Content
Unpretentious care and high yield - these are the requirements that summer residents place on early varieties of tomatoes. Thanks to breeders, gardeners have a very large selection of various varieties, from classic varieties to new hybrids. Among this variety, it is difficult to find one that can rightfully be called universal in all respects. After all, it is not enough to grow a tomato, it is important that it has an excellent taste and a wide range of applications.
For all of the above parameters, the "Fat Jack" tomato is in many ways superior to its counterparts. What is the uniqueness of this variety, what are its main characteristics? Is it really unpretentious and high yielding? You will find answers to all questions in this article.
Brief characteristic of the variety
Tomato "Fat Jack" has already been appreciated by many farmers and summer residents. And this variety deserves special attention. The variety was bred relatively recently. It was registered in the State Register only in 2014.
Tomato seeds are distinguished by a very high germination rate (98-99%). Growing seedlings does not require the use of special skills and devices. Plants germinate and grow beautifully without light.
"Fat Jack", according to the declared characteristics, is suitable for growing even in the open field, even in greenhouses, even in greenhouses. It belongs to the early varieties, since the first harvest of tomatoes can be harvested within 95-105 days after active seed germination.
When tomatoes are grown in heated greenhouses, they begin to bear fruit in early to mid-June. In the open field, fruiting begins 2-3 weeks later, which indicates its early maturity.
By planting some of the plants in a greenhouse, and some in the open field, you can stretch the fruiting period and get a harvest of tasty tomatoes for a longer period.
Planting tomato seeds "Fat Jack" directly into the open ground is possible only in southern regions with a warm climate. But in the central and northern regions, it is recommended to grow tomato seedlings. But a tomato lover from Siberia grows "Fat Jack", planting seeds directly on the beds, and in a harsh climate gets an excellent harvest.
Tomato bushes are low. Reach no more than 40-60 cm in height, spreading. The foliage is medium, the color and shape of the foliage are standard.
Tomato "Fat Jack" does not need regular pinching. But this condition should be observed only if you have already formed a bush of 3-4 stems.
Tomato "Fat Jack" belongs to the determinant varieties. The fruits have a classic bright red color, the shape of the tomatoes is round-flat.
Like all low-growing plants, tomatoes of this variety require timely removal of the lower leaves to improve aeration of the root part of the plant and prevent root rot.
Tomatoes do not need a compulsory garter. But given the number and size of the fruits, it is still worth tying the plants to the support in order to avoid breaking the brushes.
Fruit characteristics
A brief description and characteristics of the fruits of tomatoes "Fat Jack" is reduced to the following parameters:
- Rounded flat shape;
- Bright red color;
- Average weight 250-350 grams;
- The pulp is dense, aromatic, sweet;
- Tomatoes for universal use.
Among other things, tomatoes are distinguished by high yields - up to 6 kg from one bush - with a rather modest size.
Those gardeners who have already planted tomatoes of this variety note that tomatoes have a sweet, rich tomato taste with a barely noticeable sourness. The fruits ripen in a wave-like manner, which gives housewives the opportunity to process the harvested crop without difficulty and unnecessary haste.
Advantages and disadvantages of the variety
Tomato variety "Fat Jack" was bred for cultivation in a personal subsidiary farm. But given the many advantages, it is also suitable for farms specializing in growing vegetables. Distinguish "Jack" from other varieties of tomatoes by the following advantages:
- Can be grown in greenhouses, greenhouses or open field;
- you can plant tomatoes both in seedling and non-seedling methods;
- resistant to slight temperature changes;
- resistant to many diseases;
- high germination of seeds;
- excellent fruit set in any weather;
- with a small bush size, excellent yield indicators;
- the size and taste of tomatoes;
- does not require special skills and additional hassle during planting and subsequent care;
- early maturity;
- excellent presentation;
- tolerates transportation well;
- does not need regular pinning;
- wide range of applications;
- is not a hybrid, which makes it possible to harvest seeds on your own.
With such a huge number of advantages, "Fat Jack" has practically no drawbacks, except for two:
- the need to form a bush to obtain high yields;
- the need to carry out preventive measures against diseases and pests.
But these disadvantages are so minor that growing tomatoes will not cause you any serious problems or difficulties.
Application area
Initially, the Fat Jack tomato was bred as a salad variety. That is, its fruits are suitable mainly for cutting summer salads and fresh consumption. But those gardeners who planted tomatoes on their site and managed to evaluate the quality of tomatoes speak of it as a universal tomato. Tomatoes can be used in almost any area:
- for the preparation of tomato juices and pastes;
- preparation of various sauces, ketchups and adjika;
- as a component in the preparation of various dishes, casseroles and baked goods;
- for whole-fruit canning;
- for winter preparations - salads, lecho, hodgepodge.
Housewives who are actively harvesting a generous harvest for the winter also use tomatoes for quick freezing, sliced or for drying. Subsequently, these preparations are added to the first and second courses during the cooking process.
It should be noted that in the process of conservation, tomatoes do not lose their excellent taste. Fruits do not crack with whole-fruit canning.
Planting and follow-up rules
Tomato variety "Fat Jack" is recommended for growing in greenhouses, open ground and greenhouses. Accordingly, there are two growing methods - seedling and seedling.
But whichever method you choose, you can be sure that with minimal physical costs you will get a bountiful harvest of fragrant and unusually tasty tomatoes.
Growing seedlings
Growing Fat Jack tomatoes is no more difficult than growing conventional tomato varieties. Self-harvested seeds must be soaked for 2-3 hours in a 2% solution of potassium permanganate (pink). The acquired seed material does not need such processing.
If you wish, you can soak the seeds for a day in warm water with the addition of any composition that stimulates the formation and growth of the root system. But even without this event, tomatoes sprout quickly and amicably.
You need to sow seeds for seedlings in late March - early April. The pick should be done in the phase of 2-3 well-formed leaves, combining it with the first fertilizing with mineral fertilizers.
You need to transplant seedlings:
- to the greenhouse in late April - early May;
- in a greenhouse in the middle - end of May;
- in open ground in early - mid-June.
Many summer residents add crushed eggshells to each well when transplanting tomatoes. But this type of feeding is completely useless. Yes, eggshells are rich in calcium and minerals, but at the time of active growth of green mass, the plant needs nitrogen.
Moreover, before fertilizing the soil with shells, it must be washed, dried and literally ground into dust. Whether the effort is worth it, and whether there is a result from these actions, is a moot point.
After transplanting, you need to feed the tomatoes twice: during active flowering and fruit formation.
Despite the fact that the "Fat Jack" garter is not required, it is still recommended to tie the plants to a support - not every bush can withstand a load of 5-6 kg.
You need to form the bushes in 3-4 stems. After the formation, the stepsons do not grow so actively, therefore, it is only necessary to remove excess lateral shoots from time to time so that all forces and nutrients are directed to the formation, growth and ripening of fruits.
Growing tomatoes in a seedless way
It is possible to plant seeds of tomatoes "Fat Jack" in open ground in the middle - end of May. The main condition is a sufficiently well heated soil and the absence of the threat of possible spring frosts.
The area for planting tomatoes should be sufficiently lit, and the soil should be loose and fertile. You need to dig up the ground in advance, 7-10 days before the proposed planting work.
Immediately after planting, the beds should be watered abundantly with warm, settled water and covered with any non-woven covering material or film. Open the beds in warm, sunny garden beds, and be sure to close them at night.
After 2-3 weeks, you need to thin out the seedlings and feed the tomatoes with complex mineral fertilizers.
The subsequent care of the plants consists of the usual activities for any gardener:
- weeding;
- watering;
- loosening;
- bush formation;
- removal of stepchildren;
- top dressing.
The recommended planting scheme is 5-6 plants per 1 m². When growing tomatoes in beds, the distance between plants should be at least 35-40 cm.
It should be remembered that when growing "Fat Jack" tomatoes in the open field, tomatoes ripen a week or a half later than in a greenhouse.
To prevent root rot, be sure to remove the lower leaves to ensure sufficient air exchange. And one more recommendation - remove from the site weedsso that they do not become the cause of tomato disease.
Tomatoes are highly resistant to many diseases. But you should not forget about preventive treatments against diseases and pests.
If the recommendations for planting and subsequent care are followed, "Fat Jack" tomatoes give a bountiful harvest even when grown in the open field using a seedless method. Residents of the Siberian and Ural regions, whose climatic conditions are famous for the late arrival of spring and late return spring frosts, appreciated this variety.
The author of the video shares his impressions of the "Fat Jack" tomato variety, its cultivation, and also gives a brief description of its fruits
Conclusion
The characteristics and description of the "Fat Jack" tomato variety, as well as numerous reviews of amateur gardeners and gardeners, suggest that it is worth growing at least a few bushes on your site as an experiment. Perhaps you will like the taste of tomatoes, and it will take its rightful place on your list of must-have varieties.
