- Authors: USA, project "Tomato Gnome"
- Name synonyms: Dwarf Tasmanian Chocolate, Dwarf Tasmanian Chocolate
- Category: grade
- Growth type: determinant
- Appointment: universal
- Ripening period: mid-early
- Ripening time, days: 105-110
- Growing conditions: for open ground, for closed ground
- Bush size: medium-sized
- Bush height, cm: 90-100
Tomato Tasmanian chocolate has several synonyms - Dwarf Tasmanian Chocolate, Dwarf Tasmanian chocolate. It belongs to the Dwarf Tomato Project series. It was bred in Australia. The parents of the variety are New Big Dwarf, from which the novelty took the shape, size and fleshy pulp, and the Paul Robeson variety, he gave Tasmanian chocolate a great taste and color.
Description of the variety
The variety is determinant, that is, it will stop growing at a height of 90-100 cm, according to some sources it can be 0.6 m in height. Standard bush, powerful, with a thick trunk, leaves are large, wrinkled, rather thick, well protect the fruits from the scorching sun. Has a small number of stepsons. The first inflorescence is laid late - above 7-8 leaves, later the ovaries are formed after 1-2 leaves.
The main qualities of the fruit
Fruits are flat-round in shape, with small ribs, weighty, chubby, weight - 200-400 g. The color is rich, brick-red with brown flashes on top. The tomato belongs to the black-fruited group. The chambers are clearly visible, filled with thick juice. The pulp is fleshy, tender, a white spot is possible at the stalk. Keeping quality is average, it is better not to store for a long time, the fruits soften.
Taste characteristics
The taste is sweet, with a tantalizing sourness, very bright, full-bodied and spicy, with fruity notes. Brown tomatoes have a special composition. They are high in anthocyanins and less lycopene. Anthocyanins are a flavonoid pigment with antioxidant, decongestant, bactericidal properties. They also have a calming effect on the digestive tract, gently stimulating the secretion of bile. Such tomatoes are useful for diabetes, obesity, eye diseases, during the rehabilitation period after injuries. Not recommended for allergy sufferers.
The Tasmanian chocolate variety is ideal for fresh consumption, but it will also be good in blanks: winter sliced salads, sauces, juices, pastas, seasonings. The chopped excess is frozen for later use in soups or grilled meats. The pungent taste is amazingly suitable for meat.
Ripening and fruiting
The tomato is medium early, the fruits will begin to ripen 105-110 days after germination. According to some reports, ripening is possible in 85 days. The return is willing, friendly, impressive, the variety quickly sets fruit, one of the first.
Yield
The yield is excellent. Outdoors - up to 10 kg per sq. m, in greenhouses you can get 15-20 kg.
The timing of planting seedlings and planting in the ground
Sowing is carried out at standard dates, at the beginning of March. They are planted in open ground in late May - early June. Under the film - a little earlier, in mid-May.
Growing tomato seedlings is an extremely important process, because it largely depends on whether the gardener will be able to 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.
Growing and care
The variety is positioned as drought and heat resistant, however, like all tomatoes, it is better to ensure proper watering.
Irrigation features.
- Abundant regular watering without moisture stagnation.
- The water should be soft and warm.
- The homeland of tomatoes is South America, with a hot climate. Therefore, between waterings, the soil should dry well, but not dry out. Ideally, between waterings, the soil moisture level is maintained at 60%.
- After a long break, when the soil is too dry, it is better not to shock the plant. The previous level of watering is restored gradually. Tomatoes prefer an even flow, without spikes.
- So that the soil does not dry out, especially in the absence of the owner, it is mulched with straw, chopped dry grass, clean tomato tops, sawdust.
In order to avoid difficulties with watering, you need to properly prepare the soil. Loose, moisture and air permeable soil will smooth out irrigation deficiencies. If the soil is well drained, there is no risk of overflowing - just as much moisture will remain in the soil as needed. A fairly loose soil is one in which you can easily immerse your hand up to the wrist. To make the soil "fluffy", peat, sand, perlite are added to it. Sawdust, manure, finely chopped hay, compost are introduced into especially dense soil, isolated beds and pillows are made for planting (tops, organic waste, fertilizers, peat are placed on the bottom of the planting pits).
Bushes of the Tasmanian chocolate variety are powerful, you can do without a garter. But if the site is windy, you will have to tie up the main stems. Stepson will be required, but moderate. Only interfering stems and those that grow inside the bush are removed. It can be formed into several stems.
The fruits of the variety are sugar-rich and rich without additional tweaks. Tomatoes will not be watery even in rainy summers, but if there is a chance of prolonged rains, the soil should be well prepared. Soil enriched with humus and ash will give the best results.
The variety has an excellent set. It is able to bear fruit even in conditions where the formation of ovaries is difficult (high humidity, dryness, heat, cold). Under standard conditions, it completely relieves the gardener of the tedious procedure of shaking the brushes.
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
Tomato has strong immunity against the following diseases.
- Alternaria (brown spot). A dangerous and rapidly spreading fungal disease that can destroy 60% of tomato plantings in a short time.
- Stolbur. The disease occurs only in the south of the Russian Federation, it is caused by unicellular microorganisms - phytoplasmas, which are carried by leafhoppers.
- Bacteriosis (wet rot, black spot). It occurs in all regions, the disease is provoked by temperature changes during the day, acidic soil, lack of potassium and phosphorus, nitrogen overfeeding.
- Verticillosis. A fungal disease that mainly affects greenhouse plantings.
Tasmanian chocolate has been successful in fighting these diseases, but supportive measures will not be superfluous. When purchased, seeds are kept in a solution of potassium permanganate, crop rotation is observed, if plants are grown in open ground, the soil is sterilized in greenhouses and the microclimate is carefully checked.
Review overview
Like all exotic varieties, many people like Tasmanian chocolate tomato. The variety is spectacular, attracts with the habit of the bush already in seedlings. Powerful, shortened, compact, bears abundant fruit, looks representative during harvest, completely covered with fruits of very attractive color. Burgundy red looks bright and appetizing. If desired, the variety can be grown in a container, on a hot balcony, and a pot in the garden.
Gardeners do not skimp on epithets for taste: "bomb", "intensely sweet". Almost everyone praises health, the tomato grows well even in extreme conditions, with hot days, cold nights and a minimum of rain. There are rare reviews of gray rot lesions.
According to some reviews, one of the best black-fruited tomatoes. Captivates with high yield, heat resistance, unpretentiousness, beauty and dessert taste.