Content
Tomato Black Gourmet is a recently bred variety, but its popularity among gardeners is growing rapidly. Thanks to the experimental work of breeders, the chokeberry tomato has characteristics that are superior to those of previously bred varieties. The plant's potential becomes interesting to both amateurs and professionals. To obtain a sustainable harvest, it is necessary to get acquainted with the characteristics, rules of growing and caring for a tomato.
Description of tomato Black gourmet
All varieties of tomatoes are divided into determinant and indeterminate. Tomato of the Black Gourmet variety is unlimited in growth, can reach a height of about 2.5 m, therefore, it belongs to the second group. The young plant is fragile and delicate, but over time, the stem becomes thicker, coarser and gradually stiffens. The bush must be formed into 1 - 2 stems, removing unnecessary stepsons. This is required so that the yield does not decrease, the plant does not thicken and is fully supplied with nutrients. The stem of the Black Gourmet variety is fleshy, rounded, with a pronounced "tomato" aroma, covered with downy hairs. The tomato must be periodically tied to a strong support, otherwise it will be difficult for the plant to resist the weight of the fruit.
The leaves of the tomato Black gourmet are alternate, laid on the stem in a spiral, their size depends on the growing conditions and soil fertility, they reach 50 cm in length, 30 cm in width.The leaf plate of the tomato has a dark green color, consists of several lobes, the surface covered with glandular hairs.
Flowers of the Black Gourmet variety are inconspicuous, yellow, collected in a brush of 10 - 12 pieces. Inflorescences form in the axils of every third leaf. The tomato is self-pollinated.
It is a tall, vigorous plant with a strong root system that extends to a depth of 1 m.
The Black Gourmet tomato belongs to the mid-season, the fruits reach technical maturity 110 - 120 days after germination.
Description of fruits
Tomato fruits are smooth, round. In an immature state, there is an emerald-colored spot near the stalk, which, after ripening, changes its shade to brown. The usual color of the fruit is dark red, pomegranate or chocolate. The weight is 80 - 110 g, but according to reviews and photos of those who planted the Black Gourmet tomato in their greenhouses, in practice the fruits reach 200 - 300 g. When fully ripe, the tomatoes are fleshy, soft, have many chambers, have a fruity aroma and sweet taste ... It is believed that the Black Gourmet tomato variety is for salad purposes. Although the skin of the fruit is tender, it does not burst when preserved as a whole. Tomatoes can be frozen, juice, mashed potatoes, ketchup, caviar, other dishes and preparations can be made.
Characteristics of the tomato Black gourmet
The Black Gourmet variety is the result of the work of Russian scientists from the large breeding and seed-growing company Poisk. In 2015, it was included in the State Register of the Russian Federation with a recommendation for growing in greenhouses. Under such conditions, the tomato grows equally well in central Russia, in Siberia and in the south.
The Poisk company has developed over 500 new varieties and hybrids of vegetables. Tomato Black gourmet - the result of crossing domestic tomatoes with the best characteristics.
The yield per square meter is about 6 kg, but the figure may vary depending on the growing conditions and care.
According to the description, the Black Gourmet tomato belongs to the mid-season, the collection of fruits is carried out 115 days after the emergence of shoots. The ripening period is long - from mid-summer to October. In the southern regions, cultivation of the variety is not limited to these periods and can continue all year round.
Black gourmet is a tomato with high resistance to leaf spot, gray mold, viral diseases and pests, subject to agricultural practices.
It is necessary to distinguish the variety created by the Poisk company from the F1 Black Gourmet tomato of the well-known agricultural company Aelita. The hybrid of the latter ripens earlier, has larger fruits and a high yield. But a significant drawback is the impossibility of collecting seeds: they must be purchased annually for sowing seedlings.
Assessment of advantages and disadvantages
The color of black tomatoes has different shades - from light chocolate to purple. This color comes from purple and red pigments. The red color is formed due to carotenoids and lycopene, they are found in any variety of tomatoes. The purple hue is given by anthocyanins, which are abundant in eggplants and red cabbage. Thanks to its coloring, the Black Gourmet tomato has a number of features:
- special taste due to the high sugar content;
- the presence of antioxidants that help cleanse the body;
- anthocyanins help to strengthen blood vessels;
- vitamin A has a beneficial effect on vision;
- lycopene in large quantities prevents the development of tumors.
In addition to the above advantages, the pluses of the Black Gourmet variety include:
- unpretentious care;
- disease resistance;
- lack of tendency to cracking;
- convenience in canning - due to the average size of the fruit;
- the possibility of using for baby and diet food.
The disadvantages of the Black Gourmet variety include:
- an increased amount of sugar, which leads to a softening of the fruit;
- the impossibility of ripening tomatoes when grown in regions with cold climates.
Growing rules
In order to grow a rich harvest of tomatoes, it is necessary to follow several simple rules of agricultural technology:
- observe the sowing time;
- grow strong seedlings;
- use ash when planting;
- plant tomatoes no closer than 60 cm apart;
- water abundantly only the first week;
- start feeding after the appearance of ovaries;
- periodically carry out pinching, forming a bush of 1 - 2 stems;
- remove yellow or spotted leaves in time;
- when watering, do not moisten tomato leaves;
- pinch the top of the head in mid-July;
- as soon as the fruits of the first cluster begin to ripen, the lower leaves must be removed.
Sowing seeds for seedlings
The guarantee of a good harvest is high-quality seedlings. This requires:
- Prepare the soil by mixing peat (2 parts), garden soil (1 part), compost (1 part) and sand (0.5 part).
- Sift the soil mixture and disinfect it.
- Prepare containers for seedlings, decontaminate.
- Check the seeds for germination with a saline solution, harden them.
- Sow seeds to a depth of 1.5 cm 50 days before planting in the greenhouse.
- Cover the soil with plastic wrap and place the boxes in a warm place.
- The temperature for germinating seeds must be at least +25 ⁰С.
- After germination, the temperature should be reduced to +16 - +18 ⁰С.
- To prevent the seedlings from stretching, it is necessary to organize additional lighting for 14-16 hours a day.
- Watering must be done carefully, at the root, in moderation.
- After the appearance of the first true leaf, open the seedlings.
- Loosening should be carried out some time after watering.
Transplanting seedlings
For a tomato of the Black Gourmet variety, a light fertile soil with peat and humus is required. Forest and garden land has a positive effect on crop yields.In the spring and autumn, the soil is dug up, ensuring the freezing of pests and larvae in the ground.
Tall tomatoes are very demanding on nutrition, so if there is a lack of it, it is worth adding fertilizer to the soil: the first time - during planting, for rapid rooting and development of the root system.
Transfer to the greenhouse is carried out at an air temperature of +20 ⁰C, soil - at least +13 ⁰C. Night readings should not be lower than +16 ⁰С.
In central Russia, the approximate timing of planting tomatoes depends on the type of greenhouse:
- transplanted into a heated one in April-May;
- unheated - in May – early June.
For a correct fit, you must:
- Make holes in a checkerboard pattern: 4 by 1 square meter.
- Add ash to each well, mix.
- Spill with a weak solution of potassium permanganate.
- Carefully, without disturbing the root system, remove seedlings from boxes, pots.
- Plant seedlings, deepening the stem by no more than 2 cm.
- Remove a few lower leaves.
- Drizzle again with warm, settled water.
Care rules
Tomato variety Black gourmet indeterminate, grows quickly. As soon as it reaches a height of 0.5 m, the tomato should be tied up. In the future, this must be done at least once every two weeks, so that when the fruits ripen, the plant has a strong support. This is important because it is clear from the videos posted on the Internet about the Black Gourmet tomato that the fruits can grow much larger than average.
In the process of growth, the tomato should be periodically pinned, forming a bush of 1 - 2 stems. The procedure is carried out with a disinfected knife or scissors twice a month.
Watering should be moderate, about three times a week, in the morning or evening. To retain moisture and protect the soil from weeds it should be loosened and mulched with peat, grass, straw, foliage.
Top dressing of tomatoes is carried out when the fruit is set, and also after 2 - 4 weeks, using organic and universal fertilizers.
Conclusion
A black gourmet tomato can be a decoration for any greenhouse, and it looks original on the table. Due to its taste, the tomato is liked by children and adults, it can be used for various purposes - canning, salads, juices. The popularity of “black” varieties is growing, and “Lakomka” is not the last among them.
Reviews about the tomato Black gourmet
