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Tomato Sergeant Pepper is a new tomato variety originated by American breeder James Hanson. The culture was obtained by hybridization of the varieties Red Strawberry and Blue. The popularity of Sgt Pepper in Russia is only gaining momentum. Photo of a tomato Sergeant Pepper and reviews of vegetable growers will help you get a general idea of the culture and make a choice in favor of a new product.
Description of the tomato variety Sergeant Pepper
Tomato variety Sergeant Pepper belongs to the indeterminate species, the end point of growth is about 2 m. The height of the plant is adjusted under the trellis, the top is broken at about 1.8 m. The generative type tomato forms a half-stem bush. Vegetation is aimed at the formation of fruits due to the minimum number of stepsons and leaves. A distinctive feature of the variety is short internodes and exotic fruit color.
The culture is intended for cultivation in open ground and in closed structures. In regions with a warm climate, the plant is grown in an unprotected area, in more severe weather conditions - in a greenhouse. External characteristic of the tomato Sergeant Pepper:
- The bush is formed by 3–4 equivalent processes of the first order, the stems are of medium thickness, weak, the structure is flexible, tough. Shoots are colored light green with a brown tint.
- The leaves are opposite, dark green, attached on thin long petioles. The leaf plate is rough with fine pile, corrugated, edges with large sparse teeth.
- The root system is fibrous, superficial, slightly overgrown. Without additional feeding and constant watering, the plant cannot provide a sufficient amount of microelements.
- Fruit clusters are complex, of medium length, filling capacity is from 4 to 6 ovaries. The first ones are formed after 4 sheets, the next after 2.
- Flowers are dark yellow, self-pollinated variety, forms ovaries in 98%.
By the time of ripening, it belongs to the medium-early type, the collection of the first fruits is carried out 120 days after placing the seedlings in the ground. Long-term fruiting: from August to September. The last tomatoes are harvested at the stage of technical ripeness, they ripen safely in a cool, shaded room.
Description of fruits
The varieties are presented in two varieties: tomato Sergeant Pepper pink and blue. The varietal characteristics are the same, the representatives of the species differ only in the color of the tomato. Description of the fruit of the tomato Sergeant variety Blue Heart:
- near the stalk, the shape is round, tapering to an acute angle upward, in cross section it looks like a heart;
- the weight of the fruits of the first and last circle is different, varying in the range of 160-300 g;
- has an exotic color (bicolor), the lower part with a pronounced anthocyanin, dark purple pigmentation can reach the middle of the fruit, the top is rich burgundy at the time of ripeness;
- the peel is thin, without proper watering, prone to cracking;
- the surface is smooth, glossy;
- the flesh in the section is dark brown, turning into burgundy, juicy, dense, without hard fragments;
- few seeds, they are located in four testes.
Tomato variety Sergeant Pepper Pink heart has the same characteristic, the fruits differ only in color: anthocyanin is weakly expressed, spread over the shoulders, the main color of the tomato is pink.
The tomato has a sweet taste with a caramel aftertaste, the acid is completely absent.
Table tomatoes have a good taste and aroma, they are eaten fresh, vegetable salads are prepared. The mid-early variety is suitable for processing into juice, ketchup, tomatoes are used in homemade preparations for the winter.
Main characteristics
Tomato variety Sergeant Pepper is a medium hardiness plant. In unprotected ground, with the threat of return frost, shelter is required. The plant does not tolerate shade, light-loving, the taste of a tomato is fully revealed in good light and high temperature. Drought resistance of tomato is low, the bushes must be watered from the moment of planting until the last fruits are removed.
Tomatoes, subject to comfortable growing conditions, give a high yield. An improperly located garden bed, a deficiency of moisture and ultraviolet radiation can reduce the indicator. Under optimal conditions, the yield from 1 unit. is 3.5-4 kg. The plant is quite compact, at 1 m2 at least 4 tomatoes are planted, up to 13 kg are harvested. The variety is medium early, the first wave of the harvest reaches biological ripeness in the second half of August, fruiting lasts until the first frost. In the greenhouse, maturation occurs 2 weeks earlier. The yield level does not depend on the cultivation method.
Selection tomato variety Sergeant Pepper, has good immunity to most diseases. In greenhouses, the appearance of tobacco mosaic or cladosporiosis is possible. In greenhouse structures, pests do not affect the plant. In the open field, the plant rarely gets sick, but the larvae of the Colorado potato beetle can parasitize on it.
Advantages and disadvantages
Tomato Sergeant Pepper is characterized by a number of advantages:
- Good yield indicator.
- Long fruiting period.
- The blue and pink varieties produce exotic fruits.
- The fruits are valued for the chemical composition unusual for ordinary varieties.
- Tomatoes are universal, high in glucose.
- The fruits do not lose their varietal characteristics during artificial ripening.
- Suitable for greenhouse and open field cultivation.
- The variety resists infection and pests well.
The downside is the demand for heat, light, watering. Not everyone likes the complete lack of acidity in the taste.
Planting and care rules
The Sergeant Pepper tomato variety is bred by the seedling method. It is theoretically possible to plant seeds directly on the garden bed, but this method is rarely used. The variety is medium early, fruit ripening will be much later. In a temperate climate, this factor is important, tomatoes will not have time to ripen in a short summer.
Sowing seeds for seedlings
Seeds are planted for seedlings at the end of March, the timing is selected, focusing on the regional characteristics of the climate. Seedlings are placed on the plot after 45 days of growth. In the southern regions, sowing is earlier, in areas with a cold climate, seedlings are grown later.
Prepare containers for tomato in advance; containers made of wood or plastic are suitable. You need to take care of the soil. It can be purchased or mixed independently from peat, compost, sand, soil from the site in equal proportions, nitrogen is added to the mixture at the rate of 100 g per 10 kg of soil.
Seedling bookmark:
- Soil is poured into the boxes, longitudinal indentations are made by 2 cm.
- Place the seeds at 1 cm intervals.
- Furrows fall asleep, moisturize.
- Cover with glass or film, put in a lighted place.
After germination, the film is removed and watered every day. After the appearance of the third leaf, the seedlings are dived into separate containers, complex fertilizers are applied. After 1 week after seating, they are taken out to a permanent bed.
Transplant Seedlings
Tomato seedlings are planted in the greenhouse by Sergeant Pepper in the first half of May:
- Pre-dug up the site.
- Fragments of last year's plants are removed.
- Organic matter is introduced.
- I make longitudinal grooves with a depth of 15 cm.
- The plant is placed at a right angle, the root is laid reclining, so the plant will root better.
- Fall asleep to the lower leaves, mulch.
The sequence of planting in a greenhouse or in an open area is the same. The plant is planted in unprotected soil after warming up the soil at least +180 C. At 1 m2 place 4 plants.
Tomato care
The Sergeant Pepper variety is picky about lighting, after placement in the greenhouse, additional lighting is installed and the structure is periodically ventilated. In an open area, the garden bed is placed on the south side without shading. Tomato follow-up care includes:
- preventive treatment with copper sulfate, which is carried out before flowering;
- loosening the soil and removing weeds;
- hilling and mulching with straw;
- the tomato needs constant watering, the soil must not be allowed to dry out;
- form a bush with 3-4 shoots, stepchildren remove, cut off the lower leaves and fertile brushes;
- for the entire growing season, the stems are fixed to the trellis.
Top dressing for the Sergeant Pepper variety is applied every 2 weeks, alternating organic matter, superphosphate, potassium and phosphorus agents.
Conclusion
Tomato Sergeant Pepper is a selection medium early variety suitable for open and greenhouse cultivation. The culture gives good yields of exotic colored fruits. The tomato has a sweet taste and a pronounced aroma, versatile in use. A variety with good immunity, practically does not get sick, does not require complex agricultural technology.
