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Tomato Swamp is a novelty bred by breeders of the Moscow Agricultural Academy named after V.I. Timiryazev at the beginning of the XXI century, the originator was the firm "Gisok". By 2004, the variety passed all the necessary tests, and was included in the State Register for small farms in the European part of the country. The tomatoes of this variety got their unusual name due to the swamp-green color of ripe fruits.
Description of tomatoes Swamp
The Swamp variety belongs to indeterminate, that is, the growth of the bush does not stop even after flowering and continues as long as weather conditions permit.
In the open field, the height of a plant of this variety rarely exceeds 110 cm, the length of the stem of the smallest specimens is about 80 cm.In the greenhouse, the plant can reach 150 cm.According to reviews and photos, the Swamp tomato can grow up to 180 cm.
The stems are strong, thick, the leaves are large, of the usual shape for a tomato, somewhat loose to the touch. The flowers are small, yellow, collected in simple or intermediate (double) inflorescences. The first bunch appears above the ninth true leaf, the subsequent ones are formed every three leaves.
Description of fruits
The Swamp variety is distinguished by flat-round, ribbed fruits. Tomatoes that have not reached maturity are green in color; a darker spot is discernible around the stalk. When ripe, they do not change color, only sometimes a slight yellowness or a slight copper tint is added. Pink, yellow, or red blotches and streaks may appear on the skin. When overripe, the top often takes on a pale pink tint.
Fruits of the Boloto variety are medium to large in size, their weight is 100–250 g, in greenhouses and hotbeds this figure can reach 350 g. Tomatoes are also green in the context, and have at least 4 seed chambers filled with green gel.
Boloto tomatoes are distinguished by a pronounced sweet taste with sourness and a pleasant fruity aroma. The pulp is loose, tender, oily, juicy. Many fans of exotic varieties of this vegetable note that its fruit is the most delicious of all green tomatoes. The pulp of this tomato variety contains vitamin C and beta-carotene.
The Boloto variety was bred, first of all, for the preparation of fresh salads, side dishes and snacks, however, housewives have found wide use for it in canning, as evidenced by numerous reviews with photos of Boloto tomatoes in preparations for the winter. They can be salted both with whole fruits and as part of vegetable mixtures. Tomatoes of this variety are universal and their area of application is limited only by very low keeping quality. For this reason, they are not used commercially or stored unprocessed.
Characteristics of tomato Swamp
Like other varieties, the Swamp tomato is preferable to grow in greenhouses and greenhouses. In the southern regions of the country, the plant feels great outdoors.
In the description of the tomato Swamp it is indicated that the variety has an average yield: when planting no more than 3 bushes per 1 sq. m. in the open field from this area are harvested up to 5.5 kg, and in greenhouses - up to 6 kg.
Harvesting of this early-maturing variety can be started as early as 90–95 days after planting, that is, fruiting begins in mid-June and continues until the end of August.
Despite the fact that the Swamp variety does not require special care compared to other varieties of tomatoes, the yield is highly dependent on growing conditions and care. The following factors have the greatest positive influence on the quantity and quality of the fruits of this variety:
- seed treatment before sowing: soaking in a solution of potassium permanganate and treatment with a stimulant;
- growing crops at a temperature of + 22 ° ... + 25 ° C (in a greenhouse);
- landing on light soils with a neutral acidity level;
- compliance with the optimal planting density: 40x50 cm;
- plentiful regular watering with warm water, exclusion of waterlogging of the soil;
- periodic feeding with mineral complexes with nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus or organic fertilizers;
- the formation of a bush in two stems;
- mulching;
- preventive treatment for diseases.
The Swamp variety is not resistant to tomato diseases. The most common ailments are rot, late blight and anthracnose. The latter disease poses a serious danger to roots and fruits. You can notice anthracnose by the appearance on the tomato, first of a soft, and then a black spot, which over time increases in size. The pulp in this part of the fruit becomes watery and soon begins to rot. As for other representatives of this culture, aphids, whitefly and other pests are dangerous for Swamp tomatoes.
You can cope with diseases by pre-sowing seed treatment with an antiseptic solution. For the prevention and treatment of adult plants, bushes are sprayed with solutions of copper and sulfur, as well as with Flint and Quadris preparations. To avoid a dangerous increase in humidity, the greenhouse must be ventilated after each watering.
Advantages and disadvantages
Despite the relative youth of the variety, Swamp tomatoes have already won many fans. Vegetable growers have appreciated the following advantages:
- unusual exotic taste and aroma;
- original type of fruit;
- versatility of use;
- the relative unpretentiousness of the variety;
- early harvest time.
When choosing a tomato Swamp for planting, one should take into account its disadvantages:
- low keeping quality, poor transport tolerance;
- the need to tie and pinch bushes;
- sensitivity to tomato diseases.
Planting and care rules
Growing a tomato Swamp requires no extra effort. Experienced gardeners say that even a beginner can handle the care of this variety.
The first and one of the most critical stages of growing is forcing seedlings. The main thing is to properly prepare the seeds in order to get friendly, strong shoots.
Sowing seeds for seedlings
Seedling tomatoes are sown from February 20 to March 10. To select healthy seeds, they are poured into a salt solution (for 1 glass of water, 1 tablespoon of salt). The floating ones are collected - they are not suitable for sowing. Settled to the bottom, dried, treated with a solution of immunocytophyte or potassium permanganate and placed in a damp cloth for a day.
As with other varieties, the material can be sown in a common container, plastic cups or peat pots. Light nutrient soils are best suited for seedlings. The finished substrate is purchased in the store, but you can prepare it yourself by mixing peat, sand and earth in equal proportions. To disinfect the soil, you should spill it with boiling water in advance. The seeds are buried 1 cm, moistened, covered with foil and left at room temperature. Seedlings need good lighting and regular watering.
If the seeds were planted in a common container, then at the stage of 2-3 true leaves the seedlings must be dived.
Transplanting seedlings
In the Central region of Russia, seedlings are transplanted into a greenhouse or greenhouse from late May to early June, when the plants will give 8-9 leaves and reach a height of 25 cm.Before that, many gardeners harden the seedlings for a week, taking them out for several hours in the open air. It should be remembered that frosts are detrimental to young plants. When transplanting into open ground, they are guided by the average daily temperature, which should not be lower than + 13 ° C. In the event of a cold snap, to save seedlings planted in open ground, covering them with a film will help.
The Swamp tomato prefers light soils with neutral acidity. The soil is dug up, organic and mineral fertilizers are applied and moistened with a weak solution of potassium permanganate for disinfection.
It is best to choose a cool, windless day for transplanting. Plants are buried by 2 cm, watered well.
The planting density, as for other varieties of tomatoes, is 40x50 cm or 50x50 cm.
Outdoor cultivation
Tomatoes are a moisture-loving crop, so they need regular abundant watering with warm water. As with other varieties, it is produced in the evening. After watering, the soil around the plant is loosened from time to time to provide air access to the roots and get rid of weeds.
Plants are fed with complex mineral fertilizers or organic matter 3-4 times per season.
To increase the yield of the Swamp variety, a bush of 2 stems is formed. The best time for this is when the young plant is strong enough and grows.
The shoots are pinched from the first brush with flowers when they reach a length of 5 - 7 cm. During the season, pinching is done 2 - 3 times.
Tall tomato bushes Swamp need to be tied, therefore, already at the stage of transplanting into the ground, pegs are installed next to the seedlings and the plant is loosely tied.
Recently popular mulching can increase yields, accelerate fruit ripening and facilitate tomato care. This procedure involves covering the top layer of the earth with natural or artificial materials that protect the soil from drying out and weed growth. Leaves, needles, sawdust, cut grass and other natural materials that allow air to pass through are used as mulch.
How to grow a tomato Swamp in a greenhouse
Care for tomatoes in a swamp in a greenhouse should be the same as for plants planted in open ground. It should only be borne in mind that stagnation of water often occurs in greenhouses, which can lead to damage to plants by rot. To avoid waterlogging, gardeners ventilate them after each watering.
Conclusion
Tomato Swamp is a variety about which you can find a variety of reviews. Some vegetable growers consider low keeping quality, disease resistance and relatively low yield as significant disadvantages. However, the variety also has its fans, who appreciated the simplicity of care, the exotic appearance and the wonderful taste of the fruit.
