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Tomato Maroussia gained wide popularity, the characteristics and description of the variety of which testify to its unpretentiousness and excellent taste. Bred by Russian breeders in 2007, it is still loved by vegetable growers in all regions where it is cultivated.
In addition to its universal consumer properties, the Maroussia tomato attracts with its wonderful appearance. Lush green foliage beautifully surrounds clusters of small, bright red fruits that resemble large bunches of grapes.
Characteristics of the variety
Determinant bushes of tomato Marusya give a small growth - no more than 1 m. The variety is medium early, the period from the appearance of the first shoots to ripening is about 110 days. The bush forms one, sometimes two stems. The successful arrangement of juicy dark green leaves of the usual type helps to protect the fruits of the Maroussia tomato from sunburn, but does not interfere with their illumination.
Due to its high resistance to unfavorable weather conditions and sharp temperature changes, the Marusya variety is widespread in many climatic zones - in the open field or in a film greenhouse. With proper care, tomatoes can produce up to 7 kg from each square meter - up to 2 kg from a bush, and with timely pinching, even more. The variety also demonstrates a high resistance to diseases such as fusarium and verticillosis. The description and reviews of the Marusya tomato indicate only one of its small drawbacks - fruiting lasts only a month - one and a half - until the end of the summer season.
Description of fruits
The dense juicy fruits of the Marusya variety have an oval shape, at the stage of full ripening they acquire a bright red color. The average weight of ripe tomatoes reaches 80 g. Due to their small size, they are convenient for canning. Despite the not very dense skin, Maroussia tomatoes do not crack and tolerate long storage and long-term transportation well. Already ripe fruits do not fall off, but firmly hold on to the branches. Their excellent taste makes them versatile for their intended purpose:
- tomatoes of the Marusya variety are consumed fresh and in salads;
- used in conservation;
- popular as fresh juices;
- used in the preparation of sauces and vegetable stews.
Seed preparation
Reviews advise sowing Marusya tomato seeds for seedlings about two months before transplanting into the ground. Therefore, it is important to correctly calculate the timing of their sowing, so as not to overexpose the seedlings in boxes later. Quality seeds purchased from specialized stores do not need to be disinfected. But obtained at home or bought on the market, it is better to disinfect. To disinfect tomato seeds, Marusya can immerse them in a weak solution of potassium permanganate for 20 minutes. Some gardeners prefer to soak tomato seeds in aloe juice, baking soda or phytosporin solution for 10-20 hours. Undoubtedly, these substances have a stimulating effect on the seeds, due to which:
- their immunity is strengthened;
- germination improves;
- the yield of tomatoes increases.
Sowing seeds
The soil for sowing seeds of the Marusya variety should also be disinfected in one of the following ways:
- bake in the oven;
- spill with boiling water or a concentrated solution of potassium permanganate.
After disinfection, the soil must be moistened and placed in a cool place for two weeks for the reproduction of useful microflora in it. For sowing seeds:
- small boxes are filled with ready-made soil;
- tomato seeds are laid out on its surface in rows at a distance of 2 cm, 3-4 cm can be left in the aisles;
- seeds are sprinkled with a thin layer of loose soil;
- for their germination, you need to create a warm and humid microclimate, so the beds are moistened and placed in a warm place with a constant temperature of about +25 degrees;
- to accelerate growth, you can cover the boxes with transparent film or glass;
- after the appearance of the first shoots of tomatoes Marusya, the description recommends providing good lighting to the beds, so the boxes are placed on the windowsill;
- if the intensity of daylight is insufficient, you can use fluorescent lamps;
- the ambient temperature should be lowered slightly, otherwise the tomato sprouts will begin to stretch.
Seedling care
The film should be removed from the seedlings gradually, every day, briefly opening it over the tomato sprouts. Water them carefully as the topsoil dries out. With the growth of tomato seedlings, Marusya will require more frequent watering, but it is also unacceptable to fill the soil with water.
Tomato seedlings Marusya, as recommended by the description of the variety, photos and reviews, need to be hardened. On warm spring days, it is taken out onto the balcony or outside for five minutes at first, and then the exposure time is gradually increased. Hardened seedlings adapt faster and grow after transplanting in a new place. 10-14 days after the emergence of shoots, you need to make the first feeding of the Marusya variety with natural organic matter. In the future, it is advisable to carry out them every 7-10 days.
After the appearance of two leaves, tomatoes of the Marusya variety must be dived into separate cups. Many gardeners use peat pots, which are convenient to plant later in the soil. Picking seedlings requires special care, since the sprouts are still very delicate and fragile.
After about 1.5 months, flower clusters begin to appear in tomatoes of the Marusya variety. They indicate the need to quickly transplant tomatoes to a permanent place - in a greenhouse or open ground. It is impossible to overexpose seedlings in pots, otherwise its growth will be inhibited. In the future, it is not able to grow into full-fledged tomatoes. In 10-14 days after the appearance of flower brushes, peat pots with seedlings of the Marusya variety must be transplanted. If there is a need to postpone the transplantation of seedlings, gardeners resort to a little trick - they pinch off the emerging flower brush. Since the next one will grow only in a week, you can postpone the plant transplant for this time.
Transplanting seedlings and caring for it
Tomato Marusya, according to the description, can be transplanted into the soil if the night frosts have ended, and the ground has warmed up to +16 degrees to the depth of the roots. High-quality seedlings should have:
- powerful root system;
- thick sturdy stem;
- dense, fleshy foliage.
Landings are carried out in the evening or on a cloudy day. Tomato bushes are planted at a distance of 0.6 m from each other, a little more is left in the aisles - 0.7 m. After the plants adapt, pinching is carried out, but only to the first brush. According to reviews, caring for a tomato of the Marusya variety is simple:
- regular watering with settled water;
- loosening the soil and removing weeds; mulching with straw or compost;
- preventive treatments against pests and diseases;
- garter bushes after fruit emergence.
Pest control
Despite the high resistance to the most common diseases, the Maroussia tomato requires preventive spraying, as well as treatments against pests:
- phytosporin with milk whey and a few drops of iodine or wood ash protect against late blight;
- infusions of wood ash, tobacco dust or lime solution are effective against slugs;
- periodic spraying with soapy water is also useful;
- from a spider mite, Karbofos is used.
Testimonials
Conclusion
Tomato Marusia is grown both by amateur gardeners and large farmers, who are attracted by the compactness of the bushes, their simplicity to the surrounding conditions, the excellent presentation and the wonderful taste of ripe tomatoes.
