Tomato Sweet fingers is suitable for open ground and film shelters. This variety is not in the State Register, but summer residents love it for its cold resistance, low maintenance requirements and tasty fruits.
| Height | Landing location | Ripening time | Fruit color | Fruit size | Origin | Fruit shape |
| Medium height | Open ground | Mid-early | Reds | Small | Variety | Plum-shaped or oval |
Description and characteristics of the variety
Mid-early, 110 days pass from entry to harvesting the first tomatoes. The fruits are plum-shaped with a spout, average weight 80 g. The pulp is dense, fleshy. Color red, seed chambers 2.
The bush of sweet fingers is standard, so it does not need to be tied up or pinched.
The height of the plant is no more than 50 cm. The leaves are dense and medium in size.
Features of agricultural technology of tomato Lady fingers
According to some reports, the age of the variety reaches almost a hundred years, but it appeared in state variety trials only in 2000, and was included in the State Register in 2006 for cultivation in all regions of Russia. However, more often it can be found in warm southern regions - the Krasnodar Territory, Crimea, the North Caucasus and central Russia.
Lady fingers can be grown both in open ground and in film greenhouses. The variety is early ripening - on average 110 days pass from full germination to the ripening of the first fruits. The yield of tomatoes in open ground is not impressive - according to the originator, it is only 2.7 kg/m2. But in greenhouses and with good care it increases to a record 15 kg/m2.
The variety is determinate, which means its growth is limited, which stops after the formation of a flower cluster at the top. Typically the plant height reaches 60 cm in open ground and up to one meter in greenhouses. The leaves are of medium density and size, their color is from green to dark green. The tomato does not need pinching due to the compact shape of the bush. In open ground it is grown without garter, but in a greenhouse it is better to tie up the tomato.
Description of fruits
The shape of the fruit is elongated, cylindrical, slightly pear-shaped. These tomatoes are usually called cream tomatoes. Tomatoes look beautiful in bunches, collected in groups of 5-6 pieces. Their color is bright scarlet, spectacular. The average fruit weight according to the State Register description is 52 grams, and according to information from seed producers and some sources - 60 g and even up to 145 g.
The skin of the fruit is thin, smooth, edible, and not prone to cracking. The pulp is juicy and aromatic, has a pleasant sweet-sour taste. Each bush produces up to 30 such fruits. They are good in salads, as well as in pickling and whole-fruit canning. Thanks to the dense pulp, they are excellent for drying. They have a long shelf life (according to some sources - up to four months) and good transportability.
Elongated creamy scarlet tomatoes collected in clusters look impressive on the bushes
For convenience, we briefly list the main advantages of the variety:
- early ripeness;
- productivity;
- resistance to drought, heat and cold;
- immunity to fungal diseases;
- ease of care;
- no pinching or garter required;
- excellent taste of fruits;
- versatility of use;
- keeping quality and transportability.
No deficiencies were found in lady fingers tomatoes.
Planting and growing tomatoes of this variety has some nuances, which we will focus on.
Landing
In cold regions, lady fingers are grown by seedlings. To do this, grow seedlings 60-65 days old with six to seven true leaves and a height of 25-35 cm. Seeds can be purchased in the store (giving preference to trusted manufacturers), and they are also easy to collect yourself from fully ripened fruits.
When purchasing seeds, they give preference to trusted producers
I sow these tomatoes directly with seeds (collected myself) in the ground in meter-wide beds in two rows with an interval of 50 cm. I sow the seeds in the row with some thickening. After the plants grow, I thin them out, leaving an interval of 40 cm. I distribute the excess seedlings to neighbors. The sowing time for our region is the end of April (for spunbond).
Caring for lady fingers does not take much time and effort. It consists in the usual cultural procedures.
source
All varieties of tomatoes have different taste characteristics. Most varieties have a typical sweet and sour taste, but there are exclusively sweet tomatoes. When choosing the sweetest varieties of tomatoes to grow, you should familiarize yourself with the various options and determine the one that suits you.
The ability of vegetables to accumulate sugary substances is inherent at the genetic level, so some varieties are more prone to this. When choosing tomatoes according to description, you should pay attention to the potential sugar content. The characteristics of sweet varieties allow them to be used for preparing salads, tomato juice, canning and processing. Sugary fruits make dishes more tasty and rich.
Breeders are constantly developing new varieties of tomatoes, including sweet varieties. There is a wide variety of types of tomatoes, which differ in the method of cultivation, the shape and size of the fruit, taste and other characteristics.
The early-ripening, high-yielding variety Tsar Bell bears large fruits weighing up to 800 g. The bushes are compact, 80-100 cm high, semi-determinate. During the growth process, partial removal of side shoots and fixation on supports is required. The shape of the vegetables is round and oblong, with slightly pronounced ribbing in the area of the stalk.
The yellow-orange fruits of the Koenigsberg Golden variety have an elongated shape and resemble an eggplant in appearance. The weight of one tomato is 270-320 g. The main advantages of this variety are: good presentation, resistance to common diseases, transportability, and the ability to form fruits in changeable weather.
The Monkey's Butt variety gets its name from its round, heart-shaped shape. Tomatoes are distinguished by their rich pinkish color, juicy and tender pulp, and high yield. From one square it is possible to obtain 4-5 kg of harvest, subject to proper care and use of fertilizers.
The fruits of the Italian Sweet variety have a crimson color, weigh up to 500 g and have fleshy pulp. The yield is about 5 kg per bush. This variety is recommended to be grown in greenhouse conditions. The bushes grow up to 2 m and require tying to a support and removal of stepsons.
The Sweet Kasadi variety is included in the category of early ripening tomatoes. Bushes 1.8 m high bear smooth, elongated fruits. The pulp is dense and fleshy. The variety is valued for its high taste characteristics, resistance to infections and pests, and universal purpose.
Malachite box tomatoes have a round-flat shape. The color of ripened vegetables is green with a yellowish tint. Plants bear fruit within 110-115 days from the moment the seeds are sown for seedlings. This variety is intended for growing in open soil or in greenhouse conditions. The yield from one square reaches 4 kg.
The Velmozha variety is not considered a standard variety; the plants form low, bushes about 55-60 cm. The growing season lasts for 105-120 days. Velmozha tomatoes are valued for their resistance to low temperatures and common diseases, ease of care, and high yield.
Sweet fountain tomatoes of rich red color have an oval or cylindrical shape, a smooth surface, weight up to 20 g. The fruits are resistant to cracking of the skin and premature shedding. Thanks to their dense pulp, vegetables are transportable.
The hybrid variety Sweet Heart F1 produces a harvest in 90-95 days from the moment the first shoots appear. The bushes reach a height of 80-90 cm and are suitable for growing in open ground. The fruits weighing up to 150 g have a round shape, juicy and sweet pulp.
The Crimson Giant variety is determinant and does not require growth regulation. The variety is distinguished by its compact shape, lack of need for pinching, and strong stem. Fruit ripening time reaches 90 days after planting in the ground.
The main advantages of the Honey Drop variety are its universal purpose, ease of care and resistance to diseases. The yield is 2-3 kg per plant. Ripening time does not exceed 115 days, subject to a favorable climate and the use of fertilizers.
Early ripening Sweet Pearl tomatoes bear fruit 95 days after planting in the ground. The height of the bushes reaches 2 m and requires tying to supports. Plants adapt to any growing methods and bear fruit consistently. The small fruits weigh about 15 g and are spherical in shape.
The Appetitny variety lives up to its name and is famous for its high taste characteristics. The ripening period for vegetables is 115 days from the moment of germination of the first shoots. Due to the heaviness of the fruit, tying the branches to supports is required. To grow a large crop, it is recommended to remove growing side shoots.
The Sweet Tree variety is suitable for growing in open soil and in greenhouses. Early ripening tomatoes grow on bushes up to 2 m high. The weight of one fruit reaches 10-15 g, the shape of the fruit is round, the color is deep red. Up to 30 specimens ripen on each cluster.
The exotic variety Wild Thyme is distinguished by its olive green color with pink splashes. The harvest ripens within 110-120 days on bushes up to 1.2 m high. The vegetables have a rounded-flat shape, smooth skin, juicy and rich pulp. The weight of one fruit ranges from 150 to 300 g.
In terms of ripening time, the Mystery of Nature variety is classified as mid-early. The growing season lasts for 110 days. A distinctive characteristic is high productivity. From one square of land you can get up to 17 kg of vegetables.
The large-fruited hybrid Sweet my F1 is characterized by early ripening and bears fruit 3 months after planting. The main advantages of the hybrid variety include: resistance to common diseases and temperature changes, rich taste, compact bushes without the need for tying up.
The tall Amana Orange variety is suitable for growing in a greenhouse. The height of the bushes is 1.8-2 m and requires tying up the branches. During the growth process, it is necessary to remove side shoots to increase the yield. The weight of vegetables reaches 1 kg in a favorable climate.
This variety is intended for growing in open soil. Low-growing bushes up to 50 cm high are unpretentious in care and are resistant to temperature changes. Plants are limited in growth, so they do not require pinching or tying.
What does a gardener need to know about this plant?
The characteristics and description of the Sugar Fingers variety are as follows:
- The plant is an early ripening tomato. The harvest can be obtained 78-87 days after sowing the seeds in the ground.
- Its trunk is straight, and its branches are located in the upper part. They cascade down.
- The shape of the fruit is similar to an elongated cylinder with rounded ends.
- The color of the berries is red, the skin is smooth. The weight of the fruit reaches 75-85 g. This tomato tastes sweet. It has a fleshy interior.
- The berries are quite dense, so they do not become cracked, which allows them to be stored and transported over long distances.
Feedback from farmers about this tomato is positive. Many gardeners emphasize the ability of the plant to endure drought. The yield of the variety reaches 10-12 kg per 1 m².
But you need to know that the resistance of the Sugar Fingers variety to various diseases is close to average, so it is recommended to carry out all agrotechnical measures to protect the bushes from late blight and fungal infections.
Farmers note the possibility of quick harvesting, since the fruits ripen almost simultaneously. Although this variety is intended for the southern regions of the country, gardeners successfully grow Sugarfingers in the vast expanses of the middle zone and Siberia, using film or glass greenhouses with good heating. At the same time, gardeners manage to obtain yields of up to 15 kg per 1 m².
Yield indicators
This tomato variety has a fairly high yield. When grown in open beds, more than 10 kilograms of ripe tomatoes can be harvested from each square meter. If the plant is grown in film greenhouses, the yield will be much higher. In this case, fruiting begins in the second decade of July and continues until autumn. Thanks to this feature of the variety, garden owners will be able to enjoy fresh tomatoes with excellent taste in the summer, and in the autumn months they can can them and prepare a variety of preparations for the winter.
Growing from seeds to seedlings at home
Do not buy seeds from random market traders. First of all, you cannot be sure of the quality of the seed. Gardening supply stores provide a wide selection of a wide variety of seeds in large and small packaging volumes.
It will be useful for you to read about how to choose the optimal time for planting tomato seedlings, as well as how to germinate and plant tomato seeds.
If you grow tomatoes every year, it is better to prepare your seeds from the existing harvest. For the “Lady Fingers” variety, this is convenient and acceptable, since this is a variety, not a hybrid, and the seed material will not lose quality.
To prepare seeds, you choose ripe fruits that you like without signs of disease and express the juice along with the seeds into a separate container. When the liquid with the seeds begins to ferment, wash the seeds, dry them and put them in a bag for storage until planting.
Did you know? As part of the space program, tomato seeds traveled to the International Space Station in 2000 and were then grown in every school in Canada as part of the Tomatosphere Project.
Seed preparation
For disinfection, seeds can be placed in water at a temperature of +50 degrees for 20 minutes. Then the wet seeds are spread in a thin layer on the germination surface and covered with damp gauze or bandage.
The mesh surface allows air to pass through well, and the fibers retain the moisture necessary for the seeds and prevent it from drying out. A good result is obtained by soaking the seeds in a 1% solution of potassium manganese for 24 hours. Duration of soaking - 2 days. Sow seeds in moist soil. If the soil is dry, it needs to be watered.
Video: preparing tomato seeds for planting
Contents and location
If you are growing seedlings, the seeds are planted in special seedling boxes. Some plants die after transplantation, so seedlings need to be grown 30% more than necessary. The soil mixture for it can be bought ready-made in the store, or it can be prepared from peat, sawdust and mullein.
Important! You cannot use soil from the site for seedlings, as it contains pathogens of various diseases, which will negatively affect the survival of plants.
Seed planting process
If the seeds are planted in seedling boxes, they are simply added to the soil in rows and watered periodically. The seeds will germinate 7-10 days after planting.
During growth, seedlings are fed 2 times with a solution of superphosphate, potassium chloride and ammonium nitrate in a dosage of 30 g/20 g/20 g per 10 liters of water. Planting in the ground is carried out on the 50-60th day of growth of tomato seedlings.
Seedling care
Daylight hours for seedlings should last 10-12 hours. Lighting should not be one-sided, as in this case the plants will stretch towards the light source. Therefore, they need to be illuminated with fluorescent lamps, which provide uniform illumination.
The air temperature must be at least +23 °C. Night temperature should not fall below +17 °C. Watering is done from a watering can once every 5 days. In the phase of the first formed leaf, the plants are planted in separate cups and the first feeding is carried out.
You will probably be interested in reading about how and when to properly pick tomatoes after germination.
Before planting in the ground, starting from the 30th day, the plants are given contact with fresh air. Tomatoes should be taken outside during the day, first at lunchtime, and then throughout the day.
The purpose of this hardening is to adapt tomatoes to natural climatic conditions, strengthen the plant and increase its resistance to various diseases.
Transplanting seedlings into the ground
“Lady fingers” are planted in the ground in early May, on the 50-60th day of growth. Planting is carried out in the morning, when it is not hot, so that the plant can better acclimatize. To plant, the plant is removed from the cup along with the soil. Planting is carried out in a small hole at the same depth as it was in the cup.
The exception is elongated plants - they are planted at a slight slope so that the excess part of the stem is planted along with the root system. Planting with a distance between rows of 50 cm and a distance between individual plants in a row of 30-40 cm is considered optimal. In general, per 1 sq. m should yield about 6-8 plants.
Video: planting tomato seedlings in the ground
Did you know? It doesn’t matter whether you talk to the seedlings, but stroking them is strongly recommended. Pressing the top of the plant with your hand or other object causes the production of a special growth hormone, ethylene, which accelerates the growth of the plant.
