An ancient Volga region variety of sweet tomatoes: a review of the “Syzran Pipochka” tomato and the intricacies of its cultivation
The Syzran Pipochka variety of sweet tomatoes, proven over the years, is loved and appreciated by many vegetable growers. This tomato was bred by Syzran agronomists in the 90s and has gained well-deserved popularity among gardeners who prefer high-yielding varieties.
Description of the variety
Syzran pipochka refers to semi-determinant varieties of tomatoes with early ripening. The harvest will mature 100–120 days after planting the seeds. Well suited for growing both in greenhouses and in open ground.
Syzran pipochka is a bush variety of tomatoes, its height can reach 2 m, therefore, when planting in an open bed, it is recommended to use supports, and in greenhouses - trellises. The best tomato yield is obtained when the plant is formed into 2 stems. It is important to remove new stepsons in a timely manner.
Distinctive features
The main advantage of the variety is its delicious, aromatic fruits, which do not crack during heat treatment and retain their shape, are well stored and can withstand long-term transportation.
The photo clearly shows the original shape of the fruits of the Syzran Pipochka variety.
Initially, the variety was bred for use in the Volga region, so it is fully adapted to the climatic conditions of this climatic zone. Able to withstand sudden changes in weather and endure long periods of lack of watering.
Tall tomato bushes Syzran pipochka form a thick stem with small leaves that do not shade the fruits on the branch.Thanks to this, the plant is compactly placed in the garden bed. Powerful brushes can support a large number of fruits.
Fruit characteristics, yield
Syzran pipochka tomatoes are oval-shaped with a sharp tip in the form of a kind of “pipka”, which is why the variety got its name. Throughout the entire fruiting period, the bush produces fruits of the same size, weighing 100–120 g.
Ripe tomatoes of a rich bright pink color have juicy pulp and a sugary structure when cut. The variety is characterized by high productivity and bears fruit abundantly from the end of July until the onset of the first frost. You can remove up to 7 kg of tomatoes from one bush.
Reference! If you collect unripe fruits, they can reach technical ripeness while lying at home.
How to grow seedlings
Tomatoes Syzran pipochka are recommended to be grown in seedlings. Planting seeds in open ground does not bring the desired results.
Seed preparation
To obtain high-quality planting material, you need to check it for germination. To do this, place the seeds in a weak salt solution. It is better not to use those that have floated to the surface for planting. Selected high-quality seeds are soaked for 2 hours in a growth stimulator.
Container and soil
Containers for seedlings must have drainage holes to saturate the roots with oxygen. It is recommended to use peat pots; in this case, you can skip the picking process and plant the plants in the ground along with the container.
This method is considered less traumatic; the pots will dissolve in the soil over time and serve as additional fertilizer.
For planting tomatoes, ready-made soil is used, purchased in a store or prepared independently from peat, compost and sand, taken in equal proportions. The soil mixture needs to be disinfected: placed in the freezer for several days or baked in the oven for several hours.
Sowing
Planting seeds is one of the important stages of growing any crop. Tomatoes are no exception, so you need to approach this matter seriously and follow the rules of agricultural technology:
- make small depressions in the prepared soil;
- place 2-3 seeds there;
- make a microgreenhouse using glass or film and wait for the first shoots to appear.
It is recommended to sow seeds for seedlings approximately 60–65 days before the planned date of planting in open ground.
Growing and care
The first tomato sprouts will appear a week after planting. They need to be watered with water at room temperature at least once every 4 days. When 2 true leaves appear on young plants, it is necessary to pick.
After the seedlings have appeared, place the container with the seedlings in a lighted place. Comfortable climatic conditions will ensure full development of the plant. The optimal air temperature is +20°C during the day and +15°C at night.
If the daylight hours are shorter than 12 hours, provide additional illumination using a phytolamp. Young shoots need regular watering; this should be done as the top layer of soil dries out.
How to grow tomatoes
To get a bountiful harvest of Syzran Pipochka tomatoes, follow the growing and care recommendations.
Landing
When the night frosts have passed and the soil has warmed up sufficiently, the grown seedlings are planted in a permanent place.To do this, prepare a bed and apply fertilizer.
To obtain a bountiful tomato harvest, follow the following planting rules:
- Dig small holes with a distance of 45–50 cm from each other.
- Apply fertilizers and humus, pour well with warm water.
- Plant the plants in the holes, being careful not to damage the roots.
- Cover with soil and tamp down a little.
- Water thoroughly again.
Attention! After watering the root hole, mulch the soil with straw or sawdust. This will prevent moisture from evaporating quickly and will help control weeds.
After planting, the tomatoes are not watered for a week - during this time the root system must adapt to the new conditions.
Care
Basic care for tomatoes consists of timely watering, weeding, loosening, pinching, complex fertilizing and measures to protect the plant from diseases and garden pests.
Bushes watered regularly as the soil dries out. Tomatoes do not like excess moisture, this can negatively affect the development of the root system, but drying out should not be allowed. It is advisable to water early in the morning or late evening. In dry weather, the frequency of watering is increased.
Young plants need regular weeding; weeds will interfere with the proper development of the tomato bush and obscure it. Weeds are a breeding ground for fungal infections; removing weeds reduces the risk of spreading diseases.
Loosening the soil is also necessary - the soil is saturated with oxygen and provides adequate nutrition to the root system.
Conduct stepsoning it is necessary in a timely manner, avoiding thickening of the bush. Getting rid of side shoots stimulates the formation and ripening of large fruits.
The Syzran pipochka tomato is formed into two stems, this will ensure an abundant harvest of tomatoes on each bush.
Considering that the variety is tall, the bush is tied up as it grows to avoid breaking the main stem. Wooden pegs, iron rods and other available means are used as support.
Top dressing produced at least three times per season. At the very beginning, nitrogen-containing fertilizers are applied; tomatoes need them to form green mass. After flowering, fertilize with potassium. To produce large fruits, phosphorus and potassium fertilizers are applied.
Features of cultivation and possible difficulties
When planting tomatoes, keep in mind that this crop loves sunlight. Therefore, you need to select an appropriate site for growing tomatoes. But excessive humidity can cause plant disease and make it difficult to pollinate flowers.
Attention! Do not forget about the rules of crop rotation. The predecessors of tomatoes should not be tomatoes, potatoes and eggplants.
Diseases and pests
Tomatoes often suffer from diseases and pests. The most unpleasant and dangerous problem that contributes to the development of crop diseases is unfavorable weather conditions.
With the right approach to growing tomatoes, the risk of bush disease is minimized.
These measures reduce the risk of disease:
- regular ventilation of the greenhouse;
- timely watering;
- fertilizing with organic and inorganic fertilizers;
- loosening and weeding of beds.
The nuances of growing in open ground and in a greenhouse
Growing tomatoes in a greenhouse is different from planting them in open ground.
Careful preparation of the greenhouse is necessary.The list of works includes disinfection and preventive procedures; it is also necessary to replace the top layer of soil. After this, the greenhouse is ventilated for several days.
During flowering, it is recommended to shake the bushes manually or install a fan in the greenhouse.
Harvesting and application
The Syzran pipochka tomato is widely used in cooking for preparing various dishes: salads, sauces, pastes. This variety is used at home conservation. During heat treatment, the fruits do not crack and retain their appetizing appearance.
Advantages and disadvantages of the variety
The variety is valuable not only for its high yield and ease of care, but also for its excellent taste.
The Syzran pipochka has practically no disadvantages. Problems can appear during the growing process only if improper care is taken.
Farmer reviews
Summer residents leave mostly positive reviews about this variety.
The Fadeev couple, Samara: “Our favorite tomato variety is Syzran pipochka. We plant tomatoes in a greenhouse and get the first harvest in early June. We have been growing this variety for more than seven years and will not exchange it for any other.”
Alexander Kazakov, Ulyanovsk: “I really like to experiment and buy new varieties of tomatoes every season. The salesperson in the store advised me to take seeds of the Syzran Pipochka variety. Now this variety is my favorite.”
Elena Avdonina, Saratov region: “The Syzran Pipochka variety is unpretentious and gives a guaranteed tomato harvest. The preparations turn out excellent; after heat treatment, the tomatoes do not crack and, due to their unusual shape, look beautiful in jars.”
Conclusion
The Syzran Pipochka variety has earned recognition from Russian gardeners due to its unpretentiousness, unusual fruit shape and rich taste. There is nothing complicated in cultivating the plant - a tomato needs regular watering, loosening and fertilizing. The variety is universal in use - good fresh and canned.