Characteristics and description of the tomato variety King of Large

Updated: 04/22/2021 16:43:02

Expert: Nikolay Alexandrovich

*Review of the best according to the editors of expertology.ru. About the selection criteria. This material is subjective in nature, does not constitute advertising and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before purchasing, consultation with a specialist is required.

In a greenhouse, it is possible to collect tomatoes all year round. To do this, it is advisable to select seeds taking into account the climatic characteristics of the area. Tomatoes grown in this way are characterized by the following:

1. fast ripening;
2. bountiful harvest;
3. excellent commercial quality;
4. resistance to pests, diseases, bad weather conditions.

When choosing seeds, taste characteristics, storage and transportation possibilities are also taken into account. The yield of greenhouse tomatoes is affected by the internal microclimate and the type of bushes. Among them, there are 2 main types: indeterminate and determinate.

What varieties of tomatoes to choose for planting

Several determining factors will help to significantly narrow the search for a suitable variety of tomatoes for planting in a greenhouse.

Why grow it?

Practical gardeners choose tomato varieties, primarily focusing on the intended use of the fruit:

1. For fresh consumption, early varieties that ripen in June-July are usually chosen, mainly tomatoes with soft skin. The possibility of long-term storage is fundamental for them, so that fresh vegetables are preserved as long as possible beyond the fruiting period of the bushes.
2. For pickling, choose tomatoes with a dense structure and elastic skin - they must retain their shape and integrity, even after thermal exposure. Different tomatoes are suitable for canned preparations - if it is not important for the fruit to retain its shape, you can use any variety.
3. To sell, tomatoes must have the correct shape - round or plum-shaped. Fruits also need to be well transported and stored. Abundant fruiting is another important factor for commercial growing of tomatoes, so that the yield of the bushes is as beneficial as possible.

In the description of varieties, the manufacturer, as a rule, indicates the intended method of consuming tomatoes; this information can be used as a guide when choosing an unfamiliar variety.

When to harvest?

Harvest timing is also an important selection factor. It is better to plant several varieties that will bear fruit at different times, for example, early and late. Thus, it will be possible to harvest tomatoes for different purposes throughout the summer and early autumn with minimal interruption or continuously.

Guaranteed result or experiment?

Today there are a lot of varieties of tomatoes for greenhouses; they can be divided into 2 groups:

1. Registered varieties, the characteristics of which are clearly described, and the fruits themselves are well researched.
2. Experimental varieties of private farms, not included in the register. Let’s just say that this is often a lottery, since the plant has not undergone official registration, you just have to take the seller’s word about the parameters of the future vegetable. Some summer residents are interested in this excitement, but productivity is not an end in itself.

When you have decided on the purpose of the crop and its taste characteristics, it’s time to select a variety taking into account the parameters of the greenhouse.

What kind of greenhouse - for a season or all year round?

It turns out that for a greenhouse intended for the spring-autumn season and operating all year round, the varieties of tomatoes are radically different.

1. For the summer season, they choose varieties that do not require special care - they only need plenty of watering and fertilizer. As a rule, they have enough sunlight, as well as warmth.
2. In a year-round greenhouse, stress-resistant varieties should be planted that can produce tasty fruits in conditions of lack of sunlight, temperature changes and in case of interruptions in the heating system. They must also be self-pollinating.

Glass or polycarbonate?

A greenhouse with glass walls is maximally translucent - only 7% of the sun's rays are absorbed by glass. A 4 mm thick polycarbonate wall will already absorb 15% of the light, so for such a greenhouse it is necessary to select varieties with a reduced need for light.

Is watering regular?

Tomato varieties that are resistant to drought are chosen by those summer residents who do not have the opportunity to water the plants several times a week - this is important for those who come to their garden plot only on weekends. It should be remembered that on warm sunny days the air in the greenhouse heats up significantly, this contributes to accelerated drying of the soil. The solution to the problem of water shortages can be the organization of an automatic water supply system.

Note that juicy, fleshy varieties of tomatoes are extremely rarely able to survive a lack of moisture; thick-skinned tomatoes, which are more suitable for preservation, are mainly “taught” to do this.

Is the variety susceptible to diseases?

The greenhouse is warm and humid - this is an ideal environment for the development of harmful microflora. Thus, bushes and the fruits themselves suffer from diseases much more often in closed ground than their counterparts growing in the open air.

Hybrid varieties with the designation F1 are better resistant to pathogens; breeders have worked hard on the resistance of individual varieties; this information is present in the description of the seeds, but they are usually more expensive.

Conventional varieties of tomatoes can also feel good in a greenhouse; to do this, it is enough to maintain a healthy microclimate in the greenhouse and treat the bushes and fruits with chemical and biological preparations.

If the expansion and development of tomato diseases is observed in the greenhouse from year to year, choose low-growing, early-ripening varieties - they will have time to produce a harvest before the significant onset and development of pathogens.

How high will the bush grow?

The description of the seed variety must contain information about the standard height of the bush - it should be less than the height of the roof in the greenhouse. In general, tall tomato bushes (indeterminate), as a rule, begin to bear fruit early, and their yield is maximum. Some varieties begin to slow down in growth at a height of 150 cm, if trusses with tomatoes have time to form on them. So that the trunk can stretch further, a stepson is left at the top of its head.

For low-rise greenhouses and greenhouses, low-growing varieties of (determinate) tomatoes are suitable, sometimes used for border compaction of greenhouse beds.

Is it possible to put several varieties in one greenhouse?

It is possible to plant different varieties of tomatoes in one greenhouse - they will not interfere with each other’s development, provided they require identical growth conditions. Plus they pollinate better!

Choosing a tomato variety and hybrid according to the place of cultivation

Varieties and hybrids of tomatoes for closed ground (if there is a greenhouse)

1. Tall tomatoes for the greenhouse. Of the salad varieties, these are primarily tomatoes from the “Great” series: F1 Alexander the Great, F 1 Vladimir the Great, F 1 Ekaterina the Great, F 1 Dmitry the Great . They produce fruits weighing 250-350 g and up to 500 g, which do not become smaller from the first cluster to the last. At the same time, people are often afraid to grow hybrids, thinking that they are much less tasty than varieties. But the tomatoes from this series combine all the best from varieties (large size, rich taste) and from hybrids (resistance to tobacco mosaic virus, Verticillium and Fusarium wilt, cladosporiosis and others, high stress resistance). Moreover, unlike varieties whose fruits are unsuitable for transportation and storage, hybrids of this series can be transported from the dacha to the apartment without loss. Productivity when grown in an ordinary film greenhouse is up to 25-28 kg/m2.

2. A series of varieties for those who value taste and sweetness. If you are a convinced “varietal lover” and cannot stand the “hybridity” of origin at all, and are at the same time a supporter of large and sweet so-called “beef tomatoes”, then you can turn your attention to a wide palette of varieties, which we named by the color of their fruits: White sugar , Yellow sugar, Green sugar, Brown sugar, Red sugar, Raspberry sugar, Orange sugar, Pink sugar . The cut flesh of this series resembles a real tomato “beefsteak” - with small seed chambers and a large volume of rich and very aromatic pulp.

In the photo: Colorful colors of SUGAR series tomatoes

A wide palette of colors allows you to choose a variety to suit every taste. Each color of the pulp has certain beneficial qualities: brown – high content of the antioxidant anthocyanin, yellow and orange – beta-carotene, pink – selenium.

3. Tomatoes for preparations of the “Tsar” series. They have a high content of dry substances in the pulp and dense skin. Thanks to this, the fruits retain their integrity in the jar, and the pulp remains rich and dense. Most often, such tomatoes have an elongated shape, which is convenient when placing the fruits in jars. The hybrids of the “Tsar” series are precisely these tomatoes: F1 Empire, F 1 Empress, F 1 Russian Empire, F 1 Peter the Great, F 1 Peter the Great . These tomatoes are tall and, what is very important, very flexible: they set fruit well even in low light or under conditions of temperature changes. Tomatoes are perfectly preserved both on the bush and during storage. The harvest is very bountiful, the plant is literally hung with aligned fruits. This way, not a single fruit from the harvest will be lost: when the tomatoes on the upper clusters turn red, on the lower ones they are still whole, dense, and do not spoil. This is very important, especially for “weekend” summer residents!

In the photo: Tomato series F1 Russian Empire and F1 Peter the Great

4. Tomato tree. They wrote a lot about our legendary tomato F1 Octopus We grow this tomato tree as an ordinary indeterminate hybrid with abundant and long-lasting fruiting. Summer residents from the southern regions, giving it huge spaces, sent us photos of really huge bushes. Now F1 Octopus is not alone, as there has been an addition to this family: F1 Octopus cream raspberry, F 1 Octopus cream orange, F 1 Octopus cream chocolate, F 1 Octopus cream, F 1 Octopus cherry raspberry, F 1 Octopus cherry . All hybrids show very high yield and fruit quality. They are resistant to a complex of tomato diseases, such as verticillium wilt, tobacco mosaic virus, etc. And for experimental gardeners, they open up truly amazing opportunities: if you have a winter garden and the desire, providing them with appropriate nutrition and care, you can grow real tomato trees from these hybrids .

How to care for tomatoes in a greenhouse

To get a decent harvest of tomatoes in a greenhouse, it is important to comply with a number of conditions.

Temperature

At a temperature of 300C, pollen loses its fertile ability and becomes sterile. In addition, when the earth heats up, it releases moisture faster. Agronomists recommend installing a thermometer in the greenhouse to control air heating and regularly arranging ventilation if a ventilation system is not provided. The crop is not afraid of drafts, so the door and windows can be opened, but this must be done no later than 8-9 o’clock in the morning, so that the plants do not experience a sharp temperature change that occurs by sunny afternoon.

Lighting

Light for tomatoes is as important as watering. The walls of the greenhouse must be thoroughly washed so that light loss is minimal. For this reason, by the way, it is generally not recommended to plant tomatoes in the shade - they will develop with a delay and in smaller quantities. The greenhouse should be installed in an open area - this will reduce the chance of the structure falling into the shade and at the same time ensure better ventilation.

Watering

Regular moistening of the soil will not only nourish the plant with water, but also help maintain the required level of humidity in the greenhouse. Regardless of whether automatic watering is provided or water will have to be delivered to the plants manually, water treatments are indicated only in the mornings before the onset of the afternoon heat - the water will have time to be absorbed into the soil in the required amount by the evening, and the rest will evaporate, creating the required humidity level - normally 60 -70% at the time of fruit set and 75-85% during the ripening period. It is important to monitor this parameter - exceeding it can provoke the accelerated development of pathogenic microflora and rotting processes.

Until the fruit set, watering should be moderate, and while pouring tomatoes - intense, but not excessive, so that small tomatoes do not crack before ripening.

Fertilizing in the greenhouse

Fresh fertile soil, used the first year, will provide the plant with all the necessary nutrients at the initial stage.

Additional feeding option:

1. The first feeding is carried out at the moment when the fruits gain mass. A tablespoon of ammonium nitrate and potassium sulfate is dissolved in 10 liters of water and 3 liters of solution are poured under the bush.
2. After 20-30 days, the procedure is repeated in the same amount with the same solution.

Cocktails to increase the immunity of tomatoes to diseases:

1. Superphosphate or sulfate is diluted in the proportion of 2 tablespoons of concentrate per 10 liters of water and watered 1.5 liters per bush.
2. 1 teaspoon of boric acid per 10 liters of water, 1.5 liters of solution per bush will help cope with mole crickets and other parasites.

The leaves have turned yellow - what to do?

If the leaves of the bushes turn yellow, this is a sign of excess/lack of water during irrigation, a lack of fertilizer, or a consequence of damage to the root system. It is important to normalize watering and monitor sufficient air humidity, review the amount of fertilizer used and its concentration. If the cause of yellowing is a root injury, determine its nature: in the event of mechanical damage, the plant will self-heal in a short time and the foliage will return to normal. If there are mole crickets or other parasites in the soil that eat the roots, use the preparations “Grizzly” or “Thunder” in accordance with the instructions. It is important to use these and other means no later than 20 days before harvesting.

Tying up

Depending on the growth of the bushes, they are tied to pegs stuck next to the root system parallel to the growth of the trunk, or to a wire stretched to the ceiling of the greenhouse. To do this, use a polymer household cord, which is tied in the middle of the trunk, wrapped a couple of circles towards the top of the head and the thread is fixed on the suspension. As the bush grows, it is carefully wrapped with the same rope.

How and when to plant?

Seedlings are planted in the greenhouse in the first weeks of May; they are buried down to the cotyledon leaves, which must be broken off.

The distance between plants depends on the type of tomato growth. Bushes of low-growing, early-ripening varieties of tomatoes are placed in a checkerboard pattern at a distance between trunks of at least 40 cm, the gap between the rows should not be less than 55 cm. Oddly enough, taller varieties are allowed to be planted at a distance of 30 cm with a gap of 45-50 cm.

Bushes that will grow almost to the ceiling are placed at a distance of 60-70 cm from each other, leaving 80 cm for passage - this is a solution for large wide greenhouses.

Immediately after planting, the seedlings are watered abundantly and tied to pegs or wire.

A high yield is obtained when growing determinate bushes, since the brushes are formed through 2 leaves. But they need more careful care. And indeterminate plants constantly need tying and pinching. There are a large number of varieties and hybrids. Our experts have ranked the best of them.

Favorite

Favorit f1 tomatoes are grown in greenhouses: they are not suitable for open ground. The fruits ripen in 3.5-4 months. There are many leaves growing on the bush. If some of them are not removed, you should not expect high yields. In this case, the plant spends a lot of energy on feeding and developing leaves.

The peculiarity of Favorite is that not all stepsons form shoots, so there is no need to rush to break them off. Only a third is removed. The maximum yield is obtained by a bush with only one stem. Favorite tomatoes need staking.

Hybrid Favorite f1 is resistant to many diseases. The ripe red fruit weighs from 115 to 140 g. It is suitable for creating tomato pastes, dressings and canned salads. The fruits are consumed fresh. Favorit is not suitable for preserving whole fruits: tomatoes have a thin skin that bursts during canning. For the same reason, Favorite is not the best option for transportation.

The advantage of this vegetable crop is the simultaneous ripening of all the fruits on one flower cluster.

Features of care

Favorite tomatoes need a large amount of mineral supplements. This makes the process of growing this variety less profitable, but its high taste qualities force summer residents to turn a blind eye to this drawback.

Failure to comply with irrigation, temperature and lighting standards has a significant impact on yield.

Rating of the best tomato varieties for greenhouses

The best determinate tomato varieties for greenhouses

Determinate varieties are appropriate to grow in film greenhouses. These are standard bushes that do not need tying or pinching. Determinate varieties always stop growing after the formation of an ovary with fruits at the end of the shoot.

Alpha

Rating: 5.0

The first place in the ranking is occupied by the Alpha variety. It belongs to the early ripening species. The height of the plant is 40-55 cm. The stems are quite thick and grow without bending. Their foliage is very similar to potato foliage. Alpha tomatoes are excellently grown in greenhouses or in open ground under favorable conditions.

Round tomatoes are small, slightly flattened. They are colored bright red and their flesh is quite dense. There are no more than 6 seed chambers in one tomato. The average tomato weighs about 55 g. Harvested tomatoes of the Alpha variety do not last long and are also rather poorly transported.

Gardeners in reviews note that when they try to can Alpha tomatoes, they burst, so it is preferable to eat them fresh, and also make sauces or salads from them. Our experts included the Alpha variety in the rating because it is profitable for cultivation. His agricultural technology is simple; these tomatoes are undemanding to heat and light.

Advantages

• juicy, sweet, aromatic
• early ripening;
• high productivity;
• Resistant to most nightshade diseases.

Flaws

• poorly transported.

Growing in open ground

Indeterminate tomato varieties are best grown in greenhouses, but can also be grown outdoors in warm climates.

Preparing seedlings

The King of Large variety should be planted for seedlings at the end of March. This method of cultivation makes it possible to obtain high-quality harvests, and for plants to be more resistant to diseases and pests.

Planting tomato seeds follows a specific plan:

1. They start by preparing the seeds. They are selected, rejecting low-quality ones. Place it in gauze and immerse it in a solution of potassium permanganate for fifteen to twenty minutes. Soaking in a growth stimulator for a day or two will enhance the germination of the material.
2. The soil prepared for the King of large tomatoes is nutritious. It should allow moisture to pass through well, breathe, and consist of useful elements. The best option would be a special soil mixture for tomatoes, purchased in a store.
3. The soil should be disinfected. To do this, water containers with soil with boiling water. Some gardeners place the nutrient soil in the oven, warming it up slowly.
4. Tomatoes are planted ten days after disinfection of the soil. During this time, the soil will be saturated with beneficial microorganisms.
5. The depth of seed placement is up to one centimeter, no more.
6. Boxes of tomatoes are placed on well-lit windowsills. Caring for seedlings includes timely watering.
7. Seedlings should be picked when the first two true leaves appear.

See also

Description of the Grotto tomato variety, its characteristics and careRead

Typically, seedlings are ready for transplanting when they are 60-65 days old. It should have a strong stem, and a flower cluster will already be tied on it.

Planting in open ground, care

As soon as the threat of night frosts passes, they begin to prepare the tomatoes for planting. The best neighbors for the King of Large tomato variety will be beds with spinach, parsley, cucumbers, and cabbage.

They are planted in open ground in early May. Do this on a cloudy day so that the sun does not burn the tomato leaves. The stems of the seedlings are buried well. Pegs are driven in next to the King of Large tomato bushes to immediately tie them up. You can also prepare a trellis with wire stretched horizontally.

The description of care includes procedures:

• glaze;
• feeding at intervals of two weeks;
• pinching to form a bush with one or two stems;
• loosening the soil.

As soon as the fruits acquire uniform bright colors, they are collected.

The best indeterminate tomato varieties for greenhouses

Indeterminate tomatoes are tall vegetable crops that grow over a long period of time. Throughout its development, the bush reaches a height of more than 1.5 m, and in some varieties even up to 6 m.

Octopus F1

Rating: 5.0

The first place in the ranking is occupied by the indeterminate hybrid Octopus. It is characterized by great growth energy. It is called a tomato tree, the height of which reaches 5 m. A large number of side shoots appear on the bush. There are many leaves on the crown, and the root system is well developed.

The tomatoes are not particularly large (about 100-150 g). They are round and bright red in color. Their flesh is sweet, juicy, and fleshy. Harvested tomatoes are good for storage. They are successfully canned or used for making salads and juices. Some lovers of this variety claim that it is possible to remove up to 1.5 tons of tomatoes from one tree.

Gardeners in reviews note that the variety bears fruit on all shoots and does not require pinching. Our experts included Octopus in the rating because, if all the rules of agricultural technology are followed, it can provide record yields. The tomato bush is resistant to pests and diseases. The variety tolerates cold or heat well.

Advantages

• can bear fruit for several years in a row;
• grows quickly;
• high productivity;
• not afraid of pests;
• tolerates illness well.

Flaws

• material costs for obtaining record harvests.

Pink king

Rating: 4.9

The mid-season tomato variety Pink Tsar occupies the second position in the ranking. The height of the bush on average reaches 150 cm. The growing season lasts about 90 days, and the countdown is carried out from the moment of seedling formation. The bush is covered with a moderate number of medium-sized leaves that have roughness on the surface.

The shape of the tomato is round, slightly flattened. They look very bright. Their color is soft pink. The dimensions are quite impressive - in good conditions, the weight of one tomato can reach up to 300 g. The pulp is dense and quite juicy. They have a sweetish taste. Pink Tsar tomatoes fit naturally into salads.

According to reviews, it is possible to remove up to 7 kg of tomatoes from one bush. The pink king deservedly found itself in the ranking of the best because, along with excellent taste characteristics, it is highly resistant to common nightshade diseases. This variety does not require special care and is pleased with its high yield.

Advantages

• delicious large pink tomatoes;
• high productivity;
• unpretentious in care;
• versatility of application.

Flaws

• Young plants can be attacked by the Colorado potato beetle.

Description and characteristics of the variety

Tomato Irina Sedek is a determinate medium-sized hybrid. The bushes are moderately spreading, the foliage is average. The stems grow no higher than 1-1.2 m and do not require pinching.

Ripening dates are early - 90-95 days from germination.

Description of tomatoes:

• average weight varies in the range of 100-120 g;
• the flesh is fleshy, moderately juicy, dense, but tender in taste;
• the taste is dominated by sweet notes over tomato sourness;
• number of seed chambers 4-6;
• the skin is strong and does not crack;
• the color is bright red.