Once upon a time, a new tomato variety “Gnome” attracted the attention of a huge number of gardeners who could not rejoice in the excellent survival of shrubs to open ground. After almost 11 years, many gardeners and gardeners still continue to give their preference to this variety of tomato. What determines the popularity of this variety and what features it has, you will learn in this article.
Grade description
“Gnome” refers to early ripening varieties of tomatoes. It takes 90 to 120 days to mature. Unpretentious enough in content. The plant is stunted, determinant (the growth of the main stem is limited by flower brushes), grown on open ground or under film shelter.
Bushes are not standard and weakly branched. The maximum height of the plant is 55 cm. The leaves are not large, they have a light greenish tint with a barely noticeable gloss. Tomato inflorescences are miniature. The formation of the first inflorescences occurs over the 8th leaf. The following begin to grow with an interval of 3 sheets.
Fruit characterization and yield
Tomatoes of the “Gnome” variety have a round shape, smooth texture and a bright red tint. The minimum weight of one fruit is 40 g, the maximum is 65 g.
Tomatoes have a pleasant sweet taste. They do not crack, they have a long service life, which simplifies their transportation over long distances. This tomato variety is excellent in that it can be used not only for fresh vegetable salad, but also for preservation and various sauces.
The productivity indicators of the Gnome variety are among the highest. When following all agrotechnical requirements and the correct care of the culture from 2 square. m planted bushes, you can collect about 6 kg of ripe and juicy fruits.
Pest and disease resistance
One of the main advantages of the fruits of this variety is resistance to various diseases, viruses and harmful insects. Therefore, shrubs rarely cause trouble to gardeners.
The only threat is the occurrence of the fungus. If you do not get rid of it in a timely manner, it can cause a serious blow to the health of the fruit. Aeration of greenhouses and treatment with special preparations are carried out regularly as preventive measures.
Be sure to observe crop rotation. In no case do not plant tomatoes of this variety on the site where previously one of the members of the nightshade family was planted: potatoes, eggplant or pepper. The most preferred option is cucumber and cabbage.
The plant has excellent immunity to diseases such as macrosporiosis and late blight - extremely dangerous diseases of most tomatoes. Spraying with a solution of Fitosporin or Radiance will prevent infection.
A series of stunted tomatoes "Tomato gnome"
There is a separate variety “Gnome”, and there is a series of tomato “Gnome tomato” (Dwarf Tomato Project). Amateur breeders from the USA and Australia developed this series of tomatoes. It includes undersized shrubs with large fruits, with early and late onset of the first crop. The plant can be planted even on the smallest plot, and the planting of 8 shrubs is designed for 1 square. m. Below are the varieties included in the series "Tomato Gnome":
- "Pink Passion." Shrub height up to 55 cm, fruit ripening for 112 days, tomato weight up to 190 g.
- "The cheerful gnome." Bush height from 40 to 60 cm, fruit weight from 60 to 85 g.
- The Big Dwarf. It is a breeding product. Height not more than 1 m, weight of tomatoes from 260 to 310 g.
- "Violet heart." Height up to 80 cm, fruit mass from 90 to 180 g.
- "Anto striped." The height of the bush is up to 90 cm, the mass of tomatoes is from 60 to 140 g.
- "Ferocovkai." The height of the bush is more than 120 cm (in greenhouse conditions), up to 80 cm (in an open garden bed). The mass of a tomato can reach 360 g.
- "Thong." Shrub height up to 130 cm, fruit weight from 270 to 310 g.
- "Golden heart". Shrub height up to 70 cm, tomato mass up to 170 g.
- "Wild Fred." Shrub height up to 55 cm, fruit weight from 110 to 280 g.
Tomato Pink Passion
Tomato Big Dwarf
Tomato Purple Heart
Tomato Anto Striped
Tomato Ferokovkai
Tomato Thong
Tomato Golden Heart
Tomato Wild Fred
Next, we will focus on the variety “Gnome”, and not on a series of tomatoes.
Advantages and disadvantages
The popularity of this tomato variety can be explained by an impressive list of advantages:
- high yields;
- there is no need to carry out stepsoning;
- the small size of the bushes makes it possible to save space even on the smallest garden plot or garden;
- early ripening of fruits allows you to collect the first crop in mid-July;
- the plant has strong immunity and high resistance to viral and infectious diseases;
- rather large fruits;
- resistance to a bad and unfavorable climate for most vegetables;
- fruits perfectly retain their original appearance when transporting over long distances.
Gnome tomatoes do not have any serious flaws. Yields can be significantly lower, only in the absence of proper care for the crop, or in violation of agricultural requirements.
Planting and growing rules
To get strong and healthy seedlings, you need to follow a few simple recommendations. Their observance will reduce the seedling seedling time, and the bush will give juicy and tasty fruits.
Seedling Selection
High-quality seedlings are the key to a good and plentiful harvest. To grow seedlings on your own means to be sure that its quality is at its best. However, not everyone can afford to spend time daily on caring for seedlings, or planting deadlines were missed - in this case, you can purchase the finished product from gardeners.
The choice of seedlings is a responsible matter, which must be approached wisely. Therefore, it is extremely important to know the quality criteria that you should rely on when purchasing:
- Do not purchase seedlings that have already formed an ovary. Miniature tomatoes on the branches of a small bush make a misleading impression that the plant is strong and will give a rich harvest. But, as a rule, such seedlings fade immediately after planting in the soil. The shrub can give an ovary, but it will take some time, which means the volume of the crop is significantly reduced.
- Refuse to purchase an overly dense bush. He will most likely have a thick and fleshy trunk and huge leaves. However, there is no sense in this seedling. The presence of such a "jungle" is evidence that unscrupulous gardeners abundantly feed plants with nitrogen fertilizer. Despite the fact that the seedlings look extremely impressive, the minimum number of tomatoes will ripen.
- For the optimum thickness of the trunk of a tomato bush, the diameter of a simple pencil is taken. For the variety “Gnome”, it is typical to possess approximately 8-9 leaves on seedlings and one clearly visible inflorescence.
- Pay attention to the lower half of the seedlings. Good seedlings have leaves of an exceptionally even greenish tint, without any yellow spots, brownish or black edges, and without creases.
- A bush with rot, mold, small bugs or other insects on it will not produce a good crop.
- Choose seedlings that have been dived. Its distinguishing features are branching and a strong root system. It is these indicators that indicate the good vitality of the tomato shrub.
Another indicator of picked seedlings is the density of the root “lump”. The stockier he is, the better.
Non-dived seedlings tend to have a rod root, which very slowly adapts to open ground. Therefore, it will take him an indefinite period of time to strengthen the root system. This option is recommended not to consider. - Take a look at hardened seedlings. It takes root much more effectively on the open ground, as it is already used to changes in temperature conditions. This type of seedling is distinguished by a bright green shade of leaves, much more saturated than those bushes that grew in greenhouse conditions.
Preparing and planting seeds
Before sowing a tomato of this variety, treat the seeds in a solution of potassium permanganate. To do this, mix the substance with water in a ratio of 2 g per 2 cups of liquid.
This procedure is necessary to protect seeds from infectious diseases and fungus. The next step in preparing the seeds for planting is soaking in a nutrient solution. There are several options for its preparation:
- Stir wood ash (1 tsp) in water (1 l). In the resulting solution, add a complex fertilizer - nitrophos (1 tsp).
- In water (1 l), dilute sodium humate (1 tsp), stimulating plant growth.
In the prepared solution, dip the seeds for 10 hours. At the end of time, rinse the seeds in cool water and place in clean water for a whole day.
The nutrient solution must be warm, its temperature should be at least 26 degrees.
The final step is hardening. The processed seeds of the “Gnome” variety are placed in the refrigerator compartment and left for 2 days. Spray them periodically with water to avoid drying out. After all the manipulations to prepare the seeds, you can begin to plant.
Depending on the number of seeds, select the container of the required volume. Give preference to elongated tanks.
Place the tomato seeds in several rows and sprinkle them with loose soil, so that a 1 cm layer forms. Then, using a cling film, wrap the container with seedlings. Thus, you will achieve the effect of a greenhouse with a constant level of humidity necessary for the rapid growth and development of tomatoes.
Seedling Care
Caring for tomato seedlings “Gnome” is a responsible and time-consuming task that requires strict observance of several factors: from maintaining a certain temperature regime to regular supply of the soil with necessary beneficial microorganisms.
First of all, make sure that the seedlings are located in the most lit place of your apartment or house. Tomato seedlings are extremely sensitive to the absence of light and its lack can lead to their withering. The daylight hours required at the first stages should be from 11 to 15 hours. With insufficient natural light, resort to fluorescent lamps for seedlings.
The first time you need to water the seedlings is exclusively by spraying, by spraying. Use only boiled or pre-settled water. If desired, you can add a few drops of potassium permanganate. Spray no more than once every 7 days.
Before the seedlings can be transplanted to open beds, a hardening process will be required. It will take no more than 9-11 days.
During the first days, do not leave the seedlings for a long time in the open air, do it gradually, increasing the hardening time every day.
Landing
Seedlings of tomato variety "Gnome" perfectly take root in fertile, breathable and loose soil. Ideal is weakly acidic or neutral soil.
It is permissible to take ordinary garden land. However, sanitize it without fail. To do this, carefully mix biohumus, compost, peat and mineral top dressing in the soil. The resulting soft and nutrient-rich soil will be an excellent basis for planting tomato seedlings.
Planting tomatoes "Gnome" does not have any features that distinguish it from the usual process of planting a tomato. To start, dig holes. Their size should be slightly larger than the capacity in which the seedlings are located. In an upright position, place the seedlings in the dug holes and sprinkle with fertile soil. Upon completion of the planting process, the seedlings are watered with warm water under the root.
Outdoor tomato care
Tomatoes of the “Gnome” variety, like other representatives of tomatoes at the same time, do not tolerate either dry soil or an excess of moisture. Watering is done as the soil dries. In the absence of rainy weather, water plants 1-2 times in 7 days only with warm water.
Loosening of the earth is carried out at each compaction of the soil. This is quite easy to notice, since an earth crust appears on the soil around the shrub.
Fertilize tomatoes at least 3 times throughout the summer. If desired, it is permissible to feed every 14 days. The composition of the fertilizer can be any, the only condition is the ratio of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. The first should be much less than the last two. An excellent fertilizer is bird droppings, which are mixed under the root of the bush.
Immediately after the shrub has taken root in open soil and begins to grow actively, it will be necessary to make a support for the plant. The peg is hammered from the north by 30 cm into the ground. At the same time, the distance between the stem and the support should be at least 15 cm. Hilling of tomato bushes is carried out 3-4 times throughout the summer.
Harvesting and storage
Harvesting tomatoes can take place in two variations. The first is suitable for those who immediately sell tomatoes, for example, for preparing fresh salad.
The second variation is useful to those who later plan to preserve the tomatoes or transport them over long distances. To do this, rip a tomato from a branch of a shrub several days before it fully ripens and send it to a warm place to ripen on its own.
However, in neither case should tomato be allowed to mature, as it loses its taste and a huge amount of vitamins useful for humans.
When harvesting, inspect the condition of the shrub, if necessary, remove damaged leaves. This will prevent the spread of a possible infectious disease to other shrubs.
It is not permissible to subject ripe tomatoes to long-term storage; it just goes bad. Arrange unripened tomatoes in several rows, preferably in a poorly lit place. So ripening will be much more effective and in a shorter time.
Diseases and Pests
The tomato variety “Gnome” is highly resistant to various diseases, both infectious and viral. Breeders managed to put protective properties in this variety that prevent diseases from spreading their harmful effects on the plant. But harmful insects can still cause some trouble.
Spider mites are located on the lower sides of the leaves. Their danger lies in the fact that they pull the juice from the leaf and braid it with thin cobwebs. Subsequently, the plant becomes covered with black spots and begins to fade. Combating this pest is difficult, but possible. It is only necessary to regularly inspect the leaves and, if necessary, spray the plants with a product called Fitoverm.
Another dangerous insect for tomato is the wireworm. It feeds on the stems and root system of tomato shrubs. A damaged plant dies instantly and it is impossible to save it. An extremely effective way to combat wireworms are the so-called vegetable traps. Only a few root crops will be required. It can be potatoes, carrots or beets.
Place the root crops in the soil so that they are at a depth of 15 cm. Insert a high stick into the root crop so that it sticks out of the soil after you dig the vegetable.After a few days, remove the root crops with wireworms and burn them together with the vegetable.
When growing tomatoes in greenhouse conditions, quite often you can meet with such difficulty as the appearance of a bear. This is a pest insect whose body can reach 12 cm. Thanks to its powerful paws, it is able to overcome long distances underground in a short time, causing permanent damage to the roots of the tomato. But the main danger lies in the fact that, tearing out a small depression in the ground, the bear lays up to 200 larvae. After 14 days, they begin to eat everything that meets them on the way.
Despite the horror that brings the bear to gardeners, it’s quite easy to fight it. First of all, do not water the soil. Water as needed. If you find an insect, try to find its hole and fill in one of the presented means: a tincture of hot peppers (100 g of pepper in 5 liters of water) or a glass of vinegar.
Gardeners reviews
Adalina, 36 years old, accountant, Republic of Bashkortostan. Great variety. Ideal for growing even in the smallest suburban area. Bushes are compact, and do not take up much space. The leaves are wide and cope well with temperature changes or bad weather. Harvest rich, juicy and tasty fruits.
Tatyana, 60 years old, pensioner, Yekaterinburg. The main thing is to observe the distance between the bushes, not less than 15 cm. Then they grow well and give a rich harvest. The stems are thick and strong, they hold the crown perfectly. I do without support. The first fruits appear already on the hundredth day, which cannot please. I would like to note the taste of the vegetable. It is slightly sweet in taste and perfectly retains shape when preserved.
Mikhail, 57 years old, amateur gardener, Moscow region. For me, the main indicator of the quality of a variety is the stability in the fruiting of the plant. I have been planting the variety “Gnome” for several years and I can’t get enough of it. Firstly, seedlings grow and develop vigorously. Secondly, the maintenance of tomato bushes in the greenhouse is minimal, since the variety is immune to diseases.
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Most reviews regarding the tomato variety “Gnome” are positive. Many people note good survival in the climate of our country and strong immunity of the plant to the negative influence of external factors in the form of insects, viral and infectious diseases.