- Authors: Blokin-Mechtalin V.I.
- Year of approval: 2021
- Category: hybrid
- Growth type: determinant
- Appointment: universal
- Ripening period: early
- Ripening time, days: 95-100
- Growing conditions: for open ground, for film greenhouses
- Transportability: high
- Bush height, cm: up to 100
Tomato Picador was created by V.I. Blokin-Mechtalin, the author of modern, high-yielding varieties with a twist. In 2021, Picador is included in the State Register of the Russian Federation.
Description of the variety
Picador is an F1 hybrid, determinant. The bush grows up to 1 m, in some cases - up to 1.3 m. The bush is quite powerful, with strong stems. Leaves are medium-sized, green, medium-dense foliage. The first inflorescence appears above 7-8 leaves, then the plant releases flower clusters every 1-2 leaves. Clusters are simple, 1 cluster contains 3-5 fruits.
The main qualities of the fruit
Fruits are round, domed, dense, with barely noticeable, light ribs, weighing 100 g, with a nice sharp nose. The color of ripe fruits is classic red. Unripe fruits are light green without dark spots at the stalk. Inside the fruit there are 3 seed chambers, the walls are very fleshy, the center is a solid watermelon pulp. The fruits are well stored and can be transported very well. The skin is elastic, dense, does not crack.
Taste characteristics
The taste is excellent, rich, sweet, with a refreshing tantalizing sourness. Appointment - salad. The varieties from this category are in fact universal. Picador is no exception. It is consumed fresh, salads, drinks, snacks are prepared from it. For processing: pickled and salted tomatoes, winter salads, sauces, pastas, ketchups, adjika or lecho.
Ripening and fruiting
The hybrid is early maturing, ripens 95-100 days after germination.
Yield
The yield of fruits with commercial characteristics in greenhouses is 7.2 kg per 1 sq. m. The potential yield is very high - up to 12 kg per 1 sq. m. m in open ground, up to 16 kg - in greenhouses.
The timing of planting seedlings and planting in the ground
Sowing seeds - in mid, late March or early April, planting in open ground in late May, early June (for the Urals, Siberia).
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
For 1 sq. m 3-4 plants are planted, in the aisles and between plants - 50 cm each.
Growing and care
The variety is recommended for cultivation in all regions of the Russian Federation, except for the Far North. Can be grown in film shelters and in the open field.
It is better to form a hybrid in 3-4 stems. If the summer is difficult, and you want to get an even earlier and larger harvest, leave 1-3 stems. The tomato does not require active pinching, it limits its growth itself. But the removal of excess shoots is necessary: they are broken off to the side, leaving 1-2 cm stumps.
The stalk will need a garter, and the tomato brushes perfectly well. The tomato loves the usual care for all tomatoes.
Loose, light, nutritious soil.
Smooth, abundant, but not over-watering. Water the tomatoes so that moisture does not get on the leaves, and preferably on the stem. For this, small sides are made.
Mulching the soil saves the gardener from a lot of problems. Equalizes soil temperature and moisture, retains moisture until the next watering, protects against heat and the spread of certain diseases. Mulching will be especially useful for those who do not have the ability to verify the watering.
During the period of fruit setting, shaking the brushes is useful, especially if the weather is too cold (less than + 18 ° C) or too hot (above + 27 ° C). Spraying with a 1% boric acid solution will help to improve the formation of ovaries: 1 gram of powder is dissolved in 1 liter of hot water, cooled. Spray directly on leaves, buds and fruits. 3 treatments are allowed with an interval of at least 10 days between them.
Tearing off foliage. It is carried out during the ripening period of the crop in order to direct nutrients not to the tops, but to the fruits. Leaves are torn off only under the brushes, not above. Under the first brush, remove all the leaves completely, they are unproductive.
Picador is resistant to the main diseases of tomatoes: fusarium, cladosporium, tomato mosaic virus, verticillosis. It is specially formulated in order to successfully withstand illness or stress. However, preventive leaf sprays with one of the following remedies will be helpful.
"Fitosporin" - 5 g of powder is diluted in 10 liters of water. The interval between sprays is 10-14 days.
Ash solution. 1-1.5 cups of ash are diluted in 10 liters of hot water, boiled for half an hour, cooled, filtered, water is added to a volume of 10 liters, 30 g of odorless soap is added. Spray in the evening, in moderate dry weather.
Calcium nitrate: 100 g of granules are dissolved in 10 l of water. A single spraying is carried out either during the flowering period or during the ripening of the fruits.
The last two dressings also increase the yield, contribute to the better taste of the fruit.
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
The Picador hybrid is a novelty, there are almost no reviews. Opinions on taste vary from average to excellent. Unambiguously attracts with productivity, presentation of fruits, endurance. The fruits are aligned, beautiful, densely cover the bush. The tomato does not get sick at all. This is facilitated by the quality of the variety and early maturity - the fruits are removed before the cold weather and the mass distribution of phytophthora.
Picador will interest those who are looking for an unpretentious, early ripe, presentable tomato of an interesting shape, universal purpose, for planting in a greenhouse or in the open field.
