Among the varietal assortment, the bulk of large-fruited tomatoes belong to the middle and late ripening periods. However, you can still get an early harvest of real giants by choosing seeds or seedlings of the Early King, you will learn the description and characteristics of this variety from the article.
Description and characteristics of the tomato King early
Until the technical ripeness of the fruit, it takes only 85-90 days from the moment the shoots appear above the soil surface. The plant is of a determinant type with a height of about 50-70 cm, the branches and the main stem are powerful, which provides the bush with resistance during the fruiting period. Weighty tomatoes in mature form reach a weight of 300 grams, and some specimens even up to 400 grams. The shape of the tomatoes is round-flattened. In general, the bush looks aesthetically pleasing: fruits of bright red color are placed in clusters on a short, strong whip. On average, 4.8-5.2 kg are removed from one bush. From the fleshy pulp, sauces and ketchups that are ideal for taste are obtained, the King of the Early is also used for fresh consumption.
The king of the early is a hybrid tomato variety, bred by Russian breeders (registered in 2005), intended for growing in open ground and under cover.
Belonging to the standard type indicates self-regulation of growth and branching. This makes plant maintenance easier.
The early king does not require insect pollination, the flower includes both male and female organs. But experienced gardeners still advise, with heavy rainfall or low temperatures during the flowering period, to shake the branches of the bushes (once every 3-4 days).
Other kings among tomatoes
Among other large-fruited tomatoes, the following varieties stand out: King of Kings, King of Giants, King of Large. They differ from the Early King variety, first of all, by the ripening period (mid-season). And other parameters are difficult to confuse:
- the height of the bush is much higher (1.6 m on average);
- fetal weight reaches 500-800 grams and above;
- the plant needs to form a bush and a garter;
- some varieties (for example, King of large) are recommended for growing in a greenhouse or under a film shelter.
In order not to confuse the variety King of the Early with other large-fruited tomatoes, you need to be guided when choosing seeds for a short growing season (85-90 days).
Advantages and disadvantages
To briefly characterize tomatoes, you can familiarize yourself with the advantages of the variety:
- a short growing season makes it possible to remove fruits from the garden from June (or even from May with greenhouse cultivation);
- excellent taste does not limit the ways of using the vegetable;
- uncomplicated agricultural technology;
- strong plant immunity, the ability to resist infections and viruses;
- thanks to the dense skin, the fruits retain their presentation for a long time, which is valuable for transporting the crop;
- high productivity.
The disadvantages include the need for regular preventive measures against diseases and pests, as well as the systematic introduction of dressings necessary for an intensively developing culture. It is not possible to harvest a good crop on a soil scarce in nutrients.
An overripe tomato may burst its skin. Cracks may also form around the stem as a result of a lack of moisture.
Sowing seeds for seedlings
Preparation of containers with soil
Plastic cups, cassette containers, wooden boxes are used as containers. They must have drainage holes on the bottom so that water does not stagnate in the ground during irrigation.
The container should be filled with a light soil mixture, which includes:
- fertile soil;
- sand;
- peat;
- humus (compost).
You can also use a universal substrate. The soil used must be warmed up in the oven or poured with a weak solution of potassium permanganate for disinfection.
Landing
The sowing of the early King is planned for March (from the 15th day). If the seedlings are subsequently planted in a greenhouse, then the dates are postponed to the second half of February. Seeds purchased from an unverified seller should be disinfected. To do this, they are immersed in a weak solution of potassium permanganate for 10 minutes.
Sowing is done in moist soil. From above, the seeds are lightly sprinkled with earth (0.8 mm). Glass or film is laid on top of the container. In this form, the container is installed in a warm room for germination (at least 18 °). On the 5-8th day, seedlings will appear, the containers are rearranged in well-lit places where there are no drafts. After another 5 days, they begin to moisten the soil by spraying, without touching the green part of the sprouts. After the formation of 2 leaves, the seedlings dive.
Transplanting tomatoes into open ground
In open ground, the seedlings of the King of the Early are planned to be planted in May (in the greenhouse, the date is shifted to April). In this case, the seedlings must reach the age of 60-65 days.
The planting scheme is used standard for plants of the determinant type. The spacing between bushes in a row is 50-70 cm, row spacing is 0.7-1 m. If this option seems too wasteful to someone, then the location of the holes can be planned at a distance of 45-55 cm with a row spacing of 60 cm, but such a scheme will require more careful care: you need to pinch more often, as well as apply fertilizers.
Variety care after transplanting
Watering
Watering should be plentiful, but rare. Before the flowering period, once a week is enough.
After the formation of inflorescences, the regularity increases up to 2-3 times a week. Water for irrigation is used at room temperature. It is better to water the bushes at the root in the evening.
Top dressing
The intensive growth of tomatoes requires regular feeding, at least once every 10 days. The first procedure is carried out 2 weeks after planting the seedlings (infusion of mullein or bird droppings). Re-feeding involves the use of both organic matter and minerals. Most often, nitrophosphate is chosen as a food (60 g per bucket of water).
Loosening and weeding
10 days after planting, the first weeding is carried out, which is repeated at least twice more during the growing season. Loosening is performed simultaneously with it. In order to slow down the growth of weeds and reduce the amount of weeding, it is recommended to mulch the beds. This layer will help prevent the soil from drying out.
Bush formation
Determinant cultures do not often stepchild, but this rule does not apply to the King of the Early. The emerging shoots of future branches must be regulated, otherwise the spreading plant will not pull a weighty crop. And the fruits will not be large. As the first brushes ripen, the lowest leaves are partially cut off. If poor development of the bush is noticed, the ovaries should also be normalized, removing excess flowers.
When caring for tomatoes, you should not repeat the mistakes of other gardeners. Among the frequently recurring ones:
- non-observance of the interval between the holes during planting (thickened beds are more often exposed to the invasion of pests and create a favorable environment for the development of fungi);
- violation of the watering regime (cracking of the fruits is formed, yellowness appears on the leaves);
- uneven color of fruits with greenish and pale spots (lack of potassium in the soil);
- intensive development of tops and scanty formation of ovaries (excess of nitrogen fertilizers).
Although the culture is considered undersized, the branches can bend and even break under the weight of weighty fruits. Therefore, a garter should be made at the initial stage of fruiting.
Diseases and their prevention
The king of the early has strong immunity, but to protect against diseases and pests, it is necessary to observe the regime of daylight hours, watering, and the introduction of dressings. Also, do not forget about preventive treatments that increase the resistance of plants to the development of fungus.
With increased soil and air humidity, the plant is exposed to various fungal and bacterial diseases: late blight, gray and white rot, root rot, etc. When the first signs are detected, it is necessary to process the culture using the following preparations:
- Profit Gold;
- bordeaux mixture;
- Abiga Peak;
- Fitoverm and other means.
It is also important to control weeds, which increase moisture, create shading and attract insects.
The most dangerous for tomatoes are: whitefly, spider mites and slugs. As a preventive measure, the beds are sprinkled with wood ash, sprayed with infusions of wormwood or infusion of onion peels. However, such methods must be changed when parasites or their waste products are detected. Among the most popular:
- Aktara;
- Actellik;
- Fitoverm;
- Iskra-Bio and others.
It is quite possible to grow a large-fruited tomato on your site if you follow all the rules of agricultural technology. A huge role in agricultural technology is played by preventive measures to prevent damage to plants by diseases and pests.