What are tomatoes: key differences and features of choice

Tomatoes are loved by many - including for their relative simplicity when growing. However, summer residents often face the problem of choosing: which variety to plant in order to please themselves with an excellent harvest? In the article, you will learn about what tomatoes are, their features and what to look for when choosing a variety for growing.

Features and differences of tomatoes

Tomatoes are among the most common vegetables to grow. They contain many useful elements, in particular lycopene - a powerful antioxidant that reduces the risk of formation and prevents the multiplication of cancer cells.

Also, tomatoes contain a large amount of vitamins and microelements necessary for humans: serotonin, phytoncides, chromium. Serotonin is a well-known "happiness" hormone that improves mood. Phytoncides are plant substances that inhibit the growth of bacteria. And chromium promotes quick satiety, which, by the way, makes tomatoes an excellent product for dietary nutrition.

There is a theory that foods that are similar to a specific part of the body have a positive effect on that organ. So tomatoes, which resemble a heart, reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. In addition, they improve digestion, are useful for asthenia, atherosclerosis, azotemia.

But not all people can eat tomatoes. For example, they are contraindicated in older people suffering from bone and joint disease. This is due to the fact that frequent consumption of tomatoes leads to the accumulation of calcium and salts in the body. Therefore, excessive consumption of tomatoes is contraindicated for all people. It is recommended to eat no more than 200 g of this vegetable per day.

Important! Pregnant women should not eat more than 100 g of tomatoes in 2-3 days, as consuming more can cause problems in the formation and development of the child.

Another disadvantage is that tomatoes contain a large amount of acids. They can provoke a gallbladder spasm.

There are several types of tomatoes. Let's dwell on this issue in more detail.

Determinant

Determinant - varieties whose growth is limited. These tomatoes have many advantages:

• limited upward growth suggests the development of strong lateral stepchildren that bear fruit, which makes such varieties high-yielding;
• one-time fruiting - determinant tomatoes give a large harvest that does not stretch over time;
• early ripening of fruits;
• adapt well to open ground;
• limited growth relieves the gardener from tying and replacing props.

But the variety also has some disadvantages:

• limited growth leads to a limited yield, that is, the yield is lower than that of indeterminate varieties;
• low resistance to disease.

The most famous determinant varieties of tomatoes are Sakhalin, Ladies' Man, King of the Early and Golden Heart.

Indeterminate

Indeterminate varieties have unlimited growth. They also have certain advantages:

• high yield from a small area of ​​the site - due to the high growth of individual plants;
• a long period of fruiting: in the open field they yield until the very cold snap;
• resistant to most diseases.

But some disadvantages should also be noted:

• large growth requires special care: plants must be constantly tied up, using high supports, to provide good lighting and air exchange;
• all stepsons must be removed so that nutrients go to the formation of the main stem;
• They do well in greenhouses, but in the open field in insufficiently hot regions they ripen quite late and bear less fruit.

Indeterminate tomatoes include such popular varieties as Babushkin Secret, Ox Heart and Chernomor.

Stamp

They are compact plants with one short and thick stem. They do not require specific care: no need to pinch and tie. They give a good harvest, but tomatoes, as a rule, are not large.

The standard tomato includes Snow White, Riddle and Moskvich.

Superdeterminate

Superdeterminate tomato varieties are the fastest ripening. They are ideal for those looking for an early harvest without much effort.

These varieties do not require pinching. Also, due to its short stature, a garter is not needed. The downside is that, having harvested once, you can not expect more fruits from super-determinant varieties.

Popular varieties of super-determinant tomatoes are Children's Sweetness, Alaska, and White filling.

Semi-determinate tomatoes

Semi-determinant varieties combine the properties of determinant and indeterminate. They are of medium height, which allows you to harvest a large crop from one plant, but without putting much effort, tying and pinching the bush. Moreover, the fruits are formed throughout the entire growing season.

It is preferable to grow such tomatoes in greenhouses.

The most popular hybrids of this type of tomato are Ivet F1, Gravity F1, Red Arrow F1.

Classification of tomatoes by maturity

Tomato varieties differ not only in size and method of care, but also in terms of ripening. There are ultra-early, early-maturing, mid-early, mid-and late-maturing varieties.

Ultra-ripe tomatoes

These tomatoes ripen in about 80-85 days from the moment the first seedlings emerge. Most often these are superdeterminate varieties. You should not expect large sizes and outstanding taste from these vegetables, as they ripen under conditions of short daylight hours and in the cold season.

Ultra early ripening varieties include Children's sweetness, Cherry flow.

Early ripe tomatoes

These tomatoes ripen a little longer: in 90-95 days, the field of emergence. In addition to superdeterminant varieties, these can be determinant varieties of small and medium growth, as well as standard plants. Some types of early maturing tomatoes are suitable for open field, others are preferably planted in a greenhouse.

Tsar Bell and Sugar Bison are bright representatives of early-ripening tomato varieties.

Read also:

Why do they like tomatoes of the Peach series?

A delicious tomato for lovers of large fruits: the King of Giants tomato.

How to make dried tomatoes with your own hands.

Medium early tomatoes

These varieties give a harvest a little later than 3 months after germination - 100-103 days. They can be grown both in the greenhouse and in the open field, preferably in the southern part of the site.

Medium early tomatoes include, for example, the Moscow delicacy and the giant of the Moscow region.

Mid-season tomatoes

Mid-season tomatoes cannot do without a lot of sunlight and heat, but they can be grown both in greenhouses and in the open field. Ripen 100-115 days after the first shoots.

Suitor and Budenovka - famous representatives of this variety.

Late-ripening tomato varieties

Late-ripening varieties are the most demanding for growing conditions. Good yields can only be expected if they are grown in a greenhouse, providing them with the most comfortable conditions. The harvest can be obtained only for 120-130 days. But the fruits delight in size, juiciness and sweet taste.

Bright representatives of late-ripening varieties - Bull heart, Titanium and Finish.

How to choose the right tomato variety

When choosing a particular tomato variety, it is important to answer the following questions for yourself:

1. In which region will the plants be grown - northern, southern, middle lane?
2. Where will tomatoes be planted - open ground, greenhouse?
3. After what period do you want to harvest - early maturing, late?
4. What are the growing purposes - for canning, salads, juices or fresh consumption?
5. Is it possible to devote a lot of time to caring for plants - pinching, tying, fertilizing, weeding, shaping, curing diseases, etc.?
6. Does size, shape and color matter?
7. Does yield matter?

By answering these questions, it will be much easier to choose the variety that suits you best.

Conclusion

A large number of tomato varieties raises a logical question for gardeners: which variety to choose? They differ in size, taste, care rules, yield and many other characteristics.

In order to choose a variety and variety, you should initially familiarize yourself in detail with the description of all types of crops and answer questions regarding your goals and opportunities for growing tomatoes. Ripe and tasty harvests for you!