Tomato is one of the healthiest and most consumed vegetable crops. Due to the high content of vitamins, minerals, fiber, amino acids, it is one of the ten most useful foods, especially when consumed fresh. The professional achievements of breeders allow growing fruitful varieties of tomatoes even in the cold conditions of Siberia, one of these tomatoes is a la-la-fa hybrid f 1, a description of the characteristics of which, you will learn from the article.
Description and characteristics of the La-la-fa variety
Tomato "La-la-fa" is a hybrid, eaten out specially for growing in greenhouses. The variety is suitable for growing in harsh climatic conditions; heating of greenhouses is allowed to achieve high yields. The unpretentiousness and excellent presentation of the tomato, the possibility of industrial cultivation, made it a favorite of Siberian gardeners.
"La-la-fa" is a mid-season variety, 110-120 days pass from the appearance of the first shoots to the ripening of fruits, and the first ripe tomatoes can be seen after 100 days.
Bushes of the determinant type, reach 1.5 meters in height, therefore, a garter to supports or trellises is necessary. The best yield results can be achieved when the plant is formed in 2 trunks, the lateral shoots require pinching. Trunk with shortened internodes. Brushes with ovaries are formed after 8-9 leaves, then with an interval of 2 leaves; the number of ovaries is 4-6.
The fruits are rather large, rounded, slightly flattened, bright red, without a green spot around the stalk. The weight of one fruit is from 140 to 160g. Almost all tomatoes are of the same size and shape, have an excellent presentation, well transported and stored - if the appropriate conditions are observed, the crop can be stored for up to 2 months, while the taste and appearance are fully preserved.
By the way, the taste and aroma of these tomatoes is pronounced tomato, natural, which distinguishes them favorably from other greenhouse varieties. The pulp is fleshy and moderately juicy, voids are completely absent, which is also typical only for this tomato. The fruits can be used for any purpose - fresh consumption, for salads, canning, making pastes, ketchups, tomato juice.
The yield will also delight and pleasantly surprise gardeners - 3-4 kg from each bush, which is about 20 kg from 1 sq. m per season (of course, subject to all the requirements of agricultural technology).
The subtleties of growing tomato
Since this hybrid variety was bred specifically for growing in greenhouses, there are some differences in its agricultural technology from other varieties.
Tomatoes are grown in seedlings, seeds are sown approximately 60 days before planting seedlings in the ground.
Soil preparation
The soil must be prepared in advance. A purchased fertilized mixture, or prepared by hand, is suitable. In a 1: 1 ratio, soil and humus are taken, 1-2 glasses of sand are added, a little ash and mixed well. The compound is then filled into plastic containers or wooden boxes with drainage holes. At the time of sowing seeds, the soil should be warmed up to a temperature of 18-20 degrees.
Sowing seeds
Seeds of this variety do not require soaking or other preparation. Dry grains are embedded in moist soil to a depth of 1.5-2 cm, covered with a transparent film and placed in a warm place. The optimum temperature for germinating seeds of Lyalafa tomatoes (according to experts) is 28-29 degrees.
The first shoots appear on the 7-8th day. The sprouts need to be provided with warmth and lighting, daylight hours should be about 14 hours. If natural lighting is not enough, you need to use artificial.When the first 2-3 true leaves appear, the seedlings are dived into separate cups or other containers.
Landing in the ground
Tomato seedlings are planted in greenhouses in the ground at the age of 50 days. You can not pre-harden, as it tolerates the effects of the external environment well. The bushes grow quite large, so there are no more than 4 pieces per 1 square meter. The optimal row spacing is 70 cm, and in the row between the bushes - 50 cm.
Further care of seedlings consists in timely watering, loosening the soil, and removing weeds. As it grows, it is necessary to carry out a garter of plants and form a bush with the help of pinching. The brushes of the plant are strong, easily withstand the weight of 4-6 ripe large fruits (this is about 1 kg), but tying up will help protect the fragile stem from accidental breakage.
At least 3 times you need to feed with complex mineral fertilizers: 10-12 days after planting in the soil, during the formation of ovaries, during the period of mass ripening of the crop. This will ensure a high yield of tomatoes.
Variety advantages and disadvantages
On the forums, there are often positive reviews about La-la-fa tomatoes. They show excellent results even in glazed greenhouses in cold climates. The advantages include:
- good stable yield level;
- natural fruit taste;
- do not crack;
- keep their presentation for a long time;
- resistant to a number of diseases.
The hybrid is not susceptible to late blight disease, fungal diseases, fusarium, cladosporium, tobacco mosaic, and top rot.
Thanks to its taste, unpretentiousness, high yield in harsh climatic conditions, the hybrid was liked by many gardeners. The main thing is that you can get a decent harvest in the greenhouse from late July to late September.