Tomato Agatha

Everyone's favorite tomatoes have many varieties and hybrids with their own characteristics, advantages and disadvantages. Agata variety is one of the well-known and time-tested determinant varieties with large fruits for universal use. Tomatoes are consumed fresh, they make great salads, delicious and beautiful whole-canned preparations. Since Agatha is a variety, its seeds retain all varietal characteristics, they can be harvested independently, they have excellent germination.

The variety was bred at the Federal Research Center of the NI Vavilov All-Russian Institute of Plant Genetic Resources. The Agatha tomato was registered and approved for cultivation in 1987.

A powerful undersized bush of 33-45 cm of medium foliage forms from five to six inflorescences, each of which develops 3-4 fruits. After the formation of the last inflorescence, the plant stops growing, and redirects all its forces to the development of fruits. The bush forms the first inflorescence over 6-7 leaves, all subsequent ones follow through one leaf. Stems are covered with medium-sized glossy green leaves with a slightly apertured surface and simple inflorescences.

Small flat-round fruits weighing 77-99 grams are covered with a smooth dense skin, which explains the excellent transportability. Green fruits in a state of technical maturity acquire a red color. The red pulp is divided into 5-11 seed nests and contains 5-5.5% dry matter.

Tomatoes have a pronounced pleasant taste and characteristic aroma, according to the tasting scale they have 3.8-5 points.

The Agata variety belongs to the early ripening - the ripening period is 98-113 days, the harvest is harvested in July-August.

The variety is distinguished by a high yield of the harvest - 583-676 centners per hectare.

Sowing seeds for seedlings occurs in the second decade of March - the first decade of April. The approximate dates for planting in the ground are May 15 - April 10, but it all depends on the region: you can plant it only after the end of return frosts. To obtain strong seedlings, fertile air-permeable soil and preliminary hardening of plants are required.

Young and mature plants are planted in garden areas according to the 40x50 centimeters scheme.

Since tomatoes can only be grown seedlings in the southern regions, in all others with a more temperate climate, all varieties are grown only in seedlings, even if they are intended for greenhouses. This also applies to early maturing, ultra-early varieties and hybrids. Agate is grown in the same way as the rest. Ready seedlings are planted in well-prepared soil.

The wells do not have to be prepared in advance, you can do this on the day of planting or a day, which is much more convenient. For growing tomatoes, choose a well-lit place, preferably protected from cold drafts. The soil should be fertile with a neutral acidity level in the region of 6-6.5. Good predecessors: legumes, cucumbers.

Seedlings are planted after the obligatory hardening procedure - they are accustomed to the sun's rays, outside temperature, leaving them to spend the night on the veranda or on a closed, but unheated balcony. Despite the hardening carried out, the transplanted plants still need increased attention in the first two weeks - they should be shaded from direct sunlight, covered with foil overnight. The soil taken out of the holes is enriched with superphosphate, organic matter (compost, humus, bird droppings), wood ash. The roots of the plant are carefully straightened next to the stuck peg-support, sprinkled with earth, tamping it down and spilling it well.

All subsequent care consists in timely weeding, loosening, watering and feeding. The tomato needs to be fed three times per season. It can be complex mineral fertilizers or formulations prepared independently, at home. For example, infusion of mullein or chicken droppings, extract from wood ash and eggshell. If a decision is made to use chicken manure, one must remember about its excessive aggressiveness and the correct dosage:

• for the preparation of the mother liquor, a dosage of 1: 10 is used;

• for a secondary solution and dressing, the dosage is 0.5: 10 - half a liter of the diluted infusion is poured under each root, after spilling the soil with clean water.

The variety does not require pinching, however, it is better to remove the lower leaves during the period of pouring tomatoes, this will help to avoid the appearance of late blight.

Unfortunately, Agatha does not possess strong immunity, therefore, the variety is susceptible to most diseases characteristic of the tomato crop.Late blight is especially dangerous, and besides, tomatoes are attacked by slugs, whiteflies, spider mites. It is necessary to carry out preventive treatments with insecticides and fungicides. As a home remedy, you can use garlic and onion tincture: 100 grams of onion and garlic in a bucket of water.

The variety is zoned for warm and cold regions, it is grown in the North Caucasian and Middle Volga regions, as well as in the regions of Eastern and Western Siberia.