A productive hybrid with excellent taste - the Florida tomato and its advantages

Gardeners have been familiar with the Florida Petit tomato variety since 2022. Originator – . The variety is universal. It is suitable for any growing method. It is planted under a film, in an open garden bed. Florida Petite is a boon for home growers.

If comfortable conditions are created for it, the seedlings can bear fruit in the winter. The tomato is zoned in all regions. The fruits are small in size and decorative. The taste is sweet, without sourness. What is Florida Petite? What care do tomatoes require?

Description of the hybrid

An early maturing hybrid of the Dutch selection of the Monsanto company. It was included in the State Register of Russia in 2007. The crop is suitable for cultivation in closed and open soil. The bushes are determinate and do not require pinching or staking. The rhizome is powerful - it goes 2.5 m deep into the ground.

In the photo - hybrid Florida 47 f1.

Distinctive features

The table provides a description of the Florida hybrid.

Description of the tomato variety Florida F1 and its characteristics

Dutch breeders from the Seminis company developed the hybrid tomato "Florida" F1 specifically for mass production. As they themselves put it: this tomato is endowed with a “keeping quality” gene, which allows the tomatoes to retain their presentation and excellent taste for longer.

Features of the variety

The full name of the tomato is “Florida 47.” F1 is a mid-early hybrid of the determinate type. Full ripening of the fruit occurs after 110-115 days from the moment of germination.

• The bushes are low-growing with a strong stem, rarely growing more than 70 cm in height.
• The powerful root system goes 1.5-2.5 m underground.
• Wide leaves protect fruits well from sunburn.
• Clusters form through the leaf, bloom profusely and set fruit throughout the growing season.
• From 3 to 5 fruits are formed on each brush.
• The tomato is highly resistant to temperature changes, does not bake in the sun and continues to bear fruit in unfavorable weather conditions.
• Another advantage of the Florida tomato is increased immunity to a number of common tomato diseases.

• the shape of the fruit is flat-round, slightly ribbed;
• average weight from 200 to 250 grams;
• the skin is dense and smooth, not prone to cracking;
• When fully ripe, the fruits acquire a bright red color;
• the flesh is fleshy and juicy.

The undeniable advantage of tomatoes is the hardness and presentation of the fruit, which they are able to preserve for 2-3 months. Tomatoes of the Florida F1 variety are extremely resistant to mechanical damage, so they can withstand transportation well, even over long distances.

Agricultural technology

Tomato "Florida" is recommended for growing in open ground throughout the summer-autumn period. But reviews indicate that in central Russia it is better to grow this hybrid in greenhouse conditions.

• Taking into account the peculiarities of cultivation, seeds for seedlings can be sown from the beginning of March until the end of May.
• The ideal temperature for germination is +22-24 degrees.
• 10-12 days after germination, when the seedlings have already formed their first true leaf, it is time to pick. When replanting, it is recommended to shorten the roots of the sprouts by a third, this promotes the formation of a fibrous root system.
• 7-14 days before planting, the sprouts must begin to harden.
• At the age of 35-40 days, young bushes can be planted in open ground, provided that the threat of frost has passed.
• When choosing a place to plant tomatoes, keep in mind that “Florida” needs sunlight and moderate humidity. Ideal predecessors would be cucumbers, early cabbage or onions.
• Planting pattern 60 x 60 cm or 50 x 70 cm.
• As they grow, the bushes may need to be tied to stakes or a trellis. It is also possible to grow it spread out.
• Plants respond well to periodic fertilizing with mineral and organic fertilizers.
• They do not require special care. Watering can be carried out using the irrigation method. Tomatoes can suffer from high humidity, so you need to make sure that the soil is just damp, not wet.

Thanks to its amazing productivity, high marketable and transportable qualities, the Florida hybrid tomato is very popular among farmers.

How to grow seedlings

Sowing seeds for seedlings is carried out from March to May. Such a long sowing period is due to the fact that the hybrid is intended for summer-autumn rotation. Fruiting continues until the onset of frost.

Preparing soil and seeds

The seeds of the Florida 47 hybrid do not need to be soaked in a disinfectant solution or germination stimulants . The material undergoes careful processing in production before packaging into bags.

The soil for sowing is mixed from equal parts of chernozem, humus, and peat. For every 10 kg add 20 g of superphosphate and wood ash. Gardening stores sell ready-made substrates in bags for growing tomatoes with the necessary set of nutritional components. Both types of soil are first disinfected with a solution of potassium permanganate or calcined in the oven.

To cultivate the soil from the garden use:

• fungicide "Fitosporin" (15 ml per 10 l);
• insecticides: “Aktara”, “Inta-Vir”, “Grom”, according to the instructions a month before sowing.

Sowing

Containers for growing seedlings are filled with moist soil and the seeds are sown in furrows 1.5 cm deep at a distance of 2 cm. 1 cm of soil is poured on top. The containers are covered with plastic wrap or glass and placed in a dark place.

The optimal temperature for germination is +22…+25 °C. The film is periodically removed for half an hour to avoid soil molding.

Seedling care

After the sprouts appear, the containers are placed on the windowsill on the sunny side. Seedlings need sufficient light for normal development. It is recommended to extend daylight hours to 16 hours with the help of phytolamps.

Picking into separate glasses is done after the appearance of true leaves. The roots are shortened by 1/3 to stimulate the development of strong rhizomes.

Watering the seedlings is moderate, at the root level, as the top layer of soil dries.

1-2 weeks before being transferred to the ground, the seedlings are taken out to the balcony to harden and strengthen their defenses.

First care for tomato seedlings

Growing rules

The Indigo Rose tomato variety does not require much effort in biotechnology. High-quality seeds will help you grow a good harvest. But compliance with some rules is still necessary.

Planting seedlings

Seeds play a big role in the quality of the future harvest. They should be purchased from trusted manufacturers. Even the best seeds should be soaked in water before sowing. After the sprouts swell and peck, they are treated with potassium permanganate or a growth stimulator.

It is better to buy ready-made soil for tomatoes or make it yourself. It should be soft and loose. The soil is poured into the prepared container. You can sow the seeds in a common large container or directly into individual cups.

Seeds are planted at a depth of approximately 1 cm and at a distance of 10 cm from each other. Afterwards, the seeds are sprinkled with soil and watered using a shallow watering can or spray bottle. Watering is done daily until sprouts appear.

After the first shoots, containers with seedlings are transferred to a sunny place

It is important to monitor the air temperature in the room and avoid large changes. The optimal range is from + 18 °C to + 22 °C. After 4 leaves appear, the seedlings need to be pricked

Transplantation is carried out into individual cups. Dividing bushes must be done carefully so as not to damage the root system

After 4 leaves appear, the seedlings need to be pruned. Transplantation is carried out into individual cups. Dividing the bushes must be done carefully so as not to damage the root system.

Fertilizing during the growth period of seedlings is carried out 2 times - after the appearance of the 2nd leaf and after diving. Fertilizers are applied with a weak solution and carefully under the roots.

Tomato transplant

Indigo Rose tomato seedlings are ready for planting in a permanent place 50 days after sowing the seeds. By this time, the bushes reach a height of 25 cm. But the exact timing depends on the ambient temperature. In the southern regions it is possible to plant as early as mid-May, and in the northern regions only at the beginning of June. Also, the timing of planting depends on the growing method - you can transplant it into the greenhouse earlier.

For ease of care and harvesting, it is recommended to adhere to the standard pattern when planting tomatoes - about 40 cm between bushes and at least 70 cm between rows. In addition, such planting provides a sufficient amount of air and freedom of growth for the bushes.

Subsequent care for tomatoes

After planting seedlings, caring for Indigo Rose tomatoes is not much different from many other varieties.

This type of tomato is not a moisture-loving plant. It tolerates lack of moisture well. Watering can be done once a week. It is better to do this with warm water.

Feeding plays an important role. They help the plant grow stronger and accelerate ripening. The first feeding is carried out after planting the seedlings, the subsequent ones once a month. It is recommended to use complex fertilizers. It is very good to add ash as a source of calcium.

The most important care can be called stepsoning. This variety of tomatoes requires the formation of a bush with one or two trunks. The remaining stepsons are removed.

The bushes are quite tall and have long branches, so they require a mandatory garter. Otherwise, they will simply break under the weight.

Agricultural technology of tomatoes

Cultivation of the Florida 47 hybrid involves moderate moisture, loosening the soil or mulching with agrofibre, installing a drip irrigation system, and applying organic and mineral fertilizers.

Landing

The place for planting seedlings is chosen to be sunny, without drafts. Planting of seedlings in the ground begins after reaching 10 cm in height, 35-40 days after sowing. The ideal time for transferring to open ground is the second or third ten days of May, when the threat of frost has disappeared. Seedlings are planted in greenhouses when the ground warms up to +16 °C.

The distance between bushes should not exceed 60 cm.

Watering and loosening

Florida tomatoes love moderate watering and do not tolerate waterlogging or stagnation of water in the soil. The optimal level of humidity in the area will be provided by a drip irrigation system.

The soil is covered with black agrofibre to prevent the formation of a hard crust and the growth of weeds. The non-woven mulch covering perfectly allows moisture and air to pass through.

Advice . Instead of agrofibre, you can use straw, peat and sawdust.

There is no need for pinching bushes. The shoots do not interfere with the formation of ovaries and the ripening of fruits. Low-growing bushes do not require tying to supports.

Top dressing

Hybrid Florida needs organic and mineral fertilizers. Alternating several types of fertilizing increases productivity. The root system and the ground part of the bush completely assimilates organic matter, which stimulates the development of the plant and strengthens its defenses.

Stages of fertilizing:

• after transferring the seedlings to a permanent place - organic matter;
• before the formation of flower clusters and during the formation of ovaries - potassium-phosphorus fertilizers;
• during the fruiting process - potassium fertilizing with a small amount of phosphorus and nitrogen.

The interval between procedures is 10 days to avoid oversaturation of plants. The last portion of fertilizer is applied 14 days before the start of tomato harvesting.

Organic fertilizer options:

1. Take one part mullein to 5 parts water. Leave for two weeks, then dilute with water 1:2. Used for watering bushes at the root after planting seedlings in the ground, during flowering and fruiting.
2. The bucket is filled 2/3 with chopped nettle greens and water is poured to the top . Leave for 14 days and dilute with water for irrigation 1:10, for spraying - 1:20.
3. For 10 liters of water, take 2 cups of wood ash , leave for three days, filter and use for watering at the root.

Options for mineral supplements:

1. 40 g of potassium sulfate per 10 liters of water. This amount of solution is enough to treat 1 m².
2. 20 g of superphosphate per 1 liter of boiling water. The mixture is infused for 24 hours, then the volume is adjusted to 10 liters.
3. 10 g of diammofoska (26% potassium and phosphorus, 10% nitrogen) per 10 liters of water. The solution is used to water 1 m² of soil.
4. 1 tbsp. l. nitroammophosphate (16% potassium, phosphorus and nitrogen each) per 10 liters of water. Consumption per bush – 500 ml.

Unique Map of Mineral Fertilizers for TOMATOES for the season. Tomato feeding scheme

Features of cultivation

Florida hybrid is picky about soil composition. It shows the best results when grown in moderately acidic soil with a pH level of 6-6.5, dense and rich in oxygen. To determine the acidity of the soil, litmus papers or special devices with a long probe are used, which can be purchased at gardening stores.

The best crop predecessors are cabbage, onions, and carrots.

Important ! Tomatoes need sunlight and moderate humidity.

Tomato Florida - description and characteristics of the variety

Dutch breeders working at Seminis deliberately bred a hybrid tomato called Florida F1. The specialists' goal was to exclude a hybrid that could be grown en masse. According to the breeders themselves, sympathy has a gene that significantly increases the “keeping quality” of the fruit.

Tomatoes retain their presentation for a long time, making them suitable for large-scale cultivation and transportation. At the same time, the excellent taste of the tomatoes is preserved, as if this is an advantage of the hybrid compared to others intended for cultivation on a large scale.

Let's consider the main characteristics of tomatoes and recommendations for their cultivation.

The full name of these tomatoes sounds like “Florida 47” F1. This hybrid is mid-early. The bushes belong to the determinant type. Approximately 107-114 days pass from the date of germination of seedlings to the ripening of fruits.

Plants have the following characteristics:

1. The bushes are low-growing. As a rule, they do not reach a height of more than 0.7 m, but their trunk is quite strong.
2. The advantage is the well-developed and powerful root order of the bushes. It can go deep into the ground up to 1.5-2, and sometimes even 2.5 m.
3. Since the plant has fairly wide leaves, they slightly shade the fruits. This can also be called an advantage, as ripening tomatoes are protected from aggressive sunlight.
4. The plants form brushes through 1 leaf. They bloom very profusely throughout the growing season.
5. Each cluster has approximately 4-5 fruits.

The undeniable advantage of the hybrid is not only the good preservation and love of the fruits, but also the high resistance of the plants to weather changes. They suffer from sudden changes in temperature or the intense heat of the sun. Even in these unfavorable conditions, the bush continues to move forward like a giant and brings a good harvest.

In addition, the plants are quite resistant to a number of diseases characteristic of (types of tomatoes. This allows you to reduce the cost of caring for the bushes, and in addition ensures good survival of the bushes throughout the season.

What characteristics do female Florida tomato fruits have:

1. They have a flat-round shape, and their surface is slightly ribbed.
2. The weight of one Florida tomato is approximately 220-255 g.
3. They have a satisfactorily thick skin, which prevents them from cracking. But at the same time the sympathy is smooth.
4. When the fruits are fully ripe, they turn bright red.
5. They have fleshy, but quite juicy flesh.

The main advantage of the fruits is their ability to maintain an attractive presentation for several months. At the same time, they remain solid and do not deteriorate in any way. Due to this, the hybrid is recommended for cultivation for sale. Fruits do not deteriorate due to mechanical stress, and they can be transported over fairly long distances.

Agricultural technology

Florida is recommended for open ground. You can grow them here throughout the entire season. But, if you just read the reviews of experienced gardeners, you can find out that when growing in the middle zone of the country, it would not be a bad idea to give preference to a greenhouse. In the southern regions, open gesso is also suitable.

Taking into account growing recommendations, sowing seeds may occur from the very beginning to the end of spring.

When germination, it is necessary to maintain the temperature within 21-25 degrees. When the shoots appear, you need to wait about 12 days. After the formation of the first leaf, you can create a pick. During transplantation, experts advise cutting the roots to a third of their length. This is necessary so that the root structure of adult bushes turns out to be fibrous.

1-2 weeks before the intended planting, be sure to take the seedlings out into the air every day. This is necessary so that it hardens, and after planting it is easier for it to take root. On the 35-40th day, we plant the bushes in the ground. But you need to make sure that there is no threat of frost at night.

Whenever choosing a place for tomatoes on a plot, you need to take into account the plants’ devotion to light and average humidity. It is best if onions, early varieties of cabbage or cucumbers were previously grown in this place. As the plants grow, they will most likely need staking.

Fertilizers should be applied during the etiolation period. Both mineral and organic. Otherwise, the bushes do not require careful care. Do not allow the soil to become too wet. Therefore, watering should be moderate.

Diseases and insects

Hybrid Florida f1 is resistant to verticillium wilt, fusarium wilt, alternaria blight, gray spot, and tobacco mosaic. But like any other mid-season crops, tomatoes are susceptible to late blight infection.

Signs of the disease:

• gray-brown spots on leaves, stems and tomatoes;
• whitish coating on the back of the leaves;
• fruit deformation.

For prevention, greenhouses are fumigated with sulfur bombs, the soil is disinfected with copper sulfate, the soil is covered with mulch (sawdust, peat, pine needles, hay, agrofibre), and moderate watering is provided.

If the infection could not be prevented, the following drugs will come to the rescue: “Quadris”, “Fitosporin-M”, “Baikal”, “Antrakol”. Manufacturers indicate instructions for use and dosage on the packaging. Treatment frequency: once every two weeks.

Insecticides: Fitoverm, Neoron, Actellik will help get rid of pests (aphids, whiteflies, spider mites).

Folk remedies are no less effective:

1. 200 g of garlic arrows per 1 liter of warm water. Leave for seven days in a dark place. Add 50 ml of concentrate to 10 liters of water.
2. Pour 100 g of onion peel into 1 liter of water. Leave for 12 hours, use for spraying bushes.
3. Pour 100 g of dry yarrow herb into 1 liter of warm water. Let it sit for three days, strain and spray the bushes.

These products are used once a week.

Harvesting and application

Fruit harvesting begins 110-115 days after germination.

Tomatoes are universally used; they are used for preparing fresh seasonal salads, vegetable slices, juice, sauces, pasta, adjika, stews, and winter canning.

Development of the above-ground part of tomatoes

The third question that you should pay attention to when choosing tomato seeds is what type of aerial part of the variety or hybrid you choose. Plants are indeterminate and determinate. Plants are indeterminate and determinate

Plants are indeterminate and determinate

.

Indeterminate varieties and hybrids of tomatoes are characterized by unlimited growth and can reach a length of up to 6 meters (most often a length of 3-5 meters). It is recommended to grow such tall plants in glass greenhouses and form them into one stem.

Inflorescences in such tomatoes are formed every 3 leaves; up to 9 clusters can form on the plant, the first of which appears above the 8-12th leaf, and then after every 2nd.

In large-fruited indeterminate tomatoes

up to 4 fruits are formed in one cluster; in small-fruited cherry and cocktail tomatoes up to 30 fruits are formed. The fruiting period of this group begins 110-120 days after emergence.

Due to their high growth, indeterminate tomatoes are less susceptible to late blight.

The following varieties and hybrids are classified as indeterminate:

– Pleasure tomato, Irish liqueur tomato, Bull's heart tomato (tomatoes with pink, gold and orange fruits have been developed at the moment), Rugantino tomato, Esmira tomato, Attia tomato, Mintich cherry tomato, Black cherry tomato.

Determinate varieties of tomatoes

differ in limited growth from 50 cm to 120 cm, in a greenhouse they can reach up to 150 cm.

Such tomatoes are capable of forming inflorescences on lateral branches and determinate tomatoes are used in open ground and simplified film greenhouses; they require a simple garter and definitely require pinching.

Determinate varieties of tomatoes plant about 5 bunches on one plant, forming them through 1-2 leaves. The first inflorescence is formed above the 5-7 leaf. Determinate tomato varieties have short internodes. To obtain a full harvest, they require pinching.

Determinate varieties of tomatoes begin to bear fruit 80-100 days from the moment of germination, yield their harvest in unison, 50% of the fruits ripen during the first 20 days of the fruiting period.

Determinate tomatoes

They themselves stop growing after the formation of the last brush.

Among the determinant varieties, the following can be distinguished:

– Baron tomato, Uvalen tomato, Chanterelle tomato, Lyuban tomato, Pink Souvenir tomato, Pepper tomato, Polfast hybrid, Mei Shuai hybrid, Torquay hybrid.

Advantages and disadvantages

Advantages of a hybrid:

• powerful root system;
• there is no need to carry out pinching and gartering of bushes;
• excellent taste;
• wide foliage protects tomatoes from the scorching sun when grown in open ground;
• flower clusters are formed through the leaf and produce fruit ovaries throughout the entire period of plant growth;
• the culture is resistant to sudden weather changes;
• has immunity to nightshade viral diseases;
• the hybrid is endowed with a keeping quality gene - tomatoes are stored without loss of presentation for 2-3 months;
• tolerates transportation well.

Flaws:

• the plant is demanding on the composition of the soil;
• does not tolerate excess moisture.

Secrets of transplantation and care

After normal weather conditions have been established and the ground has warmed up slightly, seedlings are planted in the ground. For planting, select lands on which the following crops have not previously grown:

• potato;
• pepper;
• tomatoes;
• physalis.

It is recommended to add manure and compost to the soil ahead of time. This helps provide nutrients to the crop throughout the season. To obtain an early harvest, it is recommended to transplant the bushes into the ground after the beginning of the flowering phase.

For 1 sq.m. Usually 6 to 7 bushes are placed. Fruiting begins after the formation of the root system is completed. To make this happen faster, the plants are regularly hilled and loosened between the rows. This measure will help provide the roots with sufficient oxygen.

Tomatoes of the June variety are watered 2-5 times during the week. In case of excessive heat, watering is carried out every day. Water should flow under the root, avoiding contact with the plant itself.

To increase the number of fruits, it is recommended to treat the bushes with stimulating drugs. This will help in the formation of ovaries. There is no need to tie up or plant tomatoes of the June variety. Sometimes it is possible to form bushes with 4 stems.

During the season, you do not need to add organic matter to the soil of the site, since the nutrient content in the soil is optimal for the growth of the variety.

Not to be confused with Florida Petit variety

In addition to the hybrid Florida f1, a tomato with the similar name Florida petite is cultivated. This is a variety of miniature cherry tomatoes that can even be grown on a windowsill or balcony.

The plant is suitable for cultivation in open and closed ground, and has the following characteristics:

• ultra early ripening - 95 days from the appearance of sprouts;
• low-growing bushes do not exceed 30 cm in height;
• friendly ripening of small fruits;
• About 500 g of tomatoes are collected from one bush;
• ease of care;
• disease resistance;
• long shelf life;
• possibility of transportation over long distances;
• maximum fruit weight – 20 g;
• color when ripe is red;
• the pulp is sweet, aromatic;
• The fruits are suitable for canning, drying and fresh consumption.

In the photo - the Florida Petit variety.

Read the information on the seed package carefully to choose the crop you need.

Characteristics of the variety

This type of tomato was bred for the risky farming zone. Recommended for planting:

1. in open areas in Siberia;
2. in the Urals;
3. in the Far East.

The Japanese dwarf tomato is a super-deterministic variety.

There are many stepsons on the main stem that cannot be cut off. After all, it is on them that the ovaries and fruits are formed. The leaves are narrow and heavily pubescent.

From the characteristics it can be noted that this is supernormal diversity - fruiting occurs at the end of June. Due to the rapid ripening, the fruits are not damaged by late blight, since the main crop can be obtained before the rainy season. The fruits are round, bright red, large. The average weight of one tomato is about 200 g. Fruiting lasts until frost. From each bush you can collect up to 10 kg of ripe tomatoes, which have a sweet taste.

Reviews

Gardeners leave positive reviews about Florida and Florida petit tomatoes.

Inga, Vyksa: “I only recently learned about the Florida Petite variety of small tomatoes. I saw whole bunches of red fruits on my friend’s balcony and was inspired to grow them in a greenhouse at the dacha. I was pleased with the result. The yield was higher than stated on the package, and there was no need to put in much effort in care.”

Ivan, Obninsk: “I have been growing a Florida hybrid in a greenhouse for two years in a row. Tomatoes grow large, have a pleasant taste, and are stored for a long time. The crop rarely suffers from late blight, so I try to do preventive measures for this – I ventilate the greenhouse, water it moderately, and mulch the soil with sawdust.”

Evgenia, Yeysk: “Florida f1, in my opinion, is one of the best low-growing hybrids. I grow tomatoes in the garden using the spreading method. Fruiting is abundant and long lasting. Tomatoes ripen together, have the same size, uniform color, dense but tough skin. They need moderate watering and fertilizing.”