Juicy and incredibly tasty fruits straight from the garden - the Solokha tomato and the secrets of proper care for it

The Solokha tomato variety is characterized by high yield, excellent taste and unpretentiousness. It was bred by Russian breeders, who tried to do everything possible so that the gardener would not have problems during cultivation.

We will give detailed characteristics of the variety adapted to the Russian climate and reveal the secrets of its cultivation.

Description of the variety

Tomato bushes are from 60 cm to 1 m in height. The leaves are medium in size, dark green in color, covered with down on all sides. The fruits have an elongated, plum-shaped shape. Mid-season tomato, determinant, standard bush. The ripening period is 110-125 days from the first shoots.

Distinctive features

The Solokha variety is suitable for cultivation in central Russia and Siberia. It is characterized by a high rate of fruit ripening and a short growing season. An adult plant is resistant to diseases, viruses and pests. Ripe fruits correspond to the presented photo.

A distinctive feature of tomatoes is their ability to tolerate high humidity and low air temperatures. The variety has increased resistance to late blight and rot. Despite its small height, the bush has excellent taste and high yield.

Fruit characteristics and yield

The average weight of a tomato is 150-200 g, the largest ones weigh 250-300 g. They resemble a plum in shape. The pulp is dense and fleshy, of medium juiciness.The leather is durable and does not crack. Sugar content is within 4.5-5%. Fully ripened tomatoes have a raspberry-pink color.

Note. The taste is more sweet; sourness is almost completely absent.

Fresh tomatoes are suitable for long-term storage and can easily be transported over long distances. The section shows 3-4 chambers with seeds. The fruiting period is from summer to late autumn. On average from 1 sq. m get up to 7 kg of tomatoes.

How to grow seedlings

To ensure maximum germination of seeds, it is recommended to check their quality before planting. Initially, they look at the expiration date. If it expires, it is better to purchase another package. Next, the seeds must be poured into a glass of warm, slightly salted water. If they sink to the bottom, it means they are suitable for planting.

Seed preparation

Seeds are planted for seedlings after February 13-15. Depending on the region, the ripening period ranges from 100 to 130 days. Disinfection is carried out first. To do this, the seeds are soaked for a day in a solution of potassium permanganate. This way you can prevent fungal infection.

Many gardeners prefer to grow tomatoes of this variety from seeds of the Siberian Garden brand. Good germination of the material is noted.

Container and soil

It is better to plant seeds in special wide mesh containers. A box made of wood or plastic is also used. Since the variety is not picky, a standard soil mixture is used: for 1 part of turf soil, take 1 part of river sand and peat. Everything is thoroughly mixed and poured with a solution of 30 g of superphosphate and 10 g of potassium sulfate per 10 liters of water.

Sowing

In a prepared container with soil, make grooves at a distance of 2 cm from each other, place seeds in them and sprinkle soil on top. After two sheets appear, a dive is performed.

Growing and care

From the moment of planting until the plant is transferred to open ground, an average of 2 months passes. During this time, turn the seedlings daily with the other side facing the window. Place film or glass on top of the container to create a greenhouse effect. The seeds germinate well at room temperature (22-25°C). Water with a sprayer directly onto the soil.

How to grow tomatoes

Tomatoes of the Solokha variety are not picky, so gardeners recommend planting them directly in open ground and not in a greenhouse.

Landing

Before planting plants in the garden, be sure to harden them off. To do this, in the room where the seedlings are located, open the windows briefly or take the boxes outside. Tomatoes of this variety must be regularly watered and fed with fertilizers.

Attention! The time spent outside should be gradually increased from 15 minutes to 1 hour.

Seedlings are planted in open ground after preliminary fertilization with humus. It is best to place the bushes at a distance of 20-30 cm from each other or in a checkerboard pattern. On average, 5-6 bushes are planted per 1 m².

Care

In terms of care, the variety is not picky. To increase productivity, fertilize with organic fertilizers (compost or manure) or inorganic substances containing macro- and microelements, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Watering should be regular.

The photo clearly demonstrates what a healthy bush with tomatoes looks like.

It is best to use a drip system in which water is applied directly to the root rather than to the leaves.The bushes do not need pinching. The soil is loosened at intervals of 2 weeks, combined with weeding.

Features of cultivation and possible difficulties

Growing Solokh tomatoes is not difficult. Even a novice gardener can cope with this. Among the features note the following:

• sowing begins from February 15 to March 15;
• picking is carried out after the appearance of 1-2 true sheets;
• seedlings feed 2-3 times with complex fertilizer;
• hardening begins 7 days before planting in the ground;
• in mid-May, seedlings are planted under film, and in early June they can be planted in open ground;
• the average age of seedlings is 60-70 days.

With regular watering, loosening, weeding and fertilizing, a harvest of up to 11 kg is harvested from 1 m².

Diseases and pests

According to the description, Solokha tomatoes are resistant to various types of viruses and fungi. Their immunity is easily suppressed and tolerates verticillium, fusarium and tobacco mosaic. However, for prevention, it is recommended to treat the hole with a solution of boric acid, and the bushes potassium permanganate, which minimizes harm from bacteria and viruses.

Bushes often succumb to attack by Colorado potato beetles, aphids and lizards. To combat them, special means are used (“Aktara”, “Aktellik”). It is better to spray during the period of flowering or ovary formation, since the poison is poorly washed off from the surface of the fruit.

The nuances of growing in open ground and in a greenhouse

The presented tomato variety is universal, so it can be grown both in open ground and in greenhouse conditions. The technology is not much different. It is only important to ensure that the soil always remains moderately moist and to feed the plants regularly.

Harvesting and application

The characteristics of the variety are such that they can be harvested until late autumn due to the fruit’s resistance to low temperatures. Solokh tomatoes are great for salads, fresh consumption, canning, and making ketchup and tomato juice.

Advantages and disadvantages of the variety

Among the advantages are:

• earlier fruit ripening;
• resistance to temperature fluctuations;
• good tying;
• resistance to heat and drought;
• high productivity.

The variety has almost no disadvantages. Unless it is necessary to fix the bushes during the fruiting period.

Farmer reviews

Reviews from gardeners about the Solokha variety are positive, although in some cases tomatoes produce less yield than the manufacturer claims.

Natalya, Sergiev Posad: «By mistake I planted Solokha tomatoes in the greenhouse, and it was right. The fruits began to appear earlier than the specified period, and there were a lot of them. All tasty and meaty. The whole family ate fresh tomatoes and also appreciated the excellent taste of canned tomatoes.”

Julia, Tomsk: “This is my favorite variety of tomato. I don’t know why, but in my garden it not only bears fruit before everyone else, but is also the first to ripen. Solokha’s fruits are large, and they can be harvested until the end of September in our region. The tomatoes taste amazing, so I recommend planting them.”

Conclusion

Solokha tomatoes are ideal for beginner gardeners. They are unpretentious in care, they can be planted in open ground and enjoy the harvest until mid-November. The tomatoes themselves are fleshy, relatively juicy and can be stored well for a long time without loss of quality.