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Tomato Sparks of Flame are notable for the unusual appearance of the fruit. The variety has good taste and high yield. Growing tomatoes requires greenhouse conditions; in the southern regions, planting in open areas is possible.
Features of the variety
Description of the Spark of Flame tomato variety:
- mid-late ripening;
- indeterminate type;
- powerful bush up to 2 m high;
- elongated fruit shape;
- the length of tomatoes is up to 13 cm;
- bright red with orange streaks;
- compacted, not tough tomato skin;
- rich taste;
- average weight - 150 g;
- juicy pulp with few seeds.
The tomato variety has a high yield. They are grown under film shelters. Tomatoes have high resistance to viral and fungal diseases.
The Spark of Flame grade has universal applications. It is added to homemade products, where vegetables are cut into pieces, for making pasta and juices. The compact size of the fruits allows them to be preserved whole.
When ripe on bushes, tomatoes do not crumble or crack. The fruits endure long-term transportation. When picked at the stage of technical maturity, tomatoes are kept at home.
Getting seedlings
Growing Tomatoes Sparks of flame begin with planting seeds. After germination, tomatoes are provided with a temperature regime, soil moisture, and lighting.
Planting seeds
The planting of tomato seeds begins in the spring at the beginning of March. Pre-prepare the soil, consisting of an equal amount of sod land and humus. It is convenient to plant 2-3 tomato seeds. into peat tablets, then picking of plants can be avoided.
Before planting, the soil is processed. One way is to steam the soil in a water bath. Disinfection helps get rid of harmful bacteria and pest larvae. Before planting tomatoes, the soil is watered with a solution of potassium permanganate.
Germinated seeds are planted in boxes filled with soil. The planting material is buried 1 cm.A 2 cm is left between the future plants.
When planting in separate cups or peat tablets, place 2-3 seeds in each container. Leave the strongest tomatoes after sprouting.
Cover the boxes with tomato seeds with glass or plastic, put them in a warm, dark place. When shoots appear on the surface of the soil, move them to a windowsill or other illuminated place.
Seedling conditions
At home, Spark of Flame tomatoes need certain conditions in order to develop normally. Conditions for tomatoes include:
- daytime temperature 21-25 ° С, at night 15-18 ° С;
- continuous lighting for ½ day;
- watering with warm water;
- airing the room.
When 2 leaves appear in plants, the plants are thinned out. The weakest specimens are eliminated within a radius of 5 cm. With the development of 3 leaves, tomatoes dive into separate containers. They are transplanted into 0.5 liter containers. For picking, a similar soil is suitable, as when planting tomato seeds.
10 days after the pick, the tomatoes are fed with a solution containing a complex of nutrients. In 1 liter of water, dissolve 1 g of superphosphate, ammonium nitrate and potassium sulfate. Top dressing is required if tomato seedlings look depressed and develop slowly.
3 weeks before planting in the ground, they begin to harden the tomatoes. Sparks of flame. First, the window is opened in the room for 2-3 hours a day. Tomato seedlings are protected from drafts. Then the planting is transferred to the balcony or glazed loggia. Tomatoes should be constantly outdoors a week before planting.
Landing in the ground
Tomatoes that have reached a height of 25-30 cm are ready for transfer to a permanent place. The plants already have a developed root system and 6-7 leaves.
A place for growing Sparks of Flame tomatoes is chosen in the fall. The culture is actively developing after cucumbers, pumpkins, root crops, green manure, beans and cereals. After any varieties of tomatoes, peppers, eggplants and potatoes, planting is not performed, since the crops are susceptible to similar diseases and pests.
In the greenhouse, it is recommended to completely replace the top soil layer 10 cm high. In the spring, the soil is loosened and planting holes are prepared. According to the description, the Spark of Flame tomato variety is tall, so a gap of 40 cm is made between the plants.When forming several rows with tomatoes, a distance of 60 cm is observed between them.
Tomato seedlings are watered before planting and taken out of containers along with an earthen clod. Tomatoes are placed in a hole, the roots are sprinkled with earth and watered abundantly. A peg is driven into the soil and the plants are tied up.
Variety care
Good tomato harvest Sparks of flame provide regular grooming. Planting tomatoes are watered, fed and stepson. Additionally, the variety needs treatments for pests and diseases.
Watering plants
Tomatoes Sparks of flame are watered according to the scheme:
- before bud formation - every 3 days using 3 liters of water per bush;
- during flowering and formation of ovaries - weekly 5 liters of water;
- during the appearance of tomato fruits - twice a week using 2 liters.
For watering tomatoes, they take warm, settled water. Moisture intake should take place in the morning or evening, when there is no sun exposure. Mulching with humus or straw will help keep the soil moist.
Fertilization
Tomatoes are fed several times throughout the season. 2 weeks after transfer to the site, an infusion of mullein is prepared in a ratio of 1:15. The agent is applied at the root in an amount of 0.5 l for each plant.
When ovaries form, Spark of Flame tomatoes need complex feeding, including:
- superphosphate - 80 g;
- potassium nitrate - 40 g;
- water - 10 liters.
The components are mixed and used for watering tomatoes. Additionally, you can spray tomatoes on the leaf, then the concentration of minerals is reduced by 2 times.
You can replace mineral fertilizers with folk remedies. Wood ash is embedded in the soil, which contains a complex of substances useful for tomatoes.
Bush formation
According to reviews and photos, the Spark of Flame tomatoes are tall, so they are sure to be stepson. To obtain a high yield, the bush is formed into 2 stems.
Stepsons up to 5 cm in length are eliminated manually. The formation of a bush helps to eliminate thickening and increase fruiting. Tomatoes are best tied to a support.
Protection against diseases and pests
For the prevention of diseases and the spread of pests, the agricultural technology of growing tomatoes is observed. They constantly remove the tops that thicken the plantings, normalize watering and monitor the humidity level in the greenhouse. To combat diseases of tomatoes, the preparations Fitosporin, Zaslon, Oksikhom are used.
Insecticides are effective against pests, which are chosen depending on the type of insect.Tomatoes are susceptible to attack by bear, aphids, whiteflies. From improvised means, tobacco dust and wood ash are used. It is enough to spray them over the tomato beds.
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Conclusion
Spark of Flame tomatoes have high marketability and taste. The variety needs care, which includes the introduction of moisture, fertilizers, and the formation of a bush. Subject to agricultural technology, a good harvest of tomatoes is obtained.
