Choose an unpretentious Rotkappchen tomato (Little Red Riding Hood) for your site
German scientists have bred the original Rotkappchen (Little Red Riding Hood) tomato, which can be grown in garden beds, in greenhouses and even on a balcony. Regardless of environmental conditions, culture develops wonderfully, both in the southern and northern latitudes. The variety was brought to Russia in 2010, where it received special recognition from gardeners. What does the plant look like from the outside? What are its fruits remarkable for? How to grow a culture in a summer cottage? We find out the objective opinion of experts.
Tomato Rotkappchen (Little Red Riding Hood) through the eyes of botanists
Therefore, the tomato does not need such activities:
- garter bushes;
- removal of stepchildren;
- pruning.
Usually compact bushes grow up to a maximum of 40 cm in height. They are composed of thick stems. They are decorated with fleshy green foliage.
During the flowering period, buds appear on the stems. Over time, they form round-shaped fruits. All of them are concentrated on the top of the bush and are collected in 6-7 pieces in a brush. The average weight of Rotkeppchen (Little Red Riding Hood) tomatoes ranges from 50 to 100 g.
Often the performance is influenced by:
- the number of fruits on the bush;
- weather;
- ways of leaving.
The surface of the tomato has a glossy character. It is colored bright red. The interior is divided into two chambers. The pulp is medium texture. The taste of tomato is sweet and sour.
In an unripe fruit, a spot appears in the area of the stalk, which disappears after full ripening.
Characteristics of the newly-made variety
The Rothkappchen (Little Red Riding Hood) tomato belongs to early crops. The first crop grown in greenhouse conditions is harvested in mid-May. Up to 2 kg of tomatoes are obtained from one bush per season. Even when developing at a high level of humidity, the skin does not crack, which is very convenient for transporting the product.
The culture is compact bushes. They are resistant to such diseases:
- tobacco mosaic;
- verticillosis;
- fusarium wilting.
They easily tolerate short-term lack of light and drought. They develop wonderfully in greenhouse conditions. A bountiful harvest is harvested from them in the open field. Urban “agronomists” grow Little Red Riding Hood in containers, placing them on balconies or window sills.
The fruits are used for cooking:
- sauces;
- juice;
- pastes;
- ketchup.
Due to the content of useful components, tomatoes are advised to be given to the younger generation. A detailed description of the variety and characteristics of the Red Riding Hood tomato show its main advantages. Therefore, our compatriots have been successfully cultivating it for about 10 years. Consider the rules for growing an unpretentious culture.
It is advisable not to use the fruits of the Rotkappchen variety for conservation. Under the influence of high temperature, the skin cracks, which adversely affects the taste of the product.
How to grow seedlings
Since the Little Red Riding Hood tomato belongs to early maturing crops, it is sown at the end of February (for the greenhouse) or mid-March (for open ground). First of all, planting material is prepared. The grains are soaked for 2 hours in a growth stimulator.
Preparations are suitable:
- Ecosil;
- "Emistim";
- "Acrobat MC".
If desired, a solution of potassium permanganate is prepared, where the seeds are dipped.This is an equally effective method that stimulates the plant's protective functions.
A suitable substrate is prepared in the fall. For business use components:
- humus;
- peat;
- river sand;
- sod land.
The resulting mixture is filled into boxes or containers, and then put in a warm place.
If it is not possible to prepare the soil, the substrate can be bought at the store.
Seed planting technique
The soil surface is moistened with a spray bottle, and then slightly compacted with a palm. Seeds are spread at intervals of 3 cm. Sprinkle with dry soil. Tamp with fingers to remove voids. Top with water at room temperature. Cover with glass or film. They are taken to a warm room.
Optionally, you can use peat tablets... First, they are placed in plastic cups, watered, and then the culture is planted. Cover with cellophane on top. Thanks to this, the root system develops wonderfully, and the tomato stems are strengthened.
Compliance with temperature conditions
To create a comfortable environment for seedlings, there must be enough light in the room. Therefore, containers are installed on a windowsill or table near a large window. It is also necessary to maintain the temperature within 25 ° C until the green shoots appear. Then the containers are transferred to a cooler place, where the temperature is kept around 15-17 ° C. Such a change will harden the plant and prevent it from growing ahead of time.
Dive seedlings
When 2 full leaves appear on the seedlings, they are transplanted into separate pots or spacious boxes. For this, the seedlings are watered abundantly so that during transplantation they do not damage the root system and delicate shoots. Tomatoes sown in peat tablets do not need to be transplanted into new pots.
It is advisable to make a pick on time. Otherwise, the overgrown roots will suffer greatly during transplantation.
Seedling care
Water the tomatoes as the top layer of the earth dries up. Top dressing is carried out 15 days after the pick. To do this, nitrophosphate (1 tablespoon) is diluted with 1 liter of water. The substance is enough for watering about 40 young seedlings.
In addition, such fertilizers are also used.:
- manure;
- urea;
- wood ash;
- yeast;
- peat.
To prepare the seedlings for new conditions, the room is regularly ventilated. When the sun is outside, open the window wide for 2-3 hours. The intake of fresh air will strengthen the culture's immunity. The minimum ambient temperature should be around 8 ° C.
During hardening, sharp temperature changes must not be allowed.
Competent landing
For the successful cultivation of tomato Little Red Riding Hood, you need to observe the parameters for placing the culture on the site. No more than six bushes are planted on an area of 1 m². There should be a distance of about 70-75 cm between the rows, and 30 cm between the plants.
When choosing a planting site in the garden, the types of neighboring crops are taken into account. Tomatoes are placed away from eggplants and potatoes, which often affect late blight.
Ideal neighbors for the Rotkappchen variety are:
- parsley;
- cabbage;
- carrot;
- zucchini.
Tomatoes are planted in open ground when the daytime air temperature is not lower than 22 ° C, and the nighttime, about + 17 ° C. The seedling plot is well plowed and leveled.
If necessary, feed with a substrate obtained from such components:
- wood ash;
- humus;
- rotted sawdust;
- peat.
The poor soil is fertilized with potassium sulfate and urea. Then make holes about 30 cm deep. Fill with water (about 1 liter each). Seedlings are carefully removed from the containers. Disconnect from each other. Planted in holes, sprinkled with soil. After 2 weeks, the site is loosened, hilling the root area of the culture.
Rotkäppchen (Little Red Riding Hood) tomatoes planted on the garden bed are looked after according to the classical scheme. It includes timely watering, loosening the soil, and pest control. Already in the middle of summer, the long-awaited fruits for vitamin salads will appear on the table.