- Authors: Gorshkova N.S., Khovrin A.N., Maksimovich S.V., Tereshonkova T.A.
- Year of approval: 2015
- Category: grade
- Growth type: indeterminate
- Appointment: fresh consumption
- Ripening period: early
- Ripening time, days: 100-105
- Growing conditions: for film greenhouses
- Bush size: tall
- Bush height, cm: 150-200
Cherry tomatoes are a special category that is distinguished by the small size of the fruits, their amicable ripening, as well as the excellent taste of the berries. Such a crop is easy to care for, and the yield is always high. A striking representative of such crops is the dark chocolate tomato.
Breeding history
The originator of the variety was the Agrofirma Poisk company together with breeders Gorshkova NS, Khovrin AN, Maksimov SV, Tereshonkova TA At the beginning of 2010, the development of a new variety began. In 2013, an application for registration was submitted to the State Register. And only in 2015, the culture was approved, after passing all the necessary tests. Tomato Dark chocolate is included in the popular line of the Vkusnoteka company.
The variety is indeterminate, not a hybrid. Designed for growing in greenhouses or covered beds.
The culture is more suitable for personal use than for commercial cultivation.
According to the manufacturer, dark chocolate tomato grows in almost all regions of Russia with slight changes in ripening and fruiting due to weather conditions.
Description of the variety
The bush has unlimited growth force and stretches up to 150-200 cm. The stem is well developed and strong. Has a dark green tint. When fully ripe, it becomes stiff.
Good yields are achieved only if you are engaged in shaping the bush. Most often, gardeners recommend leaving 1-2 trunks. This is necessary to unload the bush and increase fruiting. The lateral shoot forms before the first fertile cluster, and should be the strongest of all. The rest are removed.
The bush must be tied up not only because of its growth, but also because the crown is semi-spreading, the fruits are formed and fully ripen in bunches, making the branches heavier.
Leaves are medium in size, standard, green. On the lower branches, they are most often removed, since they are useless.
The inflorescence is simple. The buds are self-pollinated. The flowers are light yellow in color. Fruits are formed in bunches of 10-12 pieces. The berries do not differ in shape, ripen together, are identical to each other. But the higher the branch, the less fruit is formed on it. There are no barren flowers.
For many, a clear plus is the unusual color of tomatoes. In terms of general characteristics, the variety is not inferior to others, it has good taste, keeping quality and transportability.
Among the minuses, the formation of a bush, pinching and tying the stems are most often distinguished.
The main qualities of the fruit
Cherry tomatoes are small and round (they are often called cocktail tomatoes). The weight of one tomato is only 25 g. The color of ripe fruits is violet-brown, in unripe vegetables the color is green with a small light green spot at the stalk. The skin is smooth, firm and does not crack.
The pulp inside is juicy, tender, homogeneous and with little juice. 2 seed chambers with a small amount of seeds are formed.
Most often, dark chocolate is consumed fresh, used to prepare various salads, hot dishes and for decoration. Less commonly used for canning and marinade.
Taste characteristics
It is noted that fruits in milk maturity are dominated by a sweet fruity taste and a characteristic aroma of tomatoes. Fully ripe fruits will have a bright sourness that does not spoil anything. But the taste will be more like regular tomatoes.
Ripening and fruiting
Tomato Dark chocolate belongs to early maturing crops. The berries ripen on average 100-105 days. Rates may vary due to weather conditions. Fruiting falls in mid-July.
Yield
The yield indicators for the variety are average - 4.7 kg of berries per 1 m2.
The timing of planting seedlings and planting in the ground
Sprouting tomato seedlings Dark chocolate is no different from other crops.
First, the seeds are prepared to be processed. This is especially important for material that was prepared independently.
Soft and loose earth is poured into the seedling boxes. Trenches are formed, and the seeds are buried 1.5 cm in the ground. The soil is leveled, then watering is carried out, and the container is covered with cellophane. After the seedlings begin to sprout, the cellophane is removed.
Further care for young shoots will consist in the correct irrigation regime, in fertilizing with mineral fertilizers, in loosening the soil and in picking seedlings.
It is necessary to transplant seedlings into open ground when it is 55-60 days, no more. The site is processed and fertilized in advance. Holes are formed and a trellis system is installed, or small pegs are driven in next to each hole.
Growing tomato seedlings is an extremely important process, because it largely depends on whether the gardener will be able to harvest at all. All aspects must be taken into account, from seedbed preparation to planting in the ground.
Landing scheme
For good yields and for convenience when processing plants, many gardeners recommend planting no more than 3 bushes per 1 m2. The distance between them should be 40x40 cm or 50x40 cm.
Growing and care
Caring for a dark chocolate tomato is as follows:
regular watering (1-2 times a week);
daily airing of the greenhouse;
bush forming;
top dressing (every 10 days);
loosening the soil and removing weeds;
preventive spraying.
A plant needs different micronutrients at each stage of growth. All fertilizers can be divided into two groups: mineral and organic. Folk remedies are often used: iodine, yeast, bird droppings, eggshells.
It is important to observe the rate and period of feeding. This also applies to folk remedies and organic fertilizers.
Disease and pest resistance
Tomato Dark chocolate is resistant to a number of fungal diseases. But to maintain the health of the bushes and the integrity of the crop, it is necessary to carry out preventive spraying. Most often, summer residents use folk remedies, which, indeed, are safe for fruits. This can be a solution of yeast, laundry soap, tobacco, milk, or wood ash.
If pests or fungus have been noticed, then chemical medications can be applied. But before use, you must fully study the instructions.