A good choice for a picky summer resident - the Peter the Great tomato and the secrets of increasing its yield

Tomato Peter the Great is a hybrid characterized by high yield and resistance to viral diseases and fungal infections. The culture was developed recently, in 2015, but is already enjoying success on the market. From this article you will learn all the features of growing Peter the Great tomatoes and the secrets of a good harvest.

Characteristics and description of the variety

The Peter the Great tomato belongs to the cluster hybrids and is intended for cultivation mainly in closed ground. Planting in open ground is possible only in mild climates, with a small difference between day and night temperatures.

Plant indeterminate, is distinguished by a powerful stem and great growth vigor. Without pinching the top, the height of the bush can exceed 2 m, and the number of carpal ovaries on it reaches 45 pieces.

Advantages of the Peter the Great variety:

• quick response to agrotechnical manipulations - fertilization, pruning;
• productivity - if you follow the care recommendations, the yield reaches 10 kg per square meter. m;
• universal use of fruits with excellent taste characteristics;
• long shelf life of fruits, low losses during harvest transportation.

The fruits of the hybrid Peter the Great are distinguished by an elongated pepper-shaped shape with a small spout. The average size is 10-12 cm, the average weight is 120 g. The skin and pulp of a ripe tomato are bright red in color, without light areas or spots.The structure of the pulp is dense, not watery, with a high percentage of dry matter. The taste is rich, sweetish.

How to grow seedlings

The cultivation of hybrid seedlings occurs according to standard rules, taking into account the specific climate. The thoroughness of seed and soil treatment depends on the level of threat of disease and pest infection in a particular planting region.

Seed preparation

Considering that 60-day-old seedlings should be transplanted into the greenhouse, and the best time for planting will be mid-May (for the middle zone), it is better to sow seeds for growing seedlings in the first half of March.

Hybrid seeds are usually already processed by the manufacturer. But some gardeners still disinfect. Harmful microorganisms can live on the surface of seeds and become activated when they enter the soil. The simplest method of disinfection is soaking in hydrogen peroxide (3% solution) for 20 minutes.

Then the seeds are soaked in water at room temperature for 72 hours, wrapped in clean gauze. As a rule, on the third day the sprouts hatch and the seeds are ready for planting.

Container and soil

Seed material is planted in boxes filled with universal store-bought soil for tomatoes. There must be drainage holes at the bottom of the boxes.

You can prepare the soil yourself by mixing peat, sand, and top layer of garden soil in equal parts. It is recommended to additionally treat the soil with a weak solution of potassium permanganate and add a small amount of organic fertilizer.

Sowing

The seeds are deepened into the ground 1-2 cm, watered with warm water and greenhouse conditions are created by covering the container with soil with film. It is important that the soil in the box does not dry out or cool.The optimal way to moisturize during this period is to spray the soil with a spray bottle.

The greenhouse must be well ventilated twice a day. If these conditions are met, seedlings appear within 7-10 days.

Growing and care

After germination, Peter the Great tomato seedlings need to be provided with good lighting, and in the second week, nitrogen fertilizers should be added to stimulate growth.

When 2-3 leaves appear on the plants, they are picked from a common box into separate cups. The volume of the cups must be at least 0.5 liters so that the grown seedlings feel comfortable.

How to grow tomatoes

Tomatoes require daily attention from gardeners. Following the recommendations for growing Peter the Great hybrid tomatoes will ensure healthy plants and a rich harvest.

Landing

Peter the Great tomatoes are planted in greenhouses in mid-May - early June. By this point, night temperatures in the greenhouse should not fall below 10 °C.

Planting density per 1 sq. m is 3 bushes when subsequently formed into 2 stems or 4 bushes when formed into 1 stem.

The soil in the greenhouse is prepared in the fall, replacing its top layer with soil from carrot beds. Then they add manure and dig up the soil without breaking up the lumps.

Care

10 days after planting tomatoes in permanent soil, it is well loosened and organic fertilizers are applied. Mineral feeding added before flowering and during the period of fruit appearance.

Plants require abundant watering warm water - drying out deep layers of soil is unacceptable. The soil is loosened weekly to ensure adequate oxygen exchange in the tomato root system.

The bushes grow actively throughout the growing season, and for the fruits to ripen, it is recommended to remove stepsons, pinch growth points, crown.

Attention! During the period of fruit ripening, plants will need strong support - wooden or plastic stakes of sufficient thickness.

Features of cultivation and possible difficulties

With responsible care, the Peter the Great tomato feels comfortable in greenhouse conditions and enters the fruiting period 110-120 days after germination. Sometimes, despite observing all agrotechnical nuances, difficulties are observed with fruit ripening. To help the plant, experienced farmers advise removing some of the tomatoes that have acquired an intermediate brown color.

Throughout the warm season, it is necessary to maintain an optimal level of humidity in the greenhouse - this is ensured by regular watering of the soil and natural evaporation of moisture, but on dry summer days you can install small containers of water between the bushes.

Diseases and pests

Hybrid Peter the Great is resistant to viral and fungal infections, but for prevention it is recommended to periodically treat the above-ground part of the plant with Fitosporin.

When insects appear,pests We recommend spraying the bushes with an insecticidal preparation. Root protection will be ensured by watering with a solution of copper sulfate.

The nuances of growing in open ground and in a greenhouse

The Peter the Great tomato, like many mid-season hybrids, is not intended for growing in open ground. In the southern regions, it is possible to plant bushes outside greenhouses, in beds, but in this case, care should be taken to quickly cover the tomatoes with film from rain or hail.

Growing indoors is possible throughout Russia. At the same time, summer residents from regions located above the middle zone often use heated greenhouses.With proper care, tomatoes bear fruit until the end of September.

Regardless of the form of planting, Peter the Great tomatoes require strong support, good lighting (at least 12 hours a day), and regular feeding.

Important! Plants must be protected from sudden temperature changes.

Harvesting and application

The first Peter the Great tomatoes ripen at the end of June - July, the harvest ends in September. During this time, farmers manage to collect up to 10 kg of fruits from 1 square meter. m greenhouse.

The variety is good for fresh consumption and for preservation. The taste and density make it possible to prepare sauces, juices, and tomato paste from these tomatoes. When preserving whole fruits, the strong skin does not burst. The Peter the Great variety is perfect for withering.

Hybrid tomatoes tolerate transportation well and are stored for a long time, so surplus crops can always be sold at a profit. After picking, brown or green fruits are sent to ripen using the traditional method: they are laid out in wooden boxes in 2-3 layers, covered with paper.

Advantages and disadvantages of the variety

Growing Peter the Great tomatoes does not require complex agricultural manipulations, and even inexperienced farmers can count on a good harvest.

The main advantages of the variety:

• long fruiting;
• resistance to infections and fungi;
• pleasant taste and high fruit density.

No obvious disadvantages of hybrids have yet been identified; the list of possible inconveniences includes:

• large size of bushes, tendency to grow quickly;
• the need for solid support, and not just tying;
• difficult cultivation in open ground;
• it is necessary to partially unload the plant by removing unripe fruits.

Some gardeners find fresh Peter the Great tomatoes too tough to cut into a salad. But this minus turns into a plus when canning.

Farmer reviews

The Peter the Great tomato variety was developed relatively recently and has not yet received sufficient distribution, but reviews from farmers who have become acquainted with the hybrid are mostly positive.

Sergey, 48 years old, Novorossiysk: “High yields make up for some of the inconveniences of growing. I have a large farm, and good keeping quality guarantees profit from harvest sales.”

Anna, 38 years old, Novgorod: “Summer in our region is not hot, so I only plant tomatoes in a greenhouse. Peter the Great has not failed for 3 years, but every year it is necessary to replace the fertile layer of soil in the greenhouse.”

Irina, 42 years old, Saratov: “It’s nice to go into the greenhouse - the tomatoes have grown powerful and healthy. Large bunches of ripe tomatoes look impressive, and their photos are nice to add to the archive of my agricultural achievements.”

Conclusion

Peter the Great tomatoes can be safely recommended for cultivation if there are greenhouses of sufficient size and the basic rules of care are observed (regular watering, loosening, fertilizing). The hybrid is not too whimsical and will repay your care with a bountiful harvest.