Hybrid tomato "Empress": instructions for growing on your own plot from sowing to harvesting

Tomato Empress is a super-yielding hybrid. Appeared on the seed market relatively recently. However, it has already gained popularity among farmers due to its high yield, ease of care and resistance to disease.

In the article we will talk about the pros and cons of the hybrid, the features of agricultural technology in closed and open ground, and share feedback from farmers.

Description of the hybrid

The mid-early hybrid Empress F1 is a product of the selective work of Russian biologists of the SeDeK agricultural company.. It was included in the State Register of the Russian Federation in 2011. The crop is specially bred for cultivation in film-type greenhouses in regions with cold climates, but at the same time feels great in open ground conditions in the southern regions.

The bushes are indeterminate and require pinching and tying to a trellis or supports. The foliage is abundant and the root system is powerful.

The photo shows the fruits of the Empress hybrid.

The table shows the distinctive characteristics of the hybrid.

How to grow seedlings

The hybrid is grown through seedlings. Sowing work is carried out from March to April 60-65 days before transferring to the ground.

Seed preparation

The seeds of the hybrid Empress F1 are treated with disinfectants and growth simulators in production, so they do not need such manipulations at home.

Nevertheless, experienced farmers advise checking the germination of each seed using the calibration method. To do this, the seeds are poured with a salt solution (25 g of rock salt per 100 ml). After two hours, the empty particles float to the surface. They are thrown away. Medium and large sized seeds are washed and dried.

The second way to determine germination is by germination and sowing in the ground. A test batch of ten seeds is laid out on a cotton cloth and filled with water at room temperature. After 24 hours, the fabric along with the seeds is placed on a plate, cling film is pulled over the top and left in a warm, dark place.

The seeds will hatch in 3-4 days, at an air temperature of +23 °C. The percentage of germination is determined by the number of sprouted seeds. For example, if 7 out of ten seeds hatch, then the germination rate is 70%.

Reference. As practice shows, the germination rate of the Empress hybrid seed is close to 100%.

Soil preparation and sowing

Soil for growing tomato seedlings from gardening stores marked “universal” usually has a balanced composition and contains mineral fertilizers.

If desired, you can prepare the soil yourself. The optimal recipe: mix two parts peat, one part garden soil, 0.5 parts river sand, one part compost. Add 1 cup of ash to a bucket of the finished mixture to adjust the pH, since peat has a higher acidity. 40 g of superphosphate, 15 g of potassium, 10 g of urea are used as fertilizers.

The substrate is disinfected in the oven or microwave. One of the most effective methods, according to gardeners, is steaming in a double boiler, which kills most of the fungi, bacteria and weed seeds. The soil is placed in gauze, folded in several layers, and then into a steamer bowl. The process lasts about an hour.

After the soil has cooled, it is watered with settled warm water and the seedling boxes are filled. The seeds are placed in 1.5 cm depressions, sprinkled with a 1 cm layer of soil on top and watered with a syringe. They put film over the boxes and take them to a warm place. The optimal temperature for germination is +23 °C. The film is periodically removed to ventilate the soil.

Seedling care

The rules for caring for Empress F1 tomato seedlings include providing long daylight hours (at least 16 hours) and moderate watering.

After the first 5-6 leaves appear, the seedlings are planted in separate pots made of peat or plastic. The seedlings grow strong and do not need fertilizing.

A week before transferring to the ground, the seedlings are taken out into fresh air for hardening. To begin with, leave it for 15-20 minutes, then increase the time daily by 10 minutes.

Tomato cultivation

The rules of hybrid agricultural technology are standard: pinching, shaping bushes, abundant watering, application of organic and mineral fertilizers.

Disembarkation

Before planting in the ground (late May-early June), the roots of the seedlings are immersed in the root formation stimulator “Kornerost”. For 1 liter of warm water you will need 0.05 g of the substance. The solution is brought to the working volume. For example, 20 seedlings require 1 liter.

Reference. The “Kornerost” stimulator is completely safe for plants and people.

The Empress hybrid loves nutritious, loose soil with a pH of 6-6.5. The acidity level is determined using litmus papers or a special device with a long probe. Dolomite flour will help balance the acidity.

Application rates per 1 m² depend on soil pH:

• acidic (pH below 4.5) – 500 g;
• medium acidic (pH 4.5-5.2) – 450 g;
• slightly acidic (pH 5.2-5.6) – 350 g.

2-3 bushes are planted per 1 m². The holes are dug to a depth of 20 cm and filled with a strong, hot solution of potassium permanganate. Add 3 g of superphosphate to each.

Care

A week after planting, the bushes are tied to a trellis so that the stems do not sag under the weight of the fruit. The plant is pinched and formed into 1-2 stems, which increases productivity. Old leaves are periodically removed.

Tomatoes are provided with moderate watering 1-2 times every 7 days. During the period of active flowering, increase up to 3-4 times.

Will help reduce the number of weeding and loosening mulching beds with black agrofibre, sawdust or hay.

The Empress hybrid is fed with organic matter and mineral complexes:

• after planting the bushes, organic fertilizers are applied;
• before and during flowering and formation of ovaries - potassium-phosphorus fertilizing;
• during fruiting - potassium-phosphorus with a small amount of nitrogen.

Feeding options:

1. One part mullein to 5 parts water. Leave for 12-14 days and dilute with water in a ratio of 1:2.The bushes are watered at the root after transplanting the seedlings into the ground during flowering and fruiting.
2. 500 g of wood ash per 10 liters of water. Leave for 3-4 days, strain and water at the root.
3. 20 g of superphosphate per 1 liter of hot water. Leave for 24 hours and increase the volume to 10 liters.
4. For 10 liters of water – 10 g of diammofoska (26% potassium and phosphorus, 10% nitrogen). Use for watering 1 m².
5. For 10 liters of water 1 tbsp. l. nitroammophosphate (16% potassium, phosphorus and nitrogen each). For 1 m² use 0.5 l.

The interval between fertilizers is 10-14 days. Two weeks before harvest, fertilizing is stopped.

Diseases and pests

Empress F1 tomatoes are immune to verticillium, blossom end and root rot, tobacco mosaic virus, but are susceptible to brown leaf spot and late blight.

Brown spot or cladosporiosis appears as yellow spots of various shapes on the front side of the leaves. A light coating forms on the back side, which becomes brown over time. Without treatment, the leaves gradually die off, and the fungal spores spread to the tomato ovaries. This leads to significant yield loss.

To prevent the disease, the soil before planting seedlings is spilled with a solution of Fitosporin. For treatment, use the preparations “Bravo”, “Fitolavin” or a pink solution of potassium permanganate with ash (for 2 liters of water - 300 g of ash, potassium permanganate on the tip of a knife, boil for 15 minutes, then increase the volume to 10 liters).

Late blight tomatoes are known to every gardener. The disease is recognized by brown-gray spots on plants and a whitish coating on the back of the leaves.

For prevention:

• greenhouses are fumigated with sulfur bombs in the fall;
• in the spring, treat the soil with copper sulfate;
• the beds are covered with mulch (straw, sawdust, agrofibre);
• tear off the lower leaves, avoiding contact with the soil;
• maintain optimal humidity levels.

Help to overcome the disease:

• biological products: “Gamair”, “Fitosporin”, “Baksis”, “Ekosil”, “Alirin”;
• a solution of copper sulfate (2 tablespoons per 10 liters of water) for a one-time treatment of bushes before flowering;
• milk with iodine (per 1 liter of low-fat milk - 15 drops of iodine) for treatment once a week;
• whey (diluted with water in equal parts) - a means for daily spraying.

In the fight against aphids, whitefly, spider mite, which most often attack tomatoes, the following drugs are effective: “Kleschevit”, “Biotlin”, “Aliot”, “Tanrek”, “Fitoverm”.

The nuances of growing indoors and outdoors

The hybrid is undemanding to care and requires only moderate watering and fertilization.

Slight difficulties with pollination may arise when cultivated in greenhouse conditions. For successful pollination, it is enough to shake the bushes and trellis twice a week, and keep the windows open to provide access to insects.

When cultivating in open ground, it is recommended to pinch the growing point so that the tomatoes have time to ripen before frost.

Harvesting and application

Tomatoes ripen approximately 95 days after germination. Fruits with dense pulp are used to make juice, paste, sauces, soups, and adjika. They make the perfect jerky snack in aromatic herb butter.

Tomatoes do not have a pronounced tomato taste, for which they are often called “plastic”, but tomatoes are best suited for pickling, canning in their own juice and pickling. The hard skin does not crack during heat treatment.

Advantages and disadvantages

Advantages of the Empress hybrid:

• forms ovaries under any cultivation conditions;
• resistant to most “tomato” diseases;
• bears fruit abundantly;
• has excellent presentation and transportability;
• hard skin is not prone to cracking;
• universal use in cooking.

Flaws:

• necessity garters and forming a bush with 1-2 stems;
• poor taste and too dense pulp.

Reviews

Farmers' opinions about the hybrid are divided. Some value the crop for its ease of care and abundant fruiting, while others are dissatisfied with the taste and dense structure of the fruit.

Margarita, Starodub: «The characteristics and description of the Empress tomato correspond to the information on the packaging. I grow a crop in a film greenhouse for sale. The plant is tall and requires staking. I form it into one stem, tearing off the lower leaves so that they do not come into contact with the soil. This way it is possible to protect tomatoes from late blight. It does not require special care and bears fruit abundantly. Tomatoes are shelf-stable and can be transported over long distances.”

Ivan, Michurinsk: “Empress tomatoes are best suited for cultivation in greenhouses. Before this I tried to plant in the garden, the yield was lower than stated. Tomatoes are not for everyone, the flesh is hard, not too juicy. More suitable for canning."

Olga, Khotynets: “Last year, on the recommendation of a friend, I planted these tomatoes in a greenhouse. Crop care is standard - moderate watering, pinching and fertilizing. But I didn’t like the taste of tomatoes at all. Hard pulp and skin, no usual aroma and juiciness. Not suitable for fresh consumption."

Conclusion

Empress F1 is considered one of the best tomatoes to grow for sale.The dense skin does not crack during ripening and transportation. The fruits are universally used and are suitable for fresh consumption and canning.

The culture does not require special care and is immune to most nightshade diseases.