Ideal for preservation and easy to care for, the Japanese Truffle tomato: reviews, photos and growing secrets

The Japanese truffle tomato variety has not yet gained much popularity among gardeners. It appeared relatively recently, but some have already tried the new product. Agree, such an unusual name cannot fail to attract attention. But the peculiarity of this variety is not only in its exotic name. Due to their density, the fruits of the “Japanese truffle” are excellent for various types of preservation. These tomatoes also have an interesting shape that looks like a truffle. For those who have never seen truffles, they will most likely resemble a light bulb.

In this article we will look in detail at the characteristics and description of the Japanese Truffle tomato variety. Each of you will be able to draw your own conclusions whether it is worth growing it or not.

Characteristics and description of the variety

This tomato includes a whole series of varieties, consisting of five subspecies. Numerous reviews only indicate a change in the taste and color of ripe vegetables. Agricultural technology remains the same for all five subspecies.

Palette of subtypes

Let's get acquainted with the existing subspecies of the Japanese variety. As mentioned above, the main difference between the crop is the color of the fruit.

Advantages and disadvantages remain the same for all types:

1. Red. Of all the subspecies, the most common type. Ripe vegetables are excellent in summer salads, vegetable stews and first courses. They do not lose their taste in preserves and marinades. The taste of vegetables is sweet. They are characterized by long-term storage and good transportability.
2. Pink. Characteristics and reviews indicate that it is in less demand among gardeners due to its average yield. But the average result is compensated by the excellent taste of ripe fruits, rich, sweet, without sourness. Many people find fruity notes in the taste.
3. Black. The color of tomatoes resembles the color of dark chocolate. The subspecies is interesting for winter preparations: marinades, pickling, canning. It has a high fruiting rate and a pleasant taste of ripe vegetables. The main disadvantage is the short shelf life.
4. Orange. Due to the high sugar content, the taste can be classified as fruity. The color is uncharacteristic for a tomato, deep orange, more velvety than glossy. Reminiscent of a frozen drop of fiery lava.
5. Gold. The color of the vegetables is rich yellow, the color of the bright sun. The taste, like that of the orange subspecies, is noticeably sweet due to the increased amount of sugar. The fruiting rate depends on the growing conditions.

The photographs show representatives of the Japanese variety.

Distinctive features

The bush is indeterminate, height – 1.5-2 m, the stem is not strong enough, the foliage is average, the leaves are small. The inflorescences are simple, purple in color, and grow in clusters. The stem forms up to 5 fruit-bearing branches, each cluster bears 5-6 fruits.

The productivity is high, 3 kg of fruits are harvested from 1 seedling, provided that no more than 4 plants are planted per 1 square meter. m.

Mid-season species, 110-120 days pass from planting to full ripening.

The culture is characterized by high immunity to the main diseases of the nightshade family. Recommended for cultivation in open ground and in greenhouse conditions.

The indeterminate type requires a mandatory garter: if this is not done, the tall stem will not support the weight of the fruit-bearing branches and will break. In addition to staking, plants require regular pinching. If you do not remove rapidly growing young shoots, this will lead to dense plantings.

Fruit characteristics

The average weight of the fruit is 150-180 g, the shape is unusual, pear-shaped, round, narrowed towards the top. The taste is excellent, sweet, mixed with fruity notes, and can be classified as dessert. The pulp is dense and juicy. The peel is durable and not prone to cracking.

Thanks to their durable skin, tomatoes can withstand long-term storage without losing their presentation; they can be transported over any distance.

Red truffle tomatoes on video

This variety is not included in the State Register of Breeding Achievements of the Russian Federation.

You can see other interesting varieties and hybrids of tomatoes with photos, descriptions and reviews in our Tomato Catalog. Enjoy watching.

If you grew Japanese red truffle tomatoes, please write whether you liked them or not. What was the yield and taste of the fruits in your climatic conditions? How do you rate the disease resistance of this tomato? Briefly describe the advantages and disadvantages of this tomato in your opinion. If possible, attach a photo of the entire bush or individual fruits you grew to your comment. Thank you!

Your reviews of the Japanese truffle tomato and additions to the description will help many gardeners evaluate this variety more objectively and decide whether it is worth planting or not.

How to grow seedlings

Sowing seeds for seedlings begins 2 months before planting in the ground. Before sowing, seeds undergo mandatory preparation.

Seed preparation

The seed material is laid out on the table and carefully examined one by one for visible damage. To check for emptiness, the seeds are placed in a saline solution for 10 minutes. Those that float to the surface are disposed of, the rest are washed with running water.

Reference. A saline solution is prepared from 1 teaspoon of salt and a glass of water.

Then the grains are disinfected in a weak solution of potassium permanganate for 20 minutes. This necessary procedure ensures further healthy growth of seedlings. After disinfection, the seeds are washed with running water.

To improve germination, the seed is soaked in a growth stimulator for 10-12 hours. The most used drugs are Zircon and Kornevin.

Container and soil

The soil is prepared from turf soil, humus and washed river sand in a ratio of 2:2:1. All components are thoroughly mixed and the resulting mixture is poured with a hot solution of purple potassium permanganate. This technique disinfects the soil, destroying pathogens that can cause irreparable harm to plantings.

Reference. Turf soil is characterized by porosity and a rich composition of nutrients.

The disinfected soil is laid out in planting containers, at the bottom of which small drainage holes are first made to drain excess moisture.

Plant in a common wooden box or individual containers: plastic or peat cups. Peat cups are the most convenient container for propagating seedlings, since the plants do not need to be picked and replanted: they are placed in the ground along with peat containers, which gradually dissolve in the ground.

Landing

The seeds are sown to a depth of 1.5 cm with a distance of 3 cm from each other, sprinkled with soil on top, slightly moistened with warm, settled water and covered with film to create a greenhouse effect. Planting containers are left in a room with a temperature of at least 20°C. Seed material germinates at lower temperatures, but seedlings will appear later.

Seedling care

When shoots appear, the film is removed and the containers are moved to the windowsill, but not to direct sunlight. Daylight hours should be at least 13 hours. If there is a lack of daylight, supplement the lighting with fluorescent lamps.

Water with slightly warm, settled water along the edge of the nursery with a regular tablespoon. After watering, the soil is carefully loosened without touching the young roots. The condition of the soil must be constantly monitored, not allowing it to dry out. But over-watering is also not recommended, since unformed roots can rot.

When 2 true leaves appear, the seedlings dive, planting them in separate containers. During picking, weak plants are disposed of, leaving only strong and healthy bushes.

2 weeks before planting, the seedlings begin to harden by taking them outside in the daytime for 1 hour. Gradually, this interval is increased to 10 hours, and the night temperature in the room where the seedlings are brought is reduced to 13°C.

Important! 1 week before transplanting, seedlings are fed with a full range of mineral fertilizers with a predominance of potassium and phosphorus.

Subsequent care for tomatoes

Tomatoes require very careful care after planting in the ground. Since the branches are quite fragile, there is a risk of them breaking, so it is recommended to tie the stems and brushes regularly. Also, to improve the quality of the harvest, you should prun the bushes, getting rid of excess shoots.

Plant nutrition

The plant requires regular feeding. For this use:

• ash;
• shell;
• infusion of droppings;
• boric acid solution.

How to tie up tomato bushes?

Japanese truffle bushes reach 1.5-2 meters in length and often break under the weight of their own leaves and ripening fruits. Therefore, tying up plants is necessary for a good harvest. Garters must be attached to trellises, posts or frames (greenhouses).

Important! Do not overtighten the branches with ropes. This will reduce the availability of nutrients to the fruits and the plants may die

Weeding and hilling

The beds need to be loosened and weeds removed at all stages of growing tomatoes. Also, to maintain soil moisture, it is recommended to mulch the ground with chopped straw or leaf humus.

How to water tomatoes correctly?

In order for watering the Japanese truffle to bring maximum benefits, you need to follow several important rules:

you need to water rarely, but abundantly; the main thing is to avoid getting water on the leaves and stems; water must flow through special furrows; the water temperature should match the soil temperature (24-26 degrees); It is important not to water this variety with cold water to avoid frostbite of the roots.

Diseases and pests

Among the possible pathologies of the fetus, cracking is observed. However, the development of the defect can be easily eliminated by adjusting watering and temperature conditions. It is recommended to provide a consistently hot environment and increase the volume of watering, reducing the frequency.

How to grow tomatoes

After 2 months, the seedlings are ready to be transplanted into the ground. If by this time the soil temperature is less than 15°C, planting seedlings should be postponed. Cold soil will have a detrimental effect on the roots of young plants.

Landing

The soil is prepared in the fall by digging up and applying mineral fertilizers. In the spring, they dig again and make holes 15-20 cm deep a week before planting.

Transplant in the morning, evening or on a cloudy day. Such conditions are necessary for faster adaptation to new conditions. After transplantation, the holes are compacted, watered with warm water and left to get used to the new conditions for 7-9 days.

Planting pattern: 50 cm – distance between plants, 50 cm left between rows. For 1 sq. m place no more than 4 plants.

Further care

Regular watering is established no more than 2 times a week. Water moderately, strictly at the root, with warm, settled water. It is not advisable to water with cold water. For settling and heating, water is poured in advance into large containers, which are installed on the site specifically for these purposes.

After watering, the soil is loosened and weeds with roots are removed. To retain moisture, the beds are mulched with straw or peat. This is especially helpful on dry days with strong evaporation of moisture.

The crop is fed three times during the entire growing season. Fertilizers are mineral fertilizers or organic matter. As organic matter, mullein infusion or bird droppings are used in a ratio of 1:15. The first feeding is applied during flowering, the second feeding is given during the formation of ovaries, the third feeding is given during the fruiting period. At this time, potassium substances are added to speed up the ripening of fruits.

Features of care and possible difficulties

Tall bushes are subject to mandatory garter. Fruitful branches are so heavy that breaks appear. If the integrity of the plant is compromised, the movement of nutrients is not fully ensured. For this reason, broken brushes do not provide the developing fruits with sufficient nutrition, and they stop developing.

To secure the plants, a wooden or metal support is installed next to each bush, to which the stem and branches of the plant are tied. An unfixed, weak stem can be damaged by wind and precipitation.

In addition to the garter, it is worth paying special attention to the stepson. Young shoots appear quickly, and if you do not get rid of them in time, this will lead to thickening of the plantings. The culture is formed into 1, 2 or 3 stems. When forming into 2 stems, leave one stepson under the first flower raceme; when growing a plant with 3 stems, leave 2 stepsons: under the first and above the first flower raceme.

Diseases and pests

The crop has proven itself to be resistant to dangerous fungal diseases, so basic preventive measures are enough to keep the bushes healthy throughout the growing season. Prevention includes periodic loosening, moderate watering, and mulching of beds. The culture does not like cold water, so it should be watered only with warm and settled water.

The most dangerous insect pests are aphids and the Colorado potato beetle. Unfortunately, the Colorado potato beetle is not easy to get rid of. Therefore, it is especially important to prevent it from entering your beds and not allowing it to multiply. This requires a daily inspection of each bush for the presence of the pest itself and its larvae, which are just as dangerous as adults. The beetle is collected by hand and burned in glass jars. When there is a large accumulation of it, the drug “Prestige” is used.

Aphids are gotten rid of using a soap solution that is used to treat plant stems. The solution is prepared by dissolving 1 piece of laundry soap in 1 bucket of water.

Japanese truffle black

Black truffle tomato bushes are medium-sized, their height can reach 150-160 cm. The stems are strong, with a large number of dark green leaves. Tomatoes are collected in clusters of 5-6 pieces each. The fruits ripen 105-110 days from the moment the first shoots appear. Brown or black tomatoes weigh around 120 grams and are one-dimensional. The dense, juicy pulp has a sweet taste, with no acid at all. The shape of the fruit is the same as that of other representatives of truffles. The harvest is stored for a long time and is used to prepare fresh salads and preparations for the winter.

Nuances for open ground and greenhouse conditions

Greenhouse plants are much more likely to produce maximum yields than outdoor shrubs. In the greenhouse, up to 4 kg are harvested from 1 seedling. But in greenhouse conditions, the growth of bushes reaches 2 m, which is noticeably higher than in open beds. Therefore, the tops of plants are pinched, thereby limiting further growth.

Regular ventilation of protected structures helps prevent the proliferation of fungal spores and the attack of the main greenhouse pest - spider mites. Fresh air destroys the parasite’s usual habitat.

All lower leaves must be removed, otherwise, with constant contact with wet beds, they can rot and cause the spread of many fungal infections.

During fruiting, 3 clusters are left for full ripening, the remaining fruits are picked in advance and left to ripen at room temperature. This way the fruit-bearing branches are unloaded, and the vegetables remaining on them ripen faster.

Tomato care

To prevent tomato seedlings in open ground from getting sunburned, they are shaded with non-woven material for the first 7 days. At night, cover with film to protect against freezing.

Watering

For 10 days after planting, the plants are watered every day, so they will take root faster and grow. Water consumption per seedling is 1 liter.

Next, they are guided by weather conditions.

• During the rainy season, you can do without watering.
• If the summer is dry, then you need to water every 5 days.
• During the period of flowering and fruit ripening, the frequency is increased to 3-4 times a week.

To ensure that the soil remains light and allows moisture and oxygen to pass through well, the next day after watering it is loosened, weeded between the rows and weeds are removed.

Feeding

At each stage of growth, tomatoes require different feedings. It is enough to fertilize 4 times per season to get a high-quality and tasty harvest.

In order not to burn the roots and speed up the process of assimilation of nutrients, the bed should be watered abundantly before applying fertilizer.

Shaping and garter

In this variety, the clusters with fruits are prone to breaking, so you need to tie up not only the central stem, but also the side shoots. A trellis or wooden stakes are used as a support.

Tall bushes need shaping. If done correctly, you will avoid fruit shrinkage and get a tasty and beautiful-looking harvest.

In open ground they form into two stems. This procedure begins after the first flower cluster appears. They leave the strongest shoot formed under it. It should have no more than 4-5 fruit clusters. The remaining adjacent shoots are removed.

In the greenhouse, the bushes are formed into one stem. The principle is the same as in the first case, only all the lateral shoots are plucked out, leaving the main shoot bare. You should also tear off the leaves at the bottom of the bush, as they only take away moisture and nutrients.

Harvesting and application

Vegetable harvesting begins in June - early July. To prepare fresh salads in late autumn, half of the vegetables are removed green, leaving them to ripen on their own. The taste of such tomatoes is no different from those ripened in the garden beds. Green fruits are removed with brushes, thereby unloading the bush. Due to their excellent shelf life, vegetables can be stored until the end of November in a cool room at a temperature of no more than 5°C.

The purpose of vegetables is universal: they are used for fresh dishes, canning, marinades and pickling. They are also allowed for tomato products: adjika, juice, paste, ketchup.

Japanese truffle pink

The variety is a medium-sized bush with medium-early fruit ripening. The bushes grow up to one and a half meters in height and form up to 10 clusters at the same time, each of which contains 6-7 tomatoes. Their ripening occurs 130-135 days after the appearance of the first shoots. Tomatoes gain weight up to 150 grams. The pear-shaped shape has slight ribbing. The skin of ripe tomatoes is bright pink. It protects well the dense sweet pulp with a slight sourness. The use of tomatoes is universal.

Advantages and disadvantages

The variety has many positive qualities:

• adaptation to weather conditions;
• ease of care;
• possibility of breeding in all regions;
• high immunity to diseases;
• high fruiting rate;
• excellent taste;
• variety of subspecies;
• independent ripening;
• long-term storage;
• transportation over any distance;
• versatility in cooking.

Disadvantages include the mandatory garter and regular stepsoning. But these disadvantages can be considered conditional, since there is nothing complicated in these procedures.

Features of cultivation

“Black Japanese truffle” is perhaps the rarest of all varieties of this variety. The main feature of this species is the original color of its fruits and taste. For their ability to ripen, they are loved by farmers who grow tomatoes in large quantities for sale. Other features include its resistance to diseases and pests.

The branches of this plant often suffer from breaking, so they require obligatory garter and supports. At the growth stage, the bush forms one or two stems. This variety responds very well to complex fertilizing, but it is better to use it with potassium and phosphorus content.

Farmer reviews

Positive assessments from gardeners are due not only to the color splendor, but also to the excellent taste of tomatoes. Opinions of some gardeners:

Tamara, Stary Oskol: “As an experiment, I sowed several seeds of all colors. All five subspecies emerged. Both in the seedling period and in the open ground, the bushes remained healthy throughout the season. The most neutral was the red tomato. The rest already had their own characteristics in taste. The entire harvest was immediately used for culinary masterpieces.”

Victoria, Voronezh: “I became interested in the variety only because of its interesting color. I chose the black version for myself as the most extraordinary. The first fruits did not take long to arrive. I was pleasantly surprised not only by the color, which the guests appreciated, but also by the taste. The dense flesh is sweet and aromatic. I’m very pleased with this tomato find.”

Diseases and pests

The Black Truffle tomato has good resistance to all major tomato diseases - late blight, fusarium, various spots, rot and verticillium. It is also resistant to damage by many pests.

But despite good immunity, it is recommended to carry out several preventive treatments per season with systemic fungicides and insecticides (Ridomil Gold, Enzhio, Aktara, etc.). Moreover, not only chemicals will help protect black tomatoes, but also biological products such as: Fitoverm, Actofit, Fitosporin, Trichodermin.

Recommendations for cultivation and care

"Japanese truffle" is usually grown in 1-2 stems. It is planted so that there are 5-6 brushes left on the stem. 5-7 fruits grow on a cluster. Usually 2-3 clusters ripen on a bush; the remaining fruits are best picked at a state of technical maturity. In open ground it grows well, but stretches only up to 1.5 m. In a greenhouse, the vine reaches 2 m, which allows you to get a larger harvest.

You can compare the yield of this variety with other varieties in the table:

A tomato planting pattern of 40 x 40 is the area that will be enough to fully nourish the bush. It is planted in the ground at the end of May, respectively, for seedlings two months before, that is, at the beginning of late March - early April. If it is intended to be grown in a greenhouse, then the seeds should be planted in early March, and can be transferred to the greenhouse as early as May 1. The harvest from the greenhouse begins to be harvested in the second half of June.

There are a huge number of ways to grow tomato seedlings. We bring to your attention a series of articles on how to do this:

• in twists;
• in two roots;
• in peat tablets;
• without picking;
• using Chinese technology;
• in bottles;
• in peat pots;
• without land.

The variety has a tendency to bend the brushes, so you need to tie up not only the stem, but also the brushes. Stepchildren are quickly thrown away; they must be removed in a timely manner. They grow very quickly and are difficult to distinguish from the main stem. Otherwise, caring for the “Japanese truffle” does not differ from the usual for all tomatoes - watering, loosening, ventilation (if growing in a greenhouse) and fertilizing.

In addition to the taste and technical qualities of this variety, its advantage is its resistance to cold and fungal diseases, especially to late blight - the most unpleasant “tomato” disease.

Try growing your own Japanese truffle. And let there be a holiday on your table!