Eco-friendly harvest on the balcony with Alaska tomato: description of the variety and care tips

Among varieties intended for cultivation in cold climates, the Alaska tomato stands out for its relatively short ripening time and resistance to most diseases characteristic of this crop. Based on its set of characteristics, it is considered one of the best early-ripening tomatoes intended for cultivation in extreme farming zones. Next will be reviews, photos and descriptions of the Alaska tomato variety.

Characteristics and description of the Alaska tomato variety

The Alaska tomato is an early-ripening, determinate and fairly productive variety, intended for cultivation in temperate and cold climates. It is equally suitable for greenhouses and open ground. The variety has proven itself well for regions with short and relatively cold summers.

The ripening time of a tomato is up to 80 to 100 days, depending on the chosen growing method. An important characteristic of a tomato is its low growth. The average height of the bush ranges from 50 to 60 cm. Thanks to this, the tomato can thrive in difficult weather conditions.

Low bushes require virtually no care, but it is recommended to carry out at least minimal plant formation to ensure greater productivity.

Gardeners' opinion about the variety

According to gardeners, the Alaska tomato variety fully corresponds to the description. Tomatoes do not grow very large, but are sweet, juicy and moderately dense.

Many people believe that the fruits are ideal for canning. In addition, they have good shelf life - they can be stored for more than 2 months in a cool room.

Vegetable growers recommend not to thicken plantings in pursuit of large yields.

You should not place more than 5 bushes per 1 m², otherwise the fruits will be smaller than expected. Tomatoes respond well to fertilizing - it is better to apply them in liquid form simultaneously with watering.

In general, caring for tomatoes of this variety is not particularly difficult and is quite feasible even for novice gardeners.

Pros and cons of the Alaska tomato variety

Tomato Alaska has the following advantages:

• excellent taste and versatility of use;
• The height of the bush is up to 60 cm, which greatly facilitates the care of the plant (in particular, there is no need for tying);
• pinching a tomato is optional;
• the bush forms almost independently;
• growing seedlings and forming fruits can be carried out even in cold conditions;
• the plant is resistant to fusarium;
• the fruits are the same size and do not crack;
• good keeping quality (up to 2 months without fading);

The disadvantages of the Alaska tomato include:

• poor transportability;
• When stored for a long time, the taste of tomatoes deteriorates.

Based on the combination of positive and negative properties, the Alaska tomato can be called very successful.

Advantages and disadvantages

Positive aspects of the variety:

• delicious fruits for universal use;
• high productivity;
• resistance to cold and disease;
• compactness of the bush and ease of care;
• You can grow this tomato not only in the garden, but also on the balcony;
• good keeping quality of fruits.

No serious deficiencies were identified in the plant. The fruits are not large in size, but this minus becomes a plus if they are intended for canning. When transporting over long distances, ripe tomatoes may become crushed.

Optimal growing conditions

Growing conditions for Alaska tomatoes are standard for any similar crop. It is advisable to place the bushes in sunny areas with partial shade at midday. For this purpose, it is recommended to use nets or shields.

Watering should be regular, without excessively moistening the root zone. Like all tomatoes, Alaska does not like areas exposed to the wind.

Further care

Due to their compact size, Alaska tomatoes do not require staking. It is also not necessary to form it, but for good yield, gardeners recommend partially removing the stepsons.

In addition, if the plantings are too dense, it is useful to cut off the lower leaves on the bushes. Water the tomatoes once a week with warm water or install drip irrigation.

After watering, the beds are loosened or mulched. You can use hay, dry leaves, peat, or non-woven black material as mulch.

If tomatoes grow in a greenhouse, regular ventilation is necessary.

As weeds appear, the beds need to be weeded.

Fertilizing is applied twice a month, alternating organic fertilizers with mineral complexes.

It is necessary to carry out at least 3 feedings in the main phases of the tomato growing season: 7-10 after planting seedlings (nitrogen fertilizers), before flowering - (nitrogen + phosphorus + potassium), the beginning of fruiting (phosphorus + potassium).

Disease Prevention

According to the description of gardeners, this variety does not get sick often if proper prevention is followed.

With good care the plant does not get sick

It is necessary to regularly ventilate the greenhouse, weed the weeds, loosen or mulch the beds.

From time to time it is useful to water the tomatoes with a manganese solution and sprinkle the soil with ash. Immediately after transplanting, the plants can be sprayed with copper sulfate and Bordeaux mixture.

Growing

Both seedling and non-seedling cultivation of the crop is allowed. One method or another is used depending on climatic conditions. If the weather permits, the seeds can be planted directly in open ground or a greenhouse, provided that the temperature is not lower than + 15 ° C. For most northern regions, such conditions in the spring are unlikely, so they use the cultivation of Alaska tomatoes through seedlings.

Growing seedlings

Planting dates for seedling cultivation should take into account the characteristics of the area. Agrotechnical measures must be planned in such a way that young plants are planted in open ground at a temperature of + 18-20 ° C.

The period of seedling cultivation of Alaska tomato takes 40-45 days. Usually, by the first days of May, the temperature in the greenhouses will have already reached an acceptable temperature for transplantation. In open ground, similar conditions occur in about a month.

Thus, planting seedlings with further greenhouse cultivation is carried out in mid-March, with cultivation in open ground - in mid-April.

Before planting, the seeds must be treated with a 0.1% solution of potassium permanganate and a growth stimulator. Next, it is recommended to dry them and soak them again for 1-2 hours in warm water for preliminary germination.

Planting is carried out in seedling boxes or separate pots filled with ordinary soil or peat substrate. Its composition is standard - mix in equal proportions:

• peat,
• sand;
• garden soil.

It is recommended to disinfect the substrate before planting in any convenient way: either thermal or chemical using the same potassium permanganate. The depth of Alaska tomato seeds when planting is 10 mm.

After this, the seedlings are covered with film and sent to a warm place (+ 20-23 ° C) until the first shoots hatch. After about a week, as soon as the first shoots appear, the box with seedlings is moved closer to one of the sunny windows. In this case, it is recommended to slightly reduce the room temperature (to + 15-18 °C).

Watering is carried out weekly using a spray bottle. It is necessary to moisturize the seedlings in combination with 2-3 fertilizing with complex fertilizers, repeated once every 2 weeks.

Picking is carried out as standard - after the appearance of 3 true leaves. After about a month and a half, the seedlings will be ready to be transplanted into a greenhouse or open ground.

Attention! A week before planting, it is necessary to carry out the procedure of hardening the seedlings.

Landing rules

To plant a plant in a permanent place, dig holes up to 15 cm deep, at the bottom of which it is recommended to lay a layer of compost or humus up to 5 cm high.

Planting seedlings in open ground is carried out according to the scheme 50 by 50 cm or 30 by 40 cm. In this case, the number of plants per 1 sq. m should not exceed 4-5 pieces.

Bushes are usually arranged in two rows. Sometimes their arrangement in a checkerboard pattern is allowed.

Watering and fertilizing

Watering an Alaska tomato is no different from watering most tomatoes; it is carried out as needed. Typically, the criterion for watering is the drying of the top layer of soil.

Watering rates are 5 liters per bush. They are carried out in the evening or in cloudy weather. To do this, use water several degrees warmer than the air temperature. It is advisable to use tap water that has been left standing for 1-2 days.

Warning! Sprinkling is not recommended for Alaska tomatoes.

Pinching and tying

The varietal peculiarity of Alaska is such that the bush does not need tying or pinching at all. To achieve the required yield indicators, it is recommended to still adhere to relatively simple rules:

1. The garter is attached to the support in two places: at a height of 40 and 60 cm.
2. Apply partial stepson:

• lay the first inflorescence on the 8th or 9th leaf;
• laying of subsequent inflorescences - through one or two leaves.

The plant should be planted carefully, without getting too carried away with the process (the procedure is still considered partial). Otherwise, it can lead to weakening of the entire bush.

Formation

As noted earlier, the formation of a bush is carried out in one stem. At the same time, the most promising branches that are capable of producing good yields are left on the plant.

Important! If the plantings are too dense, you need to remove the lower leaves on the tomato bushes in time. Thanks to this, the plants will receive more air and light, in addition, the root zone will be freed up for better gas exchange.

Protection from diseases and pests

The Alaska tomato has high resistance to diseases, in particular, tobacco mosaic virus and fusarium. In general, the culture in question resists many diseases quite well.

To prevent common diseases such as powdery mildew, it is recommended to use standard treatment methods. If characteristic symptoms of fungal diseases appear, treatment is used in the form of spraying with preparations containing copper. This can be a 1% solution of Bordeaux mixture. Treatment is carried out once every 12-15 days.

Pests are also standard for all nightshade crops - these are Colorado potato beetles and wireworms. Any insecticide of medium activity is used against them, for example, Decis.

Important! When transplanting plants into open ground, it is recommended to treat the bushes with Decis or Arrivo as a preventive measure.

History of selection

The Alaska tomato is an early-ripening variety of Russian selection. Included in the State Register of Breeding Achievements in 2002. Approved for cultivation in all regions on personal garden plots and in small farms. The Alaska tomato variety is also suitable for growing in container culture.

Transferred to Agrofirma Gavrish LLC. The authors are Gavrish S.F., Morev V.V., Amcheslavskaya E.V., Volok O.A.

Growing regions

Suitable for growing in any conditions: on the balcony, in greenhouses and in open ground. Throughout our vast country. And in the Central, North-West, and South-East regions. And also in the Far East.

The Alaska tomato is not suitable for growing on an industrial scale, as it is not at all suitable for processing. And it has poor keeping quality and transportability, which makes it an unsuitable variety for sale.

Early salad tomatoes

For summer consumption in the garden you need to have large-fruited varieties. By planting several salad varieties (early, ultra-early) in the garden, they achieve uniform fruiting from June to August.

Boni MM

Standard variety for the lazy. Low-growing (50 cm), ultra-early ripening Boni MM tomatoes do not need support or pinching. The variety is suitable for those who do not like or do not know how to grow seedlings. Seeds can be sown under film in early May, and planted in a permanent place in June.

Tomatoes begin to ripen 80-85 days after germination. The seedlings are ready for transplanting in a month, so seeds for seedlings are sown late - in early or mid-April. Fruits for salad purposes, red, semi-round, weighing up to 70 g. From bushes planted in the soil in the first days of June, the first harvest can be harvested at the end of the month. From one bush you can get about 2 kg of tomatoes.

Raspberry surprise F1

A determinate type hybrid, bushes 80-90 cm tall form a powerful root system. The plant loves well-fertilized, loose soil. Productivity is noticeably higher in beds where regular fertilizing with mineral fertilizers is carried out.

The fruits are crimson, flat-round, large. Tomato weight is from 300 to 500 g. The pulp is dense, without voids, and has a harmonious taste. Purpose: salad, yield 15 kg/sq.m. m.

All about the advantages of low-growing tomatoes

You can name the reasons why you need to choose determinant early ripening varieties of tomatoes for open ground:

• short stature;
• precocity;
• low incidence;
• cold resistance;
• easy care.

Low-growing plants do not need strong supports; some varieties do not need support at all. Determinate (super-determinant) bushes are compact; they only need a small amount of soil to grow. Determinate and super-determinate varieties are an excellent choice for small gardens.

Early maturity affects planting dates. Low-growing varieties can be sown for seedlings later. The short ripening period guarantees a harvest even with late transplantation (mid-June) of tomato seedlings into open ground.

Low early varieties of tomatoes rarely suffer from late blight. Late blight affects bushes in August, and determinate and super-determinate varieties ripen already in July. Fruits collected from healthy bushes are stored longer and are not damaged by fungus.

Scientists have developed cold-resistant determinate varieties for open ground; some can be grown without seedlings. By sowing tomato seeds directly into the ground, summer residents significantly save time and effort.

For summer residents with a day job, low-growing tomatoes make it easier to care for. Many varieties do not need to be tied up; some do not need to remove the stepsons. The easiest way to care for standard tomatoes.

Features of determinate tomatoes

You can understand why all super-early tomato varieties are most often of the determinate type by looking at the following characteristics of the bush:

• the number of stepchildren is small;
• bushes have weak branches;
• short internodes;
• A limited number of inflorescences are formed on the bushes (6 pcs.).

After the formation of the number of fruits stated in the description, the bushes stop growing. All their efforts go into ripening tomatoes, which is why the earliest varieties of tomatoes are usually of the determinate type.

Many very early varieties are very small in stature and belong to the group of super-determinate tomatoes. They stop growing after tying 3 tassels. Early growth cessation explains their precocity.

All standard tomatoes are high-yielding. Their bushes do not grow for a long time due to small roots, so the yield of fruits is early. Having understood the terms, you can understand from the description of the variety which tomatoes for growing in open ground ripen earlier.

Fruit characteristics

Tomato gazpacho characteristics and description of the variety yield reviews photos who planted

Today gardeners have a huge selection of tomatoes. But among them there are few that are hardy and capable of producing crops even in cold summers.

The Alaska tomato, the photo of which is located just below, is exactly the kind of variety that is suitable for both greenhouse and ground cultivation. Ripe fruits can be obtained even in regions where weather conditions are very difficult.

Many experts believe that Alaska is the ideal variety for areas with cold and short summers.

Description of the variety

Another important characteristic of this variety is short stature. The bushes are determinate, that is, they have limited growth.

Among this type of tomatoes there are different ones, but most of them do not reach 1 m. As for Alaska, this is not just a low-growing tomato, but a dwarf tomato. Its bushes are no more than 0.5 m.

This size allows the plant to survive even in difficult weather conditions.

Numerous reviews from those gardeners who planted Alaska tomatoes and managed to appreciate all the advantages and disadvantages of this variety indicate that the ovaries bear fruit even in the cold, and this is very rare for such a crop. At the same time, tomatoes ripen quickly. It is especially worth noting the friendly yield of fruits, since ripening occurs almost simultaneously.

An additional advantage is the unpretentiousness of the variety. Considering that it produces low bushes, and growing Alaska tomatoes is possible all year round, planting these tomatoes is possible even in winter on the balcony.

The fruits of "Alaska" are smooth, deep red, flat-round, weighing no more than 100 grams. Their main feature is that they quickly gain sweetness. Juicy and very tasty, they are perfect for both fresh consumption and home canning.

Alaska's advantages:

• Easy care;
• Unpretentiousness to weather conditions;
• Resistance to diseases (including tobacco mosaic virus) and fusarium wilt;

• Good fruit set even in cold climates;
• Early and friendly harvest;
• Fruit evenness;
• This tomato can even be grown on a balcony or windowsill.

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Early ripening universal tomatoes

You can’t do without early-ripening universal-purpose tomatoes in the garden. Russian women traditionally prepare tomatoes for the winter in the summer and early autumn. The varieties (hybrids) for universal purposes are suitable for all types of workpieces.

Semko 18 F

A hybrid resistant to heat, drought, diseases: Alternaria, TMV, blossom end rot. In open ground, tomatoes of the Semko 18 F1 variety delight with stable yields. When planted densely (5 bushes per 1 sq. m), 10 kg of tasty fruits are collected per unit area.

Characteristics of tomato Semko 18 F1:

• weight – 140 g;
• shape – round;
• color – red, saturated;
• the pulp is dense.

The fruits do not crack, have a good taste, and are universal. The bushes are compact, determinate, sparsely leafy, up to 1 meter high. The harvest begins 85-90 days after germination.

Sanka

This variety begins to sing faster than others. Grandmothers who sell tomatoes at the market love to raise Sanka. The first tomatoes begin to sing 75 days after germination. The fruits are beautiful, round, red with a good taste balanced in sugars and acids. The size of the tomato is small, they can be used for preparations and salads.

Highlight

Fans of pink tomatoes will love pink early tomatoes Zest. Tomatoes are ripe at 80 days. The fruits are not large, weighing 100 g, are stored for a long time, and do not deteriorate during transportation. The pulp is tasty, sugary. Caring for the bushes is not difficult; they can reach a height of 50 cm. Valuable properties of the early ripening variety Izyuminka:

• cold-resistant;
• tolerates insufficient lighting;
• has good immunity to some viruses.

French grape

New determinate tomato, mid-early, pickling. Bushes up to 1 meter high need support and tying. There is no need to remove stepchildren. The variety surprises with its unusually beautiful clusters of finger fruits.

From 5 to 20 clusters can form on one plant. One bunch consists of 6-10 red tomatoes weighing 80-100 g. Open ground tomato planting scheme French bunch: 5 plants per square meter.

Fighter

A wonderful early ripening tomato for open ground. The variety is very popular among amateur vegetable growers. The bushes are standard, low (up to 40 cm). Caring for them is very simple; there is no need to tie up or remove the stepsons.

The fruit size is medium (up to 180 g), the color is red, the purpose is universal. The variety can be grown in open ground in Western Siberia. The main advantages of the Fighter tomato:

• productivity;
• precocity;
• versatility.

Dwarf tomatoes

Miniature tomato bushes will decorate a small garden. Ultra-early varieties of standard-type tomatoes are very decorative; they can be planted in flower beds or grown in pots on a loggia or terrace.

The dwarf hybrid Red Pearl F1 will appeal to fans of mini tomatoes. Miniature standard bushes 30 cm high produce 30 small, red tomatoes weighing about 20 g. The bushes do not need to be pinched, they are compact, can grow and bear fruit in low light. The fruits begin to sing 85 days after germination. There is a mini-tomato called Zhemchuzhina yellow with similar characteristics. The only difference is the color of the tomatoes.

Another miniature plant deserves attention. The determinate variety Bullfinch grows well on the balcony and in open ground. The bushes are low (up to 40 cm) and begin to bear fruit on the 75th day. The tomatoes are red, rounded and flattened.

How to get a good harvest?

For high yields, you need to properly care for your tomatoes. Bushes of the Alaska variety will be small and, if properly formed, compact, so 6-7 plants can be planted per 1 m². The yield in this case can reach 15 kg.

In general, this variety is unpretentious. Tomatoes should be watered as needed, in dry summers - once a day. It is best to carry out this procedure in the evening. For good yield, mineral fertilizers should be applied. They are needed twice per season. When tomatoes ripen, they no longer need additional fertilizer.

A good harvest can only be grown from healthy bushes, so the plants should be sprayed with preparations against pests and diseases.

Super-yielding low-growing tomatoes

It is necessary to choose from a huge number of seeds super-yielding varieties of tomatoes for open ground. From a small plot at minimal cost you can get good yields.

Yamal

The standard low-growing (35 cm) variety Yamal shows good yield. 10 kg of tomatoes are harvested per square meter. This is an excellent indicator for a low-growing variety. Variety value:

• super cold resistance;
• resistance to heat, drought;
• Propagated by sowing seeds in the ground and by seedlings.

Mongolian dwarf

The height of its bush rarely exceeds 30 cm. This variety bears fruit not only on the main shoots, but also on the stepsons. Therefore, it is not recommended to get rid of them.

Tomato Mongolian dwarf

Productivity per 1 m2 is up to 10 kg. The fruit weighs 120-170 g.

The heavy weight of the crop can tilt the bush straight to the ground. In this case, the tomato bush occupies an area with a diameter of up to a meter. To prevent tomatoes from rotting on the ground, it is advisable to mulch it.

Leopold F1

The Leopold F1 hybrid is ideal for beginners. The bushes do not require complex care, can withstand low temperatures, produce crops quickly and are not afraid of common tomato “scourges” such as tobacco mosaic virus, fusarium blight, and cladosporiosis.

And, best of all, the tomatoes ripen very large, juicy, and fleshy.

La-la-fa F1

The fruits of this hybrid are real “strong” (the average weight of one fruit is 150 g). This characteristic alone deserves to plant several bushes of these tomatoes in your garden. By the way, you can collect about 3-4 kg of fruits from one plant.

La-la-fa F1 tomatoes are grown in greenhouses and hotbeds; grown seedlings are planted in a permanent place in early - late May. These tomatoes are practically not afraid of the tobacco mosaic virus and are perfectly stored.

Given the considerable weight of tomatoes, the bushes must be tied up during the fruiting period.

Gavroche

One can say about Gavroche tomatoes that they are small and remote. The weight of the fruit is relatively small - about 50 g, but their taste is excellent: sweet and pleasant. This is exactly what you expect when trying the long-awaited tomato of the first harvest. It is planted in open ground in May; when grown through seedlings, it is sown in early April.

Diseases and pests

As mentioned above, one of the main advantages of the Alaska variety is the high level of plant resistance to major tomato diseases. Despite this, it is important to regularly carry out plant maintenance.

To protect tomatoes from powdery mildew, it is optimal to use standard shrub treatment options. If symptoms of a fungal infection appear, the plant should be sprayed with preparations containing copper. A 1% solution of Bordeaux mixture works well.

Bushes are treated against powdery mildew once every 2 weeks.

The most common pests for the Alaska variety are the Colorado potato beetle and wireworm. To combat them, you can use standard insecticides with an average level of activity (Decis, etc.)

Important! Before planting plants in open ground, for prevention they need to be treated with Arrivo.