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When choosing varieties for future plantings, summer residents are guided by indicators such as ripening time, plant height and fruit size. And tomatoes are no exception. In every vegetable garden, you can definitely find early, mid-early and late varieties. Tomato "Heavyweight of Siberia" has become one of the most favorite varieties of gardeners. Despite the average yield, it has long gained popularity due to its unpretentious care, rather large and very tasty fruits.
general characteristics
Working on the creation of the variety, the breeders of the Siberian Garden agricultural firm tried to combine several positive qualities in one plant at once:
- early maturity;
- large fruits;
- the ability to grow tomatoes in harsh climatic conditions;
- resistance to low temperatures;
- resistance to many diseases.
And I must say that they got a really unique variety of its kind.
Tomato "Heavyweight of Siberia" fully justifies such an unusual name. Being an early maturing, determinant plant, it bears very large fruits. But he received great recognition for a completely different reason.
Not every variety can be grown in regions with harsh climates, both outdoors and protected. But the “Heavyweight of Siberia” tomatoes are distinguished precisely by the fact that they bear fruit well at very modest ambient temperatures. Tomatoes give an excellent bountiful harvest when grown at temperatures up to + 28˚C + 30˚C, higher rates immediately affect a decrease in yield.
Tomato "Heavyweight of Siberia" belongs to the group of undersized vegetable crops. When growing tomatoes in open ground, the height of the plant barely reaches 60-70 cm. In greenhouses and hotbeds, its height can reach 80-100 cm, no more. The foliage of the bush is medium, the foliage has a rich dark green color.
Usually low-growing varieties of tomatoes do not need a garter. But not "Heavyweight". For the simple reason that its fruits reach truly gigantic sizes, the plants must be tied up.
The tomato stalk, despite the rather sonorous name, does not differ in power. Bushes often fall to one side, without a garter, the brushes break off even before the tomatoes ripen.
The creators of the variety are advised to tie up not only bushes, but also fruits so that the brushes do not break off. Instead of a traditional garter, you can use the usual props. Small branches in the form of a "slingshot" are placed under the heaviest brushes. In this way, bushes can be protected.
According to the characteristics and description of the “Heavyweight of Siberia” tomato variety, it does not need such an obligatory event as pinching. However, in order to obtain larger fruits, many summer residents still prefer to occasionally remove extra stepchildren and form bushes into 2-3 stems.
Tomato "Heavyweight" is not a hybrid, and therefore the seeds can be harvested on their own. The largest tomatoes retain their varietal characteristics perfectly. But after 4-5 years, it is still worth updating the seed material, since over time the signs of belonging to this variety gradually disappear.
Fruit characteristics
The fruits of the “Heavyweight of Siberia” tomato reach an average weight of 400-500 grams. But to increase yields, the following activities are required:
- regular feeding;
- removal of stepchildren;
- bush formation;
- stopping the ovaries.
Cupping - removal of excess ovaries. They should remain on one plant no more than 8-10 pieces. In this case, the tomatoes will be very large - up to 800-900 grams. All forces and nutrients will be used for the growth and ripening of giant fruits.
The shape of the fruit is quite remarkable - heart-shaped, slightly flattened. The color of tomatoes is predominantly pink, the pulp is juicy and fleshy. The tomatoes taste very sweet, with a barely noticeable sourness. The number of cameras is no more than 4-6.
Tomatoes have a smooth, flawless surface and do not crack during ripening. Tomatoes "Heavyweight of Siberia" well tolerate transportation over short distances without losing their presentation. But for long distances, it is best to transport them unripe.
In terms of taste, size, shape and color of fruits, "Heavyweight" is very similar to the tomatoes "Alsou", "Grandee" and "Danko". All varieties belong to the collection of the agricultural firm "Siberian Garden".
Application area
Judging by the characteristics and description, the "Heavyweight of Siberia" tomatoes are more likely to be table varieties, which determines the area of application of the fruits. They are good for slicing, summer salads, fresh consumption.
Juices from tomatoes of this variety are thick, tasty and rich, but do not have that bright scarlet color that traditional tomato juice has.
Tomatoes "Heavyweight of Siberia" are perfect for winter harvesting. And if they are unsuitable for whole-fruit canning due to their large size, then they are perfect for preparing a variety of salads, hodgepodge, sauces, pastes as a component.
Many housewives prefer to freeze tomatoes. "Heavyweight of Siberia" can be frozen in small portions for adding to the main course in winter, for preparing a variety of casseroles and pizzas.
For drying this tomato variety is not suitable. Juicy fruits lose too much moisture during the drying process.
Growing features
Tomatoes "Heavyweight of Siberia", judging by the description and characteristics of the variety, do not have a high yield. Subject to all the rules of agricultural technology, you can collect up to 10-11 kg of tomatoes from 1 m². From a bush, the yield is 3-3.5 kg.
At first glance, the yield indicators are not so great. But this disadvantage is more than offset by the excellent taste of the fruit. It is for this reason that it has long been deservedly popular with many gardeners.
Tomato bears fruit well when grown under a film cover. Along with polyethylene, lutrasil or other nonwoven materials can be used as a covering material.
A decrease in ambient temperature does not affect the yield of tomatoes in any way, which makes it especially valuable when grown in regions with a harsh climate.
But an increased temperature can cause a decrease in the quality and quantity of the crop. Judging by the numerous reviews of summer residents who have already planted "Heavyweight of Siberia" tomatoes and were able to appreciate its taste, in cool weather, fruit set and ripeness are higher than in hot summer. This feature is consistent with the characteristics and description of the variety.
The taste and quality of tomatoes is influenced by a properly selected place for planting "Heavyweight". The soil should be neutral, fertile and loose, and the area should be sunny and well lit. If there is insufficient light, the taste of tomatoes becomes sour.
When growing low-growing tomatoes, the recommended planting scheme involves planting 6-10 plants per 1 m², but not "Heavyweight". When growing this variety of tomatoes, you must strictly adhere to the following recommendation - no more than 4-5 bushes per 1 m². As a rule, the thickening of the plantings is the reason for the decrease in yield.
Sowing seeds for seedlings
It is necessary to prepare the soil for seedlings 5-7 days before planting the seeds. For "Heavyweight" tomatoes, soil mixtures for growing seedlings of tomatoes and peppers or garden soil with the addition of humus in a ratio of 2: 1 are suitable.
Seeds of tomatoes "Heavyweight of Siberia" purchased in the store do not need preliminary processing. They can only be soaked for a day in warm, settled water with the addition of any stimulant for the formation and growth of roots.
Seed material, harvested independently, must be kept for 2-3 hours in a pink solution of potassium permanganate for disinfection. Subsequently, the seeds can be soaked in water or a growth promoter.
Sowing the seeds of the "Heavyweight" tomato is carried out at least 60-65 days before the intended transplantation into the ground. In the Urals and Siberia, it is necessary to plant seeds in late February - early March.
A 2-centimeter layer of drainage (small pebbles, expanded clay) is placed in containers or boxes, and then soil prepared and warmed up to room temperature is poured. It is not worth deepening tomato seeds by more than 1.5-2 cm, otherwise it will be difficult for fragile sprouts to break through a thick layer of earth.
In the process of growth, tomatoes need to provide an optimal microclimate: air temperature + 23˚С + 25˚С, humidity no more than 40-50%. The pick is carried out, as usual, at the stage of 2-3 well-developed leaves. Regular watering and loosening is a must.
Tomatoes can be planted in heated greenhouses in mid to late April, in hotbeds and unheated greenhouses in mid to late May, but in open ground only in early to mid June. No more than 4-5 plants can be planted on 1 m².
Further planting care involves the following work:
- regular watering;
- timely feeding;
- weeding and removal weeds from the greenhouse;
- if necessary - pinching tomatoes and forming a bush;
- if desired - stopping the ovaries to increase the mass of the fruit;
- prevention against pests and diseases.
Diseases and pests
Since the “Heavyweight of Siberia” tomato was bred by Siberian breeders for growing in open ground in difficult climatic conditions, its main advantage is early maturity.
Due to early ripening, the fruits are not affected by such a fungal disease as late blight. This is a big plus of this variety, because this advantage allows gardeners to save precious time during the harvest period and avoid additional hassle.
Root rot often affects undersized tomato varieties. To avoid the hassle of this disease, you should only adhere to the recommendations regarding the tomato planting scheme, remove the lower 2-3 leaves in a timely manner and remove the weeds from the site or from the greenhouse in time.
Tomatoes "Heavyweight of Siberia" have good resistance to many diseases and pests, which are often susceptible to plants of the Solanaceae family. But for the purpose of prevention, you should not forget about timely processing.
Advantages and disadvantages
Comparing the pros and cons of any variety, summer residents immediately conclude whether it is worth growing these tomatoes on their site. The Heavyweight of Siberia really has many advantages:
- high resistance to low temperatures;
- large and tasty fruits;
- tomatoes can be grown both outdoors and protected;
- simple rules of planting and care;
- fruits retain their presentation for a long time;
- transportable;
- is resistant to many diseases.
Unfortunately, there were some drawbacks:
- relatively low yield;
- a sharp decrease in productivity at high (+ 30˚C + 35˚C and more) temperatures.
But for residents of regions with a harsh climate, the latter drawback can be regarded more as an advantage.
Those gardeners who planted the Heavyweight of Siberia tomato variety note that the fruits are fleshy and have a wonderful, rich taste.
The author of the video shares the secrets of growing tomatoes in the open field in the Siberian region
Conclusion
Tomato "Heavyweight of Siberia", description and characteristics of the variety and fruits, photos, as well as numerous reviews of those who planted, say only one thing - in order to judge the taste of fruits, they need to be grown. Perhaps, by planting this "hero", you will add another favorite tomato variety to your piggy bank.
