Among the variety of tomato varieties, Azhur deserves special attention, due to a wide range of technical characteristics. And a healthy vegetable grown in its garden will be a favorite ingredient for creating delicious nutritious dishes and homemade preparations for the winter, in the article we will give a description of the variety of this tomato.
Description and characteristics of the tomato variety Azhur
The Azhur variety belongs to the early ripening varieties. The period of technical ripeness comes after 105-110 days after the formation of the first shoots.
The plant has a compact standard bush, densely covered with openwork carved green foliage. It reaches a height of 80-90 cm, which makes it possible to grow it without additional support. The inflorescence is simple. The peduncle is articulated.
Tomato fruits are of the correct flat-round shape, at the stage of technical ripeness they are colored deep red. Each of the tomatoes of this variety weighs 250-350 g... Fruits with a thin but dense skin and sweet, aromatic pulp, which is characterized by firmness and fleshiness.
The chemical composition of tomato pulp is famous for the presence in them of a large amount of nutrients, vitamins, minerals, sugars and organic acids.
Breeding history and region of growth
The unpretentious hybrid Azhur with good taste is the result of the work of domestic breeders in Russia. The originator and patent holder is Sedek.
The purpose of creating a hybrid is to build a culture in greenhouse conditions in regions with cold climates... The variety was registered in 2007 as a vegetable crop, after which it immediately gained popularity among gardeners.
In the open field, it is suitable for growing in areas such as: Astrakhan, Krasnodar Territory and central regions of Russia. In the northern territories, cultivation is possible only in greenhouse conditions.
Advantages of the variety and its disadvantages
The positive characteristics for which the variety is valued include:
- high yield rates, from 1 m2 of area you can collect 7-8 kg, and from one bush - from 5 to 8 kg a tomato;
- incomparable taste and external characteristics, thanks to large fruits and their attractive shape;
- intensive growth of tomatoes and the amicability of their ripening under any weather conditions;
- no tendency to cracking;
- good resistance to diseases and pest attacks, provided that all agricultural techniques are followed;
- preservation of appearance and taste fruits when transported over long distances;
- keeping quality, which allows you to keep ripe vegetables for about three months when placed in a cold place;
- versatility in use, since vegetables are good both fresh and homemade for the winter.
According to the reviews of experienced gardeners, this variety has no obvious flaws, it can only be noted increased need for irrigation and complex fertilizing, which slightly complicates the care of tomatoes, and the dependence of taste on the presence of nutrients in the soil.
Agrotechnical methods for growing
The technique of cultivating the Azhur variety in greenhouse conditions, open ground is an easy task that does not require the creation of difficult conditions, and care is interesting and affordable.
Planting seeds
A more productive method of obtaining a rich harvest is to plant seedlings of tomatoes.
Therefore, the main agricultural technique before planting seedlings is seed treatment, which will increase germination and reduce the germination time of seedlings.
Preparatory procedures for seeds require a lot of time and attention. The main stages include sorting of seeds, heating, processing in a solution of a biostimulant with protective and activating properties, soaking, germination and hardening.
The soil substrate for planting must meet crop standards, be aerated, not caked, be characterized by an optimal salt and acid balance and not contain chemicals that are harmful to the culture.
Mid march in 55-60 days before planting seedlings, you need to start sowing seeds, which includes the following operations:
- Before planting, pour the soil into containers and moisten.
- Place two or three seedsto leave a well-developed seedling later. If a box is used, the seeds should be deepened 1 cm, observing a minimum spacing of 5 cm.
- Pour, cover with foil or glass and place in a room with a temperature 23-25 degrees above zero. It should be borne in mind that the seedlings of the Azhur variety love good lighting, dry air, moist soil and cannot withstand drafts, therefore, creating optimal conditions to adhere to the preferences of the culture.
- The first shoots will appear in 5-7 days. At this point, the film should be removed and watered as the soil dries.
- After the formation of 3-5 leaves, the seedlings are subject to dive in separate pots, using new fertilized soil. Picking involves building up additional root mass in a natural way.
- After two months, plant young plants in a greenhouse or open ground.
Transplanting seedlings into open ground
When planting tomatoes in a greenhouse or open ground, you need to focus on the climatic conditions and the growing method. Better when the soil temperature has risen up to 15-17̊ degrees.
Planting should be done in the evening. This will allow the seedlings to adapt to the new location.
The main stages of planting seedlings in open ground:
- Before planting, pre-select a site with breathable and well-warmed soil. It is best to grow this vegetable in an elevated location or raised bed. Good predecessors are cabbage, cucumbers, zucchini. Dig up the selected bed, level and maintain a complex of fertilizers using compost, wood ash and superphosphate.
- Make landing beams, keeping the distance in 40 cm, and between the rows - 50-60 cm for good maintenance and easy harvesting.
- Every hole water well and add organic matter.
- Plant the seedlings in the holes and gently sprinkle with fertile soil.
- After planting, water the plants again using warm water.
Care
In order for the plant to be healthy and strong, proper further care must be organized, which includes:
- irrigation, the frequency of which depends on the climate of the region and soil moisture;
- regular weeding and loosening between the beds;
- hilling during the formation of roots and their growth;
- bush formation and timely removal of shoot leaves that have grown on the axils, in order to avoid a decrease in yield and a decrease in the size of fruits;
- implementation of preventive measures to protect crops against diseases and pests;
- tying up and anchoring large bushes to a support using long strips of soft tissue.
Features of fruiting
To get a high-quality tomato crop, you should follow all the valuable tips for growing these delicious vegetables:
- Seedlings do not plant close to each other in order to avoid slowing down their growth and further development.
- Provide plants with high-quality lighting, especially in winter, by arranging artificial light.
- When planting seedlings, you need to dig their shoots into the ground as deeply as possible, right up to the top leaves.
- In order for the tomatoes to be large, you need to leave on the bush not all inflorescences, but about three well-formed bunches.
- To regulate the growth of plants by plucking the tops, and by the beginning of the preparation of homemade preparations for the winter, the bulk of the fruits will ripen and be ready for processing.
- For good preservation of the tomato, collect it in dry weather at midday, removing the fruit. The final harvest should be carried out before temperatures drop to 5̊ degrees above zero at night.
Here are some valuable tips to help you maximize your yield.
Diseases and their prevention
The Azhur variety demonstrates high resistance to diseases inherent in tomatoes.
This phenomenon does not exclude the risk of infection with late blight, tobacco mosaic, brown spot. The most dangerous pests for the culture are tick, snail, caterpillar, moth.
To prevent the appearance of diseases and the accumulation of pests, several conditions must be observed:
- when landing use quality seedsbought in special stores, trusting only trusted manufacturers;
- follow the rules of crop rotation and do not plant tomatoes near potato beds;
- annually change landing site, and in the absence of such an opportunity, it is imperative to process and restore the soil;
- for preventive purposes spray the bushes appropriate protective equipment;
- isolate and remove plants affected by disease or pests in time.
Many gardeners fell in love with the Azhur variety and made it a permanent resident of their beds for its large fruits, which are distinguished by a unique taste and pleasant aroma. And a generous harvest will be ensured even in unfavorable weather conditions.