Tomato Sparks of Flame

Despite the fact that the Spark of Flame tomato appeared not so long ago, it has already gained wide popularity in gardening circles. Bred in 2015, the variety is striking in its unusual shape and color of the fruit. At the same time, it is unpretentious in care and, under favorable conditions, gives a good harvest.

Indeterminate tomato is intended for cultivation in film greenhouses. The leafiness of the shoots is moderate, the leaves are medium-sized, light green. The inflorescences are intermediate, the stalks have articulations. The height of mature bushes is 150-200 cm.

Cylindrical berries with an elongated spout slightly resemble peppers. Fruit skin is smooth, medium density. Moreover, it is not prone to cracking even during heat treatment. The pulp is fleshy, juicy, with few seeds.

Unripe fruits are light green in color. As they mature, they acquire a red tone with golden touches. It is thanks to this original color that the variety received such a poetic name.

Fruit size is medium. The mass of one berry is 80–120 g. The harvest of this variety perfectly tolerates transportation over any distance without losing its presentation. One has only to bear in mind that the keeping quality of ripe berries is no more than 2 weeks.

The harvest of this variety has a classic tomato flavor. This makes it suitable both for fresh consumption and for processing. From the fruits of the Spark of Flame tomato, delicious juices, ketchups and pastes are obtained. Whole fruit canning is also acceptable.

From the emergence of shoots to the formation of the first berries, 110–120 days pass. This allows the variety to be attributed to the group of mid-season tomatoes. The fruiting period is quite long: you can harvest until late autumn.

Usually tomatoes of this variety begin to appear in August. In general, up to 6.2 kg of berries can be obtained from 1 m 2. In this case, it is advisable not to pluck the tomatoes green. The sweetness in their taste is formed only when fully ripe on the bushes.

Seedlings are sown in March. You can use peat pots or boxes. When 2 leaves are formed, the plants are thinned out, removing the weakest ones. When 3 leaves appear, the tomatoes are distributed in separate containers (each container must be at least 0.5 l in size).

In early May, tomatoes are transplanted into a greenhouse. It is desirable that the soil has already warmed up to 13 ° by this time, and the plants have 7 leaves. The soil is enriched with a phosphorus-potassium composition and watered. Also, pegs are immediately placed in the holes in order to be able to securely fix the bushes with their further growth.

Many summer residents prefer to immediately sow in separate containers. The absence of the need for diving brings the beginning of fruiting closer. In such cases, the berries appear on the bushes 2 weeks earlier, since the seedlings do not pass acclimatization after the pick.

The powerful root system of the Spark of Flame tomato needs free space for full development. Therefore, when planting seedlings in a greenhouse, a 60X70 cm scheme is used. Thus, no more than 3 seedlings remain per 1 m 2. Before planting, compost and complex fertilizers with phosphorus are added to the holes.

The variety is distinguished by strong stems, but the high height of the bushes makes it necessary to tie the plants to trellises or strong pegs. Bushes are formed into 1 or 2 stems. Excess shoots must be removed in a timely manner. This procedure helps to increase the yield of the tomato by ensuring that sufficient sunlight is available to the fruit.

It is necessary to feed the plants of this variety several times per season (2 weeks after planting, during the budding period, after flowering and during the ripening of berries.). An excellent solution is the combination of superphosphate with organic matter. Good maintenance also includes weeding, loosening the soil, ventilating the greenhouse, and watering regularly.

The cultivar is resistant to tobacco mosaic virus, but is prone to top rot. The disease manifests itself as white dots on the fruit. You can cope with it by spraying the culture with a solution of bone meal.

For many gardeners, the exotic Spark of Flame tomato is one of the most beloved varieties. Seeds usually sprout amicably, and adult bushes give a good harvest without causing any special problems when leaving. In warm regions, it is possible to cultivate plants in open areas. However, better varietal qualities are still manifested when grown in greenhouses and the formation of bushes in 2 stems.

The velvety taste of the fruit is good both fresh and prepared. Summer residents cook lecho, pasta from tomatoes, canned berries whole and in pieces. Experience confirms the need for ripening fruits on the bushes for the full disclosure of all flavor nuances. However, this is not considered a minus because of the high decorativeness of the culture. Beautiful tomatoes are pleasing to the eye both on the branches of plants and on the dining table.