Content
The African liana tomato is a mid-season variety that is recommended to be grown indoors, in a greenhouse. In the process of ripening, fruits of a rich raspberry color appear, in appearance they resemble a large elongated plum with a slight sharpness at the end. This variety is distinguished by excellent taste, long-term storage and attractive appearance. Some growers note that the ripe African Liana tomato resembles a bright heart.
Description of tomato African liana
Tomatoes of the African Liana variety are classified as mid-season varieties. A distinctive feature is the tallness of the bushes. This species is an indeterminate variety that was bred by breeders in Canada. As a rule, it is recommended to practice growing fruit in a greenhouse.
The bush grows thin, capable of reaching a height of 2 m, therefore it needs support. This is due to the fact that it can easily break under the weight of ripe fruits. Leaves grow of the usual type, thin. It is necessary to carry out pinching at the moment when 2 full-fledged stems are formed.
Description and taste of fruits
Ripe fruits weigh on average about 120-180 g, cases have been recorded when the maximum weight of a tomato was 400 g. The peel of a ripe African Liana tomato variety has a rich pink color, and raspberry shades can also be found.
Some experienced gardeners note that a ripe fruit resembles a heart in appearance, but in most cases it can be compared to an elongated plum. Tomatoes grow medium to large in size. The seed chambers contain a small amount of seeds.
It is worth noting that the pulp is quite fleshy, in the context of a rich red color. Ripe tomatoes of the African Liana variety are distinguished by their delicate skin and sweet taste, which contains pineapple shades.
Since tomatoes are versatile, they can be used for canning. Great for making salads - fruits can be cut. Unfortunately, due to the small amount of juice, it is not possible to use the variety for making tomato juice and puree. In cooking, they are used for preparing first courses, salads, tomato soups.
Varietal characteristics
If we consider the varietal characteristics of African liana tomatoes, then it is worth noting the following points:
- the variety is mid-season, as a result of which you can start harvesting the finished crop 100-110 days after planting seedlings in greenhouses;
- ripe fruits can be removed in late autumn;
- ripe fruit weight varies within 130-180 g, maximum weight is 400 g;
- this variety is indeterminate;
- the formation is carried out in 2-3 stems;
- it is recommended to grow only indoors - in greenhouses;
- bushes can grow up to 2 m in height;
- fruits of a rich pink or raspberry hue;
- excellent taste;
- attractive appearance;
- due to its versatility, it can not only be consumed fresh, but also used for canning;
- is highly resistant to many types of diseases and pests:
- a small amount of seeds.
If you provide the planting material with proper care and timely fertilize and fertilize, you can get a good harvest.
Pros and cons of the variety
Unfortunately, despite the fruitful work of breeders around the world, so far not a single variety has been bred that has no disadvantages.
If the essence of the photo and reviews, then the African liana tomato has the following advantages, which are the main ones:
- ripe fruits have excellent taste;
- bushes grow tall, tomatoes are quite large;
- the harvested crop, if necessary, can be stored for a long period of time, while the appearance and taste will not be lost;
- when growing seedlings, a small number of stepsons are formed;
- the ripening period is quite long, as a result of which fresh tomatoes can be harvested until late autumn;
- tomatoes of the African Liana variety are distinguished by a high level of resistance to many types of diseases and pests.
Despite such a large list of advantages, African liana tomatoes also have a list of some disadvantages. Among them it is worth noting:
- yield, for these varieties of tomatoes it is average, but excellent taste and versatility of ripe fruits compensate for this disadvantage;
- in most cases, the African liana is recommended to be grown in a greenhouse;
- since the bushes grow quite tall, they must be tied up, otherwise the bushes may break under the weight of the fruit.
Before you start purchasing seeds, you should first study all the advantages and disadvantages of the selected tomato variety.
Planting and care rules
To obtain a high yield, it is worth providing the African liana tomatoes with proper and high-quality care. In the process of growth, you will need:
- apply fertilizers;
- water the bushes in a timely manner;
- mulch the soil;
- remove weeds;
- take care of the supports;
- carry out prophylaxis to prevent the appearance of diseases and pests.
Only in this way can you get a high yield with excellent taste.
Sowing seeds for seedlings
As a rule, it is recommended to sow seeds 65 days before the intended planting of seedlings in a permanent place of growth. Before sowing, it is worth disinfecting the seeds. This will require:
- Prepare a weak solution with the addition of potassium permanganate - the water should turn out to be a pale pink color.
- Rinse the seeds in this solution.
- Dry the seeds.
- Place in refrigerator for several days to harden.
- After that, it should be placed in a solution of succinic acid for 48 hours.
It is recommended to plant in containers filled with a mixture in a 1: 1 ratio of peat and fertile soil. As soon as the first shoots have sprung up, a pick is carried out using pots with a volume of 0.5 liters or more.
Transplanting seedlings
After about 60-65 days have passed after sowing the seeds, it is necessary to start planting the seedlings in the greenhouse. To do this, you must first dig up the ground in the greenhouse, apply fertilizer and prepare the holes.
It is important to consider that for each square. m it is allowed to plant no more than 4 tomato bushes. In order for the root system to develop well, and there were many roots, it is worth planting at a slight slope.
Since the bushes grow up to 2 m, you can take care of the support in advance and install it immediately during planting seedlings. During the growing season, top dressing is applied monthly up to 2 times. To do this, use a mullein solution (for 5 liters of water, 0.5 liters of mullein).
Tomato care
To get a good yield, you should definitely pinch the bushes, which will drown out the plantings. Even if the stepsons are dry, they should still be removed, while there should be no stumps.
Watering should be systematic, regular, and the land should not be swampy and dry. It is worth applying fertilizers and top dressing every month, as a result of which a high yield can be achieved.
So that the moisture does not evaporate so much, but weeds grew slower, it is worth mulching the ground around tomato bushes. In addition, it is important to remember about the supports, since the bushes can easily break under the weight of ripe fruits.
Conclusion
The African liana tomato grows well in indoor conditions and gives a good harvest. It is important to take into account that in the process of growth, the bushes must be tied up, a support system must be organized. This is necessary so that the bush is able to grow up to 2 m in height and under the weight of ripe fruits, the thin trunk breaks. Since tomatoes are versatile, they can be used for canning or eaten fresh.
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