Velvet season is a proven tomato with which it is possible to get good yields even in risky farming conditions. The variety is suitable for northern and southern regions; it bears fruit consistently in unfavorable weather. Initially bred by breeders for the harsh climate of Siberia.
| Height | Landing location | Ripening time | Fruit color | Fruit size | Origin | Fruit shape |
| short | Greenhouse, Open ground | Mid-early | Reds | Large | Variety | Flat-round |
Description and characteristics of the variety
The Velvet Season variety is one of the low-growing determinants. The height of the bush is 50-60 cm. The stems are straight and strong.
Negative weather conditions do not affect the formation of ovaries, fruiting and harvest volume.
The variety is suitable for cultivation in all regions of the country, regardless of climatic conditions.
In northern latitudes it is better to give preference to cultivation in greenhouses or under film; in the southern parts of the country you can safely grow it in open ground. The small and compact size of the bush allows you to cultivate tomatoes in pots.
You can tie the bushes to a support so that the branches do not break off under the weight of ripening fruits. The first harvest is harvested 95-105 days after emergence. Tomatoes are large in size.
The average fruit weight is 200-300 g. Tomatoes are covered with dense and elastic velvety skin. Does not crack due to heavy watering, over-ripening or heat treatment.
Small fruits can be used for canning. Ripe tomatoes have a dark cherry color. The pulp is dense, fleshy, and has a high sugar content. The taste is sweet with pleasant sour notes.
The dense pulp is not watery, so it is not advisable to use for making juices. Tomatoes can be stored after picking from the bush for up to 2 weeks and tolerate transportation well.
The Velvet Season variety is easy to care for. It is enough to follow a simple regime of watering, loosening and mulching to get a stable harvest. Has good disease resistance.
Where can it be grown?
Mid-late varieties can be grown in a greenhouse or in open ground. But preference is still given to the first option.
Due to the fact that the vegetable takes a long time to ripen, it is better to protect it from external irritants so that the plant does not die or get sick. There are also varieties that are great for open ground, but most of them are designed for warm or moderate climates.
If your area is often cold, then these tomatoes are not suitable for outdoor cultivation.
In terms of size, indeterminate varieties are usually grown in greenhouse conditions, where they are easier to care for and there is less risk that the plant will get sick. Determinate tomatoes are usually grown in open ground, as they are less demanding.
Rules for preparing seedlings
In order to grow vegetables successfully, it is extremely important to prepare the seedlings on time. In order to do this in the case of mid-late vegetables, it is enough to use the following algorithm: In order to do this in the case of mid-late vegetables, it is enough to use the following algorithm:
In order to do this in the case of mid-late vegetables, it is enough to use the following algorithm:
- We determine the approximate time for planting the plant; keep in mind that it depends on many factors. To do this, you can read the recommendations on the seed packaging, or consult more experienced gardeners;
- Now you should subtract from this indicator the best age for seedlings, which for this type is 65 days;
- Subtract another 6 days that are allotted for seed germination.
This way we will get the optimal time to prepare the seedlings.
Features of cultivation
Thus, most varieties of mid-late tomatoes do not have the best endurance in terms of climatic conditions. Many are designed for warm climates, so unless your area is warm, grow them only in greenhouses.
Most types of mid-late tomatoes have excellent taste. These are probably the tastiest varieties of tomatoes, making them great for gourmets.
Despite the fact that most varieties are grown in a greenhouse, they are not picky, so even beginners can properly guide them to ripening. Interestingly, many types of mid-late vegetables are grown in apartments on the balcony.
Diseases and pests
The Velvet Season tomato has strong immunity and resists most diseases and pests. It is enough for the variety to follow simple agricultural techniques. The main thing is to follow the watering regime and not allow the soil to dry out excessively or become waterlogged.
To prevent diseases and pests, bushes can be treated with special preparations or folk remedies can be used.
Crop rotation helps control the development of diseases and repel pests on the site. In order not to provoke infection, you should avoid planting tomatoes in the same place for two years in a row, and also not plant them after peppers, eggplants, and potatoes.
All these crops are susceptible to the same diseases and pests. The best predecessors and neighbors are legumes, cereals, zucchini, cucumbers, cabbage, and greens.
The Velvet Season variety shows good yield. 3.5-4.5 kg of fruits are harvested from 1 bush or up to 10 kg from 1 sq. m with a planting frequency of up to 4 bushes.
Advantages and disadvantages of the Velvet Season variety
The variety has a number of positive qualities:
- tolerance to adverse weather conditions;
- resistance to drought and heat;
- high rates of seed germination;
- good taste;
- active, friendly fruiting;
- immunity to most diseases.
Among the shortcomings of the variety, no significant ones have been identified to warrant attention.
For the greenhouse
Standard tomatoes are mainly grown in open ground. In northern regions with limited agriculture, greenhouses are used.
It is recommended to install additional supports for plants. Main greenhouse varieties:
Antoshka
Plant 1 m high. Large lemon-colored fruits.
The variety is widely used in areas with harsh climatic conditions.
The ripening period for juicy fruits is 90 days.
The plant requires compliance with the temperature regime and soil moisture.
Rare variety. The fruits look like a heart of bright scarlet color.
Attracts connoisseurs of unusual vegetables.
Orange cap
The culture is actively used by summer residents for its resistance to late blight, viral mosaic, and other nightshade diseases. Disadvantages: it does not tolerate transportation well, produces low yields, and cannot be stored.
Advantages: it has an original taste and is used as decoration.
Cheerful gnome
The plant is distinguished by bizarrely shaped fruits that resemble a cylinder. The addition of ash and superphosphate during planting increases the yield.
Do not crack. They retain their commercial properties for a long time. They are successfully harvested as whole fruits.
Planting tomatoes
Despite their resistance to cool weather, it is recommended to grow Velvet Season tomatoes through seedlings. Sowing of seeds begins in March 55-60 days before the expected planting date.
Transplantation to a permanent place of growth is carried out in May, when night frosts stop and the earth warms up.
Growing seedlings
To accelerate the rate of growth and fruiting, it is recommended that tomato seeds be prepared and treated with disinfecting solutions and growth stimulants before sowing. For disinfection, special preparations or a weak solution of potassium permanganate are used.
Tomatoes need a lot of sunlight. Window sills facing the sunny side are chosen as a permanent place for growing seedlings. The duration of daylight should be at least 10 hours.
If there is a shortage, additional light sources are installed. Any lamps will do, but fluorescent or phytolamps show the greatest efficiency.
After 10-14 days, when 2-3 true leaves are formed, the seedlings are picked. Transplanting into a larger container and pinching the main root provokes the beginning of the growth of lateral branches. The root system of the plant becomes strong and strong.
A week before transferring the seedlings to a permanent place of growth, it is recommended to begin hardening off the tomatoes. They are taken outside or into a cool room. Recommended air temperature is +14 degrees.
Transplanting seedlings into open ground
Transplantation occurs in prepared soil. It is dug up in advance, humus and wood ash are added. Dig shallow holes and add compost to the bottom. Then water it with water. The seedlings are fixed in the center, sprinkled with earth and compacted a little.
Tomato tree: growing in open ground
When the plant stem grows to 1 m in length, it is transplanted into a large container. This could be an old bucket with holes in the bottom, or a barrel without a bottom. Some people use an old bathtub for these purposes. The main thing is that there is a drainage for water. The soil is prepared very nutritiously, alternating layers of fertile soil and rotted compost. You can prepare compost yourself in advance by putting mowed grass, vegetable and fruit peels, and wood scraps into a compost pit. Bird droppings or cow manure are also added there.
Until the beginning of June, the Octopus tomato is given time to form strong roots. During this period, all buds and shoots are removed, diseased leaves and accidentally damaged branches are torn off. After this, do not prevent the tomato tree from setting trusses for six weeks. As a rule, a large number of ovaries are formed, up to 30 pieces on each branch. The tree grows rapidly and becomes heavier.
The crown of the main trunk must be pinched at the height you need, because the Octopus tomato can grow up to 5 meters in height, which is not advisable for seasonal cultivation.
At this stage, it’s time to install supports and organize a garter, water the tomato generously and give enough fertilizing. The soil must be moist all the time; excess water will still leave through the drain. Feed the plant with compost infusion every 2 days. It does not overwinter like in a greenhouse, but bears fruit until frost. The tree is not preserved in winter. That’s why this method of growing is called seasonal. It is usually used when it is not possible to grow Octopus in greenhouse soil.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=CxeGKTQn2IE
Features of care
The first watering is carried out no earlier than 3 days after transplantation. Plants need to be given time to get used to and take root. After 7-10 days, you can install supports to secure the bushes.
Afterwards, watering is carried out as the top layer of soil dries with warm water under the root. The best time to water is early morning or late evening. It is not recommended to use a sprayer when watering so that moisture does not get on the leaves and stem.
It is necessary to regularly loosen and mulch the soil for better oxygen supply and moisture retention.
The development of the root system of tomatoes during the Velvet Season is facilitated by hilling the bushes. During the season the procedure is carried out 1-2 times.
Velvet Season tomatoes are an unpretentious variety that is suitable even for growing in Siberia. The process is practically no different from the classical requirements for culture, with the exception of the need for tying up bushes and hilling.
