Tomato Sultan

Many summer residents and farmers, choosing tomato varieties for cultivation, prefer Dutch tomatoes, which are famous for their ease of care and high yield rates. The list of popular ones includes the Dutch hybrid Sultan, which grows well both in garden beds and in various types of greenhouses.

The mid-early hybrid tomato Sultan is the result of the successful work of the Dutch breeders of the agricultural holding Bejo Zaden B. V. The nightshade crop was bred in 1998 and entered into the State Register of Breeding Achievements of Russia in 2000. Recommended for growing tomatoes in the Lower Volga, North Caucasus and Central Black Earth regions. The culture grows in protected ground (middle lane) and in beds (southern lane).

Tomato Sultan is a low-growing bush of a determinant type, the height of which does not exceed 50-60 cm. In a greenhouse structure, the bush can grow up to 70-90 cm. The compact bush is characterized by weak thickening of dark green leaves, a strong erect stem, a developed root system through which feeds on the plant, and simple inflorescences. 5-7 berries appear in each fruit cluster.

When planting and growing, do not forget about the formation of bushes in 1-2 stems, as well as tying branches to small supports. The plant does not need to remove stepchildren, since new shoots are formed extremely slowly, but, according to experienced gardeners, partial removal of stepchildren contributes to an increase in the mass of fruits. The Sultan hybrid is a universal tomato, so it is eaten fresh, processed into dressings and pastas, canned, salads are made, and pickled.

Tomato Sultan belongs to the class of large-fruited tomatoes. Most often, the weight of the berry is 150-200 grams. The shape of the tomato is flat-round, with a noticeable ribbing at the stalk. At the stage of technical maturity, the fruits are light green with a dark spot at the base, which disappears as it ripens. Ripe tomato has a uniform rich red color. The skin of the vegetable is smooth, shiny, dense, well protecting the tomato from cracking. Tomatoes tolerate transportation well and have a long shelf life - they can be stored for 2-3 weeks without losing their taste and useful properties.

Tomatoes have an excellent taste, despite the fact that they are a hybrid. The flesh of the vegetable is moderately dense, very tender and juicy, with few seeds. No wateriness is observed in the pulp. The taste is pleasant, richly sweet, with a subtle sourness, complemented by a light spice of the aroma. The pulp of a ripe tomato contains 2.5-3% sugars and 5% dry matter, as well as many vitamins and amino acids that are beneficial to health.

Sultan tomatoes are medium early. From the moment of mass germination of seedlings to the first ripe berries on the bushes, only 93-112 days pass. The fruiting period of the crop is extended, which allows you to remove fresh tomatoes until early autumn. The first harvest can be taken in the first half of July, and the mass ripening of berries occurs after 12-14 days.

The variety is high-yielding, which attracts the attention of farmers who grow vegetables on an industrial scale. Yield indicators in each region may be different.The maximum yield is 559 centners per hectare. The lowest rates are observed in the Central Black Earth Region - from 144 to 565 c / ha.

Sowing seeds for seedlings is carried out 55-60 days before transplanting the bushes. The best period is the second half of March - early April. For healthy growth, it is necessary to observe the optimal light (12-14 hours a day) and temperature regime (22-25) in the room where the seedlings will grow. After 5-7 days, the mass germination of seeds begins, which at the stage of 2-3 true leaves can be dived into separate cups / pots. The greenhouse effect, equipped with the help of film or glass, will accelerate germination.

A week before transplanting, it is recommended to harden the seedlings daily, which will allow the plants to quickly adapt to new growth conditions. Bushes can be planted in the second half of May, when the air temperature will be consistently above + 10 ... 15, and night frosts will be left behind.

When growing a crop, not only agricultural technology is important, but also compliance with the density and planting schemes, which are individual for each tomato species. It is recommended to place 3-5 bushes per 1 m2, which will provide access to light and air for each bush. The correct scheme for planting a culture is 40x50 cm.

The culture grows in loose, fertile, breathing and weed-free soils. It is better to choose an area that is well lit by the sun's rays. Like all nightshades, Sultan tomatoes need complex care, including watering, feeding, loosening the soil, forming and tying bushes, as well as preventing viruses, fungi and insects.

The plant's strong immune system makes it resistant to a number of traditional tomato diseases - verticillosis and fusarium wilt. Due to the mid-early ripening period, the tomato is not afraid of late blight. Insect infestation (whitefly, aphid, Colorado potato beetle) uses insecticides.

The vegetable culture is highly stress-resistant, therefore it gives stable and abundant yields even in difficult conditions. Tomatoes are resistant to heat, drought, sudden changes in temperature, but they do not react well to excessive humidity, which can change the taste of the fruit - reduce the sweetness, and add wateriness.