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Relatively recently, the wide Russian market for tomato seeds has been filled with varieties of Siberian selection, including the already well-known Altai Masterpiece tomato. The main attraction of the whole variety of these varieties is the ability to give a high yield in adverse weather conditions. This tomato variety was entered in the State Register in 2007 and has become popular not only in its homeland, in the Siberian climate, which is characterized by severe weather events. The plant's resistance to rainy summers and low temperatures, along with excellent taste characteristics, were noticed and appreciated by gardeners of the middle zone of the country.
Positive qualities and disadvantages of the Siberian variety
Knowing the advantages and negative characteristics of any variety, it is easier to determine whether they are suitable for growing in a particular environment. The Altai Masterpiece tomatoes have many advantages, judging by their description.
- The yield of the bushes of these tomatoes, subject to all the requirements of agricultural technology, can reach 10 kg of the total harvest of fruits from one square meter. In country gardens, in the beds in the open field, lovers of growing their own vegetables are guaranteed to collect 3-5 kg of fruits of this tomato per 1 sq. m. In the greenhouses of experienced gardeners, the yield rises to 7 kg. This data is taken from various reviews on the forums;
- The taste quality of large, pretty and mouth-watering tomato fruits is very high;
- The attractiveness and marketability of the Altai Masterpiece tomato fruits, according to the reviews of those who feasted on them, deserve praise from both sellers and all buyers;
- The resistance to cracking of the skin of a large tomato fruit is also highly regarded when marketed, as well as in normal household consumption;
- Strong tomato bushes of this variety are distinguished by a long fruiting period, which begins in August and lasts until the end of October under greenhouse conditions;
- The original immunity to diseases makes this variety of tall tomatoes a favorite of gardeners, since it resists pathogens of fungal and viral diseases both in a greenhouse and in ordinary open beds;
- Resistance to low temperatures.
Even such excellent qualities may not please those gardeners, for whose reviews the Altai Masterpiece tomato variety has drawbacks. They all boil down to the fact that a powerful tomato bush requires a little care for itself in exchange for delicious huge fruits.
- Tall plants of Siberian tomatoes fully realize their potential in spacious, almost two meters high, greenhouses;
- To obtain the fruit size characteristic of this variety of tomatoes, it is necessary to regularly pinch the plants;
- The size of the fruits of this variety does not allow them to be preserved whole.
Description of the plant
Indeterminate non-standard tomato bushes Altai Masterpiece, as described in the descriptions of gardeners who planted them, grow even more than two meters. It is necessary to stop the growth of the bush of these powerful plants by pinching the top. The most acceptable height of the bush of this tomato is 1.5 m in open beds and 1.8 m in greenhouses.
The stem of a tomato bush of this variety is powerful, thick, gives many stepsons. The branches are just as strong, capable of carrying a significant load from several heavy fruits. Leaves are light green, large.Clusters with flowers begin to form at the top above 10 or 11 leaves. Then they regularly appear through every third sheet. The plant has a simple inflorescence. The stalk is characterized by articulation.
The bright red, ribbed fruits of these tomatoes, as seen in the photo, have a rounded, flattened shape. Before ripeness, the fruits are light green, with a darker spot around the stalk, which disappears at maturity. Fruits of tomatoes of this variety weigh from 200 to 400 g. If all agrotechnical requirements are observed, one fruit can reach a weight of 500 g. Record specimens of these tomatoes grow in greenhouse conditions - up to 1 kg.
The pulp of a tomato is of medium density (dry matter - 5-6%), fleshy, juicy, aromatic. Each fruit has six seed chambers. The tomatoes taste pleasant, delicious, sweet and sour. The skin of the fruit is also dense, does not crack.
Characteristic features of the variety
With knowledge of valuable agricultural practices, you can achieve an exceptionally good harvest from the bushes of the Altai Masterpiece variety, this mid-season tomato. Its fruits ripen 110-120 days after germination, usually in early or mid-August.
- Ripe tomatoes are distinguished by their uniformity and the fact that the berries on this powerful bush amaze with their incredible size. On each cluster, the fruits are very large, and not only on the lower ones, as is often the case with tomatoes of this type.
- The fruits of these tomatoes are indicated by the originators of the variety as salad. This means that the red berries of the plant fully reveal their harmonious taste in fresh salads. Of course, with a large harvest, slices are prepared from them in the phase of incomplete maturity for various canned blanks. Delicious juices or sauces come out of fully ripe berries saturated with thick pulp;
- Due to the density of the pulp, tomato fruits tolerate transportation well, they remain indoors for quite a long time;
- This is a non-hybrid tomato plant: gardeners choose seeds from fruits for further reproduction;
- A characteristic feature of the variety is the fast pouring of the fruit. Early tomatoes may already be fully ripe, but these bushes are just beginning to form berries. From the beginning of August, the plants are literally covered with large fruits that ripen in a short period.
Growing stages
Tomatoes of the Altai Masterpiece tomato variety are propagated by gardeners in a seedling method. Seeds must be sown two months before planting in a permanent place.
Seedling care
Altai Masterpiece tomato seeds are sown to a depth of 1-1.5 cm in early March, if the plants are placed in a greenhouse. For garden planting, sowing is carried out a little later. You need to focus on your own conditions. If the seedlings are placed in a sunny corner, they can be sown in early April. When two true leaves develop on the sprouts, they dive.
Garden chores
The seedlings are transferred to greenhouses from the beginning of May, to open ground - from the second decade of May to mid-June, protecting them from direct sunlight and frost with non-covering material. With the threat of low temperatures, they create an additional cover from the film. Typically, tall tomato seedlings are arranged in a 50x40 pattern.
- Watered with warm water in the evening, and in greenhouses - only in the morning;
- Loosening is imperative so that the air penetrates to the roots, and at the same time they are destroyed weeds... Weed plants need to be disposed of, because pests often develop on them;
- When pinching, you need to be careful not to cut off the entire branch. Otherwise, the stem of the plant will be injured, it is better to leave the stumps up to 1 cm;
- Tomatoes are fed 3-4 times during the growing season.
Useful Secrets
- Tomato bushes Altai Masterpiece are sure to stepchild, tie up or install props;
- When climbing plants, it is necessary to leave 4-6 leaves above the uppermost inflorescence;
- Many gardeners keep the bushes of these tomatoes in one stem. Although the plants bear fruit quite well, if formed into two or even three stems. To get the second stem, leave the stepson that grows under the first brush;
- On plants below the first brush, leaves are removed to improve air exchange and more access to sunlight to the fruits;
- To form larger fruits, gardeners tear off small or ugly flowers on the brushes.
Simultaneously with this famous variety, a real masterpiece, the Barnaul agrofirm "Demetra-Siberia" also offered varieties Altai red, Altai pink, Altai orange. They are similar in agricultural technology and qualities, but there are also distinctive features.
