Tomato Nikola

For gardeners and farmers living in areas with short summers and risky farming, it is not an easy task to choose a fruitful and non-capricious type of tomato that grows in special climatic conditions. Among the suitable ones, you can single out the mid-early variety Nikola.

This tomato was created 30 years ago by a group of domestic breeders of the Federal Scientific Center for Vegetable Growing. In 1993, the culture was included in the State Register of Breeding Achievements of the Russian Federation, and also approved for use. The variety is zoned in the Middle Volga, West Siberian, East Siberian and Volgo-Vyatka regions. The plant grows both in open ground and in film greenhouses.

Tomato Nikola is a low-growing determinant bush, the height of which reaches 65 cm. Semi-spreading bushes are characterized by moderate branching, weak thickening with light green foliage, an erect central stem, a developed root system and an intermediate type of inflorescence. The first fruit cluster is formed above 8-9 leaves, where up to 5-7 berries are formed.

During cultivation, the formation of bushes and the removal of unnecessary stepsons are not required, since they grow very slowly, but, as practice shows, one cannot do without a garter to the supports, otherwise the stem and branches may deform and even break off under ripening tomatoes.

The Nikola Tomato is a vivid representative of medium-sized tomatoes. On average, the weight of the fruit ranges from 73-93 g. The berries have a perfectly round shape without the slightest irregularities and ribs. When fully ripe, the tomato is evenly colored bright red, and when ripe, light green. The skin of the berries is quite dense, shiny and elastic. The advantages of tomatoes are their transportability, long shelf life and good presentation.

In addition, the fruit is not prone to cracking. The Nikola variety belongs to universal tomatoes, so it is eaten fresh, widely used in cooking, processed into drinks and pastas, and canned. Tomato is especially valuable for whole-fruit canning.

The excellent taste of tomatoes is noted by many gardeners and farmers. The taste contains both sweetness and light sourness, complemented by a classic spicy aroma. The flesh of the vegetable is fleshy, moderately dense, juicy, with a small number of seeds. The pulp is colored scarlet, there are no voids in it and no wateriness is felt.

The Nikola tomato belongs to the type of mid-early nightshade crops. From full germination of seeds to the appearance of ripe berries on the bushes, it takes from 94 to 115 days. A characteristic feature of this species is the amicable ripening of tomatoes, so they can be removed with brushes. Mass fruiting of the crop occurs in July-August.

The yield of the variety is good. Its performance in different regions may differ, for example, in the West Siberian region, subject to standard agricultural techniques, up to 317 hectares per centner are harvested, and in the Middle Volga region - 213 hectares / centner. Gardeners on average collect about 8 kg of ripe tomatoes from 1 m2.

Sowing seeds for seedlings is recommended in the period from March 20 to April 10. Pre-seed material must be sorted out and disinfected. As a rule, seed germination occurs on the 5-7th day. For the healthy growth of tomatoes, certain temperature and light conditions in the room are required. At the stage of the appearance of 3-4 leaves at the bushes, it is recommended to plant them (dive). 10-12 days before transplanting, it is worth starting the hardening procedure, which will facilitate the adaptation of seedlings in a new place.

Transplanting bushes to a permanent place of growth and fruiting is carried out from May 15 (in the greenhouse) to June 5 (open ground). It is necessary to plant at a time when both the soil and the air are well warmed up, and the night frosts are already behind. If there is a sharp drop in temperature, then the bushes need to be covered with film or agrofibre.

Along with agricultural technology, the density and layout of seedlings are important for planting and growing. Experts recommend planting no more than 6-8 bushes per 1 m2. The correct scheme is 50x40 cm.

Growing Nikola tomatoes is a simple process if you adhere to the main rules of agricultural technology. You need to choose a site that is as illuminated by the sun as possible. The soil should be loose, free of weeds and grass, fertilized, breathable, moist and fertile.

The main care measures include: watering with standing water, loosening and weeding the soil, applying mineral fertilizers, tying bushes as needed, protecting against insects and viruses. In addition, greenhouses must be ventilated.

The culture has a high resistance to fungal diseases, but there are risks of infection with late blight, apical rot and black bacterial spot.

The variety has good cold resistance, so temperature jumps are not terrible for the plant, but frosts are still dangerous, since nightshades love heat. A gusty wind, draft and excessive humidity can negatively affect the development and fruiting of tomato.