Octopus tomato F1 is a hybrid crop that belongs to perennial plants. One of the most unusual varieties of tomatoes. The fact is that this is not a familiar-looking bush, but a real tomato tree, producing up to 1.5 tons of excellent quality tomatoes. And an ordinary summer resident will be able to grow this tree if certain conditions are met. Which ones? All answers are in this article.
general characteristics
This tree received such an unusual name for its ability to quickly and completely envelop a trellis, the surface of a greenhouse and any other support with its shoots. And the tree, because it reaches a height of 5 m and above, i.e., looking ahead, it is worth noting that it will need a lot of space for growing and full development. This is clearly visible in the photographs. In addition, it needs 2 seasons to fully mature.
Thanks to their smooth, round shape and small size, these tomatoes are just right for pickling and various types of canning. The color of the fruit is the usual - red, and the taste exceeds all expectations. In any case, the reviews for this variety are the most positive.
The advantages include their long-term and good preservation both in storage and in transportation. Many summer residents claim that they enjoy these fresh tomatoes even on New Year’s Eve.
Advantages of Octopus F1 tomatoes
In addition to tasty fruits and intensive development, the advantages of this variety include:
- Good branching.
- Fruiting from July to September.
- Uniform distribution of fruits according to taste. Tomatoes collected at the top of the bush are no different from tomatoes picked at the bottom.
- Adaptability to high humidity, cold and heat.
Features of the variety
The octopus tomato tree is declared to be high-yielding. But it is worth mentioning that the result will be only if the conditions of proper care and knowledge of the characteristics of this variety are met. In general, the growing process is not difficult, but it will take some effort.
This variety can only be grown in greenhouse conditions. Moreover, greenhouses must be large, spacious and necessarily heated. The optimal temperature for harmonious development is considered to be 24-26 degrees in summer and not lower than 19 degrees in cold periods. In any case, this is what many farmers say.
But ordinary summer residents and gardeners decided to refute this and decided to grow this tree directly in the open ground. True, in the OG this variety can only be cultivated for one season. At the same time, the tree does not grow as large in size, but even during this period, with proper care, it was possible to collect a decent harvest (up to 10 kg per bush).
When growing Octopus F1 not in a greenhouse, you can use the same complex fertilizers as for other tomatoes.
On an industrial scale, this variety is grown using hydroponic technology, which makes it possible to clearly control the supply of oxygen to the roots and identify the lack of certain nutrients for the plant.
On a note! Hydroponics is a method where absolutely any plant is grown in an artificially created environment without soil. Farmers (and summer residents too) use plugs that absorb moisture well as hydroponics, where they plant seeds.
Recommendations for growing tomatoes Octopus F1
The seedlings of these tomatoes should be illuminated in the evening. If you plan to grow tomatoes using conventional technology, in the ground, the seeds are planted not in boxes, but in larger containers. Many gardeners sow them in plastic bags filled with soil mixture (several pieces). When transferring seedlings into the ground, the main root of tomatoes of this variety must be cut off. This promotes rapid development of the root system. Trellis are also a must when growing these plants. After all, large size is what distinguishes the Octopus F1 tomato. Reviews (photos presented on the page clearly show the size of the bushes) about these tomatoes are good mainly from those gardeners who did not violate any recommendations or technologies in the process of growing them.
For example, Octopus tomatoes should never be pinched. An attempt to artificially form the crown of tomatoes of this variety can lead to a significant reduction in yield. The gardener only needs to ensure that no yellowed leaves remain on the bushes or trees. When growing in soil, fertilizing is applied at the root.
Agrotechnics of cultivation
It all starts with the purchase of seeds, which are purchased in a specialized store. They are planted in January-February. To guarantee seed germination, the following conditions are necessary:
- temperature 20-23 degrees (if necessary, install additional heating).
- lighting is a must!
- soil moisture.
In terms of timing: germination occurs in 7-14 days, the soil should be moist, but not in excess.
On a note! According to statistics, Sedek products are the best sellers.
After germination, when the seedlings become stronger, picking will be required. Because Since the Octopus F1 root system is superficial, it is better to grow seedlings in wide but shallow boxes. Or use capacious plastic bags.
Before planting in a greenhouse, the soil must be provided with fertilizers. The best soil for this variety is waterproof, saturated with humic acids with an acidity of Ph 5.5 - 6.8. If yours is not like that, add humus compost. A tomato tree will grow well in a warm, well-lit place.
After planting, the seedlings are watered abundantly. Mulch is used to retain moisture.
Advice! Place one flat stone near each tomato bush. Stones draw moisture from the ground and prevent it from quickly evaporating.
Take care of additional supports both in the greenhouse and when growing octopus f1 in open ground, because The crown of the tree is impressively spreading. Look at the photo.
The peculiarity of this variety is that when transplanting into the ground, it is recommended to cut off the main root, due to which a powerful root system develops.
You may be interested in: Dates for planting tomato seedlings in open ground and greenhouses according to the garden calendar Favorable days for planting tomatoes for seedlings in 2022 according to the lunar sowing calendar Favorable days for picking tomatoes in 2022 after germination: timing of picking tomato seedlings in the table by day
And you cannot remove stepsons from this variety. In this case, you will personally reduce the amount of harvest. You just need to remove wilted, yellowed leaves in time.
Fertilizers are applied every two weeks using the root feeding method.
It will take two years for the Octopus F1 tomato tree to finally form, and after that you can harvest it every year. That is why summer residents do not dare to fully grow this variety. And they only use it for a season, but as was said, this is enough for a good harvest.
Description
The size of this indeterminate plant is amazing. The height of the bush exceeds 2.5 meters, and in a heated greenhouse with extended technology, the tomato grows to a fantastic 6 meters. In terms of area, the plant can spread over 2.5 square meters, and according to reviews, up to 4. The variety got its name for such spreading. The plant is very powerful, with a well-developed root system. The foliage is dense. The leaf blade is large, dark green. Internodes are long. Shoot-forming ability is high. Octopus is a raceme tomato and has simple inflorescences. Pedicel with articulation. The number of fruit clusters set depends on the way the plant is formed. If the size of the greenhouse restricts growth, then from 7 to 12 inflorescences are formed. In a professional greenhouse, the miracle tree will form from 15 to 40 inflorescences (and even more), which are planted every 3 leaves. Each brush will contain 5 - 6 tomatoes.
The fruits of Octopus are smooth, round in shape, with a small depression at the top, dense and fleshy, with a diameter of 6 - 7 cm, weighing 100 - 160 grams. An unripe tomato is light green, without a spot at the stalk. When ripe, it turns an even red color. The skin is smooth, shiny, thick. The pulp of the variety is juicy, the seed chambers are from 4 to 6. The taste is excellent, sweetness predominates, sourness is barely noticeable. But some gardeners point to mediocre taste.
What problems may arise
Rot - often appears on bushes in open ground. Carefully monitor the humidity and frequency of watering the tomato octopus.
Yellowed leaves - if no visible plant disease is detected, then this is a sign of magnesium deficiency. Apply fertilizers with this component.
Curling of leaves is either aphids or too low temperatures at night.
Aphids - when fighting them, it is enough to spray the leaves with cold water or a soap solution familiar to people, which fights this scourge well. The tomatoes will not be harmed.
Caterpillars - to stop their spread, it is better to collect them by hand. Plant dill nearby, the smell of which these insects do not like.
Mosaic patterns on the leaves, their swelling is a virus. Immediately remove affected leaves and tomatoes nearby, and then thoroughly clean the tools and wash your hands. After removing diseased leaves, do not try to touch healthy bushes with the same hands and tools.
Advantages and disadvantages of the variety
The main advantage of the Sprut Slivka variety is its high yield.
The elastic peel of the fruit allows them to be stored for a long time, transported and closed for the winter in their entirety.
pros
- outstanding flavor and versatility of tomatoes;
- long fruiting;
- high resistance to pests and diseases;
- ease of cultivation and care.
Minuses
- demanding soil nutritional indicators;
- bushes need to be formed;
- needs frequent feeding.
The positives outweigh all the negatives. Therefore, this variety is very popular among novice gardeners and professionals.
Varieties of tomato trees
The octopus cream tomato is a hybrid that produces a harvest of excellent quantity and for a long time. Early harvest period. Resistant to diseases. The variety is named for the similarity of the fruit in shape to a plum, while the color of the fruit is the usual - red.
The cherry octopus is a tomato tree of impressive size. When cultivated for many years, it reaches a height of 5.5 m. An early ripening variety. Approximately 115 days pass from planting to harvest. It has strong immunity to many types of tomato diseases. One bush, with proper care, produces up to 12 kg of tomato with a sweet and sour taste.
Octopus cream F1 is a unique variety. We recommend trying to grow it on your own plot in open ground or a greenhouse if you have never done this before. Or share your impressions if you already have experience.
What pests can affect
Sprut F1 tomatoes are practically insensitive to diseases. However, sometimes bacteria, fungi or common insect pests can still attack these plants. Like most other tomatoes, this variety is afraid of infections such as root, white and gray rot, mosaic, late blight, fomoz, etc. Therefore, when growing the Sprut F1 tomato, a number of preventive measures should be taken to prevent infection. In addition to fungi and bacteria, insects such as spider mites, cutworms or whiteflies can cause damage to them.
