Tomato Zhigalo

The original shape of tomatoes is one of the characteristics that attracts the attention of gardeners. And also the manufacturer indicates the resistance of the variety to diseases and insect attacks. Before growing the Zhigalo variety, you need to learn about all the features of this culture.

The harvest of the determinant variety Zhigalo is usually eaten fresh. Tomatoes are cultivated in film greenhouses and open field. Low-growing plants grow up to 40-45 centimeters, but in greenhouse conditions they reach 80 centimeters. Bushes are dense and compact. Foliage color - green, medium size. The roots are compact and close to the soil surface.

The first fruit clusters appear after the third leaf and alternate every two leaves. On each ovary, from 5 to 6 buds are formed. The Zhigalo variety does not make high demands on the conditions of agricultural technology, but if you do not take proper care of the bushes, their yield decreases. Without standard preventive measures, plants can be attacked by pests and dangerous diseases. The inflorescences are simple.

As long as the tomatoes remain unripe, they are colored light green, without a spot at the stalk. The ripe crop turns bright red. In weight, the fruits gain from 100 to 120 grams. The shape is elongated, cylindrical, with slight ribbing. The rind, like the flesh underneath, is firm. Tomatoes grow in length from 8-9 to 12-15 centimeters. Diameter - from 3 to 4 centimeters. The fleshy pulp contains a small amount of seeds.

Tomatoes are rarely used in salads due to their slight dryness and dense rind, which is felt when consumed. But the fruits are ideal for freezing, making sauces or canning whole fruits.

They grow crops both for sale and for personal use. Ripe vegetables can be stored for 1.5 months without losing their appearance and taste.

The taste of vegetables is noted as sweet with a subtle sourness. The aroma is pleasant and appetizing.

The Zhigalo variety is mid-season. The ripening period is 100-105 days. Vegetables are harvested from mid-July to September. This vegetable crop boasts abundant fruiting.

The yielding variety produces from 15 to 15.5 kg of vegetables per square meter of land. Tomatoes are highly marketable and ripen together. Maximum fruiting can be achieved by cultivating the variety in greenhouse conditions, collecting up to 5 kilograms from each bush.

The date of transplanting seedlings into the beds is chosen, taking into account the climatic conditions. Seed material begins to germinate about 60 days before the target date. Within the boundaries of the southern regions, work is performed from the end of February to the beginning of March. In mid-March, seeds are planted in mid-latitudes, and in the north - in the second half of March. It is necessary to replant young bushes after the weather conditions stabilize and the frost has completely receded.

To germinate seedlings, you need to prepare loose and light soil. It is recommended to buy a ready-made mixture that is specially designed for vegetables and fruits.And you can also cook it on your own by mixing sand (1 part), garden soil (2 parts) and peat (1 part). 24 hours before sowing, the soil is disinfected with boiling water.

Purchased boxes can be used as containers for growing, which will last more than one year. Other containers are also suitable: glasses made of thick paper or plastic, empty plastic bottles, juice or milk packaging. Some gardeners choose peat tablets. It is enough to wet the tablet and put the seeds in the swollen soil. You can find special sowing containers on sale.

Before germination, the seeds go through the following preparatory stages:

• rejection of hollow seeds;

• disinfection;

• hardening.

The soil prepared for germination is moistened. The seeds are spread evenly on the surface. The seed is covered with soil with a layer thickness of 2 millimeters. After the container is covered with glass or foil to maintain the required temperature and humidity. When laying seeds, a gap of 3-4 centimeters is left between them.

When planting seedlings, they adhere to the scheme - 40x30 centimeters. The Zhigalo variety is considered a standard variety, therefore, a large number of seedlings can be grown on a compact site. Due to the compact root system, the plants will not interfere with each other.

Seedlings need proper care. The first shoots appear in 5-6 days from the moment of germination. As soon as the seedlings grow up to 1-2 centimeters, the shelter is gradually removed. On the first day, containers are opened for just a couple of hours, after that for a day, and so on. It is advisable to germinate seedlings on the southeast or east side. Plants need sunlight, but they need to be protected from direct sunlight.

Fertilizing tomatoes is desirable, but not necessary. The first portion is applied 10 days after the pick. Use special formulations designed for seedlings. The maximum number of dressings is no more than three. Plants that have reached 20 centimeters are transplanted to a permanent landing site. By this time, the root system will be sufficiently formed. The exact timing depends on each specific region, but tomatoes should not be planted earlier than mid-May. When cultivated in greenhouses, work is carried out in early May.

Care for the bushes at a permanent germination site follows a specific pattern.

• Despite its small growth, the variety needs a garter. Under the weight of the fruit, the branches tilt to the ground and may break. Supports are installed next to the holes in advance in order to perform a garter as the bushes grow.

• To improve fruiting, the bushes are fed. The first time tomatoes are fertilized three days after thinning. For one plant, 1 liter of ammonium nitrate solution is used. Before adding this component is dissolved in water (15 grams of nitrate per 10 liters of water). When forming the ovary, complex mineral fertilizers are used.In the holes, which are located 20 centimeters from the plants, a composition of potassium and superphosphate is laid. Instead of mineral dressings, you can use organic matter.

• Plants are watered sparingly because of the high root system. A small amount of liquid will be enough to give the tomatoes just the right amount of water. The frequency of irrigation depends on the drying out of the topsoil.

Despite the fact that the Zhigalo variety cannot boast of an excellent immune system, bushes rarely get sick. The main thing is to take preventive actions on time. Late blight is especially dangerous for tomatoes. The fungus attacks both leaves and fruits. The disease can destroy about 80% of the crop. The disease can be detected by black and gray-brown spots.

Among the pests, the Colorado potato beetle is widespread. This insect feeds not only on potato, but also on tomato seedlings.