To date, thousands, if not tens of thousands of varieties and hybrids of tomato have been bred for any size, taste and even color. How to choose from this abundance that which will bring a high yield and satisfaction with his work. To begin with, it is determined with the color and size of the fruit, then with the taste and commodity qualities, type of bush, characteristic and resistance of the plant. If you need a red and very large tomato, then undoubtedly you need to pay attention to the already well-known hybrid of the first generation Big Beef F1, which will be discussed here.
Table of contents
Description and characteristics of tomato Big Beef F1
Big Beef F1 is a hybrid form of the indeterminant red steak tomato. Launched and produced by the Dutch company Seminis.
Fruits as described round, flat and slightly ribbed in weight 300 - 500 grams. With the right agricultural technology, it is possible to achieve tomato ripening up to 2 kg. The fruit is multi-chamber - contains from 6 cameras.
High concentration of solids, sucrose, lycopene, due to which has a pronounced tomato flavor and aroma - sweet and slightly sour. Fully ripened bright red.
Maturing term - medium early, from emergence to harvest the first harvest 100 - 110 days. Productivity to 5 kg from a bush.
Indeterminate plant type - bushes require the formation of a single trunk and garters. To obtain an optimal mass and volume of the crop, remove the excess ovary. On the first two hands leave 4 -5 flowers, on the next 5-6.
Feels great both in open and closed ground. In heated greenhouses can be cultivated in all regions of Russia.
Self-pollinated, however, in closed ground, with a temperature rise above 25 degrees, the use of preparations of artificial pollination is necessary.
One of the features of the hybrid is its excellent health. Big Beef is resistant to tobacco mosaic virus, cladosporiosis, nematode, stem stem cancer, verticillus, gray leaf spot, fusarium wilt.
The disadvantages of the hybrid include growing difficulty Big Beef. Requires at least a minimum experience in vegetable production. It will be difficult for beginners to properly form a bush and provide the necessary care, which will affect the quality and volume of the crop.
Growing seedlings
Sowing time depends on the climatic zone, growing conditions - open or closed ground, heated or unheated greenhouse. Sow tomatoes about two months before the intended landing seedlings.
Sowing is done in boxes with prepared soil mixture. It can be either purchased ground or self-cooked. peat based mixture.
Seeds in even rows spreads over the surface. Evenly sprinkle on top of the same soil to a thickness of no more than 3-5mm and pour warm water. Then the boxes are covered with plastic wrap and put in a warm place.
Seed germination temperature 20-25 degrees. After 5-6 days, with the advent of the first shoots the film is removed. Drying the ground is unacceptable, but excessive watering is destructive.
The pickling of the seedlings in separate containers is carried out in phase 2-3 true leaves, 2-3 weeks after germination. After the picking, it doesn’t hurt to make watering with the use of root formation stimulants, for better rooting and development of the root system.
Duration of daylight hours for a tomato should be at least 12 hours, so in order to avoid pulling seedlings, artificial lighting up of fluorescent lamps is necessary.
Planting seedlings in the ground is made with the advent of the first flower brushes, in phase 9-10 leaves. If the ground is open, and warm weather conditions have not yet been established, the seedlings should be treated with a growth regulator, in order to avoid overgrowth.
The layout of the Big Beef 50x40cm, no more than four plants per square meter. More frequent location, affecting the quality of the crop, will contribute to the development of fungal diseases, complicate care and the formation of the bush.
Agricultural cultivation of tomato varieties
Watering should be regular and frequent but small doses. Drying of the ground is unacceptable. The ground should be wet but not wet. During the period of fruiting, violation of the frequency of irrigation will lead to cracking of the fruit. The best solution is drip irrigation.
Feeding should combine with watering. Interval 5-7 days. Complex fertilizers for tomatoes are mixtures of potassium phosphorus and nitrogenous compounds. Depending on the phase of plant development, the proportions of these substances vary.
During rooting feeding is performed twice, with a mixture with a high content of phosphorus N-P-K-1-5-1. During growth, the proportion of phosphorus is significantly reduced - N-P-K – 1-0.8-1.During mass flowering, a higher phosphorus content of N-P-K – 1-5-1 is required.
With the advent and bulk of the fruit N-P-K – 1-0.5-1. In order to avoid the development of the apical rot of the fruit, once every 2 weeks it is necessary to feed calcium nitrate. Calcium nitrate does not mix with other substances.
With the onset of ripening fruits, the plant needs a larger amount of potassium N-P-K – 1-0,5-2. A lack of potassium will increase the time of staining, reduce the commercial quality of the tomato.
Also, it is necessary to conduct several fertilizing on a sheet with complex preparations in chelate form. For the prevention of late blight, process copper chlorine.
The formation of the bushes begin after their garters. Masking is done at least once a week, while the side shoots are small. The plant is formed in one stalk and is regularly tied up to a twine or trellis.
In conclusion, it should be said that every year Big Beef is becoming increasingly popular in Russia.The Internet is full of positive reviews about this hybrid from both gardeners and tomato growers to the market.