Tomato Labrador: characteristics and description of the variety. Tomato Labrador: reviews, photos, productivity, growing secrets

With spring approaching, Russian gardeners are again thinking about planting vegetables, including tomatoes, on their plots. Since the variety range is huge, making a choice is very difficult even for experienced vegetable growers. As a rule, they grow not one, but several varieties of tomatoes, so that later they can decide which is more suitable.

Many tomatoes are still new to the market; not everyone knows their pros and cons, so you have to experiment. It is clear that compliance with the description and characteristics of a certain variety is better known after testing it. We want to help gardeners and present to them the Labrador tomato variety.

Brief information about the variety

• Fruits : red tomatoes, weight 60-140 g.
• Bush : standard, determinate, reaches 30-35 cm.
• Productivity : 3.2 kg per bush.
• Resistance : high frost resistance is noted, and good immunity to late blight and disease resistance are also observed.
• Distribution : southern and temperate regions (planting in open ground is allowed), in the northern side it should be planted in a greenhouse.
• Application : the fruits are suitable for salads, canning, freezing, as well as for processing into ketchups and pastes. They are also used in cosmetics/medicine, including folk medicine.
• Planting : use the seedling method. The procedure is carried out at the end of May according to a 30x50 cm pattern.
• Soil : choose light and turf.
• Care : fertilizing and watering - once every 8 days, pinching - no need, a garter is needed.
• Ripening period : the crop ripens in early to mid-July and bears fruit until the end of September.

There are no frost-resistant tomato varieties, because... This tropical plant dies at a temperature of -1 degree. Even a long-term (7-10 days) presence of it at a low positive temperature (+4-6) leads to its death.

general characteristics

The Labrador tomato variety is determinate; the bush reaches a height of 50–80 cm, then matures. Ripens 60–70 or 78–85 days after emergence. If 45-day-old seedlings are planted in a greenhouse in May, then in June you will be able to taste the first tomatoes.

As a rule, early-ripening tomato varieties are inferior in fruit quality to mid- and late-ripening ones. The more sun (and ultraviolet radiation) the fruits receive, the tastier, sweeter and more aromatic they are.

There is good resistance to cold snaps, sets fruit at low temperatures, and tolerates high humidity well. There is also a high immunity to disease; thanks to its early ripening, the crop even avoids late blight.

Description of fruits and bush

Fruit weight is from 70 to 150 g. They ripen on the bush, there is no need for collection or additional processing.

The tomato does not need to be planted, it can be kept in field conditions, but the bush has a lot of branches. Gardeners get the best results when thinning and growing into 4 stems.

Productivity

During the season, you can harvest 3-4 kg of tomatoes from one bush.

The yield level does not depend on the frequency of planting. If you fit too many plants in one area, the yield will be lower. Everyone needs plenty of space and nutrients.

Use of fruits

Based on their taste characteristics of Labrador tomatoes, you can make a wide variety of dishes with them.

1. Salmorejo (cold tomato-garlic soup)
2. Fresh salsa.
3. Spaghetti with yellow and green tomatoes
4. Pasta sauce.
5. Tomato soup or juice.
6. Fried bruschetta.
7. Spicy tomato ketchup.
8. Grilled vegetables.
9. Marinated or stuffed tomatoes.
10. Salmon with stewed tomatoes and hot peppers.

Disease resistance

High immunity is perhaps the most important feature of this variety. Almost all diseases that are known to biology either have little effect or bypass it altogether, since genetics implies powerful protection and rejection of harmful organisms.

Labrador tomato selection

The history of the Labrador tomato variety does not go back many years, like, for example, the white filling or the Siberian early ripening. It became widely known no more than 10 years ago, when specialized newspapers - “Gardener”, “Dachniki”, “Garden World” - began publishing articles about its characteristics. Descriptions of valuable qualities, confirmed by picturesque photographs, interested many. However, it is still not possible to buy seeds centrally.

No one can indicate the exact author of Labrador, but his history includes Oleg Funtikov, the creator of the Cheryomushki nursery in Smolensk. His catalog includes improved Labradorite, the seeds of which he collects on his own plot. According to the description, this crop has larger fruits and high resistance to low temperatures.

It is assumed that the birthplace of the Labrador tomato is the Labrador Peninsula (southeastern Canada), whose climate is characterized by short, cold summers. Despite the subarctic conditions, the variety developed high yields and early ripening.

Features of cultivation

The variety is resistant to diseases

Tomatoes are the most popular vegetable to grow in the garden.

Sowing

Seeds need to be sown in late March - early April. If the climate is warm, you can plant it directly in the ground. If it’s cold, go to greenhouses.

Planting depth - no more than 1 cm. Favorable temperature for germination: 20... 25 °C. The first shoots will appear in 4–8 days.

To make the sprouts hatch earlier, soak them for 3-4 hours in aloe juice, melt water or Epin solution.

Seeds can be sown in small pots with moist soil or in moistened peat tablets. Each container holds two seeds. This ensures that there will definitely be seedlings, even if some do not germinate.

They should be sown about three times deeper than the length of the seeds. This will be 1/8 to 1/4 inch depending on the variety.

The necessary conditions

Place containers in a warm place. For the fastest germination, temperatures of 21-27 ° C are best.

Many gardeners find that placing seedlings on the lid of a refrigerator or other device that generates heat while working is very good for germination. A heating pad underneath made from a towel and a bottle will also work.

Shoots appear in one to two weeks. Low temperatures will increase this time, while higher temperatures, on the contrary, will speed up the process.

When sprouts appear, you can remove the containers from the heat source. The seedlings will need bright light and the soil should remain moist.

Adviсe

It is better to water the very bottom of the soil, but if this is not possible, irrigate so that water does not get on new shoots.

Choose a bright, south-facing window. A fluorescent or grow light placed a few inches above the tomatoes will also work.

If the seedlings stretch out in length, this means that they do not have enough lighting. Either bring the light source closer or increase the amount of light.

The quality of seedlings is affected not only by the power of the light source, but also by the duration of illumination (daylight hours). Ideally, the duration of illumination should be 12-14 hours.

If the seedlings turn purple, they need some fertilizer and should be reapplied (25% less than the recommended dose).

If the underside of a tomato leaf turns purple, this means that the seedlings are kept in too cold conditions. At soil temperatures below +15 degrees, tomato roots do not absorb phosphorus well. Changes in leaf color indicate this problem.

Transfer

Plant the tomatoes about 45cm apart, leaving 75cm between rows.

If you are growing them in grow bags, limit the number of plants to two, and remember that they will need extra watering and care.

The bed needs to be prepared in advance. Add per 1 m²: a bucket of humus, 1–2 tbsp of wood ash, and in acidic soil also 300–400 g of dolomite flour.

Dig up or loosen the soil, fertilize only the top layer.

Agricultural technology

Ultra-early ripening varieties of tomatoes: description, photos, cultivation features, tips
For planting and growing Labrador tomatoes, agricultural technology for early ripening varieties is used. Only a few nuances differ, which we will consider below. Preparations begin in the fall: the area where our bushes will be planted is selected.

Important! The site is prepared in a place protected from strong winds and well fertilized. It is recommended to apply fertilizers at the rate of:

• manure no more than 5-10 kg per 1 sq. m;
• organic and mineral fertilizers per 1 sq. m containing: 10-15 g urea, 40-50 g superphosphate, 20-25 g potassium salt or potassium magnesium.

Preparing seeds, planting seeds in boxes and caring for them

For more northern regions, seeds of early ripening tomatoes are recommended to be planted in boxes for seedlings.

If the seeds were purchased in specialized stores, then there is no need to treat them, but if they were collected from the previous harvest, then it would not be amiss to treat them with an antifungal agent and a weak solution of potassium permanganate.

After disinfection, the seeds must be washed.

Important! Sow the seeds

«Labrador

"
It is necessary 2 weeks earlier than other tomatoes.
The boxes are filled with an earthen mixture: garden soil, peat, sand, dolomite flour or sifted wood ash, humus or sifted compost.

The mixture for seedlings is poured over with boiling water, furrows are made at a distance of 3-4 cm and the seeds are planted no more than every 1 cm, to a depth of 1.5 cm. After planting, the boxes are covered with film and left in a warm place for the seeds to germinate.

When the first leaves appear, the film is removed and the boxes are moved to a cool, well-lit place. Seedlings are grown for up to 55-65 days. Watering is carried out regularly, approximately once a week.

Learn about growing tomatoes using the Maslov method, hydroponically, using the Terekhins method, on the windowsill and balcony.

Seedlings and planting in the ground

In early May, when the soil warms up to +15...+18 °C, seedlings are planted.

Seedlings are planted in open ground, maintaining a row spacing of up to 70 cm, and each row is formed 30-35 cm. The bushes must first be watered, freed from containers and planted in the ground until the first leaves.

If the seedlings have outgrown, they are planted at an angle so that the height above the ground is no more than 20-25 cm. After planting, the tomatoes are watered and covered with soil.

Care and watering

Since there is still a risk of frost when planting seedlings in open ground, it is necessary to provide methods of protection:

• covering the bushes with cut plastic bottles or glass jars (for small areas);
• smoke for large fields;
• watering is normalized.

Did you know? The sweetest tomatoes grow with minimal water and maximum sun.

Watering is best carried out in furrows, and fill the watering areas with dry soil, and not by rain and not under the roots. The irrigation rate is 20-25 liters per 1 square. m, but not too often.

Loosening the soil if there is a lack of moisture is necessary, because tomatoes can absorb moisture from the soil air. If there is an excess of organic fertilizers during drought, tomatoes can burn.

There is no need to plant this tomato.

To prevent the bushes from falling under the weight of the fruit, they are tied up after hammering in stakes.

Tying prevents the bushes from bending to the ground, and also promotes better air circulation, which in turn reduces the risk of late blight. You can tie it by driving stakes near each bush or to a wire or crossbar stretched from above.

Pests and diseases

The Labrador tomato variety is resistant to most known diseases. Breeders position the variety as resistant to late blight, the most common disease.

But this does not guarantee the non-occurrence of other diseases associated with improper care or attack by pests.

With excessive use of nitrogen fertilizers, excessive, irregular or infrequent watering, diseases such as phomosis (brown rot of fruits), cladosporiosis (brown spot), cracking of fruits, and verticillium wilt can occur.

The fight against diseases is carried out with the help of proper care or treatment with special preparations. Late blight does not affect this tomato variety due to its early ripening.

Pests can become a big danger for this variety:

• scoop (you can use the drug “Strela”);
• slugs (fight them with ground hot pepper or use a solution of slaked lime);
• whitefly (the drug “Confidor” will help);
• mole cricket (preparations “Thunder” or “Thunderstorm” can help, also treated with infusion of hot pepper or vinegar solution);
• wireworm (the drug “Bazudin” will help);
• aphids (preparation “Zubr”).

Plant care

Watering

Tomatoes need to be watered regularly

Irrigation technology is standard, frequency – several times a week. There is no need to flood the garden bed; tomatoes absorb moisture well without it.

As you know, tomatoes consist of more than 80% water, and Labradorite - 90%, because it is very juicy.

Top dressing

The following complexes are perfect as fertilizers: Red Giant, BioMaster, etc. Organic tinctures will not work here, as will solutions supersaturated with nitrogen and potassium.

To make a bush, select 3-4 of the strongest lateral branches, remove the remaining stepsons.

For best results, choose a proven, quality fertilizer: Gardener's Delight, Money Maker or Sweet Olive.

These types of fertilizers are not used in Russia. Our main fertilizers are Kemira, Fertika, Nitrophoska, etc.

Alternatively, when growing in hanging baskets, choose 'Cherry Cascade' or 'Tasty Tumbler'.

Tying up

The bushes are low, but they still need to be tied up, otherwise they will bend under the weight of the fruit.

Description of fruits

The tomatoes are neat, round in shape without pronounced ribbing. They are supported by a strong stalk. The weight is a maximum of 150 grams, and a minimum of 70-80 grams. The percentage of dry matter is average. A small number of seed chambers are observed in the section. Both sugariness and sourness are felt equally well in the taste.

The balanced taste allows the Labrador variety to be processed for the preparation of delicious pastes and sauces. This is an excellent option for preservation. Indeed, during heat treatment, the dense skin withstands the load well, remaining intact, protecting the fruit from cracking. Long-term storage of Labrador tomatoes is not provided.

Recommendations for growing the variety

1. When choosing a location, be sure to consider the climate and growing season. Seed catalogs are an excellent source of information.
2. Tomatoes need well-drained soil and at least 8 hours of sunlight per day. Without them they will inevitably wither. To reduce the likelihood of disease, do not plant the crop where potatoes or peppers are grown (or where they have been grown within the last 2 years).
3. Closeness. Don't try to cram too many plants into a small space.
4. Unprepared land. Before planting, amend the soil with plenty of compost, well-rotted manure and/or organic materials such as leaf mulch. Dig the soil well to a depth of at least 20-25 cm. If the soil is poor, add a little all-purpose dry fertilizer.
5. Improper watering and care. Too much feeding will promote lush growth at the expense of the fruit. Feed the plant when the fruits are about an inch in diameter, and then again when harvest begins. Use fertilizers with a relatively low nitrogen content (the first number of the NPK ratio on the front of the package).
6. Boarding too early. Tomatoes need warmth, so don't plant them in the garden until the soil has warmed and the danger of frost has passed. Protect plants with caps or lids in case of unexpected freezing.
7. Excess watering. Beware of frequent moisturizing. Wet the soil to a depth of 15-20 cm and let it dry a little before repeating the procedure again. Irrigation every 4-5 days is suitable for sandy soil, 7-10 for heavy soil. To prevent illness, do this early in the day. Water at the base of the plant and keep the foliage as dry as possible.
8. Watch for early signs of pests and diseases and prevent problems before they occur. Keep weeds under control when they are small, as large ones will compete with the tomatoes for moisture and nutrients, but they are needed in some quantity to maintain proper natural microflora.

Pollination process

In order for pollination of flowering and fruit set to occur much better, it is necessary to create greenhouse conditions and optimal temperature. During the day, the temperature should be 25 °C, but at night no more than 18. If the temperature is 33 °C, then the pollen becomes sterile and the flowers die instantly. But temperatures below 13 °C are a critical situation for pollen to form and fertilization itself. Also, the air should be fairly dry and the humidity should be 60%.

If a draft is destructive for domestic flowers, then for tomatoes this is exactly what is needed. Thus, the air does not stand still and is constantly moving, and the percentage that the bushes can become infected with something is significantly reduced.

Disease and pest control

Unfortunately, there are several pathogens that can cause disease even in Labrador tomatoes.

Some pathogens are fungal, others are bacterial or even viral. Therefore, it is important to carry out prevention.

1. Plant tomatoes in a different location in the garden each year.
2. Cut off diseased leaves. Any signs of disease should serve as an indicator for their removal.
3. Do not garden when the foliage is wet.
4. Provide adequate air circulation around each plant.
5. Mulch your tomatoes early in the season. 5-10 cm of compost, straw or hay serves to prevent the spread of fungal spores living in the soil to the lower leaves during rain.
6. Try to keep the foliage dry (if possible). Hand-held irrigation or soaker hoses allow you to direct water to the root zone. Sprinkler irrigation can spread disease, and humidity encourages fungal diseases.
7. Disinfect empty pots if you are growing tomatoes in containers using a 10% bleach solution at the end of the growing season, replacing the potting mix with a new one each spring.

Video

How to properly form a tomato is described in the following video:

In the table below you will find links to tomato varieties that ripen at different times: