Description
The plant belongs to the semi-determinate type, rather tall bushes that grow up to 2 meters. This height is achieved if seedlings are planted in a greenhouse or shelters under film.
As reviews show, the Kostroma F1 tomato is not recommended for planting in open ground, as it gives poor results. The ripening period is quite early; from the moment the seeds are planted to the start of the first harvest, an average of 105 days pass. The bushes have many leaves of a standard shape for vegetables, green in color.
This variety is perfect for gardeners who cannot always be at the dacha. The Kostroma f1 tomato does not require much effort to care for and is much easier to grow than indents.
A height of 2 meters is optimal for any greenhouse. From 1 sq. m. it is possible to collect up to 20 kg of tomatoes. Thus, one bush will bring a harvest of 5 kg. The plant is maintained in one stem, with timely removal of the stepsons.
The advantage of the Kostroma tomato variety is the small number of stepsons. Therefore, even when visiting a summer cottage only on weekends, the bushes will not be densely overgrown. To maintain the desired shape of the plant, the stepsons are removed once a week.
There is no need to plant the variety too thickly. The manufacturer advises placing plants with a distance of 40 cm in a row, and 60 cm between them. This planting provides enough light for the bushes, and the soil is not depleted, which allows the tomatoes to receive the required amount of useful nutrients. In addition, the distance between the bushes will make it possible to properly care for them; the likelihood of diseases is reduced, especially with the end of summer, when the temperature fluctuates and there may be fungus.
In the video you can view different varieties of tomatoes that can be grown using the greenhouse method, including Kostroma:
Description of Kostroma tomatoes with photos
Kostroma is a hybrid variety of first generation tomatoes (designation Kostroma F1). Bred in Russia about 30 years ago, in 1996 it was included in the State Register. Recommended for cultivation in the regions of Central Russia in film and glazed greenhouses. The name is associated with the Kostroma region - the hybrid was bred for the climatic conditions of this particular region.
Main characteristics:
- indeterminate (grows throughout the season);
- tall (up to 1.5-2.0 m in height);
- mid-early (fruits ripen in 105-110 days).
The bushes are very tall and strong, the shoots are well leafy. The leaves are medium sized, rich green in color, and have a typical shape. The flowers are small, yellow. They are collected in inflorescences, the first of which is formed above 8-9 leaves, and the subsequent ones occur every 2. No more than 9 ovaries are formed in one brush - all of them bear medium-sized fruits (5-7 cm in diameter).
Important! Since the climate of the Kostroma region resembles the North-West of Russia, tomatoes can be grown there, as well as in the regions of the Urals and Southern Siberia (indoors).
Description of fruits
Kostroma tomatoes produce medium-sized fruits weighing from 80 to 150 g. The shape is round, flattened at the top and bottom. The color is rich orange and red. The pulp is dense, fleshy, moderately juicy. The taste is balanced, sweet and sour. The skin is shiny, quite dense, smooth, there are no ribs or wrinkles. The fruits may have 2-3 seed chambers, but often there are none. On the cut there is a noticeable green spot next to the stalk.
Seed chambers in Kostroma tomato fruits are often absent
Important! There is no point in collecting Kostroma tomato seeds. This is a hybrid variety, so the bushes will be sterile.
Advantages and disadvantages
Among the advantages of Kostroma tomatoes are the following:
- Excellent yield.
- Early maturation.
- Good transportability, while maintaining commercial qualities.
- Excellent immunity to many diseases and pests.
- Possibility of fruit appearance even during unstable temperatures.
- The tomato is not exposed to low humidity.
The variety has much fewer disadvantages, including:
- The need for the construction and use of film shelters and greenhouses for growing.
- The need to shape the plant using trellises.
- To prevent brush breaks, they need to be tied up in a timely manner.
As you can see, the description of the Kostroma tomato has more positive aspects than negative ones.
How to plant tomatoes
As soon as the seedlings have sprouted, they begin to plant the tomato in the garden. Tomatoes love spacious and well-lit places. The best predecessors for them are beds of zucchini, peppers, and cucumbers. A cloudy, windless day is ideal for planting.
Landing
To get a good harvest from Kostroma, farmers advise using a mixture of garden soil and “Universal” peat soil in a 1:1 ratio. This composition will enrich the plant with all the necessary vitamins and speed up the ripening time.
Plant the seedlings so that the central stem goes 2 cm deep. In a couple of days, roots will form around this stem, and the root system will become even more powerful and durable. The distance between the bushes should be at least 30 cm, otherwise the plant will not have enough space. After planting, be sure to water the beds with plenty of warm water.
Care
Bushes need shaping. In other words, this is the timely removal of additional shoots (stepchildren) and pinching of the top. These operations allow the bushes to grow and form many stems. The more stems, the more tomatoes.
It is recommended to remove stepchildren for the first time after 20 days. Repeat this procedure every week to prevent overgrowth.
Note. Excess shoots are not cut off, but broken off
They break down best in the morning hours.
The root shoots, which most often peek out from under the ground, are also subject to removal. The tops are pinched so that the plant stops growing.
In addition to pinching, do not forget about watering. It is best to water tomatoes in the morning or evening. If the summer was dry, the amount of moisture is increased, if there was a lot of rain, it is reduced. It is necessary to control water consumption so as not to develop favorable conditions for pests and diseases.
Do not neglect such means as removing weeds and loosening the soil. Weeds feed on tomatoes, so you need to get rid of them every 7-10 days. And loosening makes the soil more nutritious and lighter.
And of course, Kostroma tomatoes need to be fed. Mineral or organic fertilizers are suitable. For example, superphosphate or ammonium nitrate, urea or wood ash.
Important! Be careful with nitrogen-containing preparations, their excess leads to cracking of tomatoes
Features of cultivation and possible difficulties
Pay special attention to such a procedure as tying up bushes. Most often, wooden pegs and scraps of fabric are used for this.
Place the pegs at a distance of 1 m from the bush. They should be the same in height.
Also remember that the land needs to be cultivated before planting. A solution of potassium permanganate is excellent for this. If you are planting Kostroma in a greenhouse, then in addition to the soil, treat the walls, doors, windows, pegs, and so on.
Diseases and pests
The most common diseases of the variety:
- late blight Appears due to excess moisture and improper care. Looks like brown spots on the leaves. It is almost impossible to get rid of it, but it can be prevented. Periodically treat the plants with garlic infusion or wood ash;
- root rot. The name speaks for itself; harmful bacteria form on the roots and eat the plant from the inside. As a preventative measure, treat the beds with a solution based on tobacco leaves;
- powdery mildew. Looks like a white coating on the leaves. Ammonium nitrate helps to cope with it;
- blackleg. Infects plant roots. Capable of spreading to neighboring bushes. Fitosporin is used to combat it.
The most common pests:
- bear This large insect eats the plant, causing it to slowly die. It is recommended to get rid of mole crickets using a solution of ammonia;
- spider mite Leaves a barely noticeable web on tomato leaves. The cause is humidity and heat. A solution based on citrus peels is recognized as a good remedy for spider mites;
- wireworm Penetrates deep into the soil and begins to destroy the root system. Egg shells are recognized as an effective remedy against it. Just scatter it around the garden bed and the wireworm will not touch your tomatoes.
Fruit characteristics
The fruits are flat-round in shape, with a smooth structure. Their color is very bright, rich, red. The average weight of one tomato is 110 grams, the minimum indicators are fruits weighing 85 grams, and the maximum weight reaches 150 grams.
On the bushes, the fruits are collected in a cluster, on which up to 9 pieces appear. The taste is dessert, which means it is ideal for salads and fresh consumption. Kostroma is good in sauces and ideal for pickling. If planted on 1 sq. m. 3 bushes, then during harvest, each plant will bear 5 kg of tomatoes. The peel and shape are not damaged during transportation.
The formation of brushes is carried out in the 9-10 sinuses, and then appear in every second. After forming 10 brushes, it is recommended to pinch the crown. The pulp of the variety is quite dense, as is the peel itself.
Instead of a review about the Kostroma tomato, it’s better to look at the photo:
Story
The history of the variety dates back to the 90s of the 20th century. Then employees of the Moscow breeding company Gavrish created a new generation hybrid. He took the best qualities from his parents, including resistance to disease. In 1994, an application was submitted to include the plant in the State Register of Breeding Achievements approved for use. In 1996, the application was approved. As a result, summer residents became acquainted with a new variety. Some people still plant only this on their site. The originator named the hybrid Kostroma because of its resistance to cool summers and temperature changes. Tomatoes are ideal for the Kostroma region, as well as for the entire Central Federal District and the Urals. Now tomatoes are grown throughout Russia.
Seedling
Preparation of seedlings should begin based on the need for harvesting. If you want to get early tomatoes, then the seeds need to be planted in early spring (March). Just in April the seedlings will be ready for further transplantation.
Transplantation of seedling material should be carried out when the soil in the greenhouse warms up to a stable 13 degrees. For the northern region, it will take longer for the earth to warm up, which means seedlings are prepared later. It is recommended to sow the seeds in April and plant them in May.
To get good seedlings you need to use the following rules:
- Prepare the soil. For this, soil from the garden bed, peat and compost are used. A week before planting the seeds, you need to treat the soil with a solution of potassium permanganate, and water it with water the day before.
- All seeds are calibrated; they must be placed in a solution of potassium permanganate for a quarter of an hour and dried.
- Place the finished raw materials on moist soil, with a distance of 4 square meters. cm. Next, 2 layers of earth are poured, and the container is covered with glass or film and left warm.
- When the first shoots appear, it is necessary to remove the film or other materials.
- During the formation of the first pair of leaves, picking is carried out. The seedlings are transplanted into separate containers; you can use disposable cups or special containers.
40 days after planting, the seedlings should be ready for further action. It can be planted in a greenhouse; the sooner the summer resident does this, the faster the harvest will be.
Growing rules
After planting seedlings, you need to know some more rules to get a high-quality harvest. First you need to wait for growth and begin to form bushes. As experienced farmers say, formation is best done on a vertical trellis. Be sure to tie the brushes so that they do not break off.
After the 5th cluster appears, you need to start removing leaves, about 2-4 pieces from the bottom of the plant. This procedure should be carried out weekly to improve soil aeration and also enhance the nutrition of tomatoes with useful substances.
When up to 10 clusters are formed, it is necessary to limit the growth of the bushes. To do this, the central shoot is pinched. It is important to leave a couple of leaves above the last brush.
Important! The ideal yield will be when the plants are formed into one stem.
Kostroma has good immunity and is not afraid of many tomato diseases. Therefore, the harvest can be obtained even at unstable temperatures and other negative factors. Further care consists only of loosening the soil and watering using warm water. By the way, the hybrid loves watering after sunset. Additionally, weeds are removed in a timely manner and fertilizing is carried out throughout the growth and formation of the bush.
Considering the description of Kostroma tomatoes, their versatility, and productivity, many people use the seeds as an annual planting variety.
Tomato Kostroma
Hybrid early tomato variety
- Fact:
Good yield and early ripening. - Fact 2:
Growing only in a greenhouse. - Fact 3:
Tomatoes are not too big and are suitable for whole-fruit canning. - Fact 4:
The tomato tolerates transportation well - it does not wrinkle or crack at the slightest touch.
This is also interesting!
The hybrid variety “Kostroma F1” is a tomato with excellent taste and commercial characteristics. They ripen early and together. They are undemanding to humidity levels, tolerate sudden temperature changes and do not require special care.
Advantages and disadvantages
The variety has its pros and cons. The advantages include:
- good yield and early ripening;
- undemanding to humidity levels;
- resistance to temperature changes;
- preservation of presentation during transportation.
Disadvantages - growing only in a greenhouse. Mandatory tying and formation of the stem.
general description
Tomato "Kostroma F1" is a semi-determinate plant for a greenhouse (film, glazed). The bushes grow up to 2 m. They require tying and formation on a vertical trellis.
The variety is universal. Tomatoes can be eaten fresh or prepared for the winter. They are not too big and are suitable for canning whole fruits. From one bush, with proper agricultural technology, 4 to 5 kg of crop is harvested.
The plant is not planted in open ground. You can plant such tomatoes in a greenhouse even in regions with cold climates or areas of risky farming.
Fruit
The fruits of "Kostroma F1" weigh on average 150 g. They have a round shape with a flat base. Bright red color. Excellent taste and aroma. The skin is glossy, even and smooth. The pulp is juicy. The tomato tolerates transportation well - it does not wrinkle or crack at the slightest touch.
Tomatoes are formed on short clusters. The first is at a height of 9–10 leaves. Subsequent ones are formed after 2–3 sheets. Each grows up to 10 fruits. After the appearance of 8–10 brushes, it is recommended to limit the growth of the bush.
Diseases
The variety is resistant not only to fairly harsh climatic conditions, but also to many diseases:
- tobacco mosaic virus;
- cladosporiosis;
- Fusarium
For a good harvest, you just need to follow the rules of agricultural technology.
Features of cultivation
Seeds for seedlings are planted in early March. They are pre-treated with potassium permanganate and washed in clean water. They are laid to a depth of 2–3 cm. They provide a good level of lighting and warmth. After the first true leaves appear, they dive. The first feeding is carried out on days 12–14.
Storage and collection
For storage, it is recommended to use tomatoes that have not been frozen, otherwise they will begin to deteriorate. The collection itself is carried out based on maturity, but it is recommended to collect them in August-September. It is best to choose weather without precipitation for this.
It is best to select tomatoes without damage, which will be dense, this will allow them to be preserved for a long time. They are placed in wooden boxes, covered with paper, and each layer of tomatoes is sprinkled with sawdust. After this, the container is lowered into the cellar, the humidity of which is no more than 75% and there is ventilation.
Reviews
Larisa, 38 years old, Zlatoust
I looked through reviews and photos of the Kostroma tomato and saw a lot of negativity from farmers. In turn, I defended the variety, since I had used it all the time before and was very pleased. The main things that surprised the hybrid were its excellent taste, easy care and good yield. I don’t plant Kostroma now; I try new varieties every year.
Alexander, 29 years old, Podolsk
I have been working on a summer cottage plot for only a couple of years. Relatives advised me to plant Kostroma tomatoes, because they require almost no care, and there is no time for it. I was pleased with the result, formed the plant, did the proper watering and that’s it, all that remains is to hand over the harvest. In order not to write long reviews, they leave a photo of the Kostroma tomato yield from last year’s harvest.
