Tomato Honey: photos, reviews, yield, characteristics and description of the variety, video

Description of the tomato variety Honey

The Honey tomato is an indeterminate variety that grows on average to only 1.2 m. It was bred by breeders from Siberia, the originator is the Demetra company, the variety has been present in the State Register since 2007. The tomato is recommended for cultivation in the northern regions because it has high levels of hardiness. At the same time, it is advisable to breed the variety in greenhouses to provide it with stable temperature conditions and a sufficient amount of light. In the south and in the middle zone, where the climate is milder, tomatoes can be planted in open ground.

The stems of tomato bushes are dense and strong, the leaves are large and dark green. The Honey variety forms simple inflorescences, the first ovary appears at the stage of seedling growth.

It is recommended to grow the Honey tomato in two stems, removing the stepsons after the second bunch

In terms of ripening time, the tomato belongs to the mid-season varieties. The bushes can be harvested on average 105-110 days after germination.

Description of fruits

The Honey Tomato bears large and weighty fruits of a rounded-flattened shape with slight ribbing on the sides. At the beginning of ripening, tomatoes have a light green tint, over time they become dark pink, and then deep crimson. The largest fruits are formed on the lower cluster, and at the tops they are smaller. Tomatoes of this variety can reach a maximum weight of 300-400 g. The variety should not be confused with the Honey Yellow tomato - it differs in color, nutritional qualities and other characteristics.

The pulp of tomatoes is dense, juicy, with a pronounced sweetish taste without sourness. Inside there are 5-6 chambers with a small amount of seeds. The variety produces especially tasty tomatoes when grown in the sun. With a lack of daylight, the fruits become less juicy and sweet.

The skin of tomatoes is dense, but not rough, and is not prone to cracking or forming dents. If harvested prematurely, fruits can ripen in warmth without compromising appearance or taste. The variety is used for growing for sale, as it tolerates long-term transportation well.

Attention! The Honey Tomato requires staking, as its stems often break under the weight of the tomatoes.

general information

This variety was bred at the beginning of the millennium, namely in 2002, by Russian breeders. Two years later it was entered into the state register, since then tomatoes have been actively grown, and they have won the hearts of absolutely all summer residents with their performance. If we talk about growing regions, then the warm regions of the south are ideal for cultivation in open ground, but the rest can grow this variety in greenhouses - film or polycarbonate. The peculiarity of the “Honey Giant” is that it is sensitive to temperature changes. But, of course, it has many more advantages, more on them later.

Characteristics of the Honey tomato

The Honey variety is valued for its endurance, unpretentiousness to growing conditions and large fruits. But before planting a tomato, it is necessary to study other important nuances.

Honey tomato productivity and fruiting

The Honey tomato ripens in 105-110 days and, when seedlings are planted at the end of March, produces its first fruits in mid-June. The exact timing depends on the weather - in warmth and with plenty of sunshine, tomatoes ripen faster.

The yield of the variety is quite high. From one bush, subject to agricultural technology, you can collect 3-4 kg of fruit. In the greenhouse, Honey brings up to 8 kg of vegetables per 1 m2. When grown in open ground in the south, 12-15 kg of crop can be harvested from a similar area.

The volume of fruiting depends not only on climatic conditions, but also on the composition of the soil. Honey grows best in nutrient-rich and well-moistened soils. When growing the variety, it is recommended to apply regular fertilizing.

Area of application of fruits

Honey variety tomatoes are mainly used fresh for making juice and sauces, as well as salads. Tomatoes are well suited for pickling in barrels because they can easily be placed in wide containers and do not burst during processing. But the Honey variety is not used for canning in jars. Large fruits simply do not pass through the neck in one piece.

Resistance to diseases and pests

The Honey variety has fairly high immunity and is well resistant to fungal diseases. Tomato bushes rarely suffer from verticillium and late blight, and are almost not affected by root rot. Despite this, when growing, it is necessary to ensure high-quality disease prevention and monitor the degree of soil moisture. Fungi develop on tomato bushes, usually in marshy soil with an unsuitable composition.

With proper care, the Honey tomato is almost not affected by pests. But in some cases, damage is caused by aphids and whiteflies. Insects usually appear in greenhouses; it is recommended to use traps and insecticides to combat them.

Reviews from gardeners

Reviews about the Honey tomato are mostly positive . This is a tasty and aromatic tomato that is easy to grow.

Oksana, Nikopol : “I’ve been growing Honey tomatoes for three years now. I plant in open ground at the end of April. I form it into 2 stems. The yield of this tomato is excellent. From 1 sq. I collect at least 2 buckets of fruit. The tomatoes taste sweet and juicy. There really is a honey taste. The fruits are large and beautiful, just like in the photo.”

Elena, Sochi : “The Honey tomato is my favorite pink-fruited variety. Very productive and very tasty. Produces large berries with a honey aroma. Ideal for preparing salads. I form tomatoes into 1 stem. This way the fruits are larger. The largest tomato of this variety that I grew weighed 780 g. I use seeds from fruits ripened on the bush for planting. I just collect them at the end of summer, clean them of the pulp and dry them.”

Advantages and disadvantages

The productive Honey tomato is valued by both amateur gardeners and professionals. It has weaknesses, but still has more advantages.

Honey tomato tolerates sudden changes in temperature and humidity well

pros

delicious fleshy fruits;
is not damaged during transportation and long-term storage;
high immunity to fungi;
can ripen in storage;
gives good yields.

Minuses

needs to be tied to a support;
requires regular pinching.

We transplant into the ground and grow the Honey Giant

Before planting, the soil must be checked and prepared. The soil should be loose, so dig it up, simultaneously removing any plant debris and weeds. It is advisable to enrich it with humus and, if necessary, add ash or lime if the soil is loose. After this, the soil is leveled with a rake and approximately how the holes will be located is planned.

Usually, per 1 sq. m. there are about three bushes, since this variety has a large height and spread of clusters. If the soil is too heavy, then peat or sand is used, but here you need to look at the situation. Directly when planting in a hole, which should be 20 cm deep and at a distance of 60x50 cm from each other, it is advisable to add superphosphate, and after planting, water the plant with warm water.

Features of cultivation

Sowing and subsequent cultivation of the Honey tomato is carried out according to the standard scheme. First, they take care of the seedlings at home, and then transfer them to the garden or greenhouse.

Planting seedlings

Honey tomato seeds are sown 60-65 days before transferring the seedlings to the ground or to a greenhouse. This usually occurs at the end of March or beginning of April. The soil for tomatoes is loose, turf soil mixed in equal proportions with humus and diluted with sand. The container should be shallow but wide. Both the container and the substrate must be disinfected with boiling water.

Landing is carried out according to the following algorithm:

The seeds are treated with a solution of potassium permanganate and a growth stimulator.
The soil mixture in the box is moistened in advance.
The seeds are buried 1 cm at intervals of 2 cm.
Spray the soil from above and cover the container with polyethylene.

The container is placed in a warm corner, the temperature should be about 22 degrees. When green sprouts appear, the box is transferred to a sunny windowsill and the cover is removed. In the first stages, seedlings only need to be watered and loosen the soil.

After the first two leaves appear, the seedlings are planted in separate cups. A couple of weeks before transplanting into the ground, the seedlings begin to harden.

Ten days after picking, the Honey tomato can be fed with phosphorus and potassium

Transplanting into a greenhouse or open ground

It is recommended to transfer the Honey tomato to the greenhouse in May, approximately 60 days after sowing the seeds. Seedlings are placed in open soil after warm weather has established and frosts have passed.

The procedure is performed like this:

Dig up the soil and mix it with humus or compost.
Make medium-sized holes up to 30 cm deep.
Place young bushes in holes in the center.

Young seedlings are covered with the remains of the substrate and watered. For 1 m2 you need to plant 3-4 bushes in a checkerboard pattern.

Aftercare

For successful development, the Honey tomato needs to be provided with quality care. It comes down to several activities:

watering - the bushes are moistened twice a week before fruiting and every other day during the ripening period in the absence of rain;
fertilizing - tomatoes are fertilized three times a season with complex minerals containing phosphorus, potassium and nitrogen;
loosening - the wet soil is weeded weekly to remove weeds and turned to prevent the formation of a hard crust.

The shoots of tomato bushes are tied up immediately after planting, and the brushes - as the fruits ripen.

Advice! Every week they carry out pinching - you need to plant the tomato in 2-3 stems.

At the end of August, it is better to remove the immature ovaries of the Honey tomato, since they still will not have time to bear fruit.

Basic information about the variety

Characteristics and description of the “Honey Salute” tomato:

The first fruits are formed within four months after the development of seedlings.
The hybrid plant is capable of stretching upward by 150-180 cm. Because of this, tomatoes need to be strengthened, that is, tied to strong supports.
An average number of leaves appears on tomato bushes, which is also typical for other tomato varieties.
The first ovary appears at a height of 9-12 leaves, and the next ones - after 2-3 leaves.
The growth of the plant is limited by cropping after the required number of tassels have been formed on the bush.
In addition to their bright color, tomatoes have an interesting shape, resembling a flattened ball. There is slight ribbing in the stalk area.
Each branch can produce from 6 to 8 fruits, which can have different weights and sizes.
The skin on Honey Salute tomatoes is very tender. The pulp of the fruit is juicy, has a dense structure and contains a large amount of sugar.

Ripe fruits are stored for 30-40 days, provided that the ambient temperature is +5-8 °C. It is not recommended to transport tomatoes even short distances.

Pest and disease control

Honey tomato rarely suffers from fungi and insects, but still needs prevention. It needs to be provided with good ventilation, the condition of the soil should also be monitored and waterlogging should be avoided. This is especially important in a greenhouse.

When fungal symptoms appear, the crop should be sprayed according to the instructions with fungicides Quadris, Topaz or similar. To prevent pests, tomatoes are treated with a soap solution. It is allowed to use insecticidal agents - for example, Calypso, Enzhio and others. But 3-4 weeks before harvesting, their use is stopped.

Care

Two weeks after transfer, the seedlings are fed with potassium nitrate, which contains potassium and phosphorus. Next, after two weeks, manure is added - 1/10 with water. After two weeks, complex fertilizer. Then you can alternate these feedings. Stepchildren are removed every week, after each watering the area is loosened and the greenhouse is ventilated. You need to carefully monitor insects, we have already mentioned them earlier. When the stem grows to about one and a half meters, it is pinched. Remember that bushes are formed by removing all stepsons except one in the upper axil. Pruning is carried out in the evening, not in the heat and not after watering.

When the fruits begin to ripen, you need to remove some of the leaves so that they do not interfere. As it grows and develops, not only the trunk is tied up, but also supports are placed under the branches with the harvest. To prevent elemental deficiency and for immunity, you can spill the area with a solution of manganese. The variety does not like foliar spraying. Watering and fertilizing are applied at the root. The Honey Giant tomato, according to reviews, is not so difficult to grow. Photos of the bush show the beauty of tomatoes, but the yield will always please you with good care.

The nuances of growing in open ground and in a greenhouse

Growing and care in a greenhouse and open ground differs only in a few points described. In a greenhouse, the main thing is to monitor ventilation and humidity, since if not properly cared for, there is a high chance that the plant will be susceptible to fungal diseases and parasites.

It is important to plant the seedlings correctly at the correct distance from each other so that the plants have the freedom to grow without interference. Supports are placed in any case, because with tall plants there is no other way to achieve high yields and tasty fruits.

In open ground, you need to correctly calculate the day when to plant the plant. It is important to insulate the soil for seedlings after planting with a layer of straw approximately 15 cm thick.

History of the variety's creation

The “authors” of this variety are breeders from an agricultural company located in Barnaul, who are engaged in breeding varieties of vegetables that are resistant to the harsh climatic conditions of the Urals and Siberia. The Honey tomato variety was submitted for inclusion in the State Register in 2004. After testing this new variety, it was included in the State Register in 2007, and it was zoned for regions with harsh climatic conditions. This tomato is recommended for growing in open and closed ground.

In the southern regions, these tomatoes grow well in garden beds, and in colder climates it is better to grow them in greenhouse conditions, where the yield of the variety will correspond to the declared one, and the fruits will grow as described by the breeders.

Vegetable growers have managed to appreciate the positive qualities of this tomato, and now in many farms you can find bushes of the Honey variety in the beds.

Tomato Honey seeds

Harvesting and application

According to their taste characteristics, the fruits are most suitable for fresh consumption. In particular, they complement various salads seasoned with oil or special dressing.

The fruits are too large for preservation and it is unlikely that they can be placed in jars as a whole, so winter salads or something like stews are made from them. Thanks to their attractive color, tomatoes are a great addition to any dish.

As for juices and pastes, Honey Giant is not used for this.