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Yakov Pavlovich
Professor, Head of the Department of Vegetable Growing
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The Mushroom Basket tomato variety stands out noticeably from other types with its unusual fruit shape, which fully justifies its name. This type of tomato was obtained thanks to the efforts of Siberian breeders V.N. Dederko and O.V. Postnikova. This strange tomato variety appeared in 2007, and was entered into the State Register a year later. The variety can be grown in greenhouses and open ground.
Description and characteristics of tomato Mushroom basket
The Mushroom Basket tomato belongs to the category of indeterminate species, which means that the plant has unlimited growth of the main shoot. The height of the bush in a greenhouse reaches 1.5 m, and in open ground - 1.2 m. This variety is a standard variety and is distinguished by a strong main stem.
The shoots of the tomato are medium-leafed, the internodes are not long. The leaves are of a standard shape, dark green in color with a slightly corrugated surface. The inflorescences are simple. The first fruit cluster is formed above the 4-5 leaf, and then every 2 leaves.
Tomatoes of this variety are flat-round, with strong ribbing. At first glance at them, it seems that they consist of separate lobules. 3-4 tomatoes are formed on one brush. The average weight of each is about 250 g, but there are also specimens weighing 350-400 g.
Mushroom basket tomatoes acquire a red-pink color when ripe, but the color is gradual and uneven. The green spot on the stalk persists for a long time.
Tomatoes look very impressive when cross-sectioned; each of them contains about 6 seed chambers. The pulp is fleshy, medium density. The taste of tomatoes is balanced in terms of sugar and acid content.
Expert opinion
Stanislav Pavlovich
Gardener with 17 years of experience and our expert
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Note! When you cut the Mushroom Basket tomatoes, no juice comes out.
The variety is considered late ripening. Tomatoes ripen 120 days after the first shoots appear. The yield is high, from one bush you can harvest 3 kg, and from 1 sq. m – 6.3 kg. The collected fruits are stored well for 2 weeks in a cool room and their taste only improves. The variety can easily be transported, but due to its unique shape it requires special containers.
The main pros and cons of the variety
Mushroom basket, like all other types, has its advantages and disadvantages. Therefore, when choosing this variety, you should study them.
Main advantages:
- high productivity;
- original appearance of the fruit;
- high taste qualities;
- well stored;
- tomatoes do not crack;
- Suitable for decorating dishes.
Flaws:
- fruits may not be juicy enough due to lack of nutrition and moisture;
- long ripening;
- the presence of voids inside the chambers;
- requires the formation of bushes, removal of stepsons;
- needs support.
The benefits of tomatoes
Tomatoes are not only tasty, but also healthy. The fruits are rich in carotene and contain lycopene, which is a powerful antioxidant. Vegetables also contain a complex of vitamins: A, C, E, B, K, PP. Tomatoes contain useful microelements - iron, potassium, zinc, magnesium. Despite their taste, tomatoes remain a low-calorie product.
Mushroom basket tomatoes are good fresh. Salads and other dishes are prepared from them. But this variety is not suitable for canning. Primarily because the fruits are very large. In addition, the variety is characterized by gnarliness; the mushroom basket lacks juiciness. Cut fruits, shaped like flowers, are very impressive. Vegetables of this variety are ideal for serving and decorating the table.
Tomatoes of the Mushroom Basket variety have an original appearance, which attracts the attention of those who decide to grow these plants. Summer residents and gardeners who have tried to grow tomatoes on their plots receive good harvests. In their reviews, they recommend this type of vegetable and give advice on caring for it.
Video about growing tomatoes of the Mushroom Basket variety:
Subtleties of growing crops
Tomato Mushroom basket should be grown in seedlings. It is recommended to sow seeds 60-70 days before planting in a permanent place. Therefore, when growing a variety in a greenhouse, it is recommended to sow seedlings at the end of February, and in open ground - in the first half of March.
See also Features of cultivation, description and characteristics of the President tomato
How to prepare seeds?
Immediately before planting, tomato seeds must be disinfected. To do this, they should be immersed in a slightly pink solution of potassium permanganate for 15-20 minutes, and then rinsed under clean water and dried slightly.
Expert opinion
Stanislav Pavlovich
Gardener with 17 years of experience and our expert
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Note! The Mushroom Basket tomato has a high percentage of seed germination, so it does not need treatment with growth stimulants.
Sowing seed material
For planting, it is necessary to prepare wide containers, 10 cm high. They must be equipped with drainage holes to remove excess moisture. It is also necessary to prepare the substrate. You can buy it at the store or make it yourself. To do this, you will need to mix turf, leaf soil, sand and humus in a ratio of 2:1:1:1.
Landing algorithm:
- Fill containers with substrate and water.
- Smooth the surface after the water has been absorbed.
- Place the seeds at a distance of 2 cm from each other, press lightly to the ground.
- Sprinkle a 0.5 cm layer of soil on top.
- Moisten the top of the substrate with a spray bottle.
After planting, the containers should be covered with film and placed in a dark place with a temperature of +25 degrees. Mushroom basket seeds germinate in 5-6 days.
When most of the sprouts appear, the containers should be moved to a well-lit windowsill and the temperature should be reduced to +18 degrees. This is necessary to prevent sprouts from stretching and for the development of the root system. After a week of such maintenance, the temperature should be raised to +20 degrees and maintained in this mode until planting in open ground.
Expert opinion
Stanislav Pavlovich
Gardener with 17 years of experience and our expert
Ask a Question
Note! Tomato Mushroom basket is a heat-loving variety and any sudden temperature fluctuations at the early stage of seedling development can lead to the death of seedlings.
When the plants have formed 2 true leaves, they need to be picked into separate containers.
Rules for planting seedlings
Tomato seedlings should be transplanted into a mushroom basket when the soil has warmed up sufficiently to a depth of 20 cm and the likelihood of return frosts has disappeared. Therefore, you should not rush through the procedure.
When planting seedlings in the holes, you need to add wood ash. It is recommended to bury the seedlings until the first pair of leaves, which promotes the growth of the root system. You need to install a support next to each plant so that you can later tie the stem to it as it grows. Planting scheme – 3-4 seedlings per 1 sq. m.
Nuances of plant care
10 days after transplanting the seedlings to a permanent place, it is necessary to carry out the first feeding. During this period, it is recommended to use mullein 1:10 or chicken manure 1:15. Water the tomatoes at the root with a nutrient solution at the rate of 1 liter for each seedling.
See also Characteristics and description of the Abakan pink tomato variety
The second and third feeding should be carried out during flowering and fruit set. During this period, tomatoes need other components. Therefore, you need to use mineral fertilizers such as superphosphate (40 g) and potassium sulfide (30 g) per 10 liters of water. In the future, wood ash can also be used for fertilizing. It needs to be scattered at the base of the bushes.
Tomato mushroom basket requires regular watering. With a lack of moisture, voids form inside the fruit. Therefore, the soil should be moistened once every 3 days during hot periods, and once every 5 days during cool periods. To prevent excessive evaporation of moisture and the formation of crust on the surface, it is recommended to lay peat or humus mulch at the base of the bushes.
Tomato mushroom basket reacts poorly not only to cool conditions, but also to heat. Therefore, when growing in a greenhouse, it is necessary to ventilate it regularly.
Care
There should be a lot of light for the Mushroom Basket variety, but it loves warmth more, so it is worth planting bushes under shelters. By the way, there is no need to take care of additional light sources here, since the darkness of the second half of the day will not affect the fruits and growth.
You should carefully monitor the temperature, as the Mushroom Basket is very sensitive to it. Any fluctuations will reduce the potential yield. It is also important to prevent dampness, otherwise the plant will instantly drop its flowers.
Step-sonning is mandatory. And it is best to install drip irrigation.
During the growth process, tomatoes of this variety will not be affected by any fungal diseases if the seeds are treated with potassium permanganate.
Already mature plants are sprayed with Fitosporin for prevention.
It is important to check the leaves from time to time, as aphids, whiteflies or spider mites like to infest them. If you notice signs of pests, the bushes are treated, but always with non-toxic medications. Eg:
- A solution of ammonia.
- Tincture of celandine.
- Soap and water.
It is recommended to wipe the affected leaves with these solutions for greater effect. And when they begin to cover the fruits, they need to be removed.
As soon as the fruits begin to appear, the plants are fed with magnesium sulfate in the proportion of 1 tablespoon per 10 liters of water (for 4 bushes). This must be done, because with a lack of nutrition and water, the tomatoes become dry.
Having fulfilled all the conditions described here, you are guaranteed to have a large harvest of Mushroom Basket tomatoes on your plot, the taste and funny shape of which will delight all lovers of tomato dishes.
Diseases and pests
The mushroom basket can be affected by late blight and gray rot. Therefore, for preventive purposes, it is recommended to spray the bushes with fungicides. Treatment should begin 2 weeks after transplantation to a permanent location. And then carry it out every 14 days.
To protect bushes, it is recommended to use the following drugs:
- "Ridomil Gold";
- "Bordeaux mixture";
- "Home";
- "Ordan";
- "Fitosporin".
Tomato Mushroom basket is resistant to pests. But at elevated temperatures and humidity in the greenhouse, it can be affected by whiteflies. To destroy the pest, it is recommended to water the plants with Aktary solution and treat the above-ground part with Fitoverm. To prevent the appearance of whiteflies, it is necessary to mulch the soil and regularly ventilate the greenhouse.
Pest and disease control
The main pests of nightshade crops, to which the Babushkino Lukoshko tomato belongs, are the Colorado potato beetle, aphids, whiteflies, and armyworms.
To combat them, insecticidal spectrum drugs are suitable: Aktara, Decis-profi, Confidor, Pproclaim, Inta-vir.
Treatment with insecticides is carried out only in the evening and in calm weather.
A common disease of tomatoes is late blight, the treatment of which is possible only with the help of the following fungicides: Fitosporin, Ridomil Gold, Tilt 250, Fundazol, Khom and its derivatives (Polychom, Oxychom), Bordeaux mixture.
When treating with fungicides, it is necessary to strictly observe proportions and safety measures.
Timely prevention and treatment of Grandmother's Basket seedlings will allow you to avoid problems and get the long-awaited harvest of ripe tomatoes.
