of the plant is pinched.

In cold regions, the crop is grown only in greenhouses or under film cover. In closed structures, the risk of developing infections is higher than in open beds. This is due to constantly increased temperature and humidity. Therefore, the greenhouse must be regularly ventilated to destroy the pathogenic environment.But do not forget that drafts have a detrimental effect on tomatoes.

Harvesting and application

The ripening of fruits is friendly - this is an important distinguishing feature of Gulliver. It is not necessary to wait for vegetables to fully ripen; they can gain color on their own at room temperature within a few days. Placing unripe tomatoes next to ripe ones will speed up the time for self-ripening.

At an air temperature of +10°C and below, vegetables are harvested green. Cold nights promote the development of fungal diseases and rotting vegetables. In any case, tomatoes in the garden beds will not be able to ripen at this temperature.

Universal use in cooking. Ripe vegetables are ideal for fresh salads and other vegetable dishes. Smaller tomatoes are used in whole-fruit canning. They do not lose their taste in pickles and marinades and are excellent for making tomato products: paste, ketchup, sauces, juices.

An important property of ripe vegetables is that they can withstand heat treatment without cracking. Thanks to this, they are dried in the oven at low temperatures or in the sun. Tomatoes are also dried and frozen.

Tomatoes are subject to long-term storage for 4 weeks without loss of external and taste qualities. Excellent resistance to long-term transportation.

Advantages and disadvantages

The variety has many advantages:

• survival rate in all regions;
• good adaptation to temperature changes;
• high resistance to diseases;
• fruit set under any climatic conditions;
• does not require pinching;
• ease of care;
• good yield;
• early maturation;
• excellent taste;
• unusual shape;
• versatility in cooking;
• long-term storage;
• long transportation;
• the ability to independently select seeds for planting.

The only disadvantage of culture is the mandatory garter.

Farmer reviews

Despite the stated limitation of regions where the species can take root and produce a good harvest, reliable reviews come from different areas, which indicates the high ability of the tomato to adapt to any weather conditions. Opinions of gardeners who planted this crop:

Nikolay, Ekaterinburg: «The description says that tomatoes can only be grown in the Central Black Earth Region. I decided to take a risk. I sowed 5 seeds and they all sprouted. The seedlings grew well. After planting in the ground, the bushes quickly adapted. They did not require any special attention other than normal care. Almost all the flowers bore, there was a lot of fruit. I will grow more."

Violetta, Barnaul: “I grow various vegetables, including tomatoes. I buy Gulliver seeds. Tasty, neat fruits are enjoyed fresh or canned. I didn’t observe any diseases during the growing season.”

Conclusion

Gulliver tomatoes can surprise you with fruits that are unusual in appearance and have excellent taste. The main value of vegetables is their unique feature of being used in cooking as your imagination dictates.

During the growing season, the crop itself is highly adaptable to any weather conditions, the ability to set fruit in any temperature, good yield, immunity to many diseases and simple agricultural technology. These positive aspects indicate that all gourmet tomato lovers should definitely try this variety on their plots.