- Authors: Brad Gates, Wild Boar Farms, California, USA
- Name synonyms: Dark Galaxy
- Category: grade
- Growth type: indeterminate
- Appointment: fresh consumption, for juice
- Ripening period: mid-season
- Ripening time, days: 110-115
- Growing conditions: for open ground, for film greenhouses, for closed ground
- Transportability: Yes
- Bush size: tall
The mysterious depths of space attract many people, literally fascinate. It is not for nothing that a variety of things are often named in their honor. But in order for even the most ordinary, seemingly, tomato to show its best qualities, it will have to be carefully studied.
Description of the variety
The dark galaxy was created in the US state of California. This plant also has an official foreign synonym - Dark Galaxy. Such a tomato is classified as an indeterminate variety. Therefore, it will develop powerfully, which not all farmers like. Bushes can grow up to 2 m. Green leaves of insignificant size are formed on thin stems.
The main qualities of the fruit
When the berry first appears, it is green in color. This color is mixed with spots and stripes of purple colors. Fruits are unusual even after reaching ripeness. The bottom edge is painted brick red. The top is made in black. The entire surface is mottled with black and gray dots.
Other parameters of berries:
insignificant size;
weight from 60 to 110 g;
rounded geometric shape;
7 or 8 fruits in each cluster;
development from simple inflorescences.
The exotic appearance allows the berries of this variety to look good on the site. They are perfectly perceived even when surrounded by recognized ornamental plants. The combination of high consumer qualities and ease of transportation makes this variety attractive for commercial use. Tomatoes do not provoke allergic reactions. They can be used even by those suffering from diabetes mellitus or predisposed to this severe disease.
Taste characteristics
The pulp of the Dark Galaxy is sweet. For her, excellent flavor saturation is typical. It is often classed as "the usual tomato sensation." Some tasters in their reviews associate this variety with large-fruited tomatoes.
Ripening and fruiting
This variety is classified as a mid-season tomato. It will ripen in 110-115 days. However, this result is achieved only under favorable weather conditions. Much depends, however, on how responsibly farmers take their task. Harvesting can continue until the onset of frost.
Yield
Fruit collection can reach 9-11 kg per 1 sq. m. Therefore, such a tomato confidently pleases consumers with good efficiency. However, much depends on how fully it is used. The weather specificity of a particular season (year) is also important.
The timing of planting seedlings and planting in the ground
It is necessary to sow seeds in prepared containers at the beginning of March. Of course, this period may change in a specific year. But it is better for novice gardeners and summer residents not to take risks, but to follow official recommendations. The readiness of the seedlings for transfer to the final location is achieved approximately 60-70 days after sowing. The moment must be monitored independently, controlling the temperature, precipitation and plant development.
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
It is recommended to place 3 or 4 bushes per 1 sq. m. The choice between these options is determined by simple horticultural considerations. The distribution of holes in many sources is not specified. It can be assumed that it is the same as that of most other varieties of tomatoes. Some materials write about a distance of 40-50 cm.
Growing and care
It is recommended to keep the bushes in 2 or 3 stems. Tomato Dark Galaxy is quite resistant to late blight. The defeat of this pathology is possible mainly against the background of powerful outbreaks of infection and with improper agricultural technology. However, resistance to negative weather influences partly helps farmers. Partly because supportive protective measures will still be required in most cases.
It is necessary to prepare the beds for planting the bushes of the Dark Galaxy in advance. For 1 sq. m lay:
10 kg of compost;
0.1 kg of wood ash;
20-25 g superphosphate;
5-10 g of potassium sulfate.
Water the plants sparingly. 1 hole should have 6 to 8 liters of water. In the last 14 days before the active removal of fruits, watering is additionally reduced. It makes sense to do it more intensively only during dry periods. Top dressing is applied at least twice a month, and stepchildren are removed from time to time as needed.
The seed substrate can be made from turf. The usual method of soil disinfection is its treatment with potassium permanganate. In some cases, the earth is calcined in ovens instead. The choice of a specific option - depending on what is more convenient for gardeners. It is necessary to feed the plants with "Strong" or "Kemira", and for irrigation take only settled water.
The dark galaxy dives when 2 true leaves appear. It is imperative to harden its seedlings. Important: even at the preparation stage, you will have to pickle the seeds with potassium permanganate. And after that - do not forget to rinse them. For greenhouse planting in open ground, furrows will have to be formed.
The bushes of the Dark Galaxy are supposed to be tied to trellises. They should be stretched over several tiers. This solution allows you to insure against excessive moisture and provide good ventilation.
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.