High-yielding tomato Chocolate Bunny: variety description

Each of us has completely different tastes: in terms of clothing or food. Some people like to eat sushi, while others simply fry fish with a side dish of rice. Almost every person loves tomatoes. And there are a huge number of varieties to satisfy every request.

Among the varieties there are medium-sized tomatoes, and there are also giant ones suitable for making sauces or ketchup. But there are also real babies that are not only beautiful and compact, but also very tasty. Such tomatoes are called “cherry” (from English - “cherry”). The berries of these tomatoes fully correspond to the variety: just as small and red.

Breeders are constantly developing new varieties. A few years ago, breeders from Bulgaria distinguished themselves by creating a new variety called Chocolate Bunny.

Description of tomato Chocolate Bunny

The tomato variety with an unusual name belongs to the indeterminate plant type. That is, the growth of the bush is not limited, even after the formation of a flower ovary. The Chocolate Bunny tomato is not only tall, but also very productive. The berries on the fruit clusters are arranged very neatly. The variety was bred in 2022 and immediately gained popularity among gardeners, not only for its attractive appearance, but also for its unpretentiousness and the fact that it can be grown in almost all regions.

Description of the bush

The bush gives high growth rates only in a greenhouse, for which it is primarily intended. Tomato bushes can grow up to 2 meters high. In open ground the figures are much more modest: 70-80 cm, no more. The Chocolate Bunny variety bush is strong and spreading, with a large number of leaves of the usual dark green color. The bush requires mandatory pinching, since the plant forms them literally on an industrial scale.

Description of fruits

Appearance of the Chocolate Bunny tomato is literally a delight for aesthetes: small, neat, slightly elongated in shape. This shape is sometimes called plum or cream. The fruits are smooth, with dense skin, not prone to cracks. The color of the ripe berries is red-brown, which is why these tomatoes are nicknamed that way. This unusual color is due to the high content of carotene.

The pulp of the fruit is quite dense; a cut reveals several seed chambers. There are few seeds there. The taste of the berry is sweet, with barely noticeable sourness. The weight of such tomatoes is very small, however, cherry tomatoes should not be large - 50 grams, no more.

The best varieties of chocolate-black tomatoes

Red-fruited tomatoes are most often grown in summer cottages and in greenhouses. The second place in terms of polarity is occupied by fruits with a pink color, followed by yellow and orange fruits. But true tomato fans decorate their garden beds every year with more exotic options, for example, tomato varieties with black, chocolate or maroon fruits.

Content

The color of the fruit is rather a relative concept: black, purple, red-brown, which can be replaced with one word “dark”

Features of tomatoes with dark fruit color ↑

The pulp of an ordinary tomato contains sugar (glucose, fructose), some proteins and starch, organic acids, fiber, pectins, and minerals. It contains a lot of B vitamins, ascorbic, folic acids, choline, carotene, lycopene. Due to the last two substances they acquire a red color. Other compounds responsible for the purple, dark brown or blackish color are anthocyanins.

The dark color is obtained under the influence of direct sunlight, so those fruits that receive less light will be less brown or black; in the shade they may remain red. The pulp of black-fruited varieties still remains reddish or pink-red, but it is denser, tastes sweetish, and often has an aroma.

Black tomatoes have an unusual taste: their sugar-acid composition is slightly different from the red-fruited varieties we are used to. Based on the latest scientific research, it can be argued that dark fruits contain more antioxidants. Anthocyanins have a beneficial effect on the immune system and strengthen the vascular system. Their effect on metabolism and appetite is also recognized. Eating them improves vision and helps relieve swelling.

Varieties of black and chocolate tomatoes ↑

Agricultural companies involved in the breeding of this crop annually offer vegetable growers new types of black tomatoes.

“Indigo Rose” ↑

“Indigo Rose” – has a foreign selection, intended for cultivation in any conditions. The bush grows up to 100-120 cm, has a compact shape and a small amount of foliage. Plants are very resistant to late blight disease.

Weighs on average 40-70 g, tasty, meaty. The color of the skin is truly almost black or blue-violet. Breeders claim that these tomatoes are a vitamin bomb; the pulp contains the same antioxidants that are found in blueberries. They recommend waiting for the fruits on the plant to fully ripen and consuming them “from the bush” so that as many vitamins as possible enter the body.

This breeding tomato is very healthy

Tomato “Chocolate” ↑

Bred by the Aelita agricultural company, it is characterized by medium-early ripening (115-120 days). The bush is semi-determinate, grows up to 110-150 cm. It is grown in open beds, in greenhouses and under film covers. They are planted in the prepared place at a distance of 50 cm between the bushes. If the planting has several rows, leave 70 cm between rows.

The fruits are multi-chambered with tender, fleshy pulp with a sweetish taste. The average weight is 200-400 g, larger ones are found on the first brush. The smooth skin is brown-red in color, the flesh is orange-brown. Their purpose is universal, but they are especially good in salads. Productivity per sq. meters reaches eight to twelve kilograms.

Great choice for salad

Tomato “Paul Robeson” ↑

It has a venerable history, was bred in the Soviet Union and named after the black opera singer Paul Robeson, who visited the state with a concert in those years. Today, seeds are produced by the agricultural company “Biotechnika”, and planting material can also be purchased from private collectors. The bushes are of indeterminate type and require pinching. The vegetable is rather mid-season: about 120 days pass before the first ripe fruits appear. The plant is grown in one or two stems. Each cluster lays four to five fruits.

The fruit is large, with an average weight of 350 g, so the plants require regular fertilization. The color of the skin is chocolate brown. If they are shielded from the sun by foliage, they turn reddish-brown. The taste is extraordinary, the flesh is not only fleshy, but aromatic.

Everyone will like the aroma of a mid-season tomato

Variety “Watermelon” ↑

“It is offered to vegetable growers by the Gavrish agricultural firm. It is considered mid-season: 105-110 days pass from the moment of seed germination before the first fruiting. It is preferable to grow in a greenhouse. Plants are formed into one stem; as they form, the stepsons are removed. From one bush, subject to high-quality fertilizing, you can get a little more than three kilograms of tomatoes. The bushes are planted at a distance of 40 cm, with 60 cm between rows. It is indeterminate, so after the required number of brushes has formed, the growth point must be pinched.

The fruits have a flat-round shape and are multi-chambered inside. The pulp is juicy, fleshy, tasty. Weighs about 130-150 g. Purpose - salad. The name is given for the noticeable stripes of darker color extending from the fruit stalk.

“Striped” salad tomato

Tomato “Brown Sugar” ↑

The agricultural company “SeDeK” produces a medium-late variety, the ripening period of which is 120 days. Indeterminate bushes, if growth is not stopped, can grow up to two meters. Up to six to seven kilograms of crop are harvested per square meter. Tomatoes are flat-round in shape, the color of the pulp and skin is dark brown, sometimes dark burgundy. Average weight – 130-140 g. The pulp is sweetish, the taste is pleasant. They are good for canning. Some vegetable growers note a slight wateriness, so they can be called a variety “for everyone.”

Characteristics of tomato

The Chocolate Bunny variety has excellent characteristics that relate not only to excellent taste or plant, but also to immunity and productivity.

Advantages and disadvantages

This variety has many advantages and virtually no disadvantages. The advantages of cherry tomato Chocolate Bunny include:

• Average ripening period: the first fruits can be obtained after 3.5-4 months;
• High rates of fruiting and harvest;
• Excellent taste of ripe tomatoes;
• Excellent transportability, keeping quality and presentation;
• Due to the thick skin, ripe tomatoes do not crack;
• Berries are used everywhere: in the preparation of canned food, drying, pizza, etc.;
• Good immunity.

The disadvantages of this variety concern only the bush itself: it requires constant gartering, fastening of supports and shaping.

Productivity

The Chocolate Bunny tomato variety is distinguished by high yield rates: firstly, you can collect 5-6 kg of fruits from a bush, and there can be several hundred berries on the bush!

Recommended growing region

The chocolate bunny is recommended for cultivation in almost all regions of Russia and neighboring countries. It is permissible to grow even in the northern regions.

When to collect and how to use

Fruiting of the variety is non-simultaneous and extended. You can start harvesting the first harvest as early as mid-summer, right up to the end. When grown in a greenhouse, a tomato bush bears fruit until autumn.

The purpose of this variety is universal. It is ideal for whole-fruit canning and drying. Suitable for salads. An exception, perhaps, is the preparation of tomato juice, due to the small size of the fruit.

Chocolate Hare – variety of Tomato plant

Variety characteristics:

Properties of the Chocolate Hare variety:

Recommended region on the map:

Information on the admission of Tomato Chocolate Hare from the Register of the State Variety Commission of the Russian Federation

Application for admission No. 70598, registered 2016-11-17. The Tomato variety Chocolate Hare is included in the register of those approved in 2022. Approved for use in regions: All regions.

The originator of the Tomato Chocolate Hare variety is:

Information about the patent for the Tomato variety Chocolate Hare

Patent holder of the Chocolate Hare variety:

• LLC `AGROFIRMA AELITA` (129343, MOSCOW, NANSEN TRADE, 1)

Application for protection of the Chocolate Hare variety No. 70599, registered 2016-11-17.

Patent No. 10411, registered 2019-06-11. Estimated patent expiration date 2049-12-31.

Authors of the Tomato variety Chocolate Hare

• Kachainik Vladimir Georgievich
• Gulkin Mikhail Nikolaevich
• Karmanova Olga Alekseevna
• Matyunina Svetlana Vladimirovna

Other varieties of tomato plant

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Features of growing seedlings

The seedling method is the most popular method of growing tomatoes. In the southern regions, seeds are sown immediately in open ground. First, seeds are sown in pre-prepared soil, then they wait for germination, then they dive and after 2-2.5 months the seedlings are transplanted to a permanent place. The approximate period in days is 60 days. The optimal time for sowing seeds for almost all varieties (not only for the Chocolate Bunny tomato) is mid-March-April.

Preparatory stage

Of course, you can just buy seeds, soil and sow right away. But in this case, you may encounter difficulties: the non-germination of some seeds, long pecking, and others. In order for the seeds to germinate faster and produce good sprouts, a preparatory stage is carried out, which includes the following:

• Reject in salt solution for half an hour. Rinse, dry;
• Disinfection in a weak solution of potassium permanganate for 1.5-2 hours. Rinse, dry;
• Hardening in the refrigerator for a couple of days;
• Treatment with a growth stimulator for 12 hours;
• Pre-germination in a warm cloth on a saucer for a couple of days.

Timing and patterns of seed sowing

As a rule, seeds of almost any variety are sown in early spring, because there is already enough light and daytime temperatures are rising. The optimal period is March or April, from 1st to 15th. The sowing procedure is carried out according to the standard scheme: the prepared loose soil is poured into the planting container, not reaching the edge a couple of centimeters. Next, make small grooves of 3 cm and sow the seeds to a depth of 1-2 cm. The distance between the seeds should be no more than 2 cm.

How to grow tomatoes

Growing the Striped Chocolate variety is not much different from caring for other tomatoes. It is unpretentious, and any gardener can cope with it. These tomatoes can be grown both in a greenhouse and in open ground. In the northern regions it is better to use the second option.

Transplanting

Before planting seedlings in a permanent place, you need to prepare the soil. Ideally, this is done in the fall.

For 1 sq. m of soil you need to take 0.5 kg of lime, 5 kg of organic fertilizers and 40 g of superphosphate. Dig the soil well before planting.

Before planting seedlings, you need to dig holes. The distance between rows should be 50 cm, and between plants - 40 cm. The holes are watered in advance.

Seedlings are placed in the prepared recesses. You need to remove it from the containers immediately before planting. The holes with plants are watered with water and filled with soil on top.

Before planting plants in their permanent place, it is worth disinfecting the soil. To do this, just pour it with a weak solution of potassium permanganate, prepared in a ratio of 1:100.

Plant care

Watering is done as the soil dries out. Usually it is enough to moisten the soil 1-2 times a week. The first time watering is carried out 10 days after planting the plants in a permanent place. Take 0.7 liters of water per well.

Hilling is done before watering. It is first done a week after planting tomatoes in the ground. Next, you need to hill up the tomatoes every 20 days.

The first feeding is carried out a week after planting. Organic fertilizers are used for it. The composition can be prepared by taking one part manure to eight parts water. 20 g of superphosphate is added to a bucket of this mixture.

After two weeks, the plants are fed again, but with mineral fertilizers. For 1 sq. m take 10 g of ammonium nitrate, 20 g of superphosphate, 15 g of potassium salt. After another 14 days, the tomatoes are fertilized with the same composition.

Striped chocolate needs garter. Otherwise, heavy fruits will break the bush.

The plant forms one, two or three stems. In the first case, the harvest will appear faster, and in the second and third it will be more abundant.

Pruning is done no more than once a week: all the shoots that appear under the brushes are broken off and the yellow leaves are removed.

Nuances of cultivation

There are several subtleties that not all novice gardeners know about. Taking them into account, you can avoid mistakes and get healthy and productive plants.

Tips for growing tomatoes:

The most favorable time for watering is evening. On cloudy days, you can moisten the soil at any time.

Mulching will help protect the plant from pests and diseases. As mulch, you can use straw, hay or special non-woven materials sold in stores. Water the plants only with settled water

It is important to pour the liquid only under the root, without touching the greens.

Stepping should be done in the morning or evening. On the day of this procedure, the plants are not watered.

Diseases and pests

Reviews from gardeners indicate that the Striped Chocolate tomato is resistant to most diseases. He rarely even suffers from late blight, which is the most common cause of crop damage.

To protect the bushes from harmful insects, they can be sprayed with a soap solution. Regular weeding and loosening the soil will prevent damage to the bushes by mole crickets and slugs. Once a week, inspect the bushes and remove pests manually.

Growing seedlings and transplanting into the ground.

After all the seeds are planted, the box must be covered with transparent film or glass. This will provide a greenhouse effect, and the seeds will sprout faster. The period for germination is about a week. The box should be in a warm and dark place. When the sprouts hatch, the covering must be removed and the box moved to a lighted place. As a rule, this is a window sill. If there is a lack of light, the box is illuminated with lamps. There is no need to water the seedlings heavily to prevent fungus from appearing. Only spray periodically as the soil dries. The water should be settled and warm.

When the time comes for transplanting into the ground, the soil must be prepared: dug up and rid of plant debris, warmed to the required temperature and disinfected. Before transplanting, the soil is watered with a hot, weak solution of manganese or simply watered with warm water. The seedlings are carefully pulled out of the cups, along with a lump of earth.

Growing

Cultivating the Chocolate Miracle variety is no different from growing other species. Therefore, even without experience, you can get a good harvest of quality fruits.

Growing seedlings

The best time to plant Chocolate Miracle tomato seeds is the last days of March or the beginning of April. As containers, you can use wooden boxes, trays with cells or ordinary pots. The substrate is prepared independently or purchased special soil for seedlings.

Before use, it must be spilled with a solution of potassium permanganate for disinfection. The seeds are carefully sorted, discarding empty and damaged grains. For rapid germination, they can be soaked in a solution of a growth stimulator, strictly following the recommendations on the package.

Attention! When sowing, use a 11 cm pattern. Afterwards, they are sprinkled with a layer of soil and watered with a spray bottle.

The top of the container is tightly sealed with transparent film or glass.

The room is maintained at a constant temperature ranging from + 23 to + 25 °C. When the first sprouts are visible, the shelter is removed and the container is transferred to a brighter place where the seedlings will receive direct rays of the sun. The temperature is reduced to + 14-15 °C. The plants are kept in such conditions for about a week so that the stems do not stretch too much.

Then the temperature is raised to room temperature. 7 days before planting Chocolate Miracle tomatoes in the ground, they begin to harden them. The container is taken out into the air every day and accustomed to daily temperature changes.

Landing rules

Chocolate Miracle tomatoes are transferred to the garden only when all the frosts have passed. For every 1 m2 of land, no more than 3 bushes are planted. If there is still a threat of frost in early May, the transplanted tomatoes are immediately covered with film. This will not only help protect the plants, but also increase productivity.

Watering and fertilizing

Soil moisture should be moderate. Excess moisture causes roots to rot, and mold develops on the ground and bushes. More abundant watering of Chocolate Miracle tomatoes is permissible only in dry summers and during the formation of the ovary. The procedure is carried out either early in the morning or after sunset.

During the entire growth period, only three feedings are needed. The first - 14 days after planting, it can be nitrogen fertilizers, ash or urea to stimulate the growth of bushes. The second is at the very beginning of flowering. At this stage, complexes with a high content of phosphorus and potassium are used. The third is when the fruits appear. The tops need to be sprayed with growth stimulants (“Boroplus” or “Ovary”).

Attention! In order for the roots of Chocolate Miracle tomatoes to receive a sufficient amount of oxygen and moisture, the top layer of soil must be loosened regularly. Otherwise, a hard crust will form on the surface.

Periodic mulching will help retain moisture in the soil.

Pinching and tying

During the flowering period, side shoots actively appear on the main stem of Chocolate Miracle tomatoes. They need to be cut off. This procedure is carried out approximately once every two weeks. With regular pinching, the bushes do not thicken and are not depleted of additional shoots. As a result, the fruits of Chocolate Miracle tomatoes are larger.

To further strengthen the bush, it is tied to supports. This will make it easier for the stems to support the weight of leaves and ripe tomatoes. As the fruits ripen, the branches are tied to strong pegs.

Formation

Usually the Chocolate Miracle tomato bush is formed into two stems. When the first 2 stepsons appear, one of them is removed and the second is left. An additional stem will develop from it.

The stepsons that sprout under the first flower cluster are the strongest.

Protection from diseases and pests

Chocolate miracle tomatoes are rarely affected by mosaic, gray mold or late blight. As a preventative measure, regularly inspect bushes and leaves. At the first signs of the disease, it is necessary to immediately treat the tops with solutions of biofungicides or Bordeaux mixture. When preparing the solution, you must strictly follow the instructions. It is advisable to carry out preventive treatments every 14 days.

The most common pests that attack are the Colorado potato beetle, aphids and wireworms. In such cases, treatment with special preparations will help. The most effective are Fufanon, Quadris and Aktara. You can also use folk remedies. For this purpose, infusions based on wormwood and onion peels are used. For ½ liter of boiling water take 2-3 tbsp. l. raw materials and infuse for 24 hours. The liquid is filtered and used for spraying.

Features of growing tomato

By the way, many who are looking for information about this variety of cherry tomatoes come across another variety with a similar name: the Chocolate Bunny tomato. It has many names: dark chocolate, chocolate, chocolate and others. However, after reading the information, they remain perplexed, because the characteristics of the variety are completely different: the weight of the fruit and their shape, yield and type of bush. Therefore, read more carefully. The real cherry tomato described in the article is called “Chocolate Bunny”.

There are no special care requirements for this variety. It is quite unpretentious and adapts perfectly to any conditions. It must be tied up, stepsons often removed and often fed with natural organic fertilizers. And of course, water regularly.

Transplanting

When the time comes, the seedlings need to be transplanted to a permanent place. Firstly, there will not be enough space in the container, and secondly, the roots require more intensive development. This should take approximately two months. Holes or beds for seedlings are prepared in advance. Watering is also done in advance. The optimal planting pattern is 50*40 cm. It is important to remember one rule: you cannot water the seedlings immediately after planting. This is necessary so that the seedling quickly establishes itself in the soil, strengthens its roots and learns to seek moisture on its own.

Plant care

The tomato does not require any special care. It only needs to be watered regularly, periodically fed, loosened, mulched and protected from diseases and pests.

Watering

Watering is the most important component in care. The future condition of the plant will depend on it. What nuances does watering include:

1. The water is settled in the tank and only warm. No cold! Cold water will stress the roots and they will begin to rot;
2. Regularity : watering should be infrequent, a couple of times a week. During drought, the frequency of watering increases. But do not overdo it: with frequent watering, you provoke excessive soil moisture, which entails the development of fungal diseases;
3. Monitor the temperature : you need to water the plants either late in the evening, when the sun has set, or early in the morning, when it has not risen. Never water the bushes on a hot day: the sun causes burns on the leaves.

Top dressing

You need to feed the plant no more than 4 times per season. It is best to use liquid organic matter: cow manure or bird guano. The first feeding is carried out two weeks after transplanting to a permanent place. During flowering, you can spray the ovaries with boric acid or add yeast mash to the root. But the main fertilizers for tomatoes are potassium, phosphorus and nitrogen. The former affect the development of the root system and immunity, nitrogen affects taste.

Soil care and weeding

No less important in caring for tomato bushes are two procedures: loosening and weeding. How is each useful?

1. Loosening: saturates the soil with oxygen, allowing it to breathe. Carry out immediately after watering. Do not loosen the soil when it is dry, as there is a risk of damaging the roots;
2. Weeding: gets rid of weeds, which not only interfere with the normal growth of tomatoes, taking up space, but also suck nutrients from the soil. Go carefully with a hoe and collect the roots by hand.

Stepson and garter

A shoot is a lateral shoot on a tomato stem that can grow into an independent plant. If they are not removed in time, the plant will spend all its energy only on greens. The chocolate bunny variety is distinguished by abundant stepsons, so they need to be removed regularly, either by breaking them out or cutting them off. But not all the way, leaving a small stump.

The bush of this variety is indeterminate and very spreading, and therefore requires obligatory gartering to trellises or wooden pegs. It is better to install them in advance when you transplant the seedlings into the ground.

Formation

In order for a plant to produce a good harvest, it must be properly formed. For open ground, the bunny variety forms a bush with a maximum of three stems. No more is needed, otherwise a large number of stems will only produce greens and minimize the harvest. For a greenhouse - 1 stem.

Mulching

Not all gardeners use this procedure, but nevertheless it is very useful:

• Prevents moisture evaporation, retaining it in the soil;
• Prevents weed growth;
• Minimizes the risk of insect attack.
• Straw, dry leaves, sawdust, and even dark non-woven material are suitable for mulch. If you take a biological layer, make it 4-5 cm thick.

Nuances of cultivation and storage

The features of care were written above. This variety stores well in low, ventilated boxes for up to a month. The variety has good keeping quality and transportability. That is why this variety is so popular among many summer residents.

Growing methods

The variety is unpretentious in care. Cultivation is carried out by seedling method. To grow seedlings you need:

1. Seeds can be additionally treated with protective solutions and safe growth stimulants.
2. You can take ready-made soil for planting (you can buy it at any seed store) or prepare it yourself (the soil is mixed in equal proportions with humus and peat).
3. Place the seeds in the soil, place the container in a warm place and cover with film.
4. After the sprouts appear, the film is removed.
5. Until the seedlings are fully formed, it is necessary to provide moderate light, feeding and watering.

After 2 true leaves appear on the sprouts, they need to be picked into different pots. Strong sprouts (with 6-8 leaves) are planted in open ground in the amount of 4 pieces per 1 m2, keeping a distance between seedlings of at least 50 centimeters. The width between the rows is more than 1 meter. The bushes will grow tall, so it is necessary to install strong supports.

Important: plants must be fed with complex additives twice a season. After each watering, loosen the soil and hill up the bushes. The variety does not tolerate chemical fertilizers.

Diseases and pests

Despite the fact that the variety is considered mid-season, it is practically not affected by diseases, even late blight. The Chocolate Bunny tomato variety has excellent immunity. Among the pests, it can be affected by slugs or the Colorado potato beetle, which devours any nightshade.

Disease and pest control

The drug "Hom" or other insecticides help against diseases. For pests, in particular for beetles, use the drug “Taboo”. It would be a good idea to spray with soapy water or scatter crushed eggshells (from slugs).

Preventative treatments

This applies not only to the plants themselves. The plants are prepared long before sowing: they are soaked in potassium permanganate. To protect the soil from diseases and pests, digging is carried out in the fall, removing the remains of plants and sleeping insects. Before planting, a hot solution of manganese is poured into the soil. Planting nearby plants with a strong smell will help against pests: parsley, basil, mustard, mint, marigolds. An important rule: compliance with crop rotation, i.e., it is prohibited to plant new tomatoes in place of old ones. There may be an old infection there.

Agricultural technology of culture

The cultivation of “Chocolate” tomatoes is simple, and its implementation requires standard measures - this was noted in the characteristics and description of the variety. But you need to carefully monitor the formation of the bush: tie it up in a timely manner and remove excess ovaries so that the vegetables grow large and juicy.

Watering

Despite the fact that black tomatoes are very unpretentious, they still require regular watering so that the soil does not dry out. And so on until the fruits are fully ripened. This is one of the conditions for good fruiting.

Important! In the first week after planting in open ground, the seedlings acclimatize; during this time they are not watered.

glaze

The method of watering is best underground drip, but if it is difficult to organize, then use ash water under the roots or between the rows.

Top dressing

It is necessary to feed “Chocolate” tomatoes three times a season, or even better, once every 2 weeks, until they ripen. Any fertilizer that contains much more phosphorus and potassium than nitrates is suitable. In addition, the “young growth” needs magnesium, and during flowering, also boron. And in case of calcium deficiency, you need to add drugs with a high content of this element.

Important! Mineral fertilizers should be applied to the soil taking into account its agrochemical composition

Soil care and weeding

The yield of “Chocolate” tomatoes also depends on this part of the cultivation process, so the beds in which they grow must be regularly weeded and loosened so that the soil is always light and has good aeration and drainage. These types of work also involve removing weeds. True, the fight against the latter requires greater care, since weeds take away moisture and nutrients, and in addition, create bushiness and shade.

Did you know? Breeders at the University of California crossed wild Galapagos tomatoes with various cultivated varieties to produce varieties that taste salty. In addition, they found that their salty hybrids grow well on sandy soils and respond well to watering with sea water.

Stepson and garter

Chocolate tomato bushes need staking because they become very heavy over time and can break under their own weight. They are tied to pegs immediately after planting in open ground so that they take root well and grow quickly.

Pegs 1.2-1.5 m long are driven into the ground a third of their size, on the north side of the plant, 10 cm away from the stem. The garter material should be soft so as not to injure the stems.

Stepchildren, unnecessary side shoots growing from the axils of the leaves, lead to bushiness, due to which a lot of shadow is formed, there is a risk of infection of the entire planting, and the ripening of fruits slows down. To avoid this, stepsoning is performed.

Important! In order to reduce the likelihood of infection of vegetables, pinching and other cultivation work should be carried out in the morning, on dry, quiet days. Then any wounds on the stem will dry out very quickly and thereby close the “entrance” to infections.

vegetables

Reviews

Maria, Perm

“I tried the chocolate bunny variety quite recently. Yes, caring for it is troublesome, you have to constantly break out the stepsons and feed it, but it’s worth it: the variety is very productive, and the fruits are pleasing to the eye!”

Evgeniy, Penza

“I grow this variety only in the ground. I don’t like greenhouses, where any variety grows to gigantic sizes. Despite the need for formation and pinching, this variety does not require special care. The main thing for me is the harvest, and the chocolate one is simply mega-yielding if you look after it well.”

Lucien, St. Petersburg

“I love this variety! Simply ideal for pickling, drying and even salads! And what a neat slice for pizza it makes! And the taste is sweet, what I love!”

Growing rules

The Chocolate tomato is quite easy to grow even in a summer cottage. It will not cause daily hassle, just follow a few rules:

1. Garter.
2. Circumcision of stepchildren (leave 2-3 branches).
3. Water as it dries (once a week is enough).
4. Treatment with fungicides against fungus (before flowering).

Read more about cultivation below.

Planting seedlings

The Chocolate variety is sown 2 months before planting in a greenhouse or open ground - that is, around the end of February or early March. Landing occurs as follows:

1. The seeds of this tomato variety do not need to be hardened or soaked, as they are initially disinfected.
2. You can buy the soil or prepare it yourself by mixing peat, turf and humus in a ratio of 1:1:1, adding ash, phosphorus and potassium fertilizer at the rate of 1 tbsp. spoon each onto a bucket of soil.
3. The mixture is disinfected by pouring it with a solution of potassium permanganate or calcining it in the oven at a temperature of 200°C.
4. Tomatoes should be sown at a distance of 2-3 cm in large containers up to 10 cm deep with drainage holes at the bottom.
5. The seeds are laid out and sprinkled with soil on top, covered with film and put in a warm place for a week. When they sprout, the film is removed and the boxes are transferred to a bright window.

Chocolate tomato seedlings should be in the following conditions:

• air temperature – from 18 to 25°C;
• constant moisture – prevent drying out by spraying the sprouts;
• once every 2 weeks – fertilizing with fertilizers;
• drafts and watering with cold water are unacceptable;
• if mold suddenly appears, you need to carefully remove it, and treat the soil and tomatoes with an antifungal compound;
• fertilizing once every 10 days with nitrogenous fertilizers.

After the appearance of the 2nd leaf, the tomatoes are planted: first, the soil in the container is properly spilled, and then the seedlings are carefully planted together with a lump of earth in separate cups with a volume of up to 200 ml.

6 weeks after sowing, the pickled tomatoes will have grown and you can begin to harden them. To do this, on warm days, seedlings are taken outside to a place sheltered from the wind, in the sun. First for 1 hour, day after day, increasing this time to 12 hours. It is better to bring it home at night - there is a risk of frost.

Tomato transplant

Transplanting tomatoes into open ground is done at the age of 60 days, approximately 2 weeks after the first flower clusters are set. Usually this moment occurs in the second half of May. But you need to take into account frosts - in regions with a harsh climate, it is better to transplant later, in June, when the danger of sub-zero temperatures has passed.

The Chocolate tomato variety is transplanted into light neutral soil with a pH of approximately 6-7. Humus content – ​​from 2%

When planting in a greenhouse, it is important to ensure air flow (open windows). Soil preparation includes 3 procedures:

• loosening to a depth of a shovel;
• warming up to 15°C - for this you need to cover the area with black film for a couple of days;
• fertilization with manure or humus at the rate of 3 kg per 1 sq. meter.

You need to plant Chocolate variety tomatoes infrequently - 3 bushes per 1 square meter. meter according to the scheme 70*50 cm. They cannot grow thickly.

Subsequent care for tomatoes

What is included in caring for the Chocolate variety tomato:

1. Garter - pegs are driven in at a distance of 10 cm from the bush.
2. Removal of excess ovaries and stepsons. If the bush becomes too dense and shady, the risk of infection will increase, the tomatoes will not get enough sun, and the fruits are highly likely to rot. For a Chocolate tomato, 2-3 branches are enough.
3. Regular watering in the morning or evening, when the sun is gone. Better than drip. If this is not possible, then water at the root. Do not spray from above!
4. Feeding with fertilizer containing potassium and phosphorus, starting from the 10th day from the moment of planting and then once every 2 weeks. While the seedlings are very young, additional magnesium is needed; during flowering, boron is needed.
5. Drainage and aeration – it is advisable to loosen the soil around the bush.

Recommendation for tomato care

With proper care of tomatoes, you can significantly increase productivity

Particular attention should be paid to watering and fertilizing the soil.

Watering

Tomatoes do not need frequent watering. If the soil is constantly waterlogged, the fruits will grow watery and tasteless. It is enough to irrigate the beds 2-3 times a week. Watering is carried out in the evenings with heated water. If you irrigate the soil with ice water, the risk of developing fungal diseases will increase.

Top dressing

Tomatoes need nutrients added to the soil. In the first half of the season, when the bushes are actively growing, nitrogen is added to the soil. Nitrogen-containing fertilizers activate growth, and tomatoes begin to bear fruit faster. Ammonium sulfate, urea, and sodium nitrate are used as fertilizers.

After the tomatoes begin to bloom, they stop adding nitrogen to the soil and begin to feed the plants with potassium and phosphorus. These fertilizers have a positive effect on the formation of ovaries and improve the taste of tomatoes.

In addition to mineral fertilizers, the bushes are also fed with organic fertilizers. For example, you can water the beds with an infusion of weeds or sprinkle the beds with wood ash, and then water the beds. Another recipe for organic fertilizing is watering the beds with an infusion of banana peels. Banana peels are filled with water and placed in a dark place to ferment for 7 days. Before watering, the fertilizer is diluted in water.

When applying fertilizing, you need to pay attention to the appearance of the bushes. If plants are actively growing leaf mass, it means they are overfed

In this case, the application of fertilizers is stopped.

Stepsoning

Tomato bushes need to be pinched. This variety is tall, so the lower branches need to be cut off as they grow. They are of no use, and they take nutrients from the bush. Stepchildren tear them off with their hands, but it is better to cut them off with garden shears.

Description of the best Dutch varieties of tomatoes for greenhouses and open ground

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Mulching

Another measure that can be used to increase productivity is mulching the beds. Peat, sawdust or special agrofibre are used as mulch. The mulch layer should not be less than 15 cm. Thanks to mulching, there is no need to weed the soil, remove weeds and frequently water the beds.

Weeding

Once a week before watering, you should weed the soil and remove all weeds from the area. There is no need to weed the soil deeply, 7-10 cm is enough. After weeding, the root system is also saturated with oxygen, so the bushes begin to grow and bear fruit more actively.

Garter bushes

Tall tomato bushes need staking. If this is not done, the stems will break under the weight of the fruit. Plants are tied up at the beginning of the growing season, when the bushes grow relatively tall.

Protection of crops from diseases and pests

Although the Chocolate tomato variety is disease-resistant, extra prevention won’t hurt.

Preventive measures against pests and diseases:

• It is not recommended to plant tomatoes close to each other.
• Weeds should be destroyed regularly and prevented from appearing on the site. Weeds cause not only diseases but also pests on crops.
• Do not water the beds with cold water or flood the tomatoes.
• Don't forget about fertilizing. In poor soil, tomatoes grow poorly and their immunity is weak.

Common tomato diseases include:

• Tobacco mosaic. The first sign is the appearance of yellow spots on the foliage. They then curl and become wrinkled. There is no cure for this disease. Affected bushes are dug up and destroyed. The soil is then watered with a solution of potassium permanganate. As a preventative measure, seeds are treated before sowing.
• Late blight. Often in hot and humid weather, bushes begin to develop late blight. Most often, late blight occurs when grown in open ground. A characteristic sign is the appearance of dark spots on the fruit. Spraying with the preparation “Zaslon” or “Barrier” helps against late blight.

Among the insects, you can find slugs on tomatoes, especially if cabbage grows next to the beds. Another pest is the cutworm. These are small caterpillars of different colors. You can get rid of pests if you treat the bushes with Strela. Also, after harvesting, the soil is dug up to 20 cm.