Tomato Chocolate

Tomato Chocolate is the result of the work of Russian breeders. And it is maximally adapted to the usually unpredictable climate of different regions of our country. They buy it rather out of curiosity. Because the color of the fruit is very unusual. And not typical for tomatoes.

Gardeners are used to red tomatoes. But dark red-brown tomatoes are treated with suspicion. But in vain. The fruits have excellent taste. Perhaps, having learned more about the Chocolate tomato variety, you also want to grow it on your site.

Tomato Chocolate: variety description and characteristics

Tomato Chocolate: photo of the variety

Tomato variety Chocolate can be classified as a semi-determinant variety. That is, the bush turns out to be of medium height. Height from 120 to 150 cm. There are not very many leaves. But at the same time they are quite large. And cover the fruits.

The most important feature of the Chocolate tomato variety, in addition to the unusual color of the fruit, is that the plant has a very high immunity. There is no mention of the fact that the bushes of this variety were affected by common "tomato" diseases. Such as root or top rot.

Eating Chocolate Tomatoes

Tomato Chocolate: photo of the variety

As we said, in most cases, these unusual tomatoes are grown out of curiosity. And mostly consumed fresh. However, Chocolate tomatoes are suitable for conservation and freezing. And also for making lecho and tomato juice. But be prepared for the color of the juice to be as unusual as the tomatoes themselves.

You also need to know that Chocolate Tomatoes do not last long. So they need to be eaten or processed soon after they are removed from the bush.

Tomato Chocolate and its advantages

Chocolate tomato: variety photo

Based on the statistics of reviews of gardeners growing chocolate tomato, as well as on the characteristics and description of the variety, we can highlight the main advantages of this plant.

The plant has high immunity and successfully resists most diseases. Even in unfavorable weather and heavy rains, the resistance of this variety to various types of rot is noted.

But this does not mean at all that gardeners can relax. And neglect disease prevention. If you plant the chocolate variety of tomatoes too close, then in greenhouses in the heat and with high humidity it may well appear late blight.

The size of the fruit and the yield of the Chocolate tomato can also be attributed to the advantages of the plant. In cold and rainy summers, you can feel the difference by comparing the harvest from bushes of different varieties of tomatoes. In most cases, the harvest from the bushes of Chocolate tomatoes will be greater.

Despite the exotic look, the tomatoes of this variety are just as tasty as regular red tomatoes.

How to grow a Chocolate tomato?

Tomato Chocolate: photo of the variety

You can grow the chocolate variety of tomatoes both in the greenhouse and on the street. The fruits ripen on average 3.5 months after germination. That is, the variety can be called medium early. Of course, in a greenhouse, there are much more chances to get a large harvest. Especially in the more northerly areas during short summers.

The first inflorescence usually appears above the eighth leaf. On each hand, an average of five fruits are tied. At least 10 kg of tomatoes are harvested from a square meter. And with good care and up to 15 kg. So the variety of tomatoes Chocolate can be called high-yielding.

Preparation for growing seedlings

Regardless of how you grow a Chocolate tomato (in a greenhouse or outdoors), it always starts with growing seedlings. The sowing time should be calculated based on the climatic characteristics of your area.

At the time of transplantation to a permanent place, the seedlings should be at least 50-55 days. By this time, the plant usually has six true leaves. And maybe some of the bushes will already bloom. As a rule, sowing seeds is carried out in the second half of February or in March.

Seedling varieties Chocolate

The planting material purchased in the store has already passed the necessary pre-sowing preparation. Still, you can carry out additional sorting by dropping the seeds into water. If some of them float to the surface, discard them. Most likely they are empty and you can't wait for seedlings from them. But all the rest can be planted.

Then, before planting, you can soak the chocolate tomato seeds for several hours in the solution. vermicompost... Or another growth stimulant. Because it will speed up the emergence of seedlings. It will also further enhance the immunity of plants.

Seedling soil

Seedling soil can be purchased at any flower shop. It contains the necessary supply of nutrients, which will be enough for the seedlings for the first time. But it is worth considering additional soil disinfection. Heat it in the oven. Or spill with potassium permanganate to get rid of harmful microorganisms.

Pour the prepared soil into containers, water. And deepen the chocolate tomato seeds into it by 1-1.5 cm.Then cover the container with glass or cling film. And put it in a warm place. Light is not important to us yet. The ideal temperature will be + 24 ... + 26 degrees.

After the shoots of the Chocolate tomato begin to sprout, the shelter must be removed. Rearrange the seedlings closer to the light. And also to reduce the air temperature by 5-7 degrees. This must be done in order for the seedlings to grow stronger. And it didn’t start to actively grow right away, stretching towards the light. Such plants are thin and weak.

Watering the chocolate tomato seedlings should be moderate and careful. Avoid waterlogging the soil. And always with warm water. And, as usual, after the appearance of the second true leaf, the seedlings must be sorted into separate containers.

Preparing seedlings and soil for planting

As the moment of transplantation approaches, it is necessary to begin hardening the seedlings. To do this, take the plants outside for a short time at first. Increase your exposure to air every day. If the tomatoes are to grow in the open field, then you need to let them spend a couple of nights on the street in the form of seedlings. Cover them with a film or geotextile.

Simultaneously with hardening, begin to prepare the soil. Tomatoes of the Chocolate variety prefer soil with a neutral acidity level. The earth must be well dug up, adding humus. And if necessary, sand. If the soil is very heavy.

In case of a high level of acidity, you can use chalk, dolomite flour. And also slaked lime or ash. Also, when digging, apply a fertilizer containing the nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium necessary for the tomatoes.

Then the prepared beds can be covered with a dark film or geotextile. Because it will prevent weeds from sprouting. And it will also contribute to additional heating of the soil, the temperature of which should be + 14 ... + 16 degrees.

We plant a chocolate tomato in the soil

When the threat of frost has passed, you can transplant seedlings, it is better that this happens on a warm, but cloudy day. It is necessary to plant with the calculation of three bushes per square meter, otherwise when the tomatoes grow they will not have enough nutrients.

Watering tomatoes of the Chocolate variety in the greenhouse is enough once a week, watering must be carried out at the root, you can add a little ash to the water. And of course the best time for watering is very early morning, or evening hours.Watering outdoors is necessary taking into account the weather conditions, but in case of dry weather, twice a week will be enough.

Chocolate tomatoes, like other varieties, will only need three dressings per season. Monitor the condition of the plants and, depending on this, adjust the content of certain elements in the top dressing, exclude nitrogen from the middle of summer. To improve the formation of ovaries, you can carry out foliar feeding with boron.

Do not forget about weeding and loosening the soil, these are extremely important elements of crop care. It is very important to install supports at the time of transplanting seedlings, to which you will then tie up the plants. By installing such supports at a later time, you risk damaging the roots of the tomatoes. As the tomato grows, remember to tie it up. You will also need to remove the stepsons, but in no case should you cut them off all at once - after such stress, the tomato may start to hurt or die (this applies to all varieties). Do this gradually in the morning, one a day.

And of course, despite the resistance of the Chocolate tomato variety to most diseases, do not forget about preventive measures - do not allow too high air humidity and do not forget to ventilate the greenhouse every day. Sprinkle ash or bone meal on the soil. If pests appear, do not immediately grab insecticides, try to start using folk recipes based on soda, soap, wormwood or garlic.

Care of a variety of tomatoes Chocolate

Tomato Chocolate: photo of the variety

A very important advantage can be considered the fact that tomatoes of the Chocolate variety do not require your constant presence at the dacha. Because they are very unpretentious to care for. With the exception of holidays, most summer residents have the opportunity to take care of the garden only on weekends. So this is very important.

Most gardeners are inclined to believe that the only drawback is the unusual color of the fruit. Otherwise they are very good. But if you look at the situation from a different angle, then the unusual color can become another advantage of this variety.

Tomato Chocolate: reviews of gardeners

Tomato Chocolate: photo of the variety

Alexander, Yaroslavl.

Chocolate tomatoes were planted for the sake of experiment, interested in an unusual color. But the year for experiments turned out to be unsuccessful - the loto was rainy, the taste of all varieties was rather watery. But the Chocolate tomato variety had better yields than others. So for the purity of the experiment, I will definitely try to plant it again, now in the greenhouse.

Ekaterina, Novosibirsk.

Not so much as a complete delight, but in general I liked the Chocolate tomato variety, there were no problems with tomato bushes (I planted it in a greenhouse, did not get sick, grew strong). The yield of the Chocolate tomato is good, the tomatoes are interesting in color, the taste is no different from ordinary red tomatoes .. I will plant 2-4 bushes for salads.