An excellent early ripening culture, opposed to diseases and natural whims, has managed to become popular with a huge number of gardeners due to its characteristics. Even beginners can grow this variety, as the plant does not need specific care. At the same time, tomato bushes give excellent yields of tasty fruits, their cultivation leaves only favorable impressions. In this article we will describe the characteristics of tomato Kate.
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Description and characteristics of tomato Katya
The variety is considered a hybrid, bred by specialists of domestic breeding not so long ago. The plant is determinant, has several simple inflorescences, each of which gives from five to eight early fruits. Maturing period is up to two and a half months from the date of transplanting seedlings.
The height of the bushes does not exceed fifty centimeters, the yield reaches ten kilograms from each square of the plot. In greenhouse conditions, this figure is one and a half times higher. Tomatoes are medium in size, bright red sometimes pink, round in shape.
The advantages and disadvantages of the variety
Among the clearly expressed advantages include the following features:
- the culture is distinguished by precocity;
- plants do not impose special requirements for cultivation; they perfectly tolerate a dry period, high temperature conditions;
- there is always the opportunity to get a good harvest;
- pronounced resistance to many "tomato" diseases;
- excellent keeping quality and transportability - almost the entire crop retains its marketable appearance even with longcarriage;
- fruits ripen evenly, which greatly facilitates their cleaning;
- Tomatoes taste excellent.
There is a slight negative:
- the branches of the bushes are rather weak; the weight of the tomatoes can break. To avoid such a problem, it is necessary to provide them with solid support.
Requirements for soil for planting
To achieve maximum yield, it is recommended to grow tomatoes on sandy or loamy places with good air permeability of the soil composition.
For places in which a lot of clay fit the addition of rotted manure or compost in the amount of one and a half - two buckets per square meter. Many people use river sand for the same purpose, having previously soaked it in dissolved urea (150 grams per bucket of water).
Sowing rules
Tomatoes are grown by seedling method. In order to receive early harvests already in the middle of summer, the seeds must be sown in early April. Before this, planting material is treated with a weak solution of manganese for fifteen to twenty minutes. This measure will prevent bacterial diseases.
For planting, it is recommended to use a universal substrate or prepare a mixture of compost, peat and sand, taken in equal parts. Seeds are buried one and a half to two centimeters, leaving enough space between them so that the shoots can normally form.
The soil is moistened, the seeds are heated to improve their sowing characteristics. As soon as the first shoots appear, you can remove the plastic film from the boxes.
After about three weeks, the seedlings can be dived into separate cups.
Transplantation of tomatoes in open ground
This can be done in the first half of May, if the threat of night frost has passed. For planting applies the scheme "seventy to thirty" centimeters. Planting density should correspond to three - four plants per square meter. In this culture is formed in two to three stalks.
Under the size of the seedling is a hole, water is poured in the amount of one liter. After checking the quality of the seedlings, you can plant, deepening it somewhat more than it was in the planting container.
During transplantation, the roots of the seedlings are carefully crimped and bent in such a way as to direct the tips of the system to the bottom of the planting hole. Then the plant is watered, the well is covered with dry soil.
Grade care after transplanting
The soil between the rows should be constantly loosened so that no crust forms on the surface. At the same time, it is recommended to remove weeds.
After a week and a half after transplantation, seedlings can be spud for the first time, to give her the opportunity to form new roots. After three weeks the process can be repeated.
During irrigation, up to one liter of water should be poured into each well. Watering should be done in the afternoon, when the sun is not so bright.
The first feeding is done ten days after planting. Used composition of organic and mineral fertilizer components. To do this, part of a mullein is placed on a bucket of water, twenty grams of superphosphate is added. This amount of solution can handle a dozen bushes.
At intervals of a couple of weeks, they perform the second and then the third feeding. At this time, dry mineral compounds are used during hilling or loosening the soil. Not more than twenty grams of superphosphate, ten - ammonium nitrate and fifteen - potassium salt are added to the square of the plot.
It should be done in the morning so that the plant can heal damage during the day. The soil in the beds can be mulched with straw, deciduous humus, compost.
Diseases and their prevention
Tomato variety is known for its resistance to the most dangerous diseases. As a preventive measure, plants should be treated with fungicide formulations. To protect your planting from harmful parasites, it is necessary to carry out insecticidal treatment.
The most common mistakes in the care of Kate:
- because of the short stature of the plant, many neglect the garter of the twigs;
- some gardeners believe that stading is not necessary;
- sometimes watering is carried out not under the root system, cold water is used for this;
- When growing tomatoes in a greenhouse, regular airing should be organized.
Those who wish to receive early harvests of tomatoes are advised to pay attention to this variety. Fulfilling all the requirements for growing and care, you can achieve excellent performance.