Tomato Alpha: variety description, photo, cultivation, reviews

Peculiarities

Alpha is a low-growing tomato, super-determinate (limited in growth) up to 40-60 cm in height. The leaves are small, shaped like potatoes, the foliage is medium. Removal of stepsons is not required. The first inflorescence (simple) is formed above the 5-6th leaf.

The fruits are red, flat-round in shape, the weight of each varies between 50-70 g. The pulp is juicy, sweet, with moderate density. No more than 6 seed chambers are formed.

The early, average period of fruit ripening is 87-96 days. Adapted to seedless cultivation in regions with unsustainable farming. The beginning of fruiting in the south occurs in the first weeks of summer and on the 20th of July in the northern part.

Since 2004, it has been included in the list of varieties of the State Register of Breeding Achievements of Russia. It is recommended for cultivation in all regions of the country in farm fields and garden plots under film covers (in cool areas) and in open ground (in the middle zone).

Taste qualities of Alpha variety tomatoes

The number of chambers in a tomato is 4 or more. Taste characteristics are rated quite highly. The pulp of the fruit is juicy, sweet, with a very pleasant tomato aroma and medium density. The purpose of the variety is salad. Therefore, ripened fruits are not stored for a long time; they are recommended to be eaten immediately. The skin is thin and bursts during heat treatment. Because of this quality, housewives do not use Alpha tomatoes for canning. However, tomato paste, juice, caviar, salads or vegetable preparations turn out tasty and beautiful. Long-term storage of fruits is possible only in frozen form.

Seeds

Preliminary preparation of seed includes the following steps:

Calibration From the total mass of seeds, the largest samples of the same color are selected, free of damage, cracks and other visible differences.
Checking for hollowness. Pour in warm water and stir thoroughly. “Empty” seeds that are not suitable for sowing will float. Those that have sunk to the bottom of the jar need to be collected and dried.
Germination. The most common and effective method is in damp gauze. Do not allow the fabric to dry out!

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Seed calibration

Tips for summer residents: Pre-sowing seed preparation

— originator, major supplier of Alpha tomato seeds in the Russian Federation.

Growing tomatoes

When the soil warms up enough, the tomatoes are planted in the ground. This is usually done in early or mid-June.

Japanese bunch is grown in open ground or in greenhouses. For regions with cold climates, the second option is more suitable.

Planting seedlings in the ground

Tomatoes are planted either in mid-late May or early-mid June. It depends on the climate of the region in which you live. Japanese bunch is a variety that is not highly resistant to temperature changes. Therefore, night frosts can cause the death of fragile plants.

For one sq. m, 3-4 tomato bushes are planted. The crop planting pattern is 30/50 cm.

Ash and compost are poured into the holes in which the tomatoes will be planted. They are also watered generously with warm water.

The seedlings are buried until the first lower leaves. To form additional roots, elongated plants can be planted to a depth of 2-3 leaves.

The tomatoes are watered for the first time 10 days after transplanting the seedlings to a permanent location. During this time, the tomatoes will have time to adapt to new conditions. At the same time, feeding is also done.

Japanese brush is a variety with constant growth. Therefore, it needs gartering and shaping. Form a bush into two stems, this increases the yield.

Stepping is carried out regularly. When pinching, the lower shoots and leaves are removed. It is necessary to remove all wilted and damaged greens. Such manipulations are performed no more than once a week. There is no need to water on the day of planting.

Water the tomatoes once a week. In hot weather, this can be done more often - 2-3 times a week.

Japanese brush tomato bushes require a mandatory garter. For this purpose, special supports are used, for example, wooden planks.

It is important to feed tomatoes regularly. This will increase their yield and speed up the process of fruit set. Feeding tomatoes:

Feeding tomatoes:

Mineral fertilizers. They are applied 2-3 weeks after planting tomatoes in the ground. The first feeding includes superphosphate and potassium sulfate (20 and 15 g per 1 sq. m). The second and third feeding is carried out at the stage of fruit formation. To do this, for 1 sq. m, 15 g of ammonium nitrate and 20 g of potassium sulfate are used.
You can feed the plants with organic fertilizers. To do this, use a solution of manure fermented with weeds. A mixture of 1 bucket of weeds, 1 bucket of manure and 100 liters of water is prepared. When the mixture ferments, it is diluted at a rate of 1:10.
Boric acid is used for foliar feeding.

Growing Tips

To get a good harvest, you need to know some of the intricacies of growing tomatoes. Below are the most important of them.

Tips for growing tomatoes:

It is better to additionally tie heavy tassels with a large number of small fruits to a support. Otherwise, the stalk may break. Water the plants only at the roots. This will reduce the likelihood of them being affected by plant diseases. Mineral and organic fertilizers are introduced in the form of irrigation

It is important not to get the composition on the greens and plant stems. Regular loosening of the soil is necessary for the full growth of tomatoes.

Diseases and pests

The Japanese brush tomato is resistant to blossom end and root rot and tobacco mosaic. The gardener will have to fight other plant diseases.

Pests are collected from tomatoes by hand. There are chemicals that prevent their appearance, but gardeners advise not to use them to obtain a better and healthier harvest.

Careful weeding of the beds will save the plants from mole crickets. For the same purposes, in the autumn, when preparing the bed, eggshells are poured into the soil.

For late blight, Bordeaux mixture is used. You can also use special preparations, for example, Polyazophos or Ditan.

Brown spot can be combated with the help of Fundazol. When signs of powdery mildew appear, spray with Bayleton.

Priming

The bottom of the seedling boxes is covered with a drainage layer (1-2 cm) - expanded clay, small pebbles, crushed egg shells. A substrate for tomatoes or universal purpose is distributed on top. A wide selection of such mixtures is available in gardening and gardening stores. Many summer residents practice preparing their own soil mixture. The day before sowing, the filled containers are watered with Fitosporin.

Due to the high growth activity, the plant requires fertile, loose soil in the garden bed, lighting and avoidance of excess moisture.

In the garden bed for tomatoes, remove weeds, debris, dig up and apply organic fertilizers.

Important to know: Do-it-yourself substrate for seedlings

Recommendations for cultivation

The variety prefers the seedling method of planting. Preparatory work includes:

preparing containers for seedlings with complex soil for tomatoes;
sowing seeds to a depth of 1-2 cm;
covering the planting with film until germination;
maintaining the room temperature at least 21 degrees;
after sprouts appear, it is necessary to provide a constant source of light;
regular watering.

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Before planting, seedlings should be hardened off. For 1 sq. It is recommended to place no more than 9 plants per meter of land, according to a 50 x 40 cm pattern. The variety is unpretentious in care and does not require tying or pinching. To get the best harvest you need:

carry out timely watering with warm water;
feed the bushes with mineral fertilizers at least 4 times during the summer season;
loosen and weed the soil.

Sowing

The seedless method is practiced in the southern part of the country or when cultivated in heated greenhouses. In other regions, it is advisable to grow through seedlings:

On the day of sowing, water the boxes with soil with settled warm water.
Bury the sprouted seeds 1 cm.
When sowing in common containers, maintain a distance of 2 cm between holes.
At the end of the work, moisten the surface of the substrate with a sprayer.
Cover with glass or film and place in a warm place.
When the first shoots appear, the shelter must be removed and the containers moved to a bright room. The air temperature should be maintained at +18-21 degrees Celsius.
The total amount of daylight hours and additional illumination with lamps should be 14-16 hours.

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Rules for planting and care

Growing tomato variety Alpha by direct sowing in open ground is advisable only in the southern regions or when planted in heated greenhouses.

Based on reviews and photos of the Alpha tomato variety, it is clear that in order to obtain early yield of fruits in other regions, the crop is grown through seedlings.

Growing seedlings

For standard tomatoes, the time for growing seedlings is 40-45 days. The sowing date is calculated depending on the moment of transplanting the seedlings into open ground, according to the growing region. You should not start growing before this time, although the seedlings of low-growing tomatoes do not stretch and do not outgrow. An overgrown root system will not have enough nutrition from a small area of the planting container.

Growing scheme:

Before sowing, to accelerate growth and determine the percentage of viable seeds, they are soaked and germinated in a damp cloth. This takes 3-4 days.
For cultivation, take fertile, loose soil.
Holes are made at the bottom of the planting containers and a drainage layer 1-2 cm high is poured, then a soil layer is added and lightly pressed.
The day before planting, the soil is spilled with disinfectants, for example, Fitosporin.
Sprouted seeds are planted separately in small containers, for example, plastic cups or general seedling containers, with a distance of 2 cm.
The hole for planting is made 1 cm in size, and the soil is watered before planting.
After sowing, the soil is moistened by spraying from a spray bottle.
The containers are covered with a bag or film and placed in a warm place, for example, in the bathroom, but not on top of heating devices.
The crops are checked every day, and as soon as the first loops appear, the seedlings are immediately placed in a bright place, with a temperature of up to +18°C. Reducing the temperature immediately after germination allows seedlings to begin developing a root system.
In the first days, seedlings need round-the-clock supplementary lighting for further cultivation, lighting for 14-16 hours with a break in the dark for the plants to rest.

Seedlings grown in fertile soil do not require additional feeding until planted in open ground. Seed germination temperature – + 20°С… +25°С.

Advice! To soak seeds and water seedlings from sowing to planting, use melt or rain water warmed to room temperature.

Tomato seedlings of the Alpha variety grow compact, which allows them to be planted not in separate containers, but in a more spacious common container. Diving is carried out after the third true leaf begins to appear. The first two cotyledon leaves are not taken into account.

Before transferring seedlings to open ground, it is necessary to harden them. To do this, the temperature in the place where the plants are kept is gradually reduced over the course of a week. They also accustom plants to more air and light, moving them outside or onto balconies with open windows. When hardening off seedlings, it is important to prevent them from staying at low temperatures.

Transplanting seedlings

The description of Alpha tomatoes indicates their good survival rate when transplanted. Plants are planted at a distance of 40 by 50 cm. Seedlings are transferred to open ground when positive temperatures are set above +10°C.

It is best to plant seedlings in open ground in a film tunnel. Thanks to the shelter, it becomes possible to control precipitation and adverse weather conditions in the form of strong winds or hail, as well as to insure against sudden changes in air temperature. Temporary shelter in the form of a film tunnel allows you to plant Alpha tomato seedlings several weeks earlier.

When transferring seedlings to a greenhouse, the intended location of all tomato bushes should be taken into account. Low-growing tomatoes are compacted with tall ones or planted separately on one edge, but so that all plants have enough light.

For planting, the site is prepared in advance, the soil is cleared of weeds, fertilizers are applied and loosened. Water is poured into the hole and, mixing it with soil, a paste is formed into which the seedlings are planted along with a lump of earth.

Aftercare

Caring for Alpha tomatoes is simple. When planting in fertile soil, several organic fertilizers will be required per season. For this, herbal and ash infusions are used. Watering for a plant with close-lying roots requires moderate watering. If the growing season or area is rainy, then the bottom of the stem is left clear of shoots and leaves.

Advice! Water tomatoes only on the soil; the leaf mass should remain dry.

When grown in open ground, frequent weeding is necessary. The bushes are tied up without pulling. To do this, stakes are installed or string is pulled through the ridge. Tying with twine does not interfere with the growth of the tomato, and the brushes can be supported from different sides.

Landing in a permanent place

For tomatoes, choose beds where they previously grew:

zucchini;
carrot;
cucumbers;
parsley;
dill;
cauliflower.

It is recommended to adhere to the hole placement pattern of 50*40 cm with a density of 7-9 bushes/sq.m.

The practice of planting Alpha seedlings in film tunnels is also widely used, which ensures:

the ability to independently control precipitation and unfavorable conditions (hail, thunderstorm, gusts of wind);
shelter in case of a sudden drop in temperature - “return frosts”;
early planting in open ground and obtaining a harvest earlier than the stated ripening dates.

In order for the plant to grow powerful roots, it is necessary to periodically loosen and hill the stem.

Determinate tomatoes

A determinate variety of tomatoes, usually of short stature. That is, when a tomato variety is classified as “determinant,” this means that it has limited growth. The determinate variety is characterized by the fact that after tying a certain number of tassels (most often 5-6 tassels) it completes its growth.

Limited growth is a feature of the formation of a plant: the central tip of the bush ends with a flower ovary, above its shoot completes its growth in height. The plant already receives its subsequent development from the stepson in the leaf axil. At the same time, indeterminate tomatoes do not limit height growth in any way.

Types of determinate tomatoes

The determinate variety is divided into a number of subspecies:

To get a very early harvest, super-determinate tomatoes were specially bred. These bushes ripen together in approximately 55-65 days, a new ovary does not form after this. Inflorescences appear on the plant every two leaves. The bush forms 4 brushes, then its growth stops.
Semi-determinate tomatoes in height are often confused with indeterminate varieties, since plants can grow up to one and a half meters in height. But this species has retained indeterminate and determinant properties and is an intermediate link. On a semi-determinate bush, the first inflorescence appears after the formation of the 7th leaf. All further ones are formed after 2-3 leaves. The plant can form up to 12 clusters.
Standard tomatoes are characterized by a developed bush with a powerful structure of the main stem. A strong, low-growing bush can support the entire harvest without being tied to trellises.
The next subspecies is represented by super-superdeterminate tomatoes. This includes super-dwarf plants and super-early ripening tomatoes. The first inflorescence appears after the formation of 5 full leaves. All further inflorescences are formed through the leaf. Under one sheet, two brushes appear side by side at the same time. The growth of the bush is completed after the formation of four inflorescences.

Characteristics of tomato varieties for growing in Siberia

All these subgroups belong to determinate tomatoes, and it is very difficult for an inexperienced gardener to distinguish them.

Productive species

Popular determinate species:

Tomato "White filling". The variety weighs up to 130 grams and is very juicy.
"Nevsky" tomato. The shape is flat-round. One of the earliest plants. Fruit weight up to 150 grams. The color is light red. Determinate variety of tomatoes for open ground.
“Rocket” - oval-elongated tomatoes. The plants are quite compact. For 1 sq. m. you can plant 6-7 bushes. The weight of the fetus can fluctuate around 60-100 grams.

Rules of care

In order to get a rich harvest, you need to know how to care for seedlings and mature bushes:

Garter. Despite the fact that the determinate type of tomatoes does not reach a significant height, these plants still need to be tied up. This event will be able to ensure better stability of the stem: the tomatoes will not touch the ground and spoil.
Stepsonning. It is imperative to carry out this procedure: removing useless extra shoots can help to properly form the bush. If you do not want to pick the leaves, then you need to keep in mind that in this way you risk growing a plant overloaded with unripe and small fruits, which will begin to ripen rather slowly.

These varieties are excellent for many areas - the growing season is short, and tomatoes have time to ripen even in the northern regions of our country. These tomatoes can be grown in greenhouses and open ground.

Bush formation

When 2-3 inflorescences are formed on each of the branches, a leaf or inflorescence is formed at the site of the growth point. Many gardeners practice the formation of 1-2 stems; the stepson under the brush (the first) is not touched. If the bush is grown in 3 stems, then 2 stepsons are left.

According to the description of the originator, Alpha does not need a garter, since the fruits have time to ripen on the plant in a short time. Also, when planting densely, for example, 6 bushes per 1 sq. m. m, no support needed. This arrangement in the garden bed will allow the plants to support each other.

However, vegetable growers who grow tomatoes for several seasons still advise tying up the tomatoes. The bushes are spreading and with many fruits. To prevent the stem from breaking and falling down, it is fixed using a support structure.

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The stepsons at the bottom of the stem need to be removed, this will ensure free access of air and ventilation, which is especially important in rainy weather.

Description of the tomato variety Alpha

The Alpha variety belongs to the early tomatoes. The fruits are ready for consumption 80-90 days after germination. The external parameters of the bush correspond to the characteristics of a determinate standard tomato. Alpha is classified as a superdeterminant species, which was bred to increase early maturity. The height of the plant does not exceed 50 cm; this variety does not require shaping or staking. This greatly simplifies the care of Alpha tomato beds. For novice gardeners - just a godsend.

Important! The fruitful variety grows without tying, but with a large number of fruits the branches lie to the ground. The leaves are dark green, have an external resemblance to potato tops

The size of the leaf blades is medium, straight thick tomato stems with medium foliage

The leaves are dark green and have an external resemblance to potato tops. The size of the leaf blades is medium, straight thick tomato stems with medium foliage.

The inflorescences are simple, the first one is tied above the 5-6th leaf. The following inflorescences are formed without separation by leaves.

The Alpha tomato produces very few stepchildren, so their removal is not required. If the stepsons are removed, the variety forms a stable, strong trunk.

Vegetable growers also highlight such qualities of Alpha tomatoes as unpretentiousness to growing conditions and resistance to crop diseases. Planting the variety does not require constant presence on the site, so it is very attractive to summer residents.

What vegetable growers value most in tomato varieties is the quality of the fruit. Alpha tomatoes are smooth, even, slightly flattened in shape. The weight of one tomato reaches 60-80 g. Unripe fruits are colored light green, ripe fruits are bright red. A description of Alpha tomatoes will be incomplete without a list of their taste characteristics.

Diseases and pests

It is resistant to some fungal and viral diseases. Since the variety is early ripening, the ripening of the crop occurs before the appearance of late blight on the garden bed.

For preventive purposes, spraying with the drug “Fitosporin” or a solution of Bordeaux mixture is carried out.

One of the main pests is the mole cricket, which is most common in the southern regions. To combat it, various folk methods or special preparations are used. The use of "Actellik" and "Thunder" is effective when whiteflies appear in the garden bed.

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Description of the variety

Variety "Alpha":

Fruit:

Round, slightly flattened shape;
At the stage of varietal ripeness - bright red color;
With smooth skin;
With moderately dense, juicy, aromatic pulp, with a sweet taste, with a few seeds;
The number of seed chambers is no more than 6;
Small sizes.

Bushes:

Determinate type, standard, with medium foliage, with straight thick stems;
Short. They grow from 40 to 55 cm in height;
The leaves are medium-sized, potato-type, dark green in color;
Simple inflorescence. The formation of the first inflorescence occurs above the 5-6th leaf;
The peduncle has an articulation.

Advantages and disadvantages

Main advantages:

Easy to care for.
Sowing seeds directly into the ground.
Smooth fruit shape.
Possibility of cultivation throughout the Russian Federation.
Early fruiting and, as a consequence, “escape” from late blight.
Friendly return of the harvest.
Taste qualities.
Resistance to adverse environmental conditions and temperature changes.
In most cases, no formation is required.

Main disadvantages:

Cracking of the skin.
It cannot be preserved in its entirety.
The tomato is not suitable for transportation or long-term storage.
Low yield due to its compactness compared to other varieties.

Main characteristics

A determinate type variety, the tomato independently completes its growth at a height of 40-45 cm. Due to its compactness, including the root system, you can plant 7-9 tomato bushes of the Alpha variety per 1 square meter. m. The yield per bush under favorable growing conditions is 6 kg.

Tomato variety Alpha is resistant to temperature changes and is suitable for growing by direct sowing in the ground. This method of cultivation produces a powerful, hardened plant that is resistant to diseases and pest attacks. Due to early ripeness, the bushes are not affected by late blight.

Advantages and disadvantages

The description of the Alpha tomato variety states the possibility of growing it in regions with different climates. Rapid ripening allows for early vitamin production. Tomatoes ripen on the bush almost simultaneously. The Alpha tomato variety has a number of other advantages.

Advantages of the variety:

tasty, smooth fruits;
high yield, despite the compact size of the bush;
friendly return of fruits;
possibility of growing without seedlings;
suitable for open ground;
does not require formation;
simple agricultural technology;
immunity against late blight.

A disadvantage or feature of an early-ripening, low-growing variety is the use of fruits only for fresh consumption. As well as poor keeping quality and average transportation qualities.

How to choose tomato varieties for different regions of Russia

The heat-loving crop is grown in Siberia, the North Caucasus, and the Moscow region, but not everywhere the same hybrid can please you with an abundance of fruits. Not all gardeners know how to select the most productive varieties, what to focus on first.

For the Moscow region

Breeders have bred tomatoes adapted to different climate conditions, and this list is constantly growing. In the middle zone there is a hot summer, but frosts and fogs often come as early as September. In dachas and vegetable gardens in the Moscow region, it is better to plant early tomatoes that can withstand temperature fluctuations and are rarely affected by diseases. Guarantees a good harvest:

Penguin;
The Snow Queen;
Muscovite.

Tall standard bushes need to be tied up and pinched, but the plants respond to the care with a large number of fruits with dense skin and excellent taste. These varieties take root in open ground.

For the Urals

In harsh climates, most vegetables, and especially tomatoes, are grown in greenhouses. Breeders have managed to develop low-growing varieties that not only take root in the Urals, but also produce good harvests. Lelya is planted in closed ground. On bushes below 60 cm in height, red tomatoes with fleshy pulp weighing up to 180 grams are harvested after 100 days.

The mid-season variety Titanic has a sweet taste and lack of acid. One plant gives a harvest of up to 5 kg. The beautiful Lady bears up to 8 fruits on her hands; when they ripen, they fill with juice and weigh about 200 grams.

The following varieties are grown in open ground using seedlings:

Gina;
Alpha;
Alsou.

In the south of the Urals, the Berdsky tomato is cultivated. The bush reaches a height of a meter, and the weight of one tomato approaches 800 grams.

In Siberia

In Russia, almost every year there appear varieties and hybrids of tomatoes that can withstand light frosts, sudden temperature changes, and the fruits have time to ripen in short summer conditions. New products from Siberian selection meet these requirements.

Watercolor adapts well to the external environment; small tomatoes have strong and dense skin and ripen in 3.5 months. The tall variety Abakan pink pleases with beautiful fruits weighing 200 grams and high yield - Novosibirsk red.

Advantages and disadvantages

The advantages include:

high resistance to most nightshade diseases;
possibility of growing without seedlings;
low maintenance;
lack of reaction to bad weather;
excellent taste when fresh.

In surveys, gardeners cite only three disadvantages of Alpha tomatoes. This:

impossibility of long-term storage fresh;
fruits are unsuitable for long-distance transportation;
low yield.