Description of the Ursa Major tomato, variety yield, reviews

Description and characteristics of the variety

“Ursa Major” has been in the state register of the Russian Federation since 2013. This variety has successfully passed all tests and is recommended for cultivation in any region. Plants develop equally well both in greenhouses and in open ground, in temporary shelters and greenhouses, that is, the variety is considered universal.

On a note! The “Big Bear” variety was bred by breeders: V.G. Kachainik, I.M. Afonina, N.V. Nastenko.

Description of the plant and fruits

1. Tomato bushes are very tall, indeterminate (with an unlimited period of stem growth). In greenhouse conditions, the bushes grow up to two meters, in open beds up to 120-150 cm. You can stop the growth by pinching the central shoot.
2. Unripe tomatoes are pale green in color. When ripe, the fruits are soft pink, the shade is even and rich. There is no dark green spot at the base.
3. If you cut a ripe tomato in half, you will see dense pink flesh and a small amount of seeds inside. Fruits usually have more than six chambers.
4. Seed producers indicate that the average weight of Ursa Major fruits ranges from 210 to 260 g. But it has been experimentally established that tomatoes often grow much larger, up to 500 g or even more.

5. The shape of the tomatoes is flat-round. There is a faint ribbing along the perimeter.

Productivity

Provided that tomatoes are properly cared for, favorable growing conditions are maintained, and agricultural practices are followed, up to 15 kg of tomatoes can be obtained from each square meter of bed area.

Ripening time

In greenhouse conditions, tomatoes of the Ursa Major variety begin to ripen evenly after 100-110 days, counting from the day of emergence. That is, tomatoes are picked from the bush already in July.

If plants are grown in open ground, the timing of fruit ripeness increases slightly. Thus, the variety belongs to both early and mid-early species. It all depends on the growing conditions.

Description of fruits

5-7 ovaries are formed on the hand. The first fruits are larger in size and are often 1.5-2 times larger than the rest. Most often, they are among the record holders in terms of weight. The remaining tomatoes have an average weight of 500-800 g.

The shape of the fruit is round, slightly flattened. According to reviews and photos, Ursa Major tomatoes have weak ribbing around the perimeter and well-defined closer to the stalk. The skin is dense and shiny, but can crack in humid summers.

The pulp is pink, granular. There are many seed chambers, but they are small. In general, the fruit can be described as fleshy.

The taste benefits of Ursa Major tomatoes make them indispensable for preparing summer salads. The granular pulp has a sweet taste with barely noticeable sourness. The aroma is tomato, not very pronounced.

Due to their large size and weight, the fruits are not suitable for whole canning. But when making juice or puree, Ursa Major tomatoes will come in handy: the increased sugar content of tomatoes gives the preparations a wonderful taste.

Important subtleties of growing Ursa Major tomatoes

To grow a healthy and rich harvest, it is necessary to comply with a number of growing conditions:

• be sure to pick the seedlings;
• do not plant more than four bushes on one square meter of beds. And the optimal quantity is 3 bushes per 1 m3;
• pluck out the shoots during the entire growing season of tomatoes. This variety is extremely sensitive to lack of light and does not tolerate shading;
• form a bush into two stems. When formed into one stem, yield indicators decrease;
• long bushes must be tied to strong, rigid trellises, otherwise they will droop and break;
• maintain optimal temperature conditions, soil and air humidity, since adult plants are most sensitive to uncomfortable environmental conditions and react to them by reducing yield;

• Apply fertilizers containing phosphorus and potassium to the soil. During the flowering period, treat the bushes with the preparation “Ovary”.

These subtleties of cultivation can be attributed to the minor disadvantages of the culture. Mature plants should not be left without attention. The variety is suitable for those gardeners who visit their plot more than three times a week and are ready to take good care of their tomatoes.

All the cultivation efforts, of course, pay off:

• a large number of tomatoes collected from the garden beds;
• beautiful pink fruits with thin skin (excellent presentation), not prone to cracking;
• pleasant delicate taste of tomatoes. The fruits are fleshy and literally melt in your mouth;
• good keeping quality of fruits and the ability to transport them.

On a note! Seedlings, unlike adult plants, are not so demanding on growing conditions, which is also a big plus and an argument “FOR” growing these wonderful large tomatoes.

About the Ursa Major variety

From one Ursa Major tomato you can make a salad for a family of four. This wonderful variety was developed by a group of talented authors: N.V. Nastenko, I.M. Afonina, V.G. Kachainik. The variety shows good yield - 15 kg/m².

The indicator is given for greenhouses and can be obtained with high agricultural technology. Early fruit ripening is typical for the variety - the first tomatoes are harvested on the 100th or 110th day from the first shoots.

Main characteristics of fruits

The fruits are pink, for salad purposes. The descriptions of some gardeners and the photographs provided indicate large-sized tomatoes. Record specimens weighed 500 g or more. The seed manufacturer stated that the weight (size) of the fruit is 210 - 260 g.

The fruits are flat-round, with slightly noticeable ribbing around the perimeter. The pulp of tomatoes is moderately dense. Unripe tomatoes are pale green in color; the dark green spot at the base is completely absent. The ripe fruit is colored even pink. The cut pulp is sugary, there are few seeds, there are up to 6 chambers.

Description of the bush

Ursa Major is a typical indent, has unlimited growth power, the growth of the bush is stopped by pinching the growth point on the central shoot. It is recommended to keep the bushes in 2 stems. In open ground the bushes grow shorter - 1.2 m, in a greenhouse - 1.7 - 1.8 m, in some cases - up to 2 m.

The bushes need a strong support (trellis). When planting seedlings in a greenhouse (open ground), dense planting is excluded. It is worth placing 3 bushes per 1 m², and 4 bushes if the area is limited in size. To avoid shading, stepsons are plucked throughout the growing season.

How to grow tomato seedlings "Big Dipper"

Step 1. Preparing seeds and soil

You can grow seedlings in a purchased substrate or a mixture of garden soil and humus. The second option is preferable, because the seedlings should immediately get used to the soil in which they will grow in the future. We sift the soil for seedlings and remove the stones from it. It is advisable to steam the soil in advance by steaming or in the oven. On the day when the seeds are planted, we moisten the soil well.

We do not prepare purchased seeds for planting.

Important! You should not plant exactly as many seeds as can fit in the beds or greenhouse. It is better to make a reserve in case some of the plants die during sudden severe frosts or other emergency situations. Make one or two “reserve snails” that will remain at home on the window during the period when the main number of roots will be planted in the ground.

Step 2. Preparing the tools and materials necessary for growing seedlings

1. Stationery erasers. Sold in sets. Or stationery/painting tape.
2. Medical shoe covers or food film in rolls.
3. Multi-layer toilet paper.
4. Sharp knife.
5. Cutting board.
6. Tweezers.
7. Permanent marker with water to sign “snail”.
8. Underlay for Plenex floor coverings. The thickness of the substrate is strictly 2 mm. The backing should not be foil.

We fasten the roll of backing with tape in two or three places so that it does not fray. The roll must be cut into strips, the width of which is equal to or slightly less than the width of the toilet paper roll. We put a mark on the substrate and cut with a large sharp kitchen knife (not scissors). In the future, small uneven edges can be trimmed.

Step 3. Planting seeds “in the snail”

Align the edge of the cut backing with the edge of the toilet paper roll. Place on a cutting board and roll out to about 30 cm.

Important! At this stage, we do not cut the backing to length. We will do this when we have planted all the seeds. In one “snail” you can grow several varieties of tomatoes at once, if you separate them with a “limiter” in the form of a plastic disposable knife with the signature of the variety. But it is better not to grow too many varieties in one roll to avoid confusion. Optimally 1-2 varieties in one “snail”.

How to calculate the length of the “snail” in advance? It's simple. Seeds on the substrate will be placed at intervals of, for example, 10 cm and with a distance of 5 cm from the edges. That is, to calculate the length, we simply multiply the interval between seeds by the number of seeds and add 10 cm.

We moisten toilet paper generously from a spray bottle (or syringe) with a solution of the drug “Epin” at the rate of 3 drops per 0.5 liter of warm water. We lay out the seeds of the Ursa Major tomatoes with tweezers at intervals of at least 2 cm and no more than 10 cm and at a distance of 0.5-1 cm from the edge of the substrate. Twist the “snail”.

We cut off the excess part of the backing and secure the roll with a piece of tape. We put the “snail” in a regular plastic bag, tie it at the top, place all the “snails” in a box and put it in a warm place.

After 3 days we check the condition of the seeds. We remove the rolls from the bags and unfold them. The seeds should “hatch”.

Cover the sprouted seeds with a 1-2 cm layer of soil and roll up the “snail” again. We secure the roll. Place it vertically and sprinkle it generously with soil.

We spray the “snail” with a solution of the drug “Fitosporin-M” from a spray bottle and cover it with a garbage bag or cling film, which we remove after the sprouts appear.

Place the snails with the planted seeds in a box or any other suitable container and cover with film until shoots emerge.

Before green sprouts appear, you need to ventilate the “snails” by removing the film for 15-20 minutes daily.

Step 4. Caring for seedlings

Care consists of periodically watering the “snails” with a syringe. Do not over-moisten the soil or over-dry it.

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

Step 5. Picking tomatoes into diapers

It is necessary to pick seedlings. If this is not done, the sprouts will begin to stretch.

We take our “snail”, remove the fixing rubber bands from it, place the bundle horizontally on a table covered with newspapers or film. We bend the edge of the “snail”.

Important! You shouldn’t unroll the entire “snail” at once. Perhaps you are physically unable or do not want to pick the entire volume of tomatoes at once, you want to take a break from work, etc.

We take a “diaper”, that is, an ordinary transparent cellophane food bag (packaging) measuring 22x32 cm. We put it on the table or, if it’s more convenient, for distribution.

Important! You should not use paper or newspapers as a “diaper”. They quickly get wet and lose their shape.

Pour one tablespoon of soil onto the “diaper” (in the middle). We extract the first sprout from the “snail” and, together with a lump of earth, transfer it to the “diaper”. Pour another tablespoon (or a little less) of soil on top of the root and lightly press the soil with your hand. The soil should cover the stem up to the cotyledon leaves.

If the soil is too dry and crumbles, then spray it generously with water from a spray bottle, and only after that put the sprout on the “diaper”. If the tomato roots are too long, their lower ends can be slightly bent. You should not pinch or pick off the roots of tomatoes.

Important! During the picking process, we discard weak sprouts that are lagging in growth.

On a note! Tomatoes are a crop that tolerates picking and transplanting well.

We begin to “swaddle” the sprout:

• we wrap the left free end of the bag, covering the lump of earth;
• we bend the bottom edge of the bag (you can first tuck the bottom edge, then the free ends of the bag to the right and left of the clod of earth);
• We wrap the remaining end of the bag around, forming a neat package;
• We secure the “diaper” with a rubber band and place it vertically in a regular fruit box or other similar container with a low side. We pre-place a two-centimeter layer of wet sawdust on the bottom of the box;
• We place the bundles in the container tightly next to each other.

On a note! If the seedlings are large, then we do not tuck the bottom edge of the “diaper”. Simply add two handfuls of soil, place the sprout, add another handful of soil, and then wrap the bag tightly. In this case, the bottom will be open.

When all the seedlings have been picked, the box should be removed to a warm, bright place.

You can add soil to the “diaper” as the seedlings grow. To do this, unfold the bag, add a little soil, and then roll the “diaper” back and put it in the box.

On a note! There is no need to rush into picking. It is better to do it a little later, when the sprouts have three leaves.

For hardening, seedlings can be placed in a polycarbonate greenhouse or loggia for several minutes, gradually increasing the time to several hours. If the air temperature is below +15°C, it is better to cover the sprouts with any covering material.

Reviews from tomato lovers

Reviews on the forums are positive. Summer residents are satisfied with the taste, color, and size of the fruit.

Elena, Kharkov region:

“Ursa Major was a hit for me last season. After only 100 days, the first pink tomatoes began to be picked in the greenhouse; in the open ground they ripened later - towards the end of August. I weighed it several times for fun, the weight of the tomatoes ranged from 500 to 800 g. Two tomatoes weighed up to 1.5 kg. When cut, the pulp is juicy and sugary. I added this variety to my favorites and will plant it.”

An excellent variety for summer consumption. Delicious salads, healthy juice - everything will be in abundance on the table if the new variety Ursa Major from is planted in the garden.

Many people confuse the Ursa Major tomato with others that have similar names (Siberian Bear). The characteristics of these varieties are similar; they all belong to the group of giants - large-fruited varieties. But only Ursa Major is distinguished by the record weight of individual fruits, reaching 1.5 kg.

Transplanting seedlings to the garden bed

We dig holes in the beds at intervals of 50 cm and arrange them in a checkerboard pattern.

Pour a handful of ash and the same amount of humus into each hole, mix the fertilizers with the soil, and then pour half a bucket of water into the hole.

We take the seedling out of the “diaper”, place it in the hole, sprinkle it with earth, compacting it. Water the plant again with water.

Advice! If the tomatoes will be grown in open ground, then for better adaptation of the newly planted seedlings, we place arcs over the plants and stretch black covering material. After 4 days the covering can be removed.

Video - Growing tomatoes. Agronomist Advice

A little about the features of cultivation and care

The peculiarities of Ursa Major include the undemandingness of seedlings to light levels. Adult tomatoes, on the contrary, are very susceptible to uncomfortable living conditions. The productivity of the crop largely depends on temperature conditions, air humidity and soil. In unfavorable summer weather conditions, the variety may show poor results.

The best results are achieved when growing a bush with 2 stems . Due to the large fruits, the bushes need strong support and regular staking of branches.

During the period of fruit formation, tomatoes respond well to fertilizers containing potassium and phosphorus. In hot weather, flowering bushes should be sprayed with Ovary.

Which varieties are classified as early

First of all, you need to decide which varieties of tomatoes belong to early and ultra-early.

Early-ripening tomatoes are usually called those that begin to bear fruit 90-95 (plus or minus 10) days after the first shoots appear.

Ultra-early - those that produce tomatoes already 2.5 months after seedling germination.

It is important to understand this: 80, 90, 95 days are approximate dates. Much depends on the summer resident himself, as well as weather conditions and what kind of care is provided

With regular feeding in a good year, even early tomatoes can be harvested after 85 days.

And, conversely, if the tomatoes do not have enough light during cultivation, the year is dry or rainy, and the summer resident provides poor care for the plantings, then the tomatoes may ripen longer than the specified period.

The most important factors are, of course, warmth and sunlight.

Harvest and storage

By observing harvest conditions, you can keep tomatoes fresh for 3–5 months. The most suitable places for storage: in the cellar, basement, refrigerator. The temperature in the places where the tomatoes are stored should not exceed +12 ⁰С. Air humidity - 80–85%. Storage areas should be dark and cool.

Unripe fruits last better and last longer, so tomatoes are stored green.

1. If you decide to remove the tomatoes and save them, first spray them with Fitosporin. The instructions for the drug indicate that the last treatment with the product is carried out 20 days before harvest if the tomatoes grow in open ground; 4 days in advance if the tomatoes are in a greenhouse.
2. Choose the right time to collect. It is necessary to have time to pick the tomatoes before the temperature at night drops below +8 ⁰C. If the tomatoes have withstood frost on the bush, they will not be stored for long, even if there are no external signs of damage.
3. Harvest tomatoes during the day, when the dew on the fruits has dried.
4. Carefully sort the fruits. Set aside undamaged copies for storage.
5. Wipe each tomato with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol. You can wrap each one individually in paper.
6. Place in wooden boxes or plastic containers in no more than 3 layers. Sprinkle each layer with dry sawdust. Store in a cool, dark place.

Healthy seedlings are the key to harvest

Gardeners who have been growing the crop for many years note the unpretentiousness of tomatoes and the ease of cultivation. The agricultural technology characteristic of the Novichok variety is no different from other tomatoes.

Growing seedlings

According to the description, Novichok pink tomatoes are characterized by the seedling method of cultivation. Seeds need to be sown 60-65 days before planting in open ground, a greenhouse or under temporary film cover.

Seed preparation

Self-respecting gardeners will never sow untested and untreated tomato seeds.

We will describe the processing technique below:

1. Prepare a 5% saline solution (½ teaspoon of salt dissolved in half a glass of water). The seeds are dipped into it for a quarter of an hour. Viable seed will end up at the bottom. They continue to work with these seeds. They are washed and dried.
2. Then they are dipped in a solution of pink potassium permanganate (as in the photo) for a third of an hour, the seeds are washed again with clean water.

Thanks to processing in saline and manganese solutions, the seeds are disinfected. You can be sure that disease spores, if they were on the seeds, will die. In addition, germination and nutrition of the seed are stimulated.

Seeds can be sown dry or germinated before planting. To do this, the treated planting material is wrapped in a damp cloth and left in a warm place. As soon as the little white roots hatch, they are immediately placed in the ground.

Advice! To avoid damaging the fragile sprouts, it is advisable to take the seeds with tweezers.

Preparing soil and containers

Soil preparation should be done in advance, five days before sowing. Many gardeners use ready-made mixtures for seedlings, which are sold in the store. They contain balanced nutrients. If the composition is prepared independently, then it should contain turf soil, compost or humus, and sand. In addition to the listed components, you also need to add wood ash.

Warning! Fresh manure is not added either to the seedlings or to the holes, otherwise a rapid increase in green mass will begin. In addition, manure contains many pathogens.

Novichok tomato seedlings can be grown in wooden or plastic boxes and containers. They are filled with soil and poured with boiling water, adding potassium permanganate.

Sowing seeds

Seeds should be sown in moist soil at a distance of 2-3 cm. Planted to a depth of one centimeter. The top of the container is covered with film to speed up germination. When the tomatoes begin to sprout, remove the cellophane.

Features of caring for seedlings

Before germination, maintain a temperature of 21-24 degrees. Then it is reduced by three days: at night about 8-10, during the day no higher than 15-16 degrees. As for lighting, it should be sufficient. Otherwise, tomato seedlings of the Novichok variety will stretch out and be flimsy.

Water the seedlings as the top lump of earth dries. The appearance of 2-3 true leaves is a signal to pick Novichok tomatoes. This procedure is required. During transplantation, you need to pinch the central root a little to stimulate the development of a powerful root system with lateral shoots.

When growing seedlings, Novichok tomatoes are not fed if the soil is fertile. You can carry out foliar feeding by dusting the plants with wood ash. Water moderately so that the water does not stagnate.

Advice! In order for plants to develop evenly, containers with seedlings must be constantly rotated.

Ten days before planting, Novichok tomatoes are hardened in the open air. The procedure is carried out by gradually increasing the plants’ exposure to air.

Planting seedlings

Tomatoes are planted in accordance with the climatic conditions of the regions, but only after there is no threat of return frosts. In the greenhouse - at the end of May, and in open ground or under temporary film shelters - after June 10.

According to the description and characteristics, pink or red tomatoes of the Novichok variety are planted 7 pieces per square meter in a checkerboard pattern. The planting diagram is in the picture below.

As for agricultural technology, it is traditional. It comes down to watering, fertilizing, loosening the soil and treating against diseases.

Caring for the Novichok tomato variety is simple and pleasant.

Varieties of tall tomatoes for open ground

Although tall varieties of tomatoes require tying up for care, the fruits can be picked from them literally while standing.

The following varieties can be called real giants of open ground:

1. O-LA-LA (2010),
2. Laura (1999),
3. Barmaley (2008),
4. Wild Rose (1999).

Laura

Ripens in medium terms.

• Forms scarlet, heart-shaped fruits with weak ribs. There can be from 2 to 3 nests.
• The maximum fruit weight on good soil reaches 135 g.
• From 1 m² you can collect up to 7 kg of delicious fruits.

The variety can reach a height of 180 cm and requires gartering to pegs.

Barmaley

The variety is “a cut above” Laura, it will easily surpass the 2 m mark.

• Flat-round tomatoes with noticeable ribs are great for salads.
• The number of nests reaches 4, and the weight of fruits on nutritious soil exceeds 200 g.
• The taste is excellent, decent yield.

Don’t forget about supports for the bush, and then the fleshy, juicy pink fruits will delight you with ripening at the earliest possible date.

wild Rose

The variety has long been loved by gardeners.

• The bush will easily grow 2 m.
• Fully ripe fruits are pink in color with 4 nests and weigh more than 350 g.

Smooth, round tomatoes with a delicious taste are best used fresh.

Agricultural technology of seedlings

To successfully grow seedlings, seeds should be soaked in a pink solution of potassium permanganate for 1-1.5 hours. Antiseptic treatment will protect seedlings from fungal rot and preserve most of the seedlings. After disinfection, the seeds can be dried a little on a napkin and then spread over the surface of the damp soil in a box. They need to be sealed with dry soil or sand.

To retain moisture, cover the container with glass. But when the first shoots appear, the shelter must be removed so as not to cause damping off of the sprouts. It is undesirable to reduce the air temperature when growing seedlings: the optimal indicators for tomatoes are about +200 °C. Hypothermia can provoke the growth of fungal spores and blackleg disease of seedlings.

The Ursa Major variety is undemanding to lighting conditions during the period of growing seedlings. Seedlings practically do not stretch, but it is advisable to provide young plants with a sufficient degree of illumination and artificially extend daylight hours to 10 hours a day. This measure will ensure the production of strong, low bushes, which will begin to grow soon after planting. Transplantation into a greenhouse is carried out in mid-May, and into open ground after the end of spring frosts.

The first fruit clusters begin to form above the 8th leaf, and then are tied every 2-3 tiers. When the formation of inflorescences begins, you need to apply a complex fertilizer with a high content of phosphorus and potassium (Signor Tomato or another).

For plants in closed ground, the watering regime at the time of fruit growth is important: if the fruits become too dry and watered excessively, they will crack. It is advisable to water the tomatoes so that the soil remains moist at all times. To do this, monitor the drying of its top layer and water it when the soil becomes dry, to a depth of 2-3 cm.

Ursa Major tomatoes did not get their name in honor of the famous constellation. This variety is distinguished by incredibly large fruits weighing up to five hundred grams or more. One such “heavyweight” is enough to enjoy yourself and share with your family.