- Authors: IN AND. Blokin-Mechtalin
- Category: hybrid
- Growth type: superdeterminant
- Appointment: fresh consumption
- Ripening period: ultra early
- Growing conditions: for open ground, for film greenhouses
- Bush size: undersized
- Bush height, cm: 50-60
- Bush characteristic: compact
- Foliage: weak
Planting and caring for tomatoes is easy, as a result, tasty and healthy fruits can be grown even in a small area. The courtesan belongs to the fastidious varieties, despite this, it is still required to follow the rules of agricultural technology.
Description of the variety
The hybrid variety Courtesan belongs to the superdeterminate type of growth. Film greenhouses and open field are ideal for growing.
The bushes are formed undersized, with a maximum height of 60 cm. Very compact, do not take up much space. The foliage is weak. When forming, you can leave from 2 to 3 stems.
The Courtesan fruit is a great addition to the fresh table. They are not used for canning.
The main qualities of the fruit
When the tomatoes are ripe, they have an attractive red color. Fruits can gain weight up to 60 grams. They are heart-shaped. Up to 12 tomatoes grow on one brush.
Thick-skinned tomatoes hide juicy flesh inside.
Taste characteristics
Courtesan fruits have a slight sourness even when ripe.
Ripening and fruiting
The variety belongs to the ultra-early.
Yield
With proper care, the Courtesan demonstrates high yields.
The timing of planting seedlings and planting in the ground
After planting the seeds in containers, after 55-60 days, you can plant the seedlings in a permanent place.
Growing tomato seedlings is an extremely important process, because it largely depends on whether the gardener can harvest at all. All aspects must be taken into account, from seedbed preparation to planting in the ground.
Landing scheme
With this type of tomato, a planting scheme is used, in which up to 4 bushes can be placed in the ground per square meter.
Growing and caring
Despite the compactness of the Courtesan bushes, the tomato requires both pinching and a garter. Excess shoots begin to be removed a week or two after planting seedlings in the ground. There is no need for them, the tomato is only overloaded and gives smaller fruits.
The Courtesan is tied to trellises or stakes. Plain twine or plastic ties can be used. Without a garter, the plant will fall to the ground, since many fruits are laid in the brushes, which are poured and become very heavy.
Before planting Courtesan tomatoes in the ground, you need to prepare the ground well. It is required to dig up the soil in early spring to a depth of 30-50 cm, add compost. The pH should be between 5.5 and 6.5.
The best time for planting tomatoes of this variety is after May 15, when the danger of spring frosts has already passed.Seedlings should be planted on a cloudy day, in a land well warmed by the sun, then it takes root better.
Courtesan tomato sprouts should be 15-30 cm tall, have 5-7 leaves and a healthy root system. Planted seedlings are planted in pre-prepared holes, spreading the roots in them so that they are not folded.
The described variety requires support, therefore, with each bush, you must immediately drive in a wooden stake, to which the bush is subsequently tied. The height of the stake should match the maximum height of the plant so that it can withstand the stress of the fruit.
The stake sinks into the ground to a depth of 30 cm, but no more. Tomatoes are tied loosely with a rope or yoke. It is important not to damage the stem, not to tighten too much.
In the fall, a year before the Courtesan tomatoes are planted, the soil is fertilized with compost and manure. Thus, the substrate will be enriched with nitrogen, which will have a positive effect on the development of plants during the growing season.
Remember not to use manure and compost during planting as the fertilizer has too little time to soak into the soil. Tomato grows poorly on fresh manure, and its root system can be burnt.
One of the most effective ways to apply top dressing is spraying. In the first growing season, nitrogen is used, then phosphorus is needed. In addition to phosphorus, Courtesan needs components such as magnesium, which stimulates the process of photosynthesis, and molybdenum, which accelerates the absorption of nitrogen by the plant.
During flowering, it is necessary to use top dressing, which includes phosphorus, potassium, magnesium and iron. The most important nutrient at this stage is potassium as it has a large effect on fruit development. If the soil is poor in potassium, potassium salts can be used.
At the stage of setting and developing fruits, the Courtesan is exposed to various kinds of diseases. Infections are counteracted by calcium, which is also added to the soil as an additive. The same element contributes to the correct development of fruits.
Watering can be done along with top dressing. If the Courtesan is irrigated in insufficient quantities, then the fruits will be small and tasteless. The method of watering tomatoes depends on what stage of growth the plant is in. Water very generously twice a week before fruit appears. It is about getting the water deep into the ground. Moisture is applied only at the root, while the leaves and shoots must remain dry.
After the appearance of the fruits, the watering method changes. The soil is moistened three times a week, but less abundantly. This method of irrigating the soil will allow you to get high-quality and large tomatoes.
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
The courtesan has excellent resistance to late blight, but the variety must be treated for other diseases.
To prevent the occurrence of potato plague, it is necessary to avoid growing Courtesans in close proximity to potatoes. The spread of the disease can be prevented by removing the affected plants and by spraying with a fungicide. In principle, most diseases can be dealt with with quality fungicides.
In addition to pathogenic organisms, the Courtesan can also be affected by insects, for example, aphids and spider mites. If you can easily handle the first with a stream of water, then with a mite it is worth using an infusion of garlic, neem oil. An insecticidal soap solution gives a good effect on insects.
Growing regions
The main growing region of the variety in question is Uralsky.