Finding the best tomato varieties is not an easy task for every gardener. It is especially difficult to do this now, when hundreds of different varieties are presented on the shop windows. Moreover, on each packet you can read that it is these seeds that will give a huge harvest of delicious tomatoes.
Advertising promises are not worth paying attention to. Other information that you can find by studying seeds is more valuable. In particular, it is not uncommon to notice that a variety is determinant or indeterminate. What do these difficult-to-pronounce words mean? And how do you know which seeds are right for you? You will find the answers to these difficult questions in this article.
Indeterminate tomato varieties
This term refers to varieties that are capable of growing to a fairly impressive size. That is, the bush can "grow" to the ceiling of the greenhouse and continue to grow, while tying more and more new brushes. Otherwise, these varieties are called tall.
Under suitable conditions, indeterminate varieties can grow throughout the year. At the same time, one bush can have up to fifty brushes.
Such varieties begin to bloom after 10 leaves appear. The seedlings are grown within two months, and the first fruits can be tasted about three and a half months after planting.
Determinant tomato varieties
These varieties do not tend to grow indefinitely. They are able to form a limited number of brushes (up to eight), after which growth stops.
Determinant varieties are divided into two groups: medium-sized and low-growing.
Standard varieties are rather low, have thickened stems. They ripen early enough. The age of their seedlings reaches 45 days, and fruiting begins in 70-90 days. They give standard varieties of up to three brushes from one bush.
Tomatoes of medium height are capable of growing up to a height of one meter. The recommended age of seedlings is about 50 days, the bush begins to bear fruit after 100 days. Such varieties are quite fruitful: 7-8 brushes appear on one bush.
Differences in caring for determinate and indeterminate tomatoes
Any gardener will have a natural question: what varieties should you prefer for your site? The answer depends on what goals you are pursuing and how much effort you intend to invest in caring for the plants.
Among the main advantages of indeterminate varieties are the following: they can bear fruit for a fairly long time. They will give off the crop gradually, while with proper care, it is possible to get up to one bucket of tomatoes from each bush. However, it is necessary to take care of the formation of the bush into a single stem, regularly eliminate stepchildren and excess foliage. In addition, tomatoes of indeterminate varieties need to be tied up regularly so that they do not break under their own weight.
Determinant middle-aged tomatoes begin to bear fruit much earlier.They do not need a regular garter: they only need to tie the bushes once. The bushes are smaller and do not clutter up the greenhouse space. Of course, with proper care, such varieties are capable of producing one bucket per bush, but you will have to put a lot of effort into this.
Standard varieties give their first harvest at the beginning of summer. No garter is required for the bushes, moreover, these tomatoes do great in pots. They need a minimum amount of care. However, there is also a rather significant disadvantage: such varieties will give only one harvest, after which they will only decorate your garden plot.
Before purchasing this or that variety, ask yourself a few questions. How many tomatoes do you want? Are you going to grow them for sale or just to pamper yourself and your family? Do you intend to preserve tomatoes for the winter? It is also necessary to take into account the climate in which the cultivation will take place, as well as the presence or absence of the greenhouse.
In areas with cold climates, tomatoes are never grown without shelter, and for greenhouses, determinate tomatoes are better suited. During a short summer, they may well give a good harvest. In the middle lane, determinate tomatoes give an excellent harvest in the open field, and indeterminate ones are recommended to be additionally protected from the cold. In the southern regions, any varieties will feel great outdoors.
A very important parameter is the age of planting seedlings in the ground. If you want an impressive harvest, you don't need to sow seeds at the same time. Subtract the recommended age from the date of planting seedlings in the ground and add seven days, which will take to germinate the seeds. Remember that if you sow the seeds too early, the plant will not be able to get the energy it needs. If tomatoes are sown too late, the plants will not be able to reach their full potential.
