- Authors: Mashtakov A. A., Mashtakova A. Kh., Mashtakov N. A., Mashtakova L. I.
- Year of approval: 2008
- Category: hybrid
- Growth type: determinant
- Appointment: universal
- Ripening period: mid-early
- Ripening time, days: 102-107
- Growing conditions: for open ground, for film greenhouses
- Marketability: high
- Transportability: high
Hali Gali Tomato is suitable for those looking for a versatile and effective early tomato with minimal maintenance. Included in the State Register of Varieties, approved for use in 2008.
Description of the variety
The bush is low, 60-70 cm, in some cases it can reach 1 m. It belongs to the determinate type, that is, the gardener does not have to limit the growth of the tomato or often pinch it. Such varieties stop their growth by themselves. The bushes of the variety are powerful, standard, the foliage is medium, not too dense. The first inflorescence is laid early - above 5-7 leaves.
The main qualities of the fruit
Fruits are medium-sized, weighing 68-158 grams, beautiful original shape in the form of a heart. The first tomatoes can be up to 200-250 g in weight. Small tomatoes have a clearly visible nose at the end, larger tomatoes are smoother in shape. Unripe fruits are pure green, ripe fruits are red. The color is extremely clean and even, without flashes of other shades. The pulp is fleshy, juicy, the seed chambers are small. One brush contains 5-7 fruits. The skin is thick, dense, tomatoes have excellent keeping quality and transportability, they are perfectly stored, presentable.
Taste characteristics
The taste of tomatoes is bright, tomato, with a pronounced sweetness and moderate sourness. Thanks to its oily, rich pulp, the variety is very tasty in fresh dishes, suitable for salads, sandwiches. But it is much more often used for harvesting and canning. The size allows the variety to be versatile. Hali-gali tomatoes can be marinated whole, cook adjika, lecho, sauces, pastas, ketchups, winter salads from them.
Ripening and fruiting
Hali-Gali hybrid - early ripening, fruits ripen in 102-107 days.
Yield
For an early variety, the yield is excellent - from 6.5 to 13.5 kg. The yield depends on the cultivation method: in the open field - 6.5-8.5 kg per 1 sq. m, in greenhouses - 11-13.5 kg.
The timing of planting seedlings and planting in the ground
Sowing dates are typical for early varieties: the last decade of March, the first decade of April. They are not in a hurry with sowing determinant early tomatoes, the seedlings will stretch out and instead of saving time, a delay in the harvest is possible. Seedlings are planted from mid-May. In cold regions, the best time is the beginning of June, when the risk of return frosts will finally disappear. They are planted in greenhouses a little earlier - in early to mid-May.
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
In the row spacings, they are kept at 50 cm, 40 cm are left between the plants. For 1 sq. meter planted in 4 plants.
Growing and care
Formation - at its own discretion, depending on its own capabilities and goals. On determinate tomatoes, you can leave from 1 to 6-8 stems. The more trunks, the smaller the fruits will be, they will ripen a little later, but the yield will be higher. Plants with 1-2 stems will produce the largest and earliest tomatoes.
You can grow the Khali-gali variety no more than twice a season. The activity of pinching also depends on one's own wishes, but in any case, this tomato does not need to actively break off unnecessary stepsons, does not form too many of them.
The fruit clusters are heavy, a garter is required. The best option is special plastic clips, with which the stems are attached to the support.
The variety is hardy, recommended for growing in difficult regions: the Far East, the North Caucasus. However, like all tomatoes, it loves an even warm, but not too hot temperature, verified abundant watering.
Water at the root, pouring at least 3 liters of warm water per 1 tomato.
Periodically, fertilizing with phosphorus and potassium will be useful, they are poured only into moist soil, immediately after the previous watering, no more than 2-3 times per season.
During the ripening period of the crop, it will be useful to tear off the foliage. The tops of this crop are capacious, consume a lot of nutrients (therefore, an excellent fertilizer is prepared from it), therefore, the correct removal of leaves stimulates ripening and a richer taste of the fruit.
Be sure to cut off all the leaves under the first brush. They not only take up nutrients, but are also a potential source of infection: they are often contaminated, torn, and interfere with air circulation. Yellowed or stained ones are removed immediately. The lower foliage can be removed 2 weeks after planting the seedlings in a permanent place, not earlier.
The rest of the bush is not "plucked" to a completely naked state. The green mass is cut off only immediately under the brushes, in which all the tomatoes have tied up and have reached a good size. You don't need to do this right away, just pick off a few leaves once a week.
The petioles do not break down. To make the wound area small, the petiole is bent to the side with a sharp movement, holding the trunk if necessary.
Towards the end of August, it is better to cut off the tops, even of a determinant variety, so that the plant does not waste energy. All ovaries and flowering buds are removed - they will no longer have time to grow. Since the night temperatures are already quite low during this period, the greenhouses are closed.
To collect a more abundant harvest, tomatoes are not picked in full ripeness, but a little ahead of time. They will ripen on their own.
To protect against diseases, you can treat the bushes with "Fitosporin". This is a mixture of beneficial probiotic bacteria - hay bacillus, which lives naturally in the soil. The treatment increases the vitality of plants, nourishes and stimulates growth. And also reduces the chances of late blight, bacteriosis, rot. Such delicate help will be a good addition to the strong immunity that the Hali-gali tomatoes initially possess.
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.
Review overview
According to reviews, the Hali-Gali tomato is an excellent option for a greenhouse tomato. Sweet, fruitful, unpretentious, the fruits are excellent in preparations and fresh dishes. The harvest is friendly, the fruits are pleasing with an even caliber and appearance. Opinions differ about the taste and quality of the peel: some say that the tomato is very sweet, without sourness, with a thick skin, others talk about the usual tomato taste and thin skin. Everyone unanimously notes that the skin is elastic, strong, not inclined to crack and burst.
Bushes during the fruiting period are very spectacular, strewn with tomatoes. There are a lot of reviews about the unpretentiousness of the plant. Even with a minimum of care and feeding, the yield is excellent.
The health of the bush has received conflicting assessments. In the open field, according to some reviews, it shows itself worse than in greenhouses - it is sensitive to cold and rain at the end of summer. Plantings can be completely affected by bacterial diseases.
For some gardeners who could not cope with late blight, which affects all other varieties without exception, Hali-gali saw a real find. It is persistent and early, the disease does not even manifest itself.
Some gardeners saw the Khali-gali variety as completely ordinary, unremarkable. He really does not have an exotic color or taste. This is a solid classic variety. Its main advantages: early maturity, disease resistance, abundant fleshy fruits.