Tomato Elf

Small cherry tomatoes always have an exquisite taste, and they look more neat than large-fruited varieties of tomatoes. The Elf hybrid is one of the best known varieties, producing even, small fruits.

In Russia, Elf has become widespread since 2015. The originators of the grade were Gorshkova, Khovrin, Tereshonkova and Klimenko. Tomato can be grown absolutely everywhere, since it is placed in film shelters. It is permissible to plant in open ground only in very warm regions.

Some people may think that cherry tomatoes only produce undersized bushes. However, this does not concern the Elf at all - his bushes are powerful and tall, growing up to two meters high. In this case, the variety is indeterminate, and if the top is not pinched, it will stretch even higher.

The plants are very sprawling and well leafy. They are covered with many leaves of a standard green color, while the leaf plates are close to average sizes. Quite a lot of inflorescences are formed on the bushes. In this case, the initial is formed above the 10th leaf, after which the ovaries appear every three leaves. The brushes of this variety look like bunches of grapes, each of them contains from 14 to 16 of the same beautiful berries.

The elf has tomatoes of a very neat and attractive appearance. Light green fruits become saturated red over time and reach a mass of 17 grams. Small berries resemble a circle or oval in shape, ripen almost at the same time, which is very convenient when picking. The berries, ready to eat, have a shiny and dense skin, the pulp, judging by the reviews, is quite dense, not watery.

Cherries of this variety have a sweet dessert taste. After eating the fruit, a fruity aftertaste remains. The aroma of tomatoes is viscous, bright, and memorable. Elf tomatoes are eaten fresh or canned. But making juice from them is problematic, since the pulp is dense and there is quite a bit of juice in it.

An elf needs 90-95 days to reach full maturity. Fruit picking usually occurs in the second month of summer. The variety is early, maturing amicably. Overripening is recommended to be avoided, as the fruits may begin to crack.

With proper care, annual Elf tomatoes can bring their owner 5.2 kg of yield per square meter of plantings. This is a very good indicator when you consider the small fruit of the variety.

Seeds for this variety will have to be purchased annually from gardening companies and shops. Despite the fact that the variety is hybrid, the seeds will still need disinfection and growth stimulation. It is better to choose a special soil. Land marked "for tomatoes" or "for peppers" will do. It is better to spill even purchased soil with hot potassium permanganate for reinsurance.

It is recommended to germinate the seeds before planting. The sowing campaign itself is scheduled for mid-to-late March. Later dates are inappropriate, unless, of course, you want to treat phytophthora. It is supposed to sow the grains into a wet substrate, then a polyethylene shelter is made from above. It is recommended to cover the window sill where the container is placed with a blanket so that the seedlings are warmer.Every day, the boxes are opened for 10 minutes, airing. It is supposed to dive the sprouts after the disclosure of 2-3 leaves. It should be borne in mind that the seedlings of this variety are very stretched. When picking, they must be planted up to the cotyledon itself, otherwise the seedlings will not take root well in the greenhouse.

As for the timing of the transfer of seedlings under the film, this should be done two months after the appearance of the first shoots. In most cases, young shoots are placed under the shelter at the end of May.

The soil for planting the Elf must be well dug up and fertilized with humus and superphosphate. A handful of wood ash is also placed in the planting holes. The humus should be covered with fallen decayed foliage to prevent root burns. After planting, the tomatoes are watered and mulched with high quality.

The planting pattern for this variety will be the same as for other tall tomato varieties. At least half a meter is left between the pits, and the rows are placed at a distance of 50-70 cm from each other. As much as possible on a square meter of plantings, 4 bushes can be planted, a larger number of specimens will lead to thickening and a decrease in yield.

For the first time, tomatoes will be watered 10 days after planting. By this time, the sprouts will become hardy and fully adapt to new conditions. In normal weather, the bushes are watered every 14 days, but if it is hot and dry, you will have to irrigate once a week. Having carried out irrigation, the greenhouse door must be opened for ventilation.

Elf is fed every two weeks. Tomato loves infusions of weeds, as well as mullein. He will also like the complex ready-made fertilizers for tomatoes, which are in a wide range in stores. For better productivity and health, feeding is alternated.

The elf will also need to be shaped. The optimal number of trunks is 2-3. To avoid breaking the bushes, they must be tied to a support. The stepsons are removed regularly. All foliage under the brushes breaks off so that there is no thickening of the plantings.