Content:
The dream of most gardeners is to get a very long-term picking of tomatoes, which would allow them to enjoy ripe fruits to their fullest even with the arrival of winter. However, this will require seeds of a culture that would be distinguished by early maturity and the ability to bear fruit throughout the entire autumn period (up to the first frost).
View creation background
It is almost impossible to achieve this in the climatic conditions of central Russia, but in the case of growing such a variety of tomatoes in the south, one could hope for a positive result. It was for these purposes that in the 80s of the twentieth century, scientists of the experimental selection station (Krymsk) developed a new variety of tomatoes, designed specifically for long-term cultivation in the southern regions.
This species was named "Titan tomatoes", which fully corresponded to its functional purpose (to provide a "titanic" harvest). Its specificity was manifested in the fact that it was possible to collect juicy and fresh fruits from the bushes planted in early spring all September and even part of October.
Tomato Titan
Already in 1986, the variety was entered into the State Register, where it was additionally stipulated that Titan tomatoes are intended for growing outdoors in the southern regions of the country (mainly in the Caucasus).
In addition, this tomato variety was recommended for cultivation both in protected and incompletely protected ground, which met the following conditions:
- Landing directly on open beds;
- Growing in garden and garden greenhouses (or in small greenhouses);
- Breeding on the balcony (loggia) of a city apartment.
The investigated tomato Titan, the characteristic and description of the variety of which it is supposed to be considered further, is most often used fresh; at the same time, the option of using it as an additive to table dishes is not excluded. The small tomato of this plant allows the possibility of canning and barrel pickling.
If necessary, this variety of vegetable products can be used as a basis for the preparation of juices of various concentrations.
Description and characteristics
This type of garden culture is distinguished by the following features that fully characterize it as a species:
- Determination of a mature bush, not exceeding 60 centimeters in height (average - 40 cm);
- The presence of large and rare green leaves that do not provide a dense crown;
- Ability to do without supports and garters, as well as the absence of any need for pinning;
- The appearance of the first inflorescence is already above 5-7 leaves of the sprout (while all subsequent ones are outlined after two leaves).
According to the timing of the final ripening of the fruits, this variety is usually referred to as medium-late varieties, since from the time of planting seedlings to their collection, as a rule, it takes about 120-140 days. In addition, it is distinguished by an enviable resistance to garden diseases carried by fungal microorganisms.
When ripe, the Titanic tomatoes, the variety description of which is given in this review, form relatively small round fruits on their bush. Moreover, on one brush of a plant, usually at least 5 tomatoes with thin red skin and a weight of about 80-120 grams ripen. Their inner part (pulp) is divided into 3-4 chambers, in which very few seeds are formed.
This variety of tomatoes, bred with the expectation of obtaining a bountiful harvest, also has excellent taste, which makes it one of the most popular tomato crops. For old varieties of Tomato Titan, its yield was considered simply record, since on average from one bush they received from 2 to 3, and sometimes up to 4 kg of tomatoes.
We add to this that, due to its ability to preserve well and easily endure long-term transportation, it enjoys special attention from Russian agricultural producers (farmers).
Despite its resistance to various types of fungal diseases, the Titan tomato is still susceptible to some of them (besides late blight, for example). We add to this that he is prone to the possibility of stolbur injury and is not too resistant to diseases such as septoria and macrosporiosis.
Agrotechnics (tips for growing)
First of all, we note that this variety of tomatoes is found in two varieties: red and pink. Moreover, both of these types of tomatoes are recommended to be grown through seedlings.
To obtain a strong and healthy generation of bushes that can bear fruit for a long time, when growing plants of this class, you must strictly adhere to the following rules:
- Seed material prepared for seedlings must be sown approximately 65-70 days before transfer to the ground;
- After the emergence of seedlings of 2 true leaves on the stem, a pick is necessarily organized;
- When transplanting seedlings onto seedlings per unit area, it is recommended to place no more than 6-9 bushes of young growth (the planting scheme used in this case is 50 x 40 centimeters);
- Its intensive watering should be started only after 2 weeks after planting (the number of procedures is selected as needed, determined by the state of the soil and air);
- In the process of growth, young shoots must be tied up, which will exclude their breakage under the weight of the fruit;
- When shaping a bush, one should proceed from the fact that 2-3 shoots are used for this.
Regarding the feeding of the growing shoots, it should be noted that at the stage of active growth, it is periodically fed with mineral fertilizers containing phosphorus and potassium. The introduction of organic fertilizing into the soil (manure, compost, ash, etc.) will also contribute to its enhanced growth.
Growing
When choosing a soil for planting seedlings, preference should be given to areas where cucumbers, cauliflower, zucchini, as well as carrots, dill or parsley were previously grown.
Advantages and disadvantages
Among the advantages of Titan tomatoes, the characteristics of which were considered earlier, include:
- Low growth of a heat-loving plant, thanks to which it is possible to get a good harvest even in a relatively small greenhouse;
- The admissibility of growing not only in the garden, but also at home;
- Excellent commercial qualities of fruits ripening on the branches (pleasant pinkish or reddish color, as well as the same size);
- Very pleasant taste of ripe tomatoes and good transport tolerance.
Ripe tomatoes
Their positive qualities also include a lack of nourishing moisture easily tolerated by plants and good resistance to known types of fungal diseases.
However, this attractive plant also has its disadvantages, which are expressed in the following:
- It is very sensitive to low temperatures, which forces gardeners to constantly monitor this parameter;
- At the growth stage, young bushes cannot do without carefully dosed and timely feeding;
- Late ripening time of fruits, which is very dangerous for plants planted in the middle lane (they may not have time to ripen before the onset of frost and the onset of winter cold weather).
The red tomato can get rid of all the above disadvantages of Titan if it is grown in greenhouses or greenhouses in mid-latitudes. Moreover, this must be done taking into account the peculiarities of climatic conditions in each specific region.
Considering the fact that up to 8-9 bushes of a tomato plant can be placed on a unit of area allotted for tomatoes, with proper care of it from one square it is possible to collect up to 35 kg of a selected crop. In terms of one hectare of sown area, the maximum yield can reach about 590 centners.
For the type of tomato considered here, these figures indicate a fairly high efficiency of its cultivation, which not every known tomato can compare with.
In the final part of the review, we note that all the considered possibilities of the “Red Titan” variety were considered quite impressive for assessments of the last century. The fact is that at present there are many new types of tomato plants on the market that can bring a greater harvest. However, many experts still choose this variety, considering it well-proven in practice and guaranteeing a rich collection of juicy tomatoes.
