Tomato Octopus is an extraordinary result of selection specialists. Many gardeners argued how real such a culture was. But the creators of the tomato tree claim that this is possible. In addition, there are gardeners who managed to grow such tomatoes on their plots. It is believed that this variety can be grown here even under the most unfavorable weather conditions.
Description and characteristics of tomato Sprut
This variety according to the characteristics hybrid, perennial... Its growth is not limited, and the plant is able to reach a five-meter mark in height.
When grown commercially, one tomato tree is harvested up to 1.5 tons fruits. Gardeners will be able to cultivate such a plant by planting it in a greenhouse.
The culture forms a crown, the diameter of which, according to the description, reaches 50 square meters... Up to 6 fruits ripen on the brush, each of which weighs no more than 150 grams.
The foliage is oval, the inflorescences are white-pink. The tomatoes are elongated, colored yellow, red, orange, distinguished by excellent taste, density of fruits, their fleshiness and aroma. Perfect for canning, juicing.
If you follow the storage requirements, then fresh tomatoes will lie until the New Year holidays.
The successful cultivation of such a giant is possible only in greenhouse conditions.
And the greenhouse must be heated all year round, without interruption. Naturally, intensive nutrition is also required.
Tomato history
The tomato tree has been cultivated in South America for a long time. But in conditions with a temperate climate, plants could only be cultivated in botanical gardens. But in 1985, Japanese breeder Nozawa Shigeo first introduced a hybrid variety that was able to make a splash.
Advantages and disadvantages
Among the main positive qualities are the following signs:
- the beauty of tomatoes, the versatility of their use;
- excellent yield;
- unpretentious care;
- early ripening;
- long fruiting period;
- good resistance to the most common diseases;
- no need for pinning.
The negative aspects include:
- compulsory formation bush;
- special requirements for the soil composition;
- an abundance of dressings.
Sowing seeds for seedlings
Don't experiment here - use seed material, purchased in specialty stores... The technological process does not cause any particular difficulties.
Preparation of containers with soil
For planting, you will need containers in the form of barrels or boxes.
In order to remove excess moisture in a timely manner, the bottom is knocked out in the barrel. Holes are arranged in the walls according to the "twenty by twenty" pattern so that oxygen can easily flow to the roots.
Capacity is exposed in a well-lit place... A mixture of earth, sod and biofertilizers is prepared in equal proportions, covered with ten-centimeter layers.
Landing
As with other tomato seed varieties, the planting material of this culture should be soaked in a solution of potassium permanganate and rinsed with running water. Sowing is carried out in January - February, for good germination, a temperature regime of twenty-five degrees Celsius is observed.
Post-plant care
The first shoots will appear in a week and a half. Seedlings require timely watering, removal of weeds, and the introduction of fertilizers.
Transplanting a tomato into open ground
The culture is transplanted into open ground late May - early June, when the sprouts stretch up to thirty centimeters and form from five to seven leaves.
A mound of fertile soil is made, in which a bush is planted. First, stepsons and lower leaves are removed on it. The next layer of soil mixture is poured to a height of ten centimeters, the container is covered with polyethylene.
As soon as the bush stretches out a dozen centimeters, it is again sprinkled with soil until the leaves located below. The procedure lasts until the entire barrel is filled.
Variety care
By the middle of the summer season, tomato whips must be provided props... The soil should be maintained 60% humidity level, for which it is recommended to perform loosening and mulching. Watering is carried out up to three times a week and only with warm water.
From July, you can start applying fertilizers, up to three times a week using a mash made from mixed soil and biocompost. In addition, the tomato tree needs mineral or organic compounds that are applied during watering.
As soon as the tomatoes of the first brush are ripe, remove foliage... The operation is repeated when the tomatoes begin to grow on the second cluster. Wilted leaves should be plucked during the entire growing season.
For prevention purposes, you can water the plant with water with the addition of a small amount of iodine.
Features of fruiting
It is recommended to grow the plant in a large greenhouse equipped with a heating system. These are the basic conditions that guarantee the normal development of culture.
Tomato can grow in more cramped conditions, but you should not expect a good harvest in this case. According to the technology, you will not get a full-fledged tree, the tomato will develop only to the size of a bush, the tomatoes will be small and not in such quantity.
Diseases and their prevention
It has already been said that the Octopus excellent resistance to major diseases... But it will not be superfluous if treatment for late blight is organized for preventive purposes. The plant is protected from the appearance of rot with special solutions that are used at the beginning of the summer season.
Tomato Octopus is considered by many to be a real miracle of selection experiments. Each gardener, observing the requirements for growing, will simply be proud of the tomato tree and the results of his own labor. And if suddenly something did not work out, you will take off the crop in any case. We recommend that you be patient and courageous and try your hand at growing this amazing hybrid.