Tomato Siberian dwarf: reviews, photos, description, characteristics

Description and characteristics of the Siberian dwarf tomato

The main characteristics and productivity of the Siberian dwarf tomato:

mid-early variety;
bears fruit well in Siberian conditions;
dwarf shrub height from 25 to 35 centimeters;
large red fruits ripen at the same time;
abundant brushes are located on average every 1-2 leaves each;
from one plant you can get up to 4 kg of tomatoes.

Main characteristics and productivity

The Siberian dwarf is resistant to various “obstacles” from nature. It does not react to sudden changes in weather and brings a good harvest in a small number of daylight hours. The variety is also less susceptible to diseases.

Origin

The Siberian Dwarf tomato is a standard variety bred in the plant and seedling nursery of Novosibirsk Agro. The company specializes in breeding and selecting varieties that are capable of producing good harvests even under adverse weather conditions.

Basic qualities of tomatoes

The main characteristics of the Siberian Dwarf tomato are large fruits weighing up to 200 g, oval in shape, dense, with thick glossy skin. The variety is ideal for pickling:

thanks to the smooth skin of tomatoes without spots or irregularities, as well as resistance to disease, jars of ready-made preserves do not become cloudy or explode;
Siberian dwarf contains enough saccharides to prevent mold from appearing on the workpieces.

In addition to canning, tomatoes are suitable for consumption in salads, fresh or boiled.

Why gardeners buy Siberian dwarf tomato

Many gardeners are captivated by the high quality characteristics and productivity of the Siberian Dwarf tomato. This short, large-fruited variety is unpretentious in cultivation and does not grow in seedlings even in insufficient light. Dense tomatoes with tight, glossy skin tolerate transportation well and can be stored for a long time. The variety was bred in the Siberian climate. Therefore, it easily tolerates low temperatures, providing a bountiful harvest even in rainy and cold summers.

Description of the Mongolian dwarf variety, its characteristics, growing region

The Mongolian dwarf tomato is considered a variety of amateur selection, but official information about its origin is difficult to find, since the variety is still not listed in regulatory documents. Apparently, in this regard, it is very difficult to find Mongolian dwarf seeds for open sale: those who want to plant this variety look for seed material among friends and on various Internet sites. This is a risky business, which is why there are often extremely negative reviews of the variety, apparently due to the fact that people buy various fakes.

Since the Mongolian dwarf was bred for cultivation in risky farming areas, it is grown mainly in regions such as Siberia, the Urals, and the Far East. Of course, no one bothers you to plant it everywhere, but in regions with a warm climate the advantages of this variety will be leveled out, and there is a huge selection of tomatoes for the middle zone, and even more so for the southern regions.

Mongolian dwarf is a tomato for open ground: it is very wasteful to plant it in greenhouses, since it is a super-determinate variety that grows only 15–25 cm in height, rarely higher. And space in greenhouses is expensive; they try to grow indeterminate varieties, the bushes of which grow as high as the ceiling, occupying the entire usable volume. The Mongolian dwarf, on the contrary, grows in breadth, forming a creeping bush with a diameter, sometimes up to a meter. The variety is distinguished by a powerful root system, but the bulk of the roots are located close to the surface of the earth, without penetrating into the deep layers of the soil.

On the main stem, which quickly begins to spread along the ground, a huge number of stepsons are formed, on which the entire crop is born: on each stepson there are 3-4 fruits. Therefore, pinching - one of the main procedures in tomato growing - is categorically not applicable to this variety. They try to leave all the stepsons on the bushes of this tomato, except for those that, in the owner’s opinion, grow out of place and unnecessarily thicken the bush.

The number of fruits on a Mongolian dwarf tomato bush is amazing

The Mongolian dwarf does not need to be tied to supports. On the one hand, this makes the gardener’s work easier, but on the other hand, one has to put up with the fact that the bulk of the crop practically lies on the ground, which is not only unsightly, but can also cause rotting of the fruits. Fortunately, rotting tomatoes are not typical for this variety.

If seeds are sowed for seedlings in a timely manner, the variety begins to bear fruit at the end of June, and the bulk of the harvest can be harvested before the onset of cold rainy weather, which is fraught with the development of late blight. True, after the main wave of fruiting has passed, the formation and growth of tomatoes, although to a lesser extent, continues for a long time, until the onset of frost.

The yield of the variety is very high, the bushes are covered with large tomatoes weighing about 200 g, but the size of the tomatoes in the last part of the harvest, closer to autumn, is much more modest. As a result, you can get up to 10 kg of fruit from one bush. They have an even, round shape and a bright red color; fruit cracking is minimal. The fruit pulp is dense and the juice content is high. There are conflicting opinions about the taste: it cannot be called excellent, but for an early Siberian variety it is quite good, with sourness. The purpose is universal: from fresh consumption to preparing various dishes and preparations for the winter.

The variety is considered unpretentious in care, which is especially important for beginning gardeners. Mongolian dwarf may also be of interest to small farmers, since the tomatoes tolerate transportation well, are stored well and look quite presentable.

Video: characteristics of the Mongolian dwarf tomato

Growing methods

The Siberian dwarf tomato is suitable for very dense planting, which can provide a large yield per 1 sq. m. The variety does not require gartering or pinching. You can grow tomatoes using the classic seedling method or by planting seeds directly in open ground.

Rassadny

Seeds that have been stored for more than a year are suitable for planting. Before planting, they are soaked in growth stimulants, for example, sodium humate, Epin-extra or Zircon.

"Epin-extra"

The easiest way is to use ready-made store-bought soil for seedlings. If you use your own material, it must be disinfected. The containers for sowing are also disinfected. It is best to use soil from your garden, then the adaptation of plants in open ground will be faster.

Siberian dwarf is a mid-early tomato variety, so seeds begin to be planted 50-60 days before planting. Seedlings are planted in a greenhouse 2-3 weeks earlier than in open ground.

Growing seeds for seedlings

Tomato seeds can be planted immediately in a large container. Then the plants are transplanted using picking. In this case, it is possible to pinch the roots to form new shoots.

Tomato seeds

The bushes dive when 2-3 leaves appear; this can be done in two ways:

Classic (seedlings are planted from a common container into separate cups). Containers of approximately 0.5 liters are filled 2/3 with soil. The day before transplanting, seedlings are watered abundantly so that the bushes can be transplanted together with a lump of earth. The roots of the sprouts are pinched, they are deepened into containers up to the cotyledon leaves and watered moderately.
When picking by transfer (when the seedlings are scattered into cassettes), the entire lump is pulled out of the container and planted in a new container. Watering before planting is not required.

To reduce stress after picking, the bushes are fed with Epin-extra or Zircon.

Caring for tomato seedlings

Watering:

The shoots should be watered moderately as the soil dries out (on average once a week with 3-4 leaves and 2 times with 5-6). In young shoots, the root system is located in the top layer of soil and drying out the surface will have a bad effect on their development. On the other hand, excess moisture in the soil will cause the stems to turn black.
Water for irrigation is used at room temperature. It is best to melt or rain - it is softer than tap water.
To prevent drops on the leaves of plants from causing burns, they should be watered at the root using a small watering can. You can also use a syringe without a needle for this purpose. But then the stream is directed not under the root, but nearby, so as not to damage the thin shoots.

Caring for tomato seedlings
Temperature:

To prevent the seedlings from stretching out, immediately after emergence the air temperature is lowered to 15-17 degrees during the day and 11-13 at night. This regime is observed for a week, then they move to 23-35 degrees during the day and 15-17 at night.
The microclimate is regulated using a window; it is also useful to use curtains to create a separate microclimate for the shoots.
Drafts can kill plants. Temperature changes, on the contrary, harden them, helping to grow stronger and healthier bushes.

Lighting:

For seedlings to grow well, they need light. It is best to place it on window sills on the south side.
For additional lighting, phytolamps are used, in extreme cases fluorescent. The first 3 days illuminate the shoots around the clock, during the next 10-11 days - in the morning and evening. After this period, young plants do not need lighting.
The seedlings must be rotated periodically so that all the bushes do not lean to one (lit) side.

Phytolamps are used for additional lighting

To prevent tomatoes from stretching, in cloudy weather it is necessary to open the window.

Feeding tomatoes

To grow healthy seedlings, the bushes need to be fed. The first time is 11-13 days after picking, so that the plants have time to “recover” from stress. Further fertilizing is carried out once every 2 weeks.

Hardening

Before planting in open ground, plants should be prepared to help adapt:

About 2 weeks before transplantation, they begin to open the window, gradually increasing the hardening time.
They take the bushes out onto the veranda or glassed-in balcony, at first only in the daytime, then for the whole day.
Gradually “accustom” the seedlings to the street, leaving them consistently for 2, 4, 6 hours a day, and protecting them from direct sunlight.

Gradually “accustom” the seedlings to the street

3 days before planting, the plants are no longer removed at night and protected from the sun, and their condition is closely monitored.

Seedless

Advantages of sowing tomatoes directly into the ground:

plants develop faster;
bushes grow stronger, with a developed root system;
tomatoes tolerate temperature changes more easily and get sick less;
the fruits grow larger;
you don’t have to waste time caring for seedlings.

The disadvantages of the seedless method are that it is not suitable for all regions, tomatoes ripen later and the plants produce less yield.

Features of planting and care

Due to the peculiarities of the local climate, Siberian dwarf tomatoes, despite their early ripening, are grown in seedlings. It takes 5-6 weeks to form plants with 3-4 true leaves. They are transplanted into the ground at the end of May or early June, the seeds for seedlings are sown in the second ten days of April.

Preliminary hardening of seedlings facilitates adaptation to changed growing conditions

Good lighting is not the main requirement of the Siberian Dwarf tomato for the planting site. Partial shade will also suit him. The quality of the substrate is more important - it must be fertile, but at the same time relatively “light” and loose. Acid-base balance – neutral or slightly acidic. Therefore, when the bed is dug up (10-12 days before planting the seedlings), humus and complex fertilizer must be added to the soil.

Important! The recommended planting pattern is 30-35 cm between plants and 40-45 cm between rows of plantings.

The watering requirements for this variety are the same as for any standard tomatoes with a shallow root system. The “norm” per bush is about 3-4 liters, but the soil should not be allowed to dry out more than 2-3 cm deep. In the absence of precipitation, Siberian Dwarf tomatoes are watered every 3-5 days.

Mulching is highly recommended. Mulch eliminates the need for loosening and weeding (the risk of root damage in the process disappears). It also prevents the rapid evaporation of moisture from the soil.

The bed is mulched immediately after planting tomato seedlings

Siberian dwarf tomatoes are fed three times:

8-10 days after planting seedlings in the ground;
in another two weeks;
after harvesting the first “wave” of the harvest.

The best option for this variety is complex commercial fertilizers for tomatoes. They provide Siberian Dwarf tomatoes with nutrients in the required amount. Natural organics do not always cope with this task.

Siberian dwarf tomatoes do not need to form, remove stepsons, or even tie up fruit clusters. Powerful plants can support the weight of ripening tomatoes.

Step-by-step planting instructions

Planting is carried out at a soil temperature of +12 degrees (8-10 is acceptable). It is measured at the depth of the planting hole (approximately 20 cm). If the soil is colder, the tomatoes will not take root, but will simply “sit” in the ground and get sick.

Step-by-step planting instructions

Step-by-step landing plan:

For a week, the bushes are fed, for example, with “Epinom-extra” (1 ml per 5 liters of water) or any bait based on liquid vermicompost.
1.5 hours before the start of the process, the seedlings are filled with water to make it easier to remove them from the container.
Prepare the holes in a checkerboard pattern: 30-40 cm in a row, 50-70 cm between rows.
They put up arcs for shelters.
Pour 1 tbsp into each well. l. superphosphate or wood ash and a little humus and mix with the soil.
Sprinkle fertilizer on top of the soil so as not to burn the roots of the tomatoes.
Water the holes generously.
Bushes are planted up to the cotyledon leaves (if deeper, the cotyledon leaves are removed).
Compact the soil around the stems, sprinkle loose soil on top and mulch.

For the first few days, the plants need to be covered to create and maintain a special microclimate around them.

Harvesting

In order to harvest tomatoes in a timely and correct manner, the stage of their ripening should be taken into account.

Harvesting

There are 3 degrees of maturity of tomatoes:

Biological. The fruits stop growing, the seeds are fully formed and covered with a film, and the green skin of the tomato begins to lighten.
Technological - at a temperature of +25 degrees it occurs approximately a week from the previous one. Tomatoes acquire an external color corresponding to their variety, and when cut they become pink.
Consumer - the fruits are fully ripened and reach the maximum concentration of vitamins, sugars and acids. These tomatoes only last for a few days.

When exactly to pick Siberian Dwarf tomatoes depends on future plans for the harvest:

Tomatoes, which are immediately served, are harvested at the stage of consumer ripeness.
Tomatoes at the technological stage are suitable for transportation or preservation. Such fruits will ripen on their own within 5-7 days after being picked from the bush.
If vegetables are collected for long-term storage, they are picked at the biological stage.

Harvesting Siberian dwarf tomatoes
In central Russia, the first harvest is harvested in mid-summer, and the last one is harvested before the first frost. During the period of active fruiting, the bushes are inspected daily, the rest of the time - once every 2 days. Damaged or diseased fruits must be picked so that they do not infect healthy ones.

So that the fruits can be stored for up to 3 months, they are placed in wooden boxes with sawdust and left in a dark place. The temperature is maintained from 8 to 10 degrees.

In a warm (about 25 degrees) and ventilated room with a humidity of 80-85%, tomatoes at the biological stage of ripening will fully ripen in 7-10 days. As the temperature drops, the process will slow down. By following storage rules and properly regulating the heat regime, you can provide yourself with fresh tomatoes for a long time.

What is good about the Mongolian dwarf tomato for busy people?

You shouldn't expect huge sugar tomatoes from the Mongolian dwarf; its taste is good, but not great. But it is very good for getting a large early harvest.
Read also: Description and technology of growing Vietnamese melon, varieties
The Mongolian dwarf tomato variety can be grown in accordance with your needs and capabilities - if the earliest possible tomato harvest is important, you need to sow it early as seedlings.
If you don’t want to deal with seedlings at home, cold resistance and early maturity allow you to sow the seeds of this variety for seedlings in a greenhouse.
For summer residents, plants are needed according to the “plant and forget” principle - the Mongolian dwarf is an ideal option. Tomato for the busy , tomatoes for the lazy (relatively lazy, since they work hard and like to relax in the garden).
I want to harvest tomatoes for as long as possible - planting this Mongolian dwarf tomato in containers allows you to bring them into the greenhouse with the onset of cold weather and extend the tomato growing season.
The Mongolian dwarf tomato variety is not only unpretentious, early and productive, it is also universally used. Each summer resident can choose the planting option he needs.

We decided to try all the growing options, so that next year we will have something to talk about.